10 Best Sci-Fi Movie Reboots Of All Time, Ranked – SlashFilm

We live within the age of movie and tv reboots, which has resulted in some glorious franchise resurgences. From revived film sagas to the return of traditional TV reveals, nostalgia is at present the highest canine in Hollywood. Relating to the science fiction style, many fan-favorites have been rebooted over time, and whereas they do not at all times work, there are a lot which have lived as much as their predecessors. 

When selecting one of the best sci-fi film reboots, there’s rather a lot to contemplate. Whereas audiences nonetheless need the movies to honor the supply materials, a reboot must also really feel like a recent addition or a restart to a franchise. If a reboot is promised, people don’t need to see an easy remake. 

Remakes are additionally prevalent in sci-fi, however you’ll not see any of these on this checklist. Whereas movies like “The Factor” (1982) and “The Fly” (1986) are a number of the greatest in historical past, they’re strictly remakes, not reboots. For clarification, remakes have a tendency to repeat the story of the unique movie. In the meantime, a revival is a continuation of a narrative that usually occurs after a protracted break — for instance, “Star Wars: The Power Awakens.” Revivals may even not be featured on this checklist. 

With all of that in thoughts, listed here are our picks for the 10 greatest science fiction film reboots, ranked.

Decide Dredd is a comic book e book character who first debuted in “2000 AD #2” in 1977. The character lives in a dystopian future metropolis known as Mega-Metropolis One. On this world, police are known as “road judges,” and have the facility to arrest, convict, and even execute criminals. The comics are a commentary on authoritarianism and police brutality, and have been tailored into two function movies.

In 1995, Sylvester Stallone starred within the movie “Decide Dredd,” which adopted the titular character as he was framed for homicide by his personal half-brother. Directed by Danny Cannon, that movie was panned by critics and followers alike. However in 2012, Lionsgate launched a reboot titled “Dredd” starring Karl City. On this model, Dredd groups up with a psychic rookie performed by Olivia Thirlby, and when the duo will get trapped in a excessive-rise block, they need to battle their manner via and confront its nefarious chief — a drug lord named Ma-Ma (Lena Headey). 

“Dredd” was written by Alex Garland, who later admitted to “ghost directing” the movie. The film was shot primarily in 3D and was a raucous good time with a crowd. The excessive-octane mission was stuffed with nice gore and motion, and had a greater understanding of the supply materials than the 1995 movie. Sadly, “Dredd 2” was by no means going to occur, and one other reboot was revealed to be in growth in 2025. 

After many makes an attempt to adapt “The Unbelievable 4,” Marvel Studios lastly obtained it proper in 2025 with “The Unbelievable 4: The First Steps.” Marvel’s first household debuted in comics in “The Unbelievable 4 #1” in 1961. The story adopted the heroic adventures of Mister Unbelievable, Invisible Girl, Human Torch, and The Factor. A low-funds adaptation from legendary producer Roger Corman was made in 1994, however was by no means formally launched. (That mission was a catastrophe by design as a result of Constantin Movie president Bernd Eichinger wished to carry on to the rights.) 

The subsequent try and adapt the enduring Marvel staff got here in 2005. Whereas “Unbelievable 4” wasn’t favored by critics or Marvel followers, it was successful on the field workplace and spawned a sequel in 2007. Over time, followers have gained a nostalgic appreciation for these two movies, partially due to Chris Evans’ efficiency as Human Torch, which he reprised to humorous impact in “Deadpool & Wolverine” in 2024. Followers additionally stopped being so arduous on the 2000s movies due to the 2015 reboot, which was such a colossal failure that it made the earlier makes an attempt look good. 10 years later, “The Unbelievable 4: The First Steps” entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and followers had been lastly glad.

Whereas the latest Unbelievable 4 movie will not be excellent, it does a lot greater than any adaptation earlier than it. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn had been nice within the lead roles, and director Matt Shakman leaned right into a Sixties aesthetic that honored the comics in a pleasant manner. As one of the best-reviewed FF film, “The First Steps” was a welcome addition to the MCU, and followers are desirous to see the characters once more in “Avengers: Doomsday” in 2026. 

“Rise of the Planet of the Apes” was not the primary try at rebooting the “Planet of the Apes” movie franchise, nevertheless it was simply one of the best. The story of “Planet of the Apes” started with French writer Pierre Boulle’s 1963 novel, “La Planète des singes.” It was tailored into a movie in 1968, which rapidly grew to become an iconic entry within the sci-fi catalog. Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring Charlton Heston, “Planet of the Apes” spawned 4 sequels between 1970 and 1973. In 2001, Tim Burton made his personal model of “Planet of the Apes,” which was a failure creatively regardless of making a good sum of money. 

