The 21st century has been a golden era for science fiction, with blockbuster hits like "Avatar" and "Inception" dominating the box office and capturing the public's imagination. However, beyond these well-known successes lies a treasure trove of underrated sci-fi gems that have significantly contributed to the genre with their innovative ideas, storytelling, and visionary outlook.

These films, despite their quality and creativity, may not have received the attention they deserved. However, most of the honourable mentions below have created a cult following. They can be compared to Live Blackjack Gaming Canada in terms of coolness and engagement, and deserve to be reviewed again. Here are the top ten underrated science fiction movies of the modern era.

1. Moon (2009)

• Synopsis: Summary: Sam Bell's job with Lunar Industries, which involves mining Earth's main energy source on the dark side of the moon, is almost over. Isolation begins to take its toll, revealing that the life he's living might not be his own.
• Why It's Underrated: Despite critical acclaim, "Moon" flew under the radar for many moviegoers. Its introspective take on solitude and identity, combined with Sam Rockwell's compelling performance, makes it a standout.

2. Coherence (2013)

• Synopsis: During a comet passing, a group of friends at a dinner party experience strange occurrences, leading to a mind-bending exploration of reality.
• Why It's Underrated: "Coherence" is a masterclass in low-budget filmmaking, using a simple premise to explore complex themes of quantum physics and parallel universes. Its narrative inventiveness is a rare find.

3. Primer (2004)

• Synopsis: Two engineers accidentally discover time travel. As they begin to experiment, they find that their actions have unforeseeable consequences.
• Why It's Underrated: Renowned for its technical accuracy and intricate plot, "Primer" is a film that rewards viewers with each watch, yet its complexity may have deterred a wider audience.

4. The Man from Earth (2007)

• Synopsis: Professor John Oldman's surprise goodbye party turns into a strange questioning when he tells his coworkers that he has a longer and stranger past than they can think.
• Why It's Underrated: This dialogue-driven film explores profound philosophical and existential questions, relying on ideas rather than effects—a rare approach that may have limited its mass appeal but enchanted those who discovered it.

5. Predestination (2014)

• Synopsis: A time-travelling agent embarks on a complex series of missions culminating in his final assignment: to stop the one criminal that has eluded him throughout time.
• Why It's Underrated: "Predestination" twists traditional time-travel paradoxes into an intricate narrative, boasting stunning performances, especially by Sarah Snook, yet it remains relatively unnoticed by mainstream audiences.

6. Upstream Color (2013)

• Synopsis: A man and a woman are pulled together by the life cycle of an organism that doesn't age. As they try to put together the broken pieces of their lives, their identities start to fade.
• Why It's Underrated: Shane Carruth’s follow-up to "Primer," "Upstream Color," is a visually stunning, deeply philosophical film that challenges its audience, perhaps too much for those accustomed to conventional narratives.

7. Annihilation (2018)

• Synopsis: A biologist signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition into a mysterious zone where the laws of nature don't apply.
• Why It's Underrated: Despite critical acclaim, "Annihilation" struggled at the box office, possibly due to its challenging subject matter and visual abstraction. Its exploration of self-destruction and transformation is profoundly moving.

8. Under the Skin (2013)

• Synopsis: An alien in human form is on a journey through Scotland. The more she engages with humanity, the more her own world becomes distant.
• Why It's Underrated: Scarlett Johansson's performance is mesmerizing, and the film’s haunting, ethereal quality explores themes of humanity and alienation in ways that are both unique and deeply unsettling.

9. Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010)

• Synopsis: Held captive in a specialized medical facility, a young woman with unique abilities seeks a chance to escape her obsessed captor.
• Why It's Underrated: This film’s hypnotic visuals and atmospheric storytelling create a unique sci-fi experience that defies easy categorization, contributing to its status as a cult classic rather than a mainstream hit.

10. Equilibrium (2002)

• Synopsis: In a dystopian future where emotions are deemed illegal and all forms of art are banned, a man in charge of enforcing the law rises to overthrow the system of oppression he once upheld.
• Why It's Underrated: "Equilibrium" blends action-packed sequences with thought-provoking themes about free will and individuality. While it gained a modest following over the years, its impact on the sci-fi genre is often overlooked in favour of more widely recognized dystopian films.

The 21st century has witnessed a renaissance of sci-fi cinema, offering audiences a diverse array of thought-provoking and visually stunning films beyond mainstream hits. These underrated gems push the boundaries of storytelling, challenge conventional narratives, and explore complex philosophical concepts, often with limited budgets and without the support of major studios. It's essential to celebrate and revisit these overlooked treasures that enrich the cinematic landscape with their creativity and imagination.