These films prove that the genre still resonates with audiences.
Gravityfollows two stranded astronauts as they attempt to make it home.
It plays out like a wilderness survival story in space.
It’s not often that a film so ably combines such a larger-than-life premise with emotional heft.
Gravitywas the biggest box office smash of 2013, and for good reason.
The lead performances bySandra BullockandGeorge Clooneyare career highlights for both.
Image via Lionsgate
TheHunger Gamesseries picked upHarry Potter’s mantle as the young adult heavyweight of the 2010s.
Itdepicts a dystopian futurewhere citizens are forced to fight to the death in a televised tournament.
It’s likeTwilightmeetsBattle Royale, with a touch ofBlade Runner.
Image via Lionsgate
It was well-deserved, as the film improves on everything that made its predecessor memorable.
In particular,Catching Firedoubles down on its exploration of modern-day anxieties.
It skewers celebrity culture, uncaring politicians and reality TV escapism.
Once again, Jennifer Lawrence is the glue that holds everything together.
She nails Katniss’s evolution from ordinary citizen to resistance hero.
On hearing this,Rogue OnedirectorGareth Edwardssaid, “I can die happy now.”
Image via Lucasfilms
It’s easy to see why Lucas embracedRogue One.
It might be the bestStar Warsmovie of the last ten years.
It succeeds because it doesn’t seek to eclipse the original trilogy.
Image via Disney
It’s a smaller story, focusing on just a handful of characters.
At its best,Rogue Onerecalls classic men-on-a-mission movies likeThe Dirty DozenandThe Guns of Navarone.
Much of this is thanks to the cast, who are almost without exception memorable and entertaining.
Image via Paramount Pictures
Critics panned it for retconning several plot points and for seemingly contradicting its predecessor,The Last Jedi.
This was probably becauseJ.J.
Abramsgot rid of directorColin Trevorrowand took the reins ofRise of Skywalkerhimself.
Image via Universal Pictures
Nevertheless, it still earned back its budget more than three times over.
Even a mediocreStar Warspicture is a box office juggernaut.
Age of Extinctioncertainly delivered forTransformersfans.
Image via Lucasfilm
It cranks the fight scenes and CGI to 11.
Robots box, karate-chop, blast and wrestle in state-of-the-art 3D detail.
It received negative reviews, mostly focused on its weak writing and for failing to utilize its talented cast.
Image via Lucasfilm
It’s a testament to fan loyalty that it still made over a billion dollars.
Fallen Kingdomis a decent blockbuster that serves upa number of thrillsfor fans.
It’s also the darkest entry in theJurassic Parkseries to date.
Unfortunately, the scene also serves as a kind of metaphor for the series as a whole.
All the movies in the newStar Warstrilogy wrestle with the question of legacy.
To what extent should they honor the original movies versus chart a course of their own?
Of the three,The Last Jedideviates the most from the established mythology.
It ditches tradition by portraying Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) in a less-than-saintly light.
It also surprised fans by revealing that hero Rey’s (Daisey Ridley) parents are insignificant.
She is not a long-lost Skywalker or the child of a beloved character, as many speculated.
For some, these changes were a breath of fresh air.
For others, they amounted to trampling on fan theories.
“Life finds a way.”
1993’sJurassic Parkwas a rare achievement.
Ever since,Jurassic Parksequels have chased the thrill of the original - and generally fallen short.
Jurassic Worldcomes closest to succeeding.
At its best, Colin Trevorrow’s film recreates the awe and immersion ofSteven Spielberg’s classic.
The action sequences are impressive.
It’s easy to see why fans are hyped for the third installment in Trevorrow’s trilogy.
South ParkroastedThe Force Awakensas nothing more than a nostalgia trip.
They have a point.
The film essentially repackagesA New Hopewith a fresh coat of paint.
But that’s by design.
It’s cinematic comfort food in the best way.
Director J.J. Abrahams is well aware of the attachment fans have to the original trilogy.
It set an exceptionally high bar for sci-fi blockbusters this decade.
NEXT:10 Fantasy and Sci-Fi Tropes Fans Actually Love
