Sci-fi movies and shows are all about futuristic settings, mind-blowing technology, and non-stop action. But sports have also played a surprisingly big role in lots of sci-fi franchises, bringing together a blend of athleticism, competition, impossibility - and a spectacle that we could only ever dream about.
Whether it's trying to defy gravity with a game of football in space, or someone’s simply trying to fight for their lives in a deadly dystopian tournament, these scenes can be some of the most memorable out there.
So, with that being said, here are some of our favourite sci-fi sports scenes ever...
Zero-Gravity Football: The Expanse in 2015-2022
First, we’ll take a look at the Sci-Fi TV series, The Expanse, which takes football to a whole new level! If you think placing normal football bets is unpredictable - try taking away gravity!
This program features an awesome scene, where they are playing zero-gravity football in a spaceship corridor. This scene is great for all sorts of reasons. Not only does it look pretty cool, but it also manages to perfectly capture how sports can change and adapt to outer space - and the excitement and challenges of trying to play the game without gravity. The realism of the physics in the show makes it even more fun and thrilling to watch.
The Quidditch Matches – Harry Potter
OK, so this is a bit more fantasy than sci-fi, but how can we not mention the ultimate fictional sport Quidditch? This is a sport that’s all played on flying broomsticks… and it contains a lot of sci-fi elements, with its high-speed aerial manoeuvres and a bit of magical technology thrown in. It’s fast-paced, full-contact - and completely surreal, which makes Quidditch one of the most fantastic fictional sports in film.
The Rollerball Games – Rollerball in 1975 and 2002
Rollerball is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting depictions of a dystopian sport in the whole of the sci-fi world. The film is set in a corporate-controlled future - and the game is brutal - a mix of roller derby, American football, and gladiatorial combat that isn’t pretty. Its matches are violent and chaotic - perfect for the theme of corporate control and the resilience of the human spirit.
Futuristic Football – Starship Troopers in 1997
Then we have a real cult classic, which features a very memorable and exciting futuristic take on football. The scene is of a super high-speed, acrobatic game that’s played with futuristic equipment by players with enhanced physical abilities. This is the perfect example of how sci-fi can completely reimagine a classic sport by using the imagination.
The Podrace in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace 1999
OK, so it’s not necessarily a traditional sport, but podracing in The Phantom Menace is a super high-stakes competitive event that’s a bit like motor racing. The thrilling scene, which is all about Anakin Skywalker’s race for survival, is all about the speed, danger, and excitement you might expect from futuristic sports.
Speedball in Tron 1982
In the original Tron film, we were introduced to a digital sporting environment with a high-energy disc battle and interesting-looking light-cycle races. These competitions were all played inside a digital world and combined futuristic technology with a sporting dynamic, creating a very futuristic feast for the eyes.
Battle Arena in The Hunger Games 2012
OK, so it’s not necessarily a conventional sport (thank goodness), but the Hunger Games is an organised competition that has spectators and is all about strategy, and serious physical challenges. This sci-fi takes survival sports to a whole new level and delivers some serious action.
The Bloodsport Tournament in Mortal Kombat 1995 & 2021
This movie, based on the famous video game, takes martial arts competition into the sci-fi world - fighters with supernatural abilities, futuristic environments, and interdimensional stakes. The mix of combat sports with sci-fi elements definitely makes it one of the most exciting tournament-based movies out there.
The Space Jam Basketball Game in Space Jam 1996 & 2021
Sorry, but we have to finish with this. Space Jam is a cool combination of sci-fi, basketball and cartoons - as the NBA legend Michael Jordan teams up with our favourite Looney Tunes characters as they take on an alien team in a gravity-defying match. With shape-shifting aliens and moves that defy the laws of physics, this has to be one of the most iconic sports scenes in sci-fi film history.
When sci-fi meets sports, it really can create some seriously unforgettable moments.
