Netflix, known for its vast content library, has produced some notable science fiction series like "Stranger Things" and "3 Body Problem." However, the streamer has also invested heavily in original sci-fi movies that, despite considerable budgets and star power, have not achieved lasting cultural impact, often earning low scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
"IO," released in 2019 with a 33% Rotten Tomatoes score, starred Anthony Mackie and Margaret Qualley in a post-apocalyptic tale about the last humans on a dying Earth. The film, largely set in a single location with minimal dialogue, was intended as a contemplative drama but was criticized for feeling like a slog and has since been largely forgotten by subscribers.
The Cloverfield Paradox," which debuted in 2018 with a 22% Rotten Tomatoes score, had a memorable launch, dropped immediately after Super Bowl LII. The film followed the crew of a space station attempting to solve an energy crisis, inadvertently tearing open reality. Despite a brilliant marketing strategy, the movie was widely panned for clunky dialogue, underdeveloped characters, and a derivative feel, ultimately failing to build on the momentum of its franchise.
Zack Snyder's "Rebel Moon" saga, encompassing "Part One" (2023) and "Part Two" (2024), also struggled, with scores of 22% and 16% respectively. The films introduced a sprawling sci-fi universe with Kora, a former soldier rallying warriors to protect a colony. While visually impressive, "Rebel Moon" was criticized for heavily borrowing from established sci-fi classics without forging a strong identity of its own. The subsequent release of extended director's cuts further raised questions about the initial theatrical versions.
"Atlas," starring Jennifer Lopez and released in 2024, garnered a 17% Rotten Tomatoes score. The film featured Lopez as a data analyst working with an AI mech suit to combat a rogue AI. Despite its star power, large-scale action, and a relevant AI theme, critics found the movie to be enjoyable in the moment but lacking in lasting impression, hindering its potential as a franchise starter.
At the bottom of the list is "The Electric State," with a 14% Rotten Tomatoes score. This film, based on Simon Stålenhag's graphic novel and directed by the Russo Brothers with a reported $320 million budget, starred Millie Bobby Brown as a teenager on a quest in an alternate American West. Despite a star-studded cast and significant financial backing, the adaptation was criticized for transforming the source material's thoughtful exploration of AI and technology into a conventional and forgettable narrative, lacking the creativity of its inspirations.
These films represent Netflix's substantial investments in original science fiction that, for various reasons including script quality, derivative storytelling, and a disconnect from source material, failed to capture audience attention or critical acclaim.