2020 is already set to be a year full of exciting new releases across all genres - and sci-fi is no exception. Although there are dozens of sci-fi movies hitting theatres this year, we’ve rounded up a comprehensive list of the most highly-anticipated releases. The majority of the science fiction genre has been dominated mainly by superhero movies over the past decade, but 2020 seems to be having a resurgence of non-franchise science fiction films.

Although science fiction has historically struggled to win big at the box office, the popularity of sci-fi-infused films like The Avengers seems to have paved the way for making mainstream audiences more willing to accept outlandish concepts onscreen. Thanks to directors like Christopher Nolan and Guillermo Del Toro, science fiction films are also being taken more seriously as awards contenders- The Shape of Water made history in 2018 was the only sci-fi film to win best picture at the Academy Awards.

So, with both critics and audiences primed and excited for all of the science fiction films Hollywood has to offer, it’s no wonder that 2020 promises to bring multiple sci-fi hits. From Free Guy to The Invisible Man, here are the most anticipated sci-fi movies of 2020.

9. The New Mutants

While other films on this list have been noted as having troubled production, there seem to be few other 2020 films with as difficult history as The New Mutants. Pushed back more than two years from its original 2018 release date, The New Mutants is a sci-fi/horror film set in the X-Men cinematic universe. Despite a strong cast that includes Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Charlie Heaton, there have apparently been several studio-ordered reshoots that led to significant delays in production. With a new trailer just about to release, it looks like The New Mutants will thankfully meet its 2020 release date.

8. The Tomorrow War

Previously titled “Ghost Draft”, The Tomorrow War is a futuristic war film executive produced by and starring Chris Pratt. Directed by Chris McKay (known for his work on the Lego Movie franchise), the film has been billed as the story of a man drafted into a war where the fate of the world lies in his ability to change his past mistakes. In addition to Pratt, J.K. Simmons and Betty Gilpin are also attached to the film, which is set for a Christmas release this year.

7. BIOS

Although Tom Hanks may not be the first person who comes to mind when thinking of sci-fi stars, the Oscar-winning actor will be taking a dive into science fiction with his upcoming films BIOS. It stars Hanks as the last man on earth, who builds a robot to protect his dog from coming to harm. BIOS seems to be as much a story of self-discovery and reflection as it is science fiction, so there’s no doubt that fans can expect an emotional performance from Tom Hanks, who will also be joined by Laura Harrier and Samira Wiley.

6. Free Guy

With the exception of the infinitely-ridiculed Green Lantern film, Ryan Reynolds seems to be a man who can do no wrong when it comes to movies, and Free Guy is shaping up to be another example of his onscreen magic. The film sees Reynolds star as a video game NPC (non-playable character) whose world is turned upside down when he realizes that he is, in fact, part of a video game. Given just how much humor is crammed into the first trailer, Free Guy looks like it will be just as much comedy as it is science-fiction, which will provide a welcome escape for film fanatics looking to sit back and enjoy a genre film that doesn’t take itself too seriously. With a cast rounded out by Channing Tatum, Jodie Comer, Joe Keery, and Taika Waititi, Free Guy is an unorthodox (but still highly-anticipated) 2020 sci-fi entry.

5. Bloodshot

Starring Vin Diesel, Bloodshot developed a strong following from the moment it was announced, thanks to its source material being a well-loved series from Valiant comics. The film follows Ray Garrison (Diesel), a man brought back to life and given super-strength and healing thanks to futuristic technology after he and his wife were killed. Like many of the films on this list, Bloodshot has had somewhat of a troubling production history and was recently pushed back from its original release date. However, it’s still on track for a 2020 opening, and with a supporting cast that includes Eiza González and Guy Pearce, it could prove to be a lot of fun.

4. The Invisible Man

Following the trend of rebooting old Hollywood classics, the Blumhouse sci-fi/thriller The Invisible Man also promises to be an exciting new take on a well-known story. Loosely based on both the original novel by H.G. Wells and the 1933 film, The Invisible Man was originally meant to be a part of the ill-fated Universal Dark Universe but switched hands to Blumhouse after The Mummy flopped. This seems to have been for the better, however, because if the first trailer is anything to go by, The Invisible Man could be another smash hit for the horror studio. Starring Elizabeth Moss as well as Oliver Jackson-Cohen in the title role, The Invisible Man will certainly be a film to keep an eye on in 2020.

3. Godzilla vs. Kong

A follow-up to both Kong: Skull Island and the two Godzilla films, Godzilla vs. Kong will be the fourth movie set in the Warner Bros. MonsterVerse, an expanding cinematic universe featuring classic giant monsters. As the title implies, Godzilla vs. Kong will finally see the two titans do battle on the big screen after having their own (separate) solo flicks. Although the franchise’s films have received mixed reviews up until this point, the idea of seeing two iconic characters go up against each other for the first time on the big screen since 1962. The film will feature franchise returnees such as Millie Bobby Brown and Kyle Chandler, in addition to new faces like Eiza González, Alexander Skarsgård, and Brian Tree Henry.

2. Tenet

With a jaw-dropping first trailer, Tenet has already made waves far before its release date, making it one of 2020’s must-see films. The most recent entry by auteur director Christopher Nolan since 2017’s Dunkirk, Tenet’s plot is shrouded in mystery. The only details thus far are that it follows a secret agent (John David Washington) as he attempts to use time travel to prevent World War Three. In addition to Washington, the film is also set to star Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Michael Caine, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, among others.

1. Dune

Given that its source material is one of the most iconic sci-fi novels of all time, it should come as no surprise to anyone that Dennis Villeneuve’s remake of the 1984 David Lynch film of the same name tops this list. Dune follows the story of Paul Atreides, the son of a noble family as he tries to avenge his father’s death while saving a spice planet that he is entrusted to protect. Though the film has had a tumultuous production history, its legendary source material and impressive cast land it in the top spot of this list. Starring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, and Rebecca Ferguson (just to name a few), Dune promises to be a sci-fi tale of epic proportions.

More: Most Anticipated Movies Of 2020

  • Dune Release Date: 2021-10-22 Tenet Release Date: 2020-09-03 Godzilla Vs Kong Release Date: 2021-03-31 The Invisible Man Release Date: 2020-02-28 Invisible Man Release Date: 2020-02-28 Bloodshot Release Date: 2020-03-13 New Mutants Release Date: 2020-08-28