In the world of science fiction, one of the most common themes is space travel and exploration, and within that theme comes the classic iconography of spaceships. Some are inspired by real world transportation, while others are born in the abstract, bordering on dream-like engineering. The look, feel, usability, and even personality of a spaceship play a huge role in building the sci-fi world in which the ship occupies. Since ships are often such a defining piece of aesthetic in the genre, they can often tell you much about the fictitious world that surrounds them.
From Star Wars to The Matrix, every great science fiction universe has an equally good set of ships and proficient crews to man them. Some movies use ships purely as a form of locomotion, while others, like the Millenium Falcon, seem to embody a sort of personality and Mythos. The ships featured in many popular films have different roles and in turn have different designs and sizes based on those roles. Some are meant for long periods of interstellar travel, while others are meant for short distances and speed. Without taking into consideration performance, speed, or power, here are the coolest and most well-designed spaceships in sci-fi movies, ranked.
Imperial Shuttle - Star Wars
To some, this ship may look bland; and to a certain extent it is. Although its design is not extravagant or flamboyant, it has a lot going for it. It’s not necessarily redefining the look of space travel, but its success is through its minimalism. Covered in a mostly all-white exterior with black accents, this ship perfectly matches the imperial aesthetic. Its novelty comes to show when docking, as its two side wings, which create a triangle with the third when deployed, hinge upward to become parallel with the top wing. Its sleek and simple design makes it one of the coolest ships in the Star Wars universe.
Police Spinner - Blade Runner
With more of a utility focus in mind, this vehicle was made with city travel in mind. Like the contemporary car, this vehicle can fit only a few passengers and has many different design types. In Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049, we are most privy to the police spinner, but there are different types of spinners seen driven by others in the background. The spinner, designed by Syd Mead, an industrial designer who also worked on Aliens and Tron, describes the vehicle as an aerodyne, using air positioned downward to generate lift.
Nebuchadnezzar - The Matrix
The Nebuchadnezzar, also called the Neb, is the main hovercraft ship captained by Morpheus in The Matrix. Along with Neo and Trinity, other members of the crew include Link, Tank, Dozer, Apoc, Cypher, Mouse, and Switch. The ship itself is dirty, gritty, and feels like something built by skilled hands instead of being manufactured. The name of the ship itself is a biblical reference and is said to have been built on 19/09/2069. The crew lives in relatively close quarters and can expect to stay on the ship for days on end. The ship has some defense systems but is built with stealth in mind, knowing that it cannot outgun a mob of Sentinels.
Slave I - Star Wars
One of the most iconic ships in the series, the Slave I is used by the two bounty hunters, Jango Fett and his son Boba Fett. The ship itself is an ungraded and re-engineered patrol and attack craft. It features upgraded cannons, shielding technology, hidden weapons, and radar-jamming technology. The exterior of the ship looks used and weathered, but it seems to get the job done. One of the most interesting parts about the ship is its landing and flying orientation. Although it lands with its thrusters facing down toward the ground, it flies with them oriented away from the direction they are traveling. This gimmick makes the design pretty unique, in a universe full of incredibly cool spaceships; it makes this one hard to forget.
U.S.S. Enterprise - Star Trek
Possibly one of the most famous spaceships in all of science fiction, the U.S.S. Enterprise from Star Trek is featured in the original series as well as four separate films. The build of the ship makes it easily recognizable throughout the franchise. It consists of primarily a giant disc, with three thrusters jetting out from below the disc and behind it. Its distinct shape is an engineering marvel, and is representative of the futuristic society that designed and created it. Unlike smaller ships that are meant for transportation from point A to point B, this behemoth is fitted for both battle and long-term space exploration. The crew lives on the ship, making it not only a means of transportation, but a home.
Interstellar Vehicle Venture Star - Avatar
This ship from Avatar doesn't get an incredible amount of screentime in the film, but it plays an incredibly important role. It is one of ten interstellar ships that make up the supply chain between Earth and Pandora. These ships require unobtanium to manufacture and run, making their existence impossible without the resource. The look of these ships is truly unique. There are two long prongs coming off the main body, with a very thin neck that is connected to a smaller part of the ship. Their design makes them only operational in deep space as they would not be able to survive atmospheric entry.
Discovery 1 - 2001: A Space Odyssey
The 1968 Stanley Kubrick film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, redefined the sci-fi genre. The film follows humanity's push towards space exploration and the search for answers that were brought about by a mysterious object many generations ago. The ship is featured prominently in the film both inside and out, and its creation was for the study of Jupiter. The build consists of a giant sphere with a linear protrusion directed from the rear. The ship is nuclear powered and is integrated with the A.I. program HAL 9000.
The Milano - Guardians of the Galaxy
Motion Pictures
Topping the list is The Milano, the main ship from the Guardians of the Galaxy. Although its exterior is not prominently featured, when we do see it, it is quite the sight. The ship is decorated in a bright aqua blue with pale orange accents. Its form is reminiscent of a bird, with a strong aerodynamic shape, a beak-like front, and feather-looking wings. It is captained by Peter Quill and the crew consists of Gamora, Rocket, and Groot. Its exceptional color design and engineering make for a striking appearance. The Milano is an extraordinary spaceship built for an extraordinary crew.