Sci-fi as a genre blends beautifully with other subgenres, such as coming-of-age stories, which can lead to some incredible and innovative storytelling. While sci-fi is often seen as a form of storytelling that pushes the boundaries of reality, and imagines what life could look like in the future, coming-of-age stories are typically grounded in reality. They draw in younger viewers, with a story that sees the protagonists advance from one phase of childhood into the next.

In this way, the two forms appear to have some degree of contradiction, but when paired together, it can lead to inspiring, in-depth, and imaginative stories. Whether the focus is on a young protagonist confronting something that appears to be beyond known reality, or overcoming challenges that arise from the rise of a dystopian empire, these stories are remarkably innovative. And when looking at some of the movies to come out of this category, it's plain to see that it has led to some of the best classic sci-fi movies of all time.

10 E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Directed By Steven Spielberg

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is an iconic film by the visionary director, Steven Spielberg. When the movie was released in 1982, Spielberg had already gained notoriety for films like Jaws and Raiders of the Lost Ark, but it was only his second venture into the world of sci-fi.

Despite his relative inexperience, Spielberg was able to take this incredible story about a boy who meets an alien, and make it a deeply emotional, inventive, and hope-filled story. This balance between wild imagination with a story that focuses on aliens, and the ability to make it feel grounded and endearing is a large part of why this movie has stood the test of time.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial has a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Elliott's comion towards this mysterious other life, and his willingness to befriend it, causes the audience to follow suit. Had the story featured an adult as the protagonist, it's likely it would have devolved into something more combative, but the youthful perspective is foundational to the film's success.

9 Never Let Me Go (2010)

Directed By Mark Romanek

In a similar fashion, Never Let Me Go delivers a deeply emotional story which was in turn based on the novel of the same name by Kazuo Ishiguro. Here, the sci-fi element is more muted, as the film explores an alternative historical setting in Britain, where technology is considerably more advanced in of the ability to clone people.

This cloning is foundational to the story, because the three leads of the film are all clones, trying to find their identity and purpose in life. The film splits its time between the young adult versions of these characters, who set out into the world in an effort to find answers about their existence, and their younger days in the orphanage which housed them and the others of their kind.

It's an insightful and moving film, with a spectacular cast that includes Andrew Garfield, Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley, and a young Ella Purnell. Due to a more limited release, this film has gone under the radar, but it's one of the best sci-fi, coming-of-age narratives ever made.

8 Ready Player One (2018)

Directed By Steven Spielberg

Ready Player One is decidedly more upbeat and energetic in its approach to storytelling, again adapting a novel of the same name by author, Ernest Cline. And interestingly, despite being released nearly 40 years after E.T., both films were directed by Steven Spielberg. The film reveals a world where most people have retreated into virtual reality in an effort to escape the stark and disappointing reality that exists beyond their VR headsets.

It's energetic, action-packed, thrilling, and entertaining from start to finish.

And in this digitized reality, there is one program that everyone finds themselves drawn to more than others, the OASIS. When the creator of the OASIS dies, a mysterious competition presents the opportunity for one exceptional player to crack several codes, overcome challenges, and, if they can succeed, the reward is ownership of the entire OASIS, essentially handing them control of the world where everyone now resides. It's energetic, action-packed, thrilling, and entertaining from start to finish.

7 Big Hero 6 (2014)

Directed By Don Hall & Chris Williams

The first animated title on the list, though certainly not the last, Big Hero 6, is a film based on a Marvel comic series of the same name, though Big Hero 6 is not attached to the larger MCU. The film takes place in a futuristic city known as San Fransokyo, with the protagonist, young Hiro Hamada being a robotic engineering prodigy.

After showcasing his incredible nanobot technology at the local university, Hiro is accepted into the university. However, a devastating fire breaks out, which leads to his older brother, Tadashi, being killed. The film does an incredible job of taking deep, mature emotions and delivering them in a superhero story with high-tech gadgets.

Despite the apparent contrast, the movie blends the coming-of-age narrative with the sci-fi elements beautifully, and it resonates with audiences of all ages. It also features high-tech robots that evolve to become true friends, and an intense mystery that Hiro sets out to solve.

6 Flight of the Navigator (1986)

Directed By Randal Kleiser

Flight of the Navigator stands out as a pivotal sci-fi movie from 1986, though it did not gain the same level of recognition as E.T., Back to the Future, and similar big releases of the time. However, since it's theatrical run, the film has gained a cult following. The extensive use of CGI, an all-electronic soundtrack, and the simple and clever story about a boy who finds himself as the navigator for a highly advanced alien spaceship all combine to create something very special.

