The 12 Best Sci-Fi Movies Ever Made

What happens when invisible extra-terrestrials land on a New York City rooftop inhabited by heroin-addicted lesbian club kids? What sounds like an absurd premise is actually a deeply powerful statement about the precariousness and cruelty of queer life amidst the AIDS epidemic in pre-Giuliani Manhattan. Although the conceit is silly, the movie is a gorgeous portrait of a fragile subcultural scene that tragically faded away. And if all that’s too serious for you, fear not: There are a handful of outlandish early 80’s fashion shows interspersed throughout the film.

Because of the sexism of Hollywood, sci-fi movies directed by women are frustratingly few and far between. Director Rachel Talalay, who had previously worked on the films of John Waters, brought a specific and lovable anarchic energy to her reinterpretation of the punk rock comics by Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlett (who later became much better known as the artist behind The Gorillaz). Although it was projected to become the Rocky Horror of the 1990’s, the movie flopped disastrously upon its release. But, like Rocky, Tank Girl has since developed a devout cult following, which includes the likes of Margot Robbie — who hopes to reboot this undervalued campy treasure for a new generation. Imaginative costumes by a young Rick Owens complement the technicolored set designs, plus an endlessly charming performance from Lori Petty as the titular freedom fighter make this movie impossible to dismiss as the dreck male critics often pronounce it to be.