TOP TEN: Movies That Take Place in SpaceBy Quinn OxleyJuly 19, 2017Space is, of course, the final frontier, and in it, no one can hear you scream. As big as this world seems when you’re standing in the middle of Time Square on New Year’s Eve, there is so much more out there than just this 4,000-mile-wide rock we’re riding on. Let me clarify: there’s so much more out there that we don’t know about. And this great unknown, especially against such a beautiful, hostile backdrop, makes space the perfect setting for fiction. This weekend we see Luc Besson’s next venture, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, so I thought it the perfect time to revisit my top ten personal space-favorites. (Note: This list only covers movies that I’ve seen, obviously, and is totally subject to my personal preferences.)

10. The Martian (2015). One of my favorites of that year, The Martian took the survival genre to the next genre by forcing the character into the least escapable situation possible. This Matt Damon venture is not only expertly written, appropriately paced, and scientifically accurate; it’s an in-depth exploration of the weight of sheer human will. It just goes to show that sometimes we need to be thrust onto the dusty, vacant deserts of Mars with fast-depleting oxygen and a hole in our stomach in order to find out what we’re really made of.

9. The Fifth Element (1997). What a coincidence - a visually intriguing cult classic directed by Valerian’s own Luc Besson. What it lacks in “livability,” it makes up for in imagination, ambiance, and charm. And let’s not forget that 1997’s Best Actor Who Played a Villain With a Ridiculously Epic Name went to Gary Oldman for his portrayal of Jean-Baptiste Emmanuel Zorg.

8. Alien (1979). In space, no one can hear you be an awesome female character that will eventually be written into a cheap and confusing piece of fan-service meat. But until that day, Alien will serve as the beginning of one of the most horrifying manifestations of the unknown as of yet known to man - the xenomorph. I wouldn’t even want to exist in a universe of natural selection that produced this two-tongued nightmare, but I would definitely want to watch Ripley take one down.

7. Star Wars (1977). Remember: this is my list of personal favorites, and Star Wars just doesn’t fall into that category. But its quality, influence, and iconic status cannot be denied. Star Trek and Doctor Who contributed to the early demand for the otherworldly in media, but Star Wars was the first prominent production to make it cool. You may notice some strong similarities between Luc Besson’s newest work and this monster of a franchise, but don’t pull out your lightsabers in defense of George Lucas just yet. Star Wars has actually stolen a fair amount from Valerian’s source material, Valerian et Laureline, including the carbonite, the slave Leia outfit, Jabba himself, and Yoda’s hut.

6. Galaxy Quest (1999). Imagine if they had made a movie about the production of Star Trek, and in it, the cast of Star Trek discovered that the space societies feature on the show were all real. You don’t have to imagine; that’s Galaxy Quest. And it’s hilarious.

5. Star Trek Into Darkness (2013). Speaking of Star Trek, the second entry in J.J. Abrams’ Kelvin timeline is one of my all-time favorite sequels - and I promise, that only has minimally to do with the fact that it has Chris Pine. Into Darkness is engaging, fun, and full of spacey thingies. And also Benedict Cumberbatch. (What? He’s not Chris Pine.)

4. Treasure Planet (2002). I know, I know; a list about the best space movies that includes Treasure Planet and not WALL-E - sacrilege! (Read with sarcasm.) But hear me out. Treasure Planet isn’t the most celebrated Disney piece, but it’s definitely one of the most deserving. Gorgeous animation, a stellar cast, and a new angle on a familiar story make it re-watchable to the nth degree. Plus, it’s got that elusive “livability;” it creates a sci-fi world that’s alien enough to be interesting, but where we could still see ourselves living.

3. Star Trek (2009). J.J. Abrams is a genius of epic proportions. As beloved as the original series was, Abrams reinvigorated the franchise and set apart his own creative continuity with the start of the Kelvin timeline. Yes, he was obviously inspired by the source material, but Star Trek’s outer space is another real, tangible, livable one, and a charismatic, action-packed one as well.

2. Aliens (1986). Does this really count as a space movie if it takes place mostly on an alien planet? Ah, never mind. I don’t care. Aliens deserves its place on pretty much every top ten list. It’s closer to home, grounding Ripley and her new combat team on LV-426, but sending them through a cruel and unforgiving universe of ordeals. It’s got all the horror and terrifying extraterrestrial instigators of Alien, but with more Terminator.

1. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014). I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: there’s no other film that belongs at the top. Space is a little more nuanced in this one, serving as an obstacle, a merciless vacuum, and an intergalactic highway for the large-scale adventurer. Also featuring a hint of space-legend and plenty of characters of various creative alien species, Guardians was even great enough to singlehandedly launch its lead past the thermosphere into superstardom.

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