Take A Break From Our Earth: 5 Sci-fi Projects To Look Forward To

Staying grounded in 2025 is going to be a challenge. The impact of decisions are likely to be felt regularly, inside and outside the United States. Now is an appropriate time to recognize balance, and even some reflection in our hobbies and entertainment. Mediums of science fiction provide us with the escapism we’re looking for when we need a break. Luckily, we have a solid lineup in 2025. We’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Below, see five big science fiction projects to look forward to, with an emphasis on marginalized voices and performances that make us feel most comfortable taking a break from our Earth.

Mickey 17, dir. Bong Joon-ho. In theaters March 7th

The next project from Bong Joon-ho, South Korea’s sci-fi visionary weirdo (complimentary) will shoot us up to space alongside Robert Pattinson (The Batman), Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead, Nope), Naomie Ackie (Blink Twice, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody), Mark Ruffalo (The Avengers, Poor Things), and Toni Collette (Hereditary). Joon-ho is known for his playful blends of black comedy, horror, and science fiction with recurring themes of social dystopias and class disparities. This story leans heavy into a much needed comedic break, and follows Pattinson as the 17th disposable clone iteration of a man called ‘Mickey’ on a quest to colonize an untouched planet coated in ice.

Ash, dir. Flying Lotus. In theaters March 21st

We might as well stay up in the atmosphere and wait around for Grammy winning artist Flying Lotus’ sophomore feature film, Ash. If you’re late to the intergalactic-fest this year, it seems like the previously mentioned Mickey 17 could be the comical palette cleanser for the horrors of this psychological sci-fi terror. Ash stars Eiza González as Riya (Baby Driver, I Care A Lot), shook at the sight of her astral crew viciously torn apart. We’ll also get Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) up in space to help complicate the issue, while Riya attempts to figure who she can trust, and if she’ll survive the cosmic and psychological torture. If you’re familiar with the work of Flylo, you should know that there’s never a cap for the amount of insanity he’ll squeeze into a project.

Elio, dir. Adrian Molina. In theaters June 13th

Science fiction is not synonymous with ‘intense’, so I’m happy to throw Pixar’s Elio into the mix for the kids, and the grown-ups who deserve a feel good tear-jerker moment every now and then. The film is helmed by two women, Domee Shi (Turning Red, Bao) and Madeline Sharafiana, and created by the talent of a majority brown and multicultural crew, including West Indian, Latinx, and South Asian voices under the initial direction of Pixar veteran Adrian Molina. Elio, voiced by Yonas Kibreab (Sweet Tooth, Obi-Wan Kenobi) is a little brown boy holding an obsession with the potential alien activity that goes on beyond the clouds. His dreams come true after waiting years to be abducted, but now he’s also been mistaken by the entities as the leader of planet Earth!

Blade Runner 2099, coming soon to Prime Video

Blade Runner 2099, created by Silka Luisa. Expected late 2025

It’s my hope that 2025 treats Michelle Yeoh properly, as an auntie worth celebrating after reminding the world of her impact and (still growing) legacy due to her praised performances in Crazy Rich Asians, Everything Everywhere All At Once, and others. The next project for the sci-fi rite of passage Blade Runner, is Blade Runner 2099; a six episode prequel miniseries starring Yeoh alongside Hunter Schafer and Jamaican-German breakout star Dimitri Abold. The miniseries wrapped not long ago, and is expected to meet our screens for the holidays later this year.

Supacell Season 2, created by Rapman. Predicted for late 2025

We don’t trust large corporations to handle the longevity of our stories. We lost Lovecraft Country and Watchmen after a single season, but we can’t afford another strike now that we have the hidden gem that is Netflix’s Supacell. If you’re unfamiliar, Supacell describes a world, centered around the rough yet culturally bountiful South London, where folks gain random super abilities— and they’re all Black, thank God. Higher ups at Netflix ordered a second season for as soon as possible, even without proper promotion or marketing for its season one— it’s that good, and everyone knows it. The next installment does not have a release date yet, however, fans have both speculated and crossed their fingers for a late 2025 drop, and a strong one too. The show’s creator, Rapman has claimed season one to be “my Batman Begins… Season two is when you really see what they become.” I’m sure we won’t, but I’ll wait years if I have to.