Classic Dystopian Films for the Sci-Fi Geek

Above (clockwise): Metropolis (1927), Mad Max (1979), Planet of the Apes (1968), Gattaca (1997)

A dystopia is defined as “an imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one.” What makes dystopias so interesting—and a corner stone of the sci-fi genre—is the fact that they are often the representation of a path our current world could take. If the wrong person is in power, what might happen to the world we now know? If we run out of resources, how will we cope? Here are just a few classic dystopian films every fan of the genre should watch.

Planet of the Apes
1968

The original Planet of the Apes film series is a must-watch if you’re really going to appreciate the modern trilogy (including currently-in-theatres War for Planet of the Apes) not only for the plot but also to see how much special affects and movie makeup has improved. The main themes are clearly race and animal rights as the plot flips the power dynamic between human and ape. The struggle between species is still just as relevant today as the reboot trilogy (which serves as a prequel to the originals) continues to show how even when some want things to change, there will always be others holding back progress.

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Tags: dystopia, dystopian films, Sci-Fi, science fiction

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