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11 fantastic sci-fi movies you need to watch on Netflix in August 2021

“You mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.”

by Robin Bea

Netflix may be short on blockbuster new releases this month, but there are still plenty of new additions and upcoming departures to watch out for.

Here are 11 sci-fi movies and shows you need watch on Netflix in August 2021.

11. Deep Blue Sea

Even if you missed Deep Blue Sea, there’s one scene involving Samuel L. Jackson that you’re probably aware of. Outside of that unforgettable moment, there’s plenty to like in this high-concept B-movie.

10. Inception

One of Christopher Nolan’s most successful movies, both creatively and financially. Inception’s surreal dreamscapes and incredible cast make it necessary viewing more than a decade after release.

9. Casino Royale

If you want to revisit Daniel Craig’s first performances as James Bond before No Time to Die comes out in October, now’s your chance. Casino Royale and the somewhat disappointing Quantum of Solace both leave Netflix on August 30.

8. Safety Not Guaranteed

Safety Not Guaranteed may be the most realistic time travel movie ever, in that it’s mostly about questioning whether time travel is real. Unless you have a time machine of your own, you only have until August 12 to catch it on Netflix.

7. Transformers: War for Cybertron: Kingdom

In the over-punctuated conclusion to the War for Cybertron trilogy, the original Transformers meet up with the bots from Beast Wars after the Allspark is found on Earth.

6. Midnight Special

When a young boy manifests spooky powers, his father has to keep him out of the clutches of the government and a dangerous cult. It’s not the most original premise, but Michael Shannon’s characteristically great performance makes it something special.

5. Terminator 2: Judgment Day

If you’ve somehow never seen Terminator 2, you’ve at least seen plenty of films that it influenced. Fortunately, T2 holds up as one of the best sci-fi movies (and best Schwarzenegger performances) ever.

4. Star Trek (2009)

J.J. Abrams’ first take on Star Trek is divisive, but there’s no denying it’s a fun action movie. Go in expecting more explosions and less talk about warp core tolerances, and you’ll have a good time.

3. Space Cowboys

When a satellite is about to crash to Earth, four test pilots who missed their chance to go to space 40 years ago are the only ones who can help. For... reasons. Space Cowboys’ real draw is its cast, headed by Clint Eastwood and Tommy Lee Jones.

2. Top Secret UFO Projects: Declassified

Will Declassified open your eyes to extraterrestrial secrets the government is hiding? Don’t bet on it. But it’s still fun to imagine a more explosive version of the Pentagon’s inconclusive recent UFO report.

1. The Flash

Season 7 of The Flash hit Netflix at the very end of August. To be frank, it’s a low point for the series, but that’s because the earlier seasons are such a blast. You can speed through the whole seriess, or at least watch until it starts to dip in Season 4.