Soaring through space, battling aliens, encountering androids, and more. There’s just something so endlessly fascinating about sci-fi movies, especially for genre fans. And while many people out there subscribe to a few streaming services, sometimes it’s fun to find new movies that might not be on Netflix or Disney+. That’s why free streaming services like Tubi and Pluto TV can be so valuable.
Without paying a penny, audiences can hop on these free streamers and find a massive hoard of content, from iconic classics to modern hits to indie favorites and more. For anyone out there who loves the genre, check out these 10 sci-fi movies that are streaming right now, completely for free!
Species (1995)
They say sex sells, and Species absolutely uses that to its advantage. In the ‘90s, sci-fi nerds everywhere got all hot and bothered for Sil (Natasha Henstridge), a sexy alien-human hybrid who goes on a deadly rampage with one goal: to mate. While the sleazy premise was almost certainly used to lure in young male audiences, Species is actually a really fun and interesting movie. Plus, it’s got some seriously good practical effects, like Sil’s alien form.
If you love sexy sci-fi films like Barbarella (1968), or movies where alien genetic mutations take some very (cough, cough) unexpected turns, like in Splice (2010), then you need to watch Species.
Cube (1997)
Scoring Best Canadian First Feature at its 1997 TIFF premiere, Cube became one of sci-fi’s most iconic under-the-radar hits. In the film, a group of strangers wake up in a cube, surrounded by other cubes that all form one giant, interchanging cube. They have no idea why they’re there or how to get out. Even worse, some of the cubes have deadly traps.
The film is an absolute masterclass in tension, and while some audiences might get annoyed by how few answers are provided, the mystery and confusion are what add to the movie’s terror. Cube is perfect for anyone who loves a good, trippy, disturbing sci-fi tale. Many genre fans also note the film’s similarities to Saw (2004), thanks to its traps and sadistic plot, which almost feels like the victims are in some type of twisted game. It’s also got similar psychological tension to films like Circle (2015), if that’s your jam.
The Faculty (1998)
What happens when Robert Rodriguez (From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)) takes on a script from Scream (1996) writer Kevin Williamson that’s intended to be a modern, cool, totally '90s revamp of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)? You get The Faculty. Lingering somewhere between horror, sci-fi, and Dawson’s Creek (1998), the movie is a wildly fun adventure filled with the wildest ensemble cast ever (and one epically cool giant alien queen).
The Faculty is a hard movie to categorize since it blends so many genres, but that’s also why it’s so unique and fun. It’s got this almost comic book feel, where somehow a movie about parasitic aliens is blended with campy vibes and a '90s alt-grunge soundtrack. If you love the ‘90s teen horror genre, like Urban Legend (1998) or I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), and want it infused with a fun sci-fi take, this is absolutely the film for you.
Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)
Killer Klowns from Outer Space is so bonkers that it’s hard to even categorize it as campy. It’s so ridiculous that it’s almost a parody, all while still being a very good and very enjoyable sci-fi horror movie. As the title implies, the film sees a group of clown-like aliens (the Klowns) who arrive on Earth and begin killing and harvesting humans.
The movie is pure carnival chaos, and thanks to its practical effects, it’s more than just a wacky romp. It’s a downright bloodbath. If you love over-the-top horror comedies like Thankskilling (2008) or Slotherhouse (2023), you need to check out Killer Klowns.
Tammy and the T-Rex (1994)
Imagine it’s 1994 and Paul Walker is savagely mauled by a lion. After, a mad scientist takes his brain out of his now-mangled body and puts it into a giant robotic T. rex. Then, dinosaur Paul Walker sets out to get revenge on those who killed him using his new Jurassic upgrade. Let me introduce you to Tammy and the T-Rex.
It’s wild, fun, and straight-up weird. When Tammy and the T-Rex released in ‘94, it struggled to find success, but in 2019, it was re-released as its originally intended R-rated version (filled with more gore!) and became a cult hit. I’m trying to think of comparable movies to Tammy and the T-Rex, and I honestly can’t. It’s a teen movie, a revenge film, a dinosaur movie, and sci-fi film, all with horror elements. And that’s what makes it so special. There’s really no other movie out there quite like it.
Kaboom (2010)
In 2026, Gregg Araki will make the biggest movie of his career with I Want Your Sex, starring everyone from Charli XCX to Olivia Wilde, Johnny Knoxville, Cooper Hoffman, and more. For fans to get acquainted with Araki’s dark and queer style before then, check out Kaboom. The 2010 film is a wild, sexy ride that follows a group of horny college students who suddenly find themselves in the middle of a massive conspiracy involving cults and the end of the world.
Kaboom has a fantastic shock ending, and it even took home the inaugural Queer Palm award at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. While it can certainly feel a little low-budget to some (it is an indie film after all), it’s got a lot of passion and quirk. If you love your sci-fi films served up with a side of brooding angst and horny technicolor, you’ll love Kaboom. It’s like Donnie Darko (2001) meets American Pie (1999).
Sphere (1998)
Audiences love a good underwater sci-fi movie. And yet, it seems like Hollywood makes so few of them. Underwater (2020) and The AbyssI (1989) are probably the two most notable examples, but in ‘98, the world also got Sphere. In the movie, a team of researchers discover a mysterious vessel at the bottom of the ocean. Before long, strange and deadly events begin to occur, leading to a mystery about who or what is behind it.
Sphere is a complex film that takes traditional sci-fi tropes and throws them into a psychological horror movie. If you love a sci-fi horror film with a tangible villain, maybe this isn’t the movie for you. But if you like films about confusion, fear, and paranoia… all with a sci-fi twist, then Sphere is a sleeper hit you need to see. It’s perfect for anyone who loves trippy sci-fi films like Solaris (1972) or Moon (2009).
Event Horizon (1997)
What happens when a spaceship uses wormholes to travel through space but accidentally transports itself into Hell? Well, you’ll have to find out in Event Horizon. Starring Laurence Fishburne and Sam Neill, the movie is a blend of horrifying visuals, psychological terror, and the looming dread of being on an abandoned spaceship. It’s also important to know that the movie was panned upon release, then developed a massive cult following for decades, and is now considered one of the best sci-fi horror movies ever made, inspiring countless other movies and shows. Proving that all reviews are subjective.
From Warhammer to Destiny, Foundation, and even references in South Park, Event Horizon has had a lasting impact in Hollywood. But no homages compare to the Dead Space series, which was directly inspired by Event Horizon. So if you’re a fan of the games or the animated films like Dead Space: Aftermath (2011), I can guarantee you that you’re gonna love Even Horizon. It also has one truly infamous scene of a murderous, bloody, Hell orgy that is guaranteed to f*** you up for years to come.
The Time Machine (2002)
The 2001 film adaptation of H.G. Wells’ 1895 masterpiece has aged considerably well after the lukewarm reception it had at its premiere. The film follows Dr. Alexander Hartdegen as he travels far into the future, exploring what society becomes thousands of years from now.
After all these years, the story remains surprisingly timely, and honestly, right now it feels super relevant, showing how society diverges into two races: one centered on community, and the other literally becoming angry, brainless, underground monsters controlled by a demigod. It also has some seriously good practical effects and tackles themes of loss, hope, and accepting that the past can’t be changed. If you love movies that play with the concept of time and the purpose of life, like A Sound of Thunder (2005) and Interstellar (2014), then The Time Machine is a classic tale you need to see.
Men in Black (1997)
The iconic ‘90s film Men in Black is currently streaming for free! Inspired by urban legends of a secret government bureau that deals with extraterrestrial affairs, the film brought together Hollywood heavyweights Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith as two agents forced to work together to defeat an alien foe.
The movie brilliantly combines the odd couple trope with vibes from buddy cop movies, made all the more exciting by its sci-fi premise. Plus, the chemistry (and comedy) between Jones and Smith is some of the best out there, making it a super enjoyable film. If you love sci-fi comedies like Evolution (2001) or Mars Attacks! (1996), then Men in Black is an iconic film you need to watch (or rewatch!) now.
