“It’s too bad she won’t live, but then again, who does?”
Arrives September 10
Kate isn’t really sci-fi, but its cyberpunk-inspired aesthetic means it should appeal to genre fans. Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kate follows an assassin out to avenge herself after being poisoned.
Leaves September 15
Speaking of Mary Elizabeth Winstead, it’s a great time to check her out as Ramona in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. This comic adaptation leans hard into fantastical sci-fi fight sequences.
Arrives September 1
Whether you’re a Blade Runner devotee or it’s your first time seeing this masterpiece, The Final Cut is worth watching. It’s director Ridley Scott’s definitive version of the classic sci-fi film.
Arrives September 1
Chappie isn’t Neil Blomkamp’s best movie, but it does star one of the best movie robots ever. The titular robot’s descent into crime makes it a compelling cult hit.
Arrives September 1
Green Lantern is remembered as a total disaster, but what an interesting disaster it is. Even the plodding script can’t totally tamp down Ryan Reynolds’ charm, making it a failed experiment worth revisiting.
Arrives September 1
We recommend the alien invasion comedy Mars Attacks! a lot here, and there’s a good reason for that: Tim Burton alien invasion comedy rules. This campy sci-fi parody was panned on release, only gaining its deserved cult status years later.
Arrives September 1
The Nutty Professor centers on a science experiment that transforms its creator’s body and personality, but its biggest spectacle is Eddie Murphy’s transformation (via marvelous makeup) into seven different characters.
Arrives September 16
If falling autumn temperatures aren’t enough to keep you out of the water, watching Jaws might do the trick. This all-time classic invented the summer blockbuster, but it’s just as fun any time.
Leaves September 30
Star Trek: The Original Series, Enterprise, and Voyager are all boldly going away this month. That still leaves Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, but check out the three departing shows while you can.
Carole & Tuesday, by Cowboy Bebop director Shinichirō Watanabe, is a more down-to-earth series, even if it’s set on Mars. Despite its sci-fi backdrop, it tells a relatable story of friendship and creativity.
If you like your anime much heavier, there’s always Neon Genesis Evangelion. It’s a dark, disturbing show to be sure, but it’s also one of the most influential anime series ever made.
The Rebuild of Evangelion movie series, a retelling of the original show, isn’t on Netflix yet. For that, you’ll need to hit up Amazon Prime.