The sci-fi genre is one that's constantly changing and evolving, so it's no surprise that so many new directors are always rising to success within. It's a genre that welcomes creativity and originality, with plenty of new, young directors often finding a home there.
Although sci-fi movies may not be as popular in the mainstream as they once were, there are still several directors that commit to telling their stories on faraway worlds or with unfamiliar inventions. Sci-fi is a place to escape from reality, and these directors know exactly how to make that work.
Luc Besson
Luc Besson may be one of the less prolific names on this list, but his work for the sci-fi genre also shouldn't be overstated. One Redditor asks "no Luc Besson?" in response to one post's detailing of the best sci-fi directors, and whilst his absence isn't necessarily surprising, it's definitely a shame.
Besson has been responsible for films such as Lucy, and although his filmography is looking much less busy these days, he's still been involved in a couple of great modern sci-fi movies that have sadly flown under the radar.
Paul Verhoeven
Although his recent films don't really fit neatly into the sci-fi genre, Paul Verhoeven is still hailed by many as one of the leading names in science fiction. One Reddit claims that many of his films are "sci-fi/action masterpieces", and easy to see why.
Verhoeven hasn't been as active recently as he was in the late 80s and 90s, but the director has still spoken fondly about the sci-fi genre and has never openly confirmed that he wouldn't return. And as such, there's still hope that audiences may be treated to another of his "masterpieces" one day.
M. Night Shyamalan
Shyamalan's works may generally fall more suitably under the horror genre, but the director has also made several attempts at breaching the limits of sci-fi. Signs is probably Shyamalan's most obvious journey into sci-fi, where he details an earthly invasion by mysterious extraterrestrial figures.
Reddit Shyamalan remains responsible for many intelligent characters, shocking twists, and genre classics.
Ridley Scott
Reddit forgot_to_reddit states "my vote is Ridley Scott" for the best modern sci-fi director. Although his filmography is impossible to pin into one genre, sci-fi is ittedly the one that Ridley Scott has visited the most.
His original sci-fi thriller Martian.
Alex Garland
Reddit ours claims that Alex Garland's work, particularly his series Devs, is "quite interesting and conceptual" so far. He's one of the sci-fi genre's most promising voices at the moment, with all of his films and series exploring a different (but equally thrilling) premise.
Garland is also famous for blending typical tropes of horror filmmaking in his sci-fi movies, which clearly sets them apart from anything else out there. He's got an extremely unique voice, and his film Men looks like it's going to continue that trend.
James Cameron
There are very few people out there who will disagree that James Cameron has always been one of the defining figures in the evolution of the sci-fi genre, with work that spans several decades. His biggest commercial success to date, Avatar, was one that completely revitalized the genre for a new generation.
Redditor how revolutionary Cameron's works have been, despite having plenty of famously underrated movies.
Christopher Nolan
"Christopher Nolan?" asks Redditor zirfeld in response to seeing his name absent from a list of Reddit's favorite sci-fi directors. And if there was one name that was almost guaranteed to make it onto this list, it was Christopher Nolan. The director is responsible for so many modern sci-fi classics, it's almost impossible to keep count.
From mind-bending thrillers like Nolan's movies might often feature some cliches, but his dedication to storytelling and entertainment value has to be acknowledged.
The Wachowskis
The Matrix is often named as one of those movies that completely changed what a sci-fi movie could be, and that's entirely due to the Wachowski sisters' thrilling screenplay and directing abilities. Their story is one that's bound to stand the test of time for years to come and remain a complete genre classic.
One Reddit even argues that "The Wachowskis are some of the most ambitious filmmakers of the past few decades and I think they've been given a bad rap", suggesting that their creative style is greatly lacking in a lot of mainstream studio blockbusters today. It's their originality and ambition that made their films so much fun to watch.
George Lucas
George Lucas might not have actually directed a sci-fi movie since the Star Wars prequels over twenty years ago, but the auteur is still working today on plenty of projects behind the scenes. Star Wars is still one of the world's biggest franchises, with its limited series' now running on Disney+.
Some Redditors argue that Star Wars is a "breakthrough in practical effects and spectacle... [that] helped shape the modern-day blockbuster," clearly showing just how powerful and influential Lucas' work has been over the years. Sci-fi would look very different without him, and the genre will always owe him a great debt.
Denis Villeneuve
Often cited as the defining voice of sci-fi in the 21st Century, it should come as no surprise to see Villeneuve's name at the top of this list. Whether he's providing intimate sci-fi thrillers like Dune, he's easily one of the most consistently reliable directors out there.
Redditor the Best Director Oscar nomination for Dune, the fans still recognize Villeneuve as one of the directors single-handedly responsible for bringing sci-fi back into the mainstream.