The film features many elements of sci-fi, with aliens, UFOs, time travel, space travel, and enhanced human physiology. However, despite the presence of these complex ideas, the movie makes them engaging and appropriate for a younger audience. It's also incredibly fun, uplifting, and entertaining, as David must work with an alien spaceship to avoid capture and protect his entire family.

5 The Iron Giant (1999)

Directed By Brad Bird

Again, going back to animation, The Iron Giant stands out as one of the best animated movies by Warner Bros. of all time. Again, the movie covers an alternative historical setting, with the Cold War raging on in the background. However, when one young man encounters a mysterious giant robot, his lonely life is suddenly made much more complicated. The film unpacks a blossoming relationship between the boy and this alien robot, which is threatened by the U.S. Military that wants to seize control of the alien technology.

Similar to E.T., The Iron Giant is able to evoke intense emotion for a character who is not human. And this time, they are not even made of flesh and blood. However, it spins a narrative around friendship, overcoming adversity, and the challenges of growing up. It's a wonderful story which stands the test of time.

4 Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)

Directed By Joe Johnston

Shifting to a more light-hearted and comical sci-fi coming-of-age story, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is a brilliant, funny, and clever story about a struggling inventor who manages to successfully create a shrinking machine. However, when his kids stumble upon the device, they find themselves shrunk down to the size of a small insect. This evidently leads to issues, as the kids try to find a way to get big again, as their father struggles to even find his now tiny children.

Starring Rick Moranis in one of his few film roles, the film is wonderfully imaginative and laugh-out-loud funny. The visuals of the kids interacting with a world that is now scaled up to the extreme is also incredibly intriguing. And the result is a classic sci-fi comedy with incredible depth and humor.

3 Treasure Planet (2002)

Directed By John Musker & Ron Clements

Treasure Planet is another underrated animated film which, despite gaining a vocal and dedicated fanbase, has managed to fly under the radar. The film is a wonderful reimagining of the classic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, and it features a very familiar narrative, though the visuals are entirely new.

Young Jim Hawkins dreams of a life beyond his home planet, and when a group of pirates destroys the inn which is the source of Jim and his mother's livelihood, he needs to set sail to find the means to rebuild. The story is a wonderful tale of loyalty, betrayal, friendship, and corruption, with incredible visual stylings that keep Disney at the forefront of animation.

It's also an incredible blending between old and new, as the story evidently takes place in a distant future where different humanoid species coexist, but the technology, such as sail boats powered by solar energy, resembles things familiar to the audience. This juxtaposition makes for an intriguing and remarkable story that ignites the imagination.

2 The Hunger Games (2012)

Directed By Gary Ross

A much darker coming-of-age story is seen in The Hunger Games. Like many of the others on this list, the story is based on a novel, which is itself a part of the young adult fiction genre. The dystopian world of Panem is divided into 12 Districts, and the Capitol, with each of these locations serving a specific purpose, and travel between districts being largely unattainable.

After the districts rebelled many years earlier, the Capitol instituted a brutal punishment to ensure the districts remained in their place, the Hunger Games. These games force pairs of children from each district to compete for their lives, brutally killing each other for the sport and entertainment of the Capitol. ​​​​​​​

However, it's not all darkness and hopelessness, as one contestant, Katniss Everdeen, becomes a symbol of hope, and a brighter tomorrow through her resilience, toughness, and heart. It's a wonderful story which inspired a larger franchise of films, all based on works by Suzanne Collins.

1 Meet the Robinsons (2007)

Directed By Stephen J. Anderson

Finally, Meet the Robinsons is another animated film from Disney, which again managed to fly under the radar upon its initial release in 2007. The movie follows a young prodigy by the name of Lewis, who hopes to become an inventor. One of his first inventions is designed to try and reach inside his own mind, and visually reveal a memory from the depths of his brain, revealing who his birth mother is, because Lewis is an orphan who was given to a care home as an infant.

The story depicts a powerful lesson to "Keep moving forward" through mistakes and setbacks, until goals are achieved.

However, when things go wrong, Lewis struggles to get past his mistakes. At this moment, Wilbur, a quirky boy who appears to be slightly older, takes Lewis to the future in his time machine. The visuals are wonderful, and the Robinson family are all unique and incredible characters. And beyond that, the story depicts a powerful lesson to "Keep moving forward" through mistakes and setbacks, until goals are achieved. This, and all of these sci-fi coming-of-age stories are inspiring and delightful in their own ways, and well worth watching.