When it comes to science fiction, not all films are created equal. Some dazzle with spectacular visual effects, others intrigue with mind-bending plots, but for scientists at NASA, the true measure of great sci-fi lies in realism. Surprisingly, the film they consider the most believable is neither Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar nor Ridley Scott’s The Martian.
NASA’s top pick for realistic science fiction
Back in 2011, NASA compiled a list ranking the most and least realistic science fiction films ever made. Topping the list was a 1997 classic directed by Andrew Niccol, the filmmaker behind Lord of War. The winner was none other than Gattaca.
Starring Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Jude Law, Gattaca imagines a future dominated by genetic engineering. In this world, young people are judged and selected based on their DNA. Jerome, played by Jude Law, is a genetically “perfect” candidate whose career is derailed by an accident. At the same time, Vincent, portrayed by Ethan Hawke, is a naturally conceived child dreaming of space travel. By secretly swapping identities, the two men help each other pursue their ambitions and challenge the strict laws of their society.
For NASA, Gattaca earns the title of “the most credible sci-fi film ever made,” because its depiction of genetic selection and space ambitions feels entirely plausible in the near future. In the same ranking, Robert Zemeckis’s Contact takes second place, and Fritz Lang’s silent masterpiece Metropolis comes in third.
The worst offenders in sci-fi realism
If Gattaca and Contact represent the gold standard of believable science fiction, some blockbusters sit firmly at the other end of the spectrum. NASA placed Michael Bay’s Armageddon in third place among the least realistic films, Jon Amiel’s The Core in second, and Roland Emmerich’s disaster epic 2012 claimed the top spot for implausibility.
While this ranking is now over a decade old and might evolve with new releases, it remains a fascinating reminder that even in science fiction, scientific plausibility can leave a lasting impression. For NASA, the future of space travel may look far less like an asteroid-blasting adventure and far more like the quiet, unsettling world of Gattaca.
