Top Sci-fi Movies starring Will Smith

Will Smith has been in many movies over the last few decades breaking from Fresh Prince to becoming a “Bad Boy” and eventual “Enemy of the State.” Ironically, he could have hit the silver screen as Neo in the Matrix and been cast alongside his wife Jada Smith in Matrix Reloaded/Revolutions. However, Will Smith deemed his real calling was with Wild Wild West and continuing his Hip Hop career with soundtracks and “Getting Jiggy Wit It” songs so he left the Matrix films to Keanue Reeves.

Looking back at some of Will Smith’s best movies I find that while he does have a knack for dramas (Ali, The Pursuit of Happyness), his true classics are that of the science fiction genre.

I Am Legend 2007

The film is screen-played from a novel about a world plague that turns humans into vampire like creatures, however the movie went more of the virus through pharmaceuticals route. Originally the book wasn’t much about vampires as it was about human loneliness.

The first half of the movie portrays his struggle to survive as a supposed last survivor in New York creating a world of loneliness yet danger.

The movie incorporated high budget special effects, painting a believable image of worst case scenario if there were ever a global outbreak of a vampire virus.

I, Robot 2004

In the not to distant future (2035), an AI mind and a legion of gel-faced robots take on Will Smith and Shia Labeouf. Makes for a good movie right?

Seriously though, the movie was directed by Alex Proyas (Dark City / The Crow) and showcased stunning CGI effects and creative storyline archs, giving science fiction fans another enticing humans versus robots movie.

Men in Black II 2002

Both films feature spacey and entertaining characters, dialogue, and creature designs. Serleena (Lara Flynn Boyle) and Scrad (Johnny Knoxville) jumped into the sequel as brilliant villains, along with Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones carrying on their iconic characters as Agent J and K.

Independence Day 1996

Definitely Roland Emmerich’s (Director of ID4/2012) best film, but not because of the acting or special effects. The movie is actually quite campy, but