James Cameron has been lighting up the screen for years. He has created some of the best films of all time, and they have spanned across several genres. His science fiction films, in particular, stand out among the rest. He has made innovative films that have taken cinema to new boundaries. Indeed, Cameron's Avatar franchise took special effects to a new level, and audiences and critics alike cannot wait to see the long awaited sequel Avatar: The Way of Water later this year, per Collider. Cameron completely invests his time and energy into every film that he takes on. His films are epic, endearing, and always blow the audiences away. He focuses on the story just as much as the visuals of his films. When it comes to science fiction filmmakers, Cameron is arguably the greatest of all time.
Cameron was born in Kapuskasing, Ontario and spent years as a truck driver before becoming the filmmaker that we know today. It is so inspiring to see a director come from such humble beginnings. His career started with lower-budget films like Piranha II: The Spawning, with which he impressed filmmakers with his creative techniques. He went on to direct some of the greatest films ever made and has won several awards, including Oscars. Cameron is a master of science fiction and has given audiences classic films about the future, robots, and aliens. Let's dive into his best science fiction films of all time.
5 The Abyss
When it comes to Cameron's filmography, The Abyss is surprisingly not one of the most popular. With that said, it is a brilliant and creative science fiction film that features an amazing story and great performances. Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio lead the way as an estranged couple who discover alien life forms in the depths of the ocean. It is a unique film that gives you suspense from beginning to end. At the same time, it creates feelings of claustrophobia throughout. There are several memorable scenes that are filled with tender moments and the special effects were through the roof.
4 Aliens
Writing and directing a sequel to a classic film like Alien is no easy feat. With that said, Cameron completely delivered the goods with Aliens. He took the franchise to a new level, gave audiences more aliens, and created a thought-provoking and interesting story. There are great characters throughout the film, and Cameron also stayed true to the atmosphere of the original movie. Sigourney Weaver, and the rest of the cast, deliver fantastic performances, once again proving the capabilities of Cameron as a director. Many consider it the best of the franchise, in fact; it is an absolute classic sci-fi film.
3 The Terminator
The Terminator is a classic film and one of the best science fiction movies of all time. It also skyrocketed the career of Cameron, as well as Arnold Schwarzenegger's. It is a fascinating story about a cyborg sent back into time to kill the mother of an unborn child. The movie is entertaining from beginning to end, and it still holds up to this day. It launched a very successful franchise and proved to the world the capabilities of Cameron as a filmmaker. When it comes to filmmaking, The Terminator hits all the marks.
2 Avatar
There is so much to love when it comes to Avatar. Cameron took a classic Shakespearean story and brought it to the outer limits of space. The special effects were groundbreaking and the film also features fantastic performances. The cast includes Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana, and more. Cameron takes you to a beautiful world and the film is absolutely epic. Not only is the film filled with thrilling action scenes, but it is also a very endearing love story. There are also several underlying themes related to the current times. Cameron has several sequels in the works, including one that is coming out later this year. It was a visionary masterpiece and one of the most successful films of all time.
1 Terminator 2: Judgement Day
Terminator 2: Judgement Day is arguably the best sequel ever made. At the same time, it is a classic science fiction film that features interesting and complicated characters with depth. Arnold Schwarzenegger reprises his role as the Terminator, with a twist. In this film, he is actually the good guy. Schwarzenegger proved his capabilities of playing an epic hero. It is an innovative film with great special effects. The film also features a very memorable villain played by Robert Patrick. The heart of the movie is certainly between the Terminator and John Connor, played by Edward Furlong. When it comes to science fiction, Terminator 2 is simply unmatchable.