If you have nothing to do or just want to relax, movies are an entertaining way to pass the time, and with sci-fi action movies you can be transported to a whole new world of adventure. From kaiju monster battles to more philosophical looks at human existence, here are our top five science fiction movies to watch.

#5: “Godzilla: King of Monsters” (2019) 

Massive kaijus (Japanese for monster) battling it out is pure entertainment, and if you want a movie with amazing visuals and impressive battle scenes, “Godzilla: King of Monsters” is perfect for you. The movie follows Godzilla, a 300-foot tall reptilian monster, having to face off against enemies like Ghidora and Rodan. One of the only negatives is the mostly pointless human side plot that distracts from the action, which is why “Godzilla: King of Monsters” is ranked at five.

#4: “Pacific Rim” (2013)

“Pacific Rim” is another iconic kaiju film packed to the brim with nonstop action and fighting. Unlike Godzilla, the humans are the main protagonists in this film. Featuring giant jaegers (robot fighting machines) that fight off alien invaders, “Pacific Rim” established itself as one of the best sci-fi films in cinematic history. Combined with an amazing soundtrack and incredible visuals, “Pacific Rim” is a perfect movie to watch purely for the action. 

#3: “The Martian” (2015)

“The Martian” has a unique storyline about astronaut Mark Watney’s (Matt Damon) struggle for survival on Mars after being stranded by his fellow crew members following a storm that makes it impossible to rescue him. With the assumption that Watney is dead, members of NASA give up searching and trying to bring him home, so Watney needs to figure out how to save himself. ”The Martian” offers a well-crafted and immersive cinematic experience and blends creativity with scientific accuracy, extraordinary performances and some humor. 

#2: “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” (2011)

“Transformers: Dark of the Moon” is an action-packed movie with incredible CGI (computer-generated imagery). With the classic Michael Bay action sequences and impressive sound design, the battle scenes are especially enhanced. Even the human side plot doesn’t disappoint with characters like Sam Witwicky (Shia Labeouf) and General Lennox (Josh Duhamel) contributing to the film in a meaningful way. The villains are also top tier, with both Megatron and Sentinel Prime appearing as antagonists. Overall, “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” was our number two sci-fi action movie, due to the sheer amount of action. 

#1: “Interstellar” (2014)

Directed by the legendary Christopher Nolan, “Interstellar” is a beautiful story about a journey through space and time of a man trying to find a new home for the human race. With breathtaking visuals and a score written by the famed film composer Hans Zimmer, “Interstellar” is one of the most unique cinematic experiences a person can have. Nolan created the perfect movie for sci-fi fanatics by utilizing mathematical and scientific concepts to drive the plot of this amazing film.