10 years later, the franchise discovered new life on the large display screen with “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” Directed by Rupert Wyatt, the movie tells the origin of Caesar (Andy Serkis), the ape who would lead his brethren to freedom, finally making apes Earth’s dominant species. Whereas some would possibly argue that “Rise” is a prequel, Caesar’s story doesn’t line up along with his origins from the unique movies. Set in trendy instances, the reboot reveals Caesar rising into his superior intelligence, which was gained resulting from experiments that had been carried out on his mom.  

“Rise” earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Visible Results, and laid the groundwork for Matt Reeves’ observe-up movies, “Daybreak of the Planet of the Apes” and “Conflict for the Planet of the Apes.” In 2024, seven years after the reboot trilogy got here to an finish, a standalone sequel was launched titled “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” and one other entry is at present in growth.  

“Flash Gordon” (1980) is the oldest reboot to make our checklist. Whereas this model of “Flash Gordon” is essentially the most well known, the franchise is almost a century previous. The area journey caricature was created by Alex Raymond and adopted the titular character, an American athlete who discovered himself adventuring in area. Debuting in 1934, the Sunday caricature ran till 2003. In the meantime, the every day strip ran between 1940 and 1944, and once more between 1951 and 1992. 

The primary onscreen adaptation of “Flash Gordon” was launched in 1936. Buster Crabbe performed the titular hero in three serial movies, along with his closing outing debuting in 1940. 40 years later, the character returned in Mike Hodges’ function movie. The film starred Sam J. Jones, who needed to audition for almost a 12 months earlier than touchdown the half, in addition to Melody Anderson, Max von Sydow, Topol, Ornella Muti, and Timothy Dalton. Regardless of being tacky and over-the-high, the film earned three BAFTA nominations, together with a nod for the movie’s unimaginable music by Queen. 

Many a long time later, the mission is taken into account a cult traditional. The film is colourful and enjoyable, and by no means takes itself critically. Its cheeky angle permits audiences to chortle with it, not at it. Over time, there have been makes an attempt to reboot the franchise but once more. In 2021, it was reported that Taika Waititi was making a stay-motion mission, however there have been no latest updates from the director. 

“Star Trek” is one in all many franchises on this checklist that is had a protracted and attention-grabbing life. When the unique collection debuted in 1966, nobody may have predicted its endurance. There have been many tv observe-ups all through the years, along with movies that tie in with stated reveals. Whereas a lot of the “Star Trek” initiatives are set within the “Prime Universe,” J.J. Abrams’ 2009 movie rebooted the franchise, which created the “Kelvin Timeline.” 

“Star Trek” (2009) is a good instance of a reboot performed proper. The movie stays true to the unique collection characters whereas including a brand new edge to their story. For instance, Nyota Uhura (Zoe Saldaña) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) are romantically concerned on this model. Screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman additionally discovered a intelligent option to embody Leonard Nimoy’s Spock, which was sudden when the mission was first introduced. Whereas the movie is ready in its personal universe, it’s canonically an alternate timeline of the unique story. 

The rebooted “Star Trek” was an enormous monetary success and earned 4 Academy Award nominations, taking house the prize for Best Make-up. The film additionally spawned two sequels, “Star Trek Into Darkness” and “Star Trek Past.” Whereas the observe-ups weren’t as properly-favored as the primary installment, followers have been hoping for a fourth entry for the final decade. In 2025, franchise star Simon Pegg stated one other movie nonetheless would possibly occur, however later that 12 months, within the wake of the Paramount/Skydance merger, the studio’s new company homeowners seemingly determined to desert that concept as soon as and for all. Months after that report got here out, the way forward for “Star Trek” stays unclear. 

There have been many iterations of Superman over time, however James Gunn’s 2025 reboot is without doubt one of the greatest. The enduring DC Comics character debuted in “Motion Comics #1” in 1938, and almost 90 years later, he is without doubt one of the most acknowledged superheroes of all time. Superman has been incessantly tailored for movie and tv, however his stay-motion debut got here within the type of serials in 1948. Superman’s correct movie profession started with Richard Donner’s 1978 adaptation starring Christopher Reeve. Reeve went on to star in three sequels, and it might take almost twenty years for Superman to be seen on the large display screen once more. 

In 2006, Bryan Singer helmed “Superman Returns,” starring Brandon Routh because the titular hero. That film by no means obtained a sequel, and the character was rebooted on movie as soon as once more when the DC Prolonged Universe debuted. Henry Cavill first performed the character in Zack Snyder’s “Man of Metal” in 2013, and continued to take action for a handful of DC movies. Whereas Snyder’s tackle DC has its (very loud) followers, many thought his tackle the Superman character was utter nonsense. 

Which brings us to Gunn’s 2025 reboot. Gunn grew to become the co-head of DC Studios in 2022 and revealed he could be creating a brand new DC Universe that wasn’t beholden to the initiatives that got here earlier than. Whereas he’s not directing each movie entry himself, he did tackle “Superman” and proved to be the right individual for the job. His “Superman” felt like a comic book e book come to life, which is what was missing from the Snyder period. There’s a healthful attraction to the movie, buoyed by David Corenswet’s lead efficiency, which helped it grow to be a vital and field workplace success. The film’s observe-up, “Man of Tomorrow,” is scheduled to be launched in 2027.

The unique “The Invisible Man” was an 1897 novel by H.G. Wells and was loosely tailored right into a pre-code movie by Common Footage in 1933. There have been 5 sequels, together with “Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man,” that had been launched between 1940 and 1951. The films didn’t join as coherently as different Common monster motion pictures, such because the “Frankenstein” movies, and haven’t had the identical endurance because of this. Japanese filmmakers made their very own variations, “The Invisible Man Seems” in 1949 and “The Invisible Man vs. The Human Fly” in 1957.

Whereas numerous motion pictures about invisible males had been made all through the years, together with “Hole Man” in 2000, Common didn’t formally contact the franchise once more till the 2020 reboot, additionally titled “The Invisible Man.” Whereas the 1933 model targeted on a health care provider who discovers the key to invisibility and subsequently goes mad, the 2020 model places the give attention to the titular monster’s sufferer. 

Written and directed by Leigh Whannell, the movie stars Elizabeth Moss as a girl attempting to flee an abusive relationship with a wealthy optics engineer. As soon as he unlocks the important thing to invisibility, he begins to torment her, and naturally, nobody believes her. The movie is an intense psychological thriller that showcases gaslighting and abuse in a terrifying new manner. The mission had a profitable run on the field workplace regardless of COVID-19 shutting down theaters throughout its fourth week of launch. Whereas there have been requires a sequel, nothing is formally within the works. 

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” is a cherished franchise that started with comics in 1984. Created by  Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, what began as a one-shot idea become an enormous hit. The pizza-loving, butt-kicking, sewer-dwelling teen turtles have been the main target of seven TV reveals, eight motion pictures, a number of video video games, and an array of merch. The characters have been featured in animation and stay-motion, most notably the 1990 function movie from director Steve Barron. 

There have been a number of “TMNT” reboots over time, however the 2023 animated movie “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” is among the many greatest. The film was praised by each critics and followers for having a daring new tackle the story whereas treating the characters like precise youngsters. The film is foolish, vigorous, and includes a spectacular voice solid. Its distinctive animation model additionally helps it stand other than different diversifications of its form; the movie’s stylized CGI makes use of parts of 2D animation to provide the animation a sketchbook-model look. 

Surprisingly, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” didn’t obtain a Best Animated Function nod on the Academy Awards. Followers had been fairly disenchanted on the time, however there’s at all times hope for the sequel, which is at present within the works and slated to hit theaters in 2027.

The “Dune” franchise has a protracted historical past, however its latest renaissance could be attributed to director Denis Villeneuve. “Dune” started as a novel by Frank Herbert, which was launched in 1965. He wrote 5 sequels earlier than his dying in 1986, and over the subsequent 30 years, Herbert’s son Brian and writer Kevin J. Anderson would write 23 observe-up books. 

In 1984, David Lynch helmed an adaptation of “Dune,” which was a field workplace bomb that seemingly killed any probability of a franchise. The Sci-Fi Channel additionally launched a miniseries in 2000, nevertheless it was Villeneuve’s 2021 movie that proved an adaptation could possibly be performed correctly. The movie stars Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, and options massive names akin to Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem, Zendaya, and extra.

Whereas one may argue that “Dune: Half One” counts as a remake, the truth that it delves deeper into Herbert’s novels is why we think about it a reboot. It is also the primary a part of a trilogy, which is anticipated to come back to an finish in 2026. In 2024, a prequel tv collection titled “Dune: Prophecy” debuted on HBO. “Dune: Half One” received six Academy Awards, together with Best Visible Results, Best Rating, and Best Cinematography. 

Godzilla, AKA the King of Monsters, is a staple of cinema who’s had one of many longest massive-display screen runs in historical past. The beloved kaiju made his cinematic debut within the 1954 Japanese traditional, “Godzilla.” Over the course of almost 75 years, Godzilla has appeared in 33 Japanese movies and 5 American motion pictures. The popular culture icon has additionally been seen in different types of media, together with video video games, comics, and tv reveals. 

Relating to Godzilla reboots, there have been many stable entries, however none hit audiences as arduous as “Godzilla Minus One.” Written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki, the latest franchise entry does one factor very otherwise from most kaiju motion pictures by offering human characters who’re as attention-grabbing because the kaiju motion. Along with being an awesome monster movie, the 2024 reboot recaptured what made the unique so significant. In 1954, Japan was nonetheless recovering from the U.S. bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The nation was in ache, and Godzilla was the right metaphor for nuclear weapons. “Godzilla Minus One” introduced the monster again to postwar Japan and reminded audiences {that a} Godzilla film could be as emotionally compelling as it’s badass. 

“Godzilla Minus One” received the Academy Award for Best Visible Results, and a sequel titled “Godzilla Minus Zero” is ready to be launched in 2026.