The Fifth Element, 1997

The Fifth Element is the kind of wacky, sexy, but totally sincere science fiction movie that we don’t really get anymore. The European sci-fi action film about magic space rocks and an evil fireball set to destroy Earth stars Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Chris Tucker, and Gary Oldman, and it’s so damn fun and memorable. If you like interesting and eye-catching sets and costume designs, this movie has you covered. If you love strange sci-fi nonsense and weird aliens, this movie has that in spades. Or maybe you just want some sexy people doing cool action sequences while an alien lady sings electronic opera. Well, Fifth Element has that too, and all of it is wonderful.

There’s not a dull moment or boring scene in this film. It’s the kind of sci-fi that offers just enough world-building and lore around its edges to make tantalize you, but never gets bogged down in any of its universe-building. It zips from beginning to end and along the way features lines and moments I still quote to this day. We need more sci-fi that’s not afraid to be strange, horny, and cool. But for now, I’ll just watch The Fifth Element again.— Zack Zwiezen