For someone like me who watches a lot of sci-fi movies on a daily basis, I have never imagined that Spanish and sci-fi would go well together. No offense meant — it’s just that I’d rather watch telenovelas about family dramas, forbidden love, and others that they’re known for. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see several Spanish sci-fi movies that have met and even exceeded my expectations. That’s why I ended up writing this blog post because I do think that these movies deserve more recognition.
So here, I’ll be sharing my favorite Spanish sci-fi movies and give you an idea of what they’re about and why you must watch them. Most of them can be watched on Spanish TV and other streaming platforms, so you won’t have a hard time finding them. Let’s start!
Timecrimes (2007)
Timecrimes is my favorite Spanish sci-fi movie and I know a lot of people would say the same. I won't lie, Timecrimes completely messed with my head. It's about a man named Héctor who felt brave about checking the woods as he noticed something strange. Well, it's a bad idea (we all know it). He gets attacked by a mysterious bandaged man, runs away, and ends up hiding inside a strange machine… only to realize he’s just traveled an hour back in time. And from there, things get crazier. I guess the best thing about this movie is how clever the storytelling is. It's just so smart and satisfying to watch.
Right now, upon checking, Timecrimes is available on Amazon Prime Video. It might be airing on traditional TV as well, like on Planet DISH and others. You just need to check the schedule or check their list of on-demand titles.
The Platform (2019)
The Platform was easily placed on the Top 10 list on Netflix, and I can see why. I didn’t expect a lot from the movie simply because I didn’t find the synopsis interesting. However, I was blown away when I watched it. It’s about a vertical prison with a big hole at the center. It was designed like this to send down a platform of food, starting from the top floor and moving level by level. The people on the higher levels eat first, leaving little to nothing for those below. The Platform is a great depiction of social inequality and human nature in general.
La Cabina (1972)
If you like horror sci-fi, I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy this short movie. La Cabina is about a man who steps inside a public phone booth then finds himself trapped in it. Of course, passersby see him trapped and try to help, but they keep failing. The ending blew me away. I don't think I've felt that unsettling feeling before. It's so creepy because of the feeling of helplessness shown, and it's probably the reason why it's still talked about today.
Since this is a relatively old movie, it might not be as available. Some platforms worth checking out would be Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and DIRECTV for this film.
The Last Days (Los últimos días) (2013)
Up for a Spanish sci-fi thriller? This movie is about a mysterious pandemic that makes people afraid of going outside. If you're infected, you'll instantly collapse when you go outside. This forces the survivors to find indoor paths to go from one place to another. But the movie itself is focused on a man who's searching for his missing girlfriend. It’s a movie worth watching 100%. I think the fresh concept, although typical apocalyptic genre, makes it 10x better.
Wrapping Up
That’s all I have right now. If you’re like me, who became interested in Spanish sci-fi, I believe we still have a lot to discover. But, these titles are a good start. If you haven’t watched them yet with your friends, you’re seriously missing out. Do watch them and let us know your thoughts. Happy watching!
