15 Movies That Once Seemed Like Sci-Fi but Seem Like a Documentary Now

Robert Sihler

To say the least, technology and the way we use it have changed rapidly in recent years. Movies have long been a way to envision the future of technology, but now we’re suddenly finding that what once sounded like pretty far-out sci-fi is now a daily reality or might be soon.

Here are 15 movies that don’t seem so fantastic, in the sense of fantasy, anymore.

Charlie’s Angels

 

Image Credit: Columbia Pictures.

In the 2000 film version, the villain had plans to track Charlie’s phone using satellites and voice recognition. That seemed pretty wild then. Need we say anything more now?

 

The Pelican Brief

Image Credit: Warner Bros.

Julia Roberts’s character writes an article about an assassination plot, and the bad guys need to get her before she can publish it. Today, the work would be in the cloud and it would go straight to the internet.

 

The Conversation

Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Set in 1974, this Gene Hackman classic introduced the ideas of constant surveillance, never knowing what to believe, and the resulting paranoia. Nowadays, we take all of these for granted.

 

Minority Report

Image Credit: 20th Century Fox.

This film introduced then-unimaginable ideas like targeted ads, facial and retinal recognition, and algorithmic behavior prediction to identify threats. Currently, we have two of those three.

 

Sneakers

Image Credit: Universal Pictures.

Characters Cosmo and Marty talk about the idea of using technology to manipulate information and gather secrets. That was in 1992. Now, governments and individuals can track our behaviors and habits like never before.

 

I, Robot

Image Credit: 20th Century Fox.

Personal robots and self-driving cars were part of this 2004 movie. The former exist in relatively simple forms (for now), and the latter are here, just waiting for refinements to make them reliably safe. The movie also featured contactless payment, which did exist then but is widespread now.

 

Contagion

Image Credit: Warner Bros.

A pandemic seizes the planet, and people seek safety while the CDC scrambles to manage it and find a cure. Sound familiar? This isn’t a political blog, so that’s all we’re going to say!

 

Network

Image Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).

When a TV network realizes that a deranged media personality is good for profits, they exploit the situation. Then they lose control. That was in 1976. It was a satire that now would seem like an everyday thing.

 

Her

Image Credit: Warner Bros.

In this 2013 film, a lonely writer develops a relationship with an AI virtual assistant that has a female voice. The film seems eerily predictive of what we’re seeing take shape right now, both in tech and in what social scientists describe as a culture of loneliness.

 

The Truman Show

Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

This 1998 movie is about a man who unknowingly spends his life on the set of a reality show for all to see. About the only difference between that and what we have today is that people willingly share every bit of their lives with the whole world now.

 

Children of Men

Image Credit: Universal Pictures.

In a future world where people can’t have children, humanity falls into a state of despair that leads to violence. Fast-forward to today, where people are increasingly isolated by social media and online and real-life violence are on the rise.

 

Rising Sun

Image Credit: 20th Century Fox.

Deep fake elements were part of this film from 1993. In 2023, Deep fakes are common and increasingly sophisticated, and they spread misinformation and can ruin reputations and careers.

 

Enemy of the State

Image Credit: Touchstone Pictures.

In 1998, the surveillance state technology depicted in this film seemed unbelievable and almost totalitarian. Does anyone feel that way about the capabilities of surveillance technology anymore?

 

The Terminator

Image Credit: Orion Pictures.

So far at least, we don’t have human-looking cyborgs assassinating people. However, remember that the premise of the movie is a world takeover by machines that become intelligent and self-determining. Many fear AI may lead us here.

 

2001: A Space Odyssey

Image Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).

Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 classic didn’t invent the idea of a sentient supercomputer taking a malicious turn, but it’s the earliest famous example of it. Once again, this film represents where many fear AI is headed.

12 Movies That Are Just Plain Awful, But We Love Them Anyway

Van Helsing (2004).
Image Credit: Universal Pictures.

 

It’s OK to like bad movies. You don’t need to defend your choices or agree with what the critics say. Movies are subjective, after all! To make you feel better about your questionable favorites we gathered up some movies that are just plain awful, but we love anyway.

12 Movies That Are Just Plain Awful, But We Love Them Anyway

12 TV Shows That Are Often Called “The Best TV Show Ever”

Mad Men _ Season 7B, Episode 14.
Image Credit: Justina Mintz/AMC.

 

This is such a subjective topic. While I’d love to share my thoughts on the best TV show ever, I thought it would be better to scour the internet to find out what, in your opinion, is the best show ever from a variety of fans.

These are the top 12 that came up most often or have the most upvotes. I’ve gotta say, I don’t find this list incredibly shocking – these are some really great TV shows!

12 TV Shows That Are Often Called “The Best TV Show Ever”

The 13 Netflix Original Series That You Need to Watch Before You Die

MINDHUNTER.
Image Credit: Patrick Harbron/Netflix.

 

Every time they raise their prices and we think about cancelling it seems that Netflix brings out another original series (or new season) that forces us to keep our subscriptions active. But, if you’re already subscribed looking for something new to watch on the platform, we rounded up some fan favorite Netflix original series to check out next.

The 13 Netflix Original Series That You Need to Watch Before You Die

The 12 Best Worst Movies That Fans Violently Defend (Even Though They’re Terrible)

Mortal Kombat (1995).
Image Credit: New Line Cinema.

 

Ever watch a movie and think to yourself: this is so bad it’s good? Hold onto that feeling because you’re not alone – these are some of the best worst movies that fans violently defend (even though they’re terrible).

If you’re in need of some downright awful movies to add to your “to watch” list look no further. From the ultra campy to the “who cares if it’s bad I enjoyed it”, you might just find yourself defending these “B” movies to everyone you meet too.

The 12 Best Worst Movies That Fans Violently Defend (Even Though They’re Terrible)

10 Netflix Movies That Are So Good, You’ll Be Binge-Watching All Night Long

Wedding Season. (L to R) Suraj Sharma as Ravi, Pallavi Sharda as Asha in Wedding Season.
Image Credit: Ken Woroner/Netflix.

 

Looking for some great movies on Netflix to stream? Look no further! We’ve curated a list of the best movies on Netflix that are currently trending in 2023, ensuring you’ll find something entertaining to watch.

10 Netflix Movies That Are So Good, You’ll Be Binge-Watching All Night Long
The inspirational source for this article

 

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