Hollywood movies in the dystopian are not your happy-go-lucky places to binge on with popcorn. They take you to the darker side of futuristic problems and make you think about, what if? Sociopolitical issues are usually the main themes of this genre of movies where communities strive to make it through the harsh times. Cyberpunk, tech noir, and futuristic problems created by machines and technology that pose a threat to the human race are its underlying themes.

They talk about the struggle, the innocence, the will to survive, unusual impediments, complications, and more. They make you think about the living conditions of the characters of the movies set in a futuristic era and make you wonder about the human struggle, control mechanism, conspiracy, and the darker side of the bigger picture the characters are a part of.

The Matrix Triology

The Matrix Franchise comes with a sense of intrigue making you watch the movie a couple of times to connect the dots of the plot to make a sense of it. Not an easy movie to get in a single watch. A cult classic for sci-fi aficionados of the millennial era is set in the dystopian future about the war between the man and the machine.

A total contract to the plot and ideology of the Transformers franchise, about how the AI robots are out to enslave the human race. Humans are enslaved in the virtual cell of the AI robots, and the protagonist Keanu Reeves, Neo battles to free the human race from being controlled by the A.I robots.

Blade Runner

An interesting saga of a laconic cop falling in love with one of the humanoids who escaped the Earth only to come back to find the creator of the ship they stole. Ridley Scott directorial style with gripping elements and visuals is evident in most of his movies.

Replicants who look like human beings are to be scouted and killed by the special squad. If you look closer, the movie is made with deep philosophy. It questions life beyond mere existentialism and finding a sense of purpose within jolts of melancholy.

The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy

Time travel adventure that gives a good laugh, and corporate management essentials used in the plot in Galaxy management. A fun ride, especially for corporate employees who know the drill and can relate to every pitfall depicted in the management system. The corporate management tidbits are sewn into various aspects of the plot in the movie make it relatable.

With an ensemble of inter-galactic characters, the movie is a laugh riot. It is still a mystery how they came up with ’42’ as the solution for all problems in the world. Universal species called Vogons demolish Aruthur’s home to make a bypass road that connects the parallel universe leading him to ask many questions about his own life.

A.I Artificial Intelligence

A heartfelt sci-fi plot that has the underlying theme of the power of love that instills emotions in an A.I robot created by a Cybertronics employee. The android child robot is programmed to love and goes through an unusual series of circumstances that keep him from becoming a real child from a toy robot.

His journey of finding emotions and love for his mother could give you a teary-eye. The cyber drama unfolds numerous aspects of human nature that come forth in various circumstances. Technology with deep philosophy and emotions has always been at the forefront of treatment that most of the Spielberg movies get in this genre.

Wall-E

Humans have already left Earth a hundred years ago and have taken abode on an orbiting spaceship. It’s 700 years in the future and Wall-E is a lone surviving robot that clears scraps of trash as his daily routine and finds love in Eva like a silent musical movie after finding a friend in a cockroach.

The movie has opposing themes juxtaposed, a symbolism that makes you think about the intricacies of innate human nature. It is a satire on the environmental issues and the poignant state of affairs of urban life.

Planet Of The Apes Franchise

The primary theme of the Planet Of The Apes franchise is a complete overturn to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. Set in a dystopian era where advanced apes enslave human is a satire on the entire idea of evolution and the social hierarchy that does more damage than good in the urban world compared to the primitive civilizations.

The question is, should we return to a primitive civilization given the destructive power of what technology can do to our lives? It is a paradox to marvel if the human mind is better in its evolved or primitive state.

V For Vendetta

It is scary to see the events in this movie have unfolded in 2020 hit by pandemic creating socioeconomic unrest and power-plays in the political template. The movie is about the conspiracy of the government in the dystopian era to stay in power using fear as a tool to control its people.

Anarchy is a dominant theme where the protagonist V makes people believe in freedom and self-governance that overthrows a power-hungry political system detrimental to human progress. The idea is to oppose a fascist and tyrannical political system that represses freedom and individuality.

I Am Legend

Robert Nevillie is the lone survivor in post-apocalyptic Manhattan as the island is hit with a deadly virus that killed everyone except him. He has his dog for company and is finding a cure for the virus while keeping himself protected from predators who walk the streets in the night as zombies. The movie depicts themes of survival in a grief-stricken, virus infested, Manhattan and a man’s grit to make it through the toughest circumstances.

The Maze Runner

The movie comes with the most gripping plot that keeps the audience glued and themes that have a lot for us to imbue. Thomas enters a giant, ever-changing maze and is entrapped in it along with other kids. He is confident to find an escape route and quickly makes friends with other kids to battle the complexities of the maze and has no memories of his previous life. Friendship, tenacity, bravery, savagery, order and chaos, and their extremes such as a sense of community in extreme chaos.

I Am Number Four

Number Four is an intergalactic bounty hunter, from the planet Lorien who must find and kill aliens hiding on Earth. John Smith is a teen with extraordinary abilities who is on the run from being destroyed by his enemies. Born with numerous superpowers, he learns to live a normal life of a teen while battling vicious attacks from his enemies. Survival in dire conditions is the main theme with a gripping plot and stunning visuals.