If your idea of great sci-fi reaches beyond the galaxy’s biggest franchises, it’s time to take a closer look at Paramount+. While the streamer houses plenty of familiar hits, its most compelling offerings are often the hidden gems tucked away in the catalog. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you, sifting through the library to uncover the underrated titles destined to become your new favorite watches.
The variety is impressive, catering to every mood within the genre. Whether you want to contemplate the quiet resignation of being stranded on a distant prison planet or prefer to jump into a high-octane thriller about saving the Earth, there is truly something for everyone.
Ultimately, the best sci-fi journeys are the ones you never saw coming. From cult classics to modern indie darlings, the platform is a goldmine for viewers looking to escape the usual tropes. Keep reading for three of our top picks for the best sci-fi movies on Paramount+ you probably haven't seen.
'The Silent Planet'
Theodore (Elias Koteas) is a lone miner living on distant prison planet No. 384, where he spends his days thinking about Earth. He has no way to communicate with anyone back home, so he spends his time watching videos and writing letters. When he becomes ill and removes his life monitor implant, another prisoner (Briana Middleton) comes to the planet to kill him. But their meeting doesn't exactly go as planned, as they become closer and begin to understand what's happening on the prison planet.
Stream now on Paramount+
'The Core'
After a catastrophic shift in Earth’s core temperature causes the planet to stop rotating, a team of the best candidates for humanity's survival is sent on an almost impossible mission: They must travel to the center of the Earth and detonate a nuclear bomb before the surface becomes uninhabitable. But they end up facing issues with the detonation itself — and how they'll escape the blast. It's a must-watch, especially given that it's one of D.J. Qualls' best roles as hacker "Rat" Finch.
Stream now on Paramount+
'Cypher'
“Cypher” follows a computer genius (Jeremy Northam) who takes a job at a massive company, only to wind up investigating corporate espionage taking place there from the inside. Things take an unexpected turn when he comes face-to-face with a woman (Lucy Liu) who forces him to question the kind of work he's been doing while keeping an undercover identity. She has an antidote for the deception he's been under ... but why does he need an antidote? And what's with all the secrecy?
Stream now on Paramount+
