Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that often transports sci-fi imagery and technology into periods where steam power is dominant, like the Victorian era or the Wild West. The genre typically includes futuristic technologies for the time and mechanically rooted fashion. The genre has gained a cult following, especially at conventions and with cosplay, and has led to some of the most visually stunning media. These are the best steampunk films and series ranked.
11 Hellboy
Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy premiered on April 2, 2004, and was based on the Dark Horse Comic graphic novel by Mike Mignola. The film stars Selma Blair, Jeffery Tambor, and Ron Perlman as Hellboy, who works to save the world from paranormal threats. The body augmentation of its character Kroenen and the use of actual history, from World War II to Rasputin, along with the weaponry, all make Hellboy at least steampunk-adjacent. The movie was followed by a sequel (Hellboy II: The Golden Army) in 2008 and Perlman says he wants to make another Hellboy. Hellboy is currently available on HBO Max.
10 Sucker Punch
Sucker Punch premiered on March 25, 2011, and was directed by Zack Snyder, who also co-wrote the film. The film follows a young woman, Babydoll, who is committed to a mental institution and enters a series of fantasies as she tries to escape. With its blurred lines between past and future, and fantasy sequences containing steampunk imagery, Sucker Punch has been considered a part of the subgenre by some.
The film stars including Emily Browning, Oscar Isaac, Carla Gugino, and Vanessa Hudgens, who all commit entirely even if the movie received a notoriously bad response. Sucker Punch has gained a cult following over the years, though, and has an incredible soundtrack. According to Snyder, Sucker Punch has an unseen cut that he says is better than the released version.
9 The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen premiered on July 11, 2003, and is loosely based on Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill’s comic. The film is about certain literary characters from the 19th century Victorian era (Dracula, Tom Sawyer, and Dorian Grey) acting as a team of vigilantes, using futuristic technology and weapons despite existing in the past.
The film was directed by Stephen Norrington and has a large cast that includes Shane West and Sean Connery in his last theatrically released, live-action film. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is currently streaming on Hulu.
8 Mortal Engines
Peter Jackson purchased the rights to and help make Mortal Engines, which premiered on November 27, 2018, and was directed by Christian Rivers. The film is based on Philip Reeves’ 2001 novel and stars Hera Hilmar, Robert Sheehan, and Hugo Weaving. The film is set 1,000 years into the future in a post-apocalyptic world where cities are built on wheels, and utilizes steampunk imagery to again merge future with apst. The film was an epic flop but has some of the best steampunk visuals.
7 The City of Lost Children
The City of Lost Children (La Cité des enfants perdus) is a French science fiction film that was directed by Marc Caro and the great Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The 1995 film is about a scientist (Daniel Emilfork) who has lost his ability to dream, so now he steals the dreams of children. The film stars Judith Vittet and Ron Perlman as the older brother of a child who was kidnaped. Although a box-office flop, The City of Lost Children was well-received by critics and has some incredible, sprawling visuals.
6 The Legend of Korra
The Legend of Korra premiered on April 14, 2022, and is a spin-off of Avatar: The Last Airbender. The series was created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko and takes place 70 years after Avatar: The Last Airbender. The show follows the new Avatar, Korra, as she tries to master her powers and has become one of the most subversive animated series ever.
Like its predecessor, The Legend of Korra has received critical praise and is loved by fans, but expands on the previous series' technology by adding much more steampunk. The Legend of Korra is currently available on Netflix and Paramount+.
5 Carnival Row
Prime Video’s Carnival Row premiered on August 30, 2019, and was created by René Echevarria and Travis Beacham. The series is about mythical creatures who have fled their war-torn homeland and gathered in a city with growing tensions and stars Cara Delevingne and Orlando Bloom. Although the series was canceled, fans can’t wait for season two. Carnival Row is now streaming on Prime.
4 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood premiered on April 5, 2009, and is an adaptation of the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series by Hiromu Arakawa. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood follows brothers, Eric and Alphonse, as they try to find the philosopher stone and restore their bodies. The 2009 series was developed after the 2003 series strayed too far from the source material.
Some fans think the 2003 series deserves a follow-up, but the 2009 series is considered one of the best anime series of all time. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is now streaming on Hulu and Funimation.
3 Treasure Planet
Treasure Planet was released on November 27, 2002, and is one of Disney’s most underrated movies. The movie was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, and was the duo's first nonmusical since The Great Mouse Detective (1986). Although the animated film was a box-office flop, it received an Academy Award nomination and has gained a cult following.
The film is based on the 1883 novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson and features the voices of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Brian Murray, Emma Thompson, and Martin Short. The film follows a similar plot to the novel but gives the story an intergalactic setting instead of the open sea, allowing for so many more steampunk influences. Treasure Planet is now streaming on Disney+.
2 Howl’s Moving Castle
Studio Ghibli’s Howl’s Moving Castle is the gold standard for Ghibli films. The 2004 film was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and is loosely based on Diana Wynne Jones’ 1986 novel about a war between kingdoms and a young girl named Sophie who is cursed by a witch and turns into an elderly woman.
Howl's Moving Castle became one of the most commercially successful Japanese films in history and was nominated for an Academy Award. Howl’s Moving Castle is currently streaming on HBO Max.
1 Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Atlantis: The Lost Empire premiered on June 3, 2001, during Disney’s post-Renaissance era. This film is easily one of Disney’s classics that should get a live-action remake and has one of the most underrated princesses of all time, Princess Kida (Cree Summer).
The animated film takes place in 1914 and follows Milo Thatch (Michael J. Fox) a linguist and cartographer at the Smithsonian who is continuing his grandfather's legacy by searching for the lost city of Atlantis. The film is full of adventure and futuristic technology that works perfectly with the storyline. Atlantis: The Lost Empire is now streaming on Disney+.