15 must-see sci-fi shows and films coming in 2018
In honor of Netflix’s latest sci-fi series Altered Carbon premiering on Friday, we thought it was about time to share some other must-see sci-fi shows and movies coming in 2018 that are making us feel palpably cosmic with excitement.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues its march forward with an upcoming spate of movies blending science fiction & action. But a lot of other crossover shows and features are worth looking out for this year – blending fantasy, drama, and horror with enough sci-fi tropes to keep fans of the genre invested. Not to mention a fair amount of straight-up sci-fi projects are simmering without dipping their toes into the waters of other genres for their story.
Start prepping your schedule accordingly – the following 15 TV series & films are our picks of the choicest of the pack.
1. Black Panther
Release date: February 16, 2018
Ryan Coogler’s highly anticipated addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe looks visually stunning, genuinely thrilling, and stacked full of talent like Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o. Rachel Morrison, who recently received an Oscar nomination for her work on Netflix’s Mudbound, handled the cinematography – if it didn’t have enough going for it already.
Watch the trailer for Black Panther
2. Mute
Release date: February 23, 2018
The first trailer for Duncan Jones’s Netflix movie is full of faded neon skylines, flying cars, and curious plot points. Throw in Paul Rudd’s spectacular facial hair and Alexander Skarsgård looking deliciously unhinged, and Mute is basically whispering sci-fi sweet nothings into our ear.
3. Annihilation
Release date: February 23, 2018
Written & directed by Alex Garland (Ex Machina) and adapted from Jeff VanderMeer’s mysterious Southern Reach Trilogy, An Machinanihilation explores an environmental aberration on a secret expedition. If that hasn’t exactly sold you, then the all-star cast, including Natalie Portman (Black Swan), Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Last Jedi), Tessa Thompson (Creed), and Gina Rodriguez (Jane The Virgin) certainly will.
Watch the trailer for Annihilation
4. A Wrinkle in Time
Release date: March 9, 2018
Ava DuVernay’s adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s beloved sci-fi novel looks visually sumptuous. The story, in which three peculiar beings help a kid find her scientist father, looks to be in good hands under the visionary director’s masterful eye.
Watch the trailer for A Wrinkle in Time
5. Ready Player One
Release date: March 30, 2018
Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Ernest Cline’s hugely popular novel boasts a maelstrom of pop-culture references set against a dystopian backdrop. The movie is definitely one to watch with your nerdiest buddy so you can compare notes on easter eggs afterwards.
Watch the trailer for Ready Player One
6. The New Mutants
Release date: April 13, 2018
Throwing a new spin on the X-Men universe, this Josh Boone-directed flick focuses on five young mutants as they discover their abilities and fight to escape a secret facility.
Watch the trailer for The New Mutants
7. Cloverfield 3
Release date: TBC
This one is currently shrouded in frenzied speculation. The movie, rumored to be called God Particle and set on a space station, is said to have been eyed up by Netflix during Sundance. As has become tradition for the Cloverfield franchise, we might not know much else right up until the movie is close to premiere – but the wait is hopefully still worth it.
8. Rampage
Release date: April 20, 2018
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars in this live-action remake of the cherished 80s video game in which a pet ape grows to monstrous proportions and destroys a city. Sounds like the perfect beer-and-popcorn combo movie.
9. The Avengers: Infinity War
Release date: May 4, 2018
All existent franchises of the MCU collide in the latest Avengers installment, in which every superhero imaginable fights to save the universe from the greedy purple mitts of Thanos. Expect plenty of chaos, spandex, and sassy one-liners.
Watch the trailer for The Avengers: Infinity War
10. Solo: A Star Wars Story
Release date: May 25, 2018
Another movie strangely shrouded in secrecy, it focuses for certain on a young Han Solo and stars Woody Harrelson (True Detective) and Donald Glover (who I’m going to refer to as Childish Landino for the next few months) amongst others, but that’s about it, as fans still wait for a teaser trailer. If we’re being honest, Solo could easily become a hit without one.
11. Replicas
Release date: June 15, 2018
Ya boy Keanu Reeves (The Matrix) is getting his sci-fi hustle back on as a scientist creepily replicates his family after they die in a car accident. Gonna go ahead and predict the unethical experiment might not quite go smoothly.
Watch the trailer for Replicas
12. Ant-Man and the Wasp
Release date: July 6, 2018
The chance to see Evangeline Lilly finally able to kick some serious ass as the Wasp to Rudd’s Ant-Man is reason enough to be excited for the second film in Scott Lang’s story.
Watch the trailer for Ant-Man and the Wasp
13. The Predator
Release date: August 3, 2018
Shane Black’s contribution to The Predator universe stars Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us) , Thomas Jane (1922), and Jacob Tremblay (Room) and will hopefully reverse any of the rhetorical damage the Alien Vs. Predator movies caused. This one will likely also be set at Christmas, because we’re all aware of Black’s affinity for the holiday season. The man cannot be stopped.
14. Lost In Space
Release date: TBA
Few details have been revealed regarding Netflix’s ten-episode reboot of the classic 60s sci-fi show, including when it will premiere with the streaming giant. What we do know is it’ll be a modern retelling of the story and feature the snarky talents of the esteemed Parker Posey as Dr. Smith, which bodes very well.
15. Good Omens
Release date: TBA
Amazon has yet to announce a release date for this TV adaptation of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s classic book, but by all accounts it’s shaping up to look phenomenal. Featuring David Tennant (Doctor Who) and Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon) in lead roles and adapted for the screen by Gaiman himself, the show should remain faithful to the source material while boasting sharp performances.
