It’ll probably come as no surprise to all y’all that we enjoy military science fiction around here (particularly sci-fi war movies). Some of them we enjoy because they’re good, others because they’re nostalgic, and more than a few because they are incredibly craptastic.

The selection below isn’t a “best of” type article. It’s actually pretty random. Sorry not sorry. Hopefully some of these choices will resonate with you. If not, hit us up in the comments below with your opinions. We’ll almost certainly maybe perhaps definitely respond and/or put your suggestions into the list!

Aliens (1986)

The pipehitters in this flick are the quintessential sci-fi soldiers: space marines, specifically. Everything about them is iconic, which is why we reckon this is one of the best military sci-fi movies ever made. The M41A Pulse Rifle (“10mm, with an over-and-under 30mm grenade launcher pump-action grenade launcher…”), the M56 Smart Guns carried by Vasquez and Drake, and even the buckle-on, clamshell-style armor, helmet, and attachments are all immediately recognizable.

Recognizable not just to us, by the way. Roman legionaries from the time of Emperor Augustus to that of Diocletian would have immediately intuited how to wear it.

Unfortunately for the Colonial Marines, their 10mm explosive-tip, caseless, standard light armor-piercing rounds were insufficient…or at least their leadership was.

Space: Above and Beyond (1995)

Remember this one? It was one of the first sci-fi war movies of its kind (well, it was a television series, but you know what we mean). The “Marine Space Aviators” of the 58th Space Aviator Cavalry Squadron (“Wildcards”) were the protagonists, doing battle with the vaguely insect-like, humanoid Chigs. The show had a lot of potential, but never quite got the following it could have had. Some reviewers call it a sci-fi show “that came out before its time.”

The pilots in this show were also somehow infantry. When they weren’t flying “Hammerhead” SA-43 Endo/Exo-Atmospheric Attack Jets off the space carrier (CVS?) USS Saratoga, they were hunting alien Chigs or alien sympathizers with M590 Assault Rifles, M70 Pistols, and smart grenades (that would move and follow targets).

Also…Kristen Cloke. (Yum.) She’s one of the reasons this series is a favorite to watch on Nostalgia Night at Nancy’s Squat ‘n’ Gobble.

Their rifles were built on a Ruger Mini-14 chassis, by the way. Maybe some of the same ones the A-Team used! Their pistols were modified Glock 17Ls.

“Easy as eating pancakes.”

Rest in peace, Lt. Col. Ray Butts.

Battle: Los Angeles (2011)

Alien invaders vs. jarheads in the City of Angels. What’s not to like?

“At 14:46 Pacific Standard Time, 12 different locations around the world were breached, in what appears to be a coordinated attack by an unknown enemy. All breaches were along the coastline, in what is a campaign of rapid dominance. This is a textbook military invasion. There are massive casualties in New York, defensive lines are being setup in Boston, and at 13:15 Zulu Time we lost communications with San Francisco and San Diego, their status is unknown. What we do know is that we are the LAST offensive force on the West Coast; we can not lose Los Angeles!”

A good action flick, this movie has a cult following in certain circles (including our own Daniel Shaw). You’ll recognize the weaponry in this one, since a bunch of you reading this have carried them yourselves. There’s some pretty good gun handling in this one, though some stoopid shit does make it in occasionally (looking at you, “US Air Force Recon Division”).

The TSgt. Santo character seems like it was written into the movie For Reasons. To have a female shooter? To have Michelle Rodriguez in the cast? Because a comms intelligence recon specialist sounds better coming from the Air Force? We don’t know. Evidently, a CCT or TACP from a Special Tactics Squadron just wasn’t appropriate. But hey, at least there was a 61st Air Wing, once.

But we digress. Some reviewers have criticized Battle: Los Angeles for having too many war movie clichés, but they’re stupid. That’s exactly why so many of our crew enjoyed it. If we wanted complete realism, we’d watch a documentary. While sitting in a hot porta-shitter, bored out of our minds.

What are some other good scenes that belong in this rundown?

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sci fi military, sci fi war movies, military science fiction