Movies About Predicting The Future

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Daniel Richter
Rated G

2001: A Space Odyssey is a 1968 science fiction film directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on a story by both Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke. It follows a voyage to Jupiter with the sentient computer HAL after the discovery of a mysterious black monolith affecting human evolution. The film deals with themes of existentialism, human evolution, technology, artificial intelligence, and extraterrestrial life. It is noted for its scientifically accurate depiction of spaceflight, pioneering special effects, and ambiguous imagery. The film is divided into four parts: "The Dawn of Man", "TMA-1", "Jupiter Mission", and "Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite". It was nominated for four Academy Awards, winning one for its visual effects, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.

From Peter Weir, starring Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich
Rated PG

The Truman Show is a 1998 American science fiction comedy-drama film starring Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank, a man living a seemingly perfect life in a simulated reality created for television. His life is broadcasted around the world 24 hours a day without his knowledge, and he is the unwitting star of the show. The film follows Truman's journey as he slowly discovers the truth and attempts to break out of the manufactured world he finds himself in. Along the way, he confronts the show's director and creator, Christof, and learns some valuable lessons about life. The film deals with themes of reality, identity, freedom, and the power of media.

From Ridley Scott, starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos
Rated R

Blade Runner is a 1982 neo-noir science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott, based on the 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick. Set in a dystopian future in Los Angeles, the story follows a blade runner (a special police operative) tasked with finding and retiring four fugitive androids who have escaped from an off-world colony. Along the way, the blade runner discovers a secret that calls into question his own identity, forcing him to confront the moral implications of his job. The film's iconic visuals and a highly acclaimed score by Vangelis have contributed to its lasting influence in the science fiction genre. Themes explored in the film include the meaning of humanity, artificial intelligence, and the potential of technology to alter and transcend the human condition.

From James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, Paul Winfield
Rated R

The Terminator is an iconic 1984 sci-fi action film directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. In a post-apocalyptic future, a cyborg assassin known as the Terminator (Schwarzenegger) is sent back in time to 1984 by an advanced artificial intelligence called Skynet in order to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the mother of the future leader of the human resistance against Skynet. Sarah is protected by Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), a soldier sent back in time to save her. Together, Sarah and Kyle must battle the unstoppable cyborg and prevent the future annihilation of humanity.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch, Robert Duvall
Rated R

Network is a 1976 American satire-drama film written by Paddy Chayefsky and directed by Sidney Lumet. The film stars Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch and Robert Duvall, and tells the story of a fictional television network, UBS, and its struggle with poor ratings. Anchorman Howard Beale (Finch) discovers he is about to be fired for poor ratings and decides to commit suicide on air, which boosts the ratings. Network executives attempt to capitalize on this, hiring a ratings-hungry programming director, Diana Christensen (Dunaway), to liven up programming. Christensen introduces a variety of exploitative new programs, which ultimately leads to a breakdown in Beale's sanity and a massive ratings success for UBS. The film examines the implications of media conglomerates, society's obsession with ratings, and the effects of mass media on individuals.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Tom Wilson
Rated PG

"Back to the Future Part II" is a 1989 science fiction adventure film and a sequel to the 1985 hit film "Back to the Future". In the film, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) travel to the year 2015 in order to save Marty's future son from making a terrible mistake. Along the way, they must contend with numerous obstacles and the machinations of Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson). While in the future, the duo makes unexpected discoveries about their destiny, leading them to a thrilling climax. The film is filled with humorous moments, intense action, and cleverly constructed plot points. Ultimately, "Back to the Future Part II" is an entertaining and thought-provoking exploration of time travel, destiny, and family.

From George Miller, starring Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Michael Preston, Max Phipps
Rated R

The Road Warrior is a post-apocalyptic action film released in 1981. It is the second installment in the Mad Max franchise, and stars Mel Gibson as Max Rockatansky, a former police officer and survivor of a world ravaged by an energy crisis. Max is on a mission to reach a distant oil refinery and reclaim it from a ruthless band of marauders, led by a charismatic villain known as the Lord Humungus. Along the way, he discovers new allies and enemies, and ultimately finds himself in a desperate showdown with the marauders. With its high-octane action, thrilling stunts, and memorable characters, The Road Warrior is considered a classic and an influential entry in the post-apocalyptic genre.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton, Max von Sydow
Rated PG-13

Minority Report is a science fiction action thriller directed by Steven Spielberg, based on a short story by Philip K. Dick. The story follows the PreCrime police department in a future when it is possible to predict and prevent crimes before they happen. John Anderton (Tom Cruise) is the head of the PreCrime unit and is tasked with stopping murders before they can occur. When Anderton is accused of a future murder, he must go on the run to prove his innocence. With the help of a mysterious woman, he discovers a conspiracy that could reveal the truth. In the end, Anderton must choose between his own freedom and the safety of the population.

From Paul Verhoeven, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Rachel Ticotin
Rated R

Total Recall is a 1990 science fiction action film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The film is based on the Philip K. Dick short story "We Can Remember It for You Wholesale". The story follows the life of Douglas Quaid, a construction worker who is haunted by a recurring dream about Mars. When he visits Rekall, a company that implants artificial memories, he begins to suspect that his past is not what he thought it was. Quaid discovers that he is actually a secret agent from Mars who is on a mission to save the Earth from destruction. He embarks on a thrilling adventure as he fights his way through a web of deceit and treachery to uncover the truth. Along the way, he must face a variety of enemies, including aliens, mutants, and robots, while trying to stay alive and save the planet.

From Fred M. Wilcox, starring Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, Leslie Nielsen, Warren Stevens
Rated G

Forbidden Planet is a 1956 American science fiction film directed by Fred M. Wilcox and starring Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis and Leslie Nielsen. The story begins when a military spaceship is sent to the distant planet Altair IV to investigate the disappearance of a previous expedition. Once there, they discover an advanced civilization living in fear of a mysterious and unseen "monster". As they investigate further, they discover that the advanced civilization is hiding a powerful and dangerous secret. Along the way they discover the power of technology and the potential of the human mind. Ultimately, they must face the "monster" and save the planet from destruction.

From Tony Scott, starring Will Smith, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, Lisa Bonet
Rated R

From David Cronenberg, starring James Woods, Debbie Harry, Sonja Smits, Peter Dvorsky
Rated R

From John Badham, starring Matthew Broderick, Ally Sheedy, John Wood, Dabney Coleman
Rated PG

From Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, John Beck, Mary Gregory
Rated PG

From Nora Ephron, starring Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Greg Kinnear, Parker Posey
Rated PG

From John Badham, starring Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens, Austin Pendleton
Rated PG

From John Hughes, starring Anthony Michael Hall, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, Kelly LeBrock, Bill Paxton
Rated PG-13

From Steve Barron, starring Lenny von Dohlen, Virginia Madsen, Maxwell Caulfield, Bud Cort
Rated PG

From Robert Wise, starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan
Rated G

From Warren Beatty, starring Warren Beatty, Madonna, Al Pacino, Charlie Korsmo
Rated PG

From Ben Stiller, starring Jim Carrey, Matthew Broderick, Leslie Mann, Jack Black
Rated PG-13

From Ken Finkleman, starring Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Lloyd Bridges, Raymond Burr
Rated PG

From Irwin Winkler, starring Sandra Bullock, Jeremy Northam, Dennis Miller, Diane Baker
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Joseph Barbera, William Hanna, Iwao Takamoto, starring George O'Hanlon, Penny Singleton, Mel Blanc, Tiffany
Rated G

From Directors: Annabel Jankel, Rocky Morton, starring Bob Hoskins, John Leguizamo, Dennis Hopper, Samantha Mathis
Rated PG