Science Says This Is the Greatest Sci-Fi Movie Ever Made—Seriously
When it comes to science fiction, audiences are used to suspending disbelief. Another character casually breathing in open space? Sure, whatever. Scientific realism usually takes a backseat to spectacle. But not always.
According to NASA experts, one film stands out for getting the science right—and no, it's not Interstellar or Gravity.
The top honor goes to Gattaca, the 1997 sci-fi drama directed by Andrew Niccol. Set in a future driven by genetic engineering, the film follows a man (played by Ethan Hawke) who defies a society built on DNA perfection. Deemed genetically inferior, he poses as someone else to pursue his dream of space travel. Uma Thurman also stars.
Why Gattaca? NASA points to its realistic portrayal of a genetically stratified society and the social consequences of widespread gene editing. There are no alien invasions or flashy apocalypses here—just a chillingly plausible future where your DNA determines your entire life.
The agency highlighted several reasons for its choice:
- The film is grounded in actual science, particularly genetics and bioethics.
- The plot avoids exaggerated sci-fi leaps and sticks to believable developments.
- Its central theme—genetic discrimination—is more relevant than ever in the age of CRISPR, AI, and biotech.
Even the title has scientific roots: "Gattaca" is composed of the letters G, A, T, and C—the four nucleotide bases of DNA.
NASA also gave nods to other scientifically respectable sci-fi films, including:
- Contact (1997), Robert Zemeckis' drama about a radio astronomer who receives a signal from an alien civilization.
- Metropolis (1927), a silent-era classic envisioning a future split between elites and workers.
But in terms of scientific accuracy and long-term plausibility, NASA says Gattaca remains unmatched. In a world where genetic engineering is no longer hypothetical, that's starting to feel less like fiction.