Quite literally anything is possible in the science fiction genre, and on film, the limit extends far further than the sky we think holds us within Earth's atmosphere. The genre has so many great movies that exude its standard: purely scientific and imaginative content. When combined alongside another genre or two, like thriller, horror, or romance, sci-fi movies can reach more audiences and transcend genres to create deeper and more intense stories.

Some of the visual shots that stand out the most exist in films that go on to win cinematography awards and accolades elsewhere. Others encapsulate a number of the best visual effects in the movie world, and scenes that are representative of the film's larger plot and inner messages. Let's take a look at 10 perfect camera shots that can be found within sci-fi movies.

11 Ava Among Other Faces – Ex Machina (2014)

Alex Garland's Ex Machina highlights robot sentience in a visually beautiful story that is inherently and creepily futuristic. Different facial masks intended to fit the countenance of an android are displayed on the wall of Nathan's huge home as if it's a museum, but Ava isn't afraid to cross boundaries. This shot in the hallway of the stronghold in which she was created exemplifies how Ava quite literally becomes human through trying it on physically. This truth is reiterated at the end of the film as she takes her future into her own hands.

10 Donnie and Frank in the Mirror – Donnie Darko (2001)

If you're into movies, you probably already know that Donnie Darko is a layered cult classic that most people have to watch twice to comprehend in any capacity. When Donnie enters the bathroom, falling deeper into his struggles with mental illness, he finds himself in front of a mirror that ripples at his touch and shifts reality visually. This sequence provides a connection between Donnie's normal reality and the version of it in which Frank exists – representing the separation of their native dimensions and their ultimate connectedness through Frank's warning to Donnie.

9 The Sandworms – Dune (2021)

The first film in the Dune series is an extensively detailed and timelessly captivating adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel. It won the Oscar for Cinematography in 2022, thanks to the creative executions of Grieg Fraser. Under this vision, the film's interpretations of sandworms are particularly eye-widening, bringing the fearsome creature from the books to life into a massive feat of filmmaking and special effects. A camera shot of a sandworm is likely to capture the beast in its entirety, and its size alone makes it more threatening in comparison to the size of the movie's human actors.

8 The Whiteboard Effect – Arrival (2016)

This particular shot in Arrival is seen from Dr. Louise Banks' point of view from inside the alien egg floating slightly above the earth. As a linguist and professor, Dr. Banks is happy to hone in on cracking the communication code and language barrier between English and alien-speak, which they display visually through inkblot-like circular shapes. In this scene, their forms of letters appear like a lesson or a student scrawl on a whiteboard; at its core, it emphasizes that every living creature has something to say and their own way of communicating their needs, feelings, and goals.

7 Reality Changes – Inception (2010)

Inception has kept is rightful reputation as one of the most mind-bending movies of all time. And as far as Christopher Nolan films go, it remains one of his resume's greatest projects. In one scene, when Cobb and Ariadne learn their way around a dreamscape, the city folds in on itself like a soft slice of bread in a disorienting but ultimately satisfying change. This particular image (in both its moving and still forms) encapsulates the confusing and circular nature of Inception as a film internally in terms of characters' experiences, and also externally as the film appears to audiences.

6 A Jiggling Spoonful of Jell-O – Jurassic Park (1993)

The first Jurassic Park movie is filled with irreplaceable scenes and unforgettable moments. In particular, the raptors' infiltration into the hiding spot of some of the film's characters is a spine-tingling part of the film that viewers will always associate with it. As the two young kids find safety in the kitchen, they find tables filled with food, including the bowl of bright green Jell-O.

As Ariana Richards's character, Lex, starts to eat a spoonful of it, the Jell-O quakes in her hand as she watches a reptilian shadow grow bigger on the wall behind her brother Tim. This scene shows from a child's perspective the growing threat of one of the most intelligent dinosaurs approaching their safe spot.

5 City Visuals – Blade Runner (1982)

Blade Runner literally begins with a bang, introducing audiences to Ridley Scott's vast vision of the future. As the camera proceeds to switch back and forth between buildings and the darkened skies above them, the first shot in this sequence really stands out the most because it sets the tone for the feeling that the film aims to create in its viewers. The city is gritty and full of chaos, and its sparkling lights highlight continue to the technological and electricity overload that keeps it running.

4 Katniss Enters the Arena – The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

In The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the scene where Katniss ascends into the Quarter Quell arena after watching Cinna's violent death is a breathtaking shift. And visually too, as recounted by Metro: "At a crucial turning point in the film, the aspect ratio slowly changes from the standard 2.35:1 to 1.78:1 widescreen." On TikTok, users have noticed, remembered, and made videos about this scene recently with the comeback of The Hunger Games in pop culture and on the app. Any shot from this scene is startling to look at on its own, but together as a complete film scene, it ultimately captures a living nightmare for a Hunger Games victor and survivor.

3 The Chestburster – Alien (1979)

Alien is a terrifying and bloody blend between horror and sci-fi. When the crew gathers together to eat, Kane's behavior appears out of character when he suddenly becomes consumed by something horrible inside of him. After he suffers some more, a little blood-soaked creature rips its way out of Kane's chest.

The camera shots as it rears its head increase this scene's emotional impact, closely capturing the birth of an alien species from a human body and creating disgust, shock, and horror in viewers. Over 40 years after its release, the film's legacy is impressive to this day, and it'll never be forgotten by classic sci-fi fans and appreciators of the Alien franchise.

2 Flying Bikes – E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is a timeless alien film that extends from comedy to cute components to horror elements to genuinely tragic scenes. Repeated in multiple parts of the story, E.T.'s ability to make bicycles fly comes in handy for the children around him, especially his devoted earthling friend, Elliot. Initially, Elliot is on his own when E.T. works his magic, which becomes even more impressive later when he does it again to assist Elliot's friends.

These memorable images encapsulate the classic vision of Universal Studios and the golden age of film in the '80s, repeated so often in marketing and cultural spinoffs and homages that cropped up as the film remained popular.

1 Introducing the Monolith – 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

If you've ever taken a film class, you'll probably remember analyzing this image or another one from the same scene with monkeys and the monolith. The scene's content and composition helped to change film forever, all captured in Kubrick's earth-shattering science fiction story 2001: A Space Odyssey. A new trailer for Greta Gerwig's Barbie even begins with a recreation of this specific part of the movie, recreating some of the long and close-up shots used by camera operators that helped to frame one of the most influential movie segments of all time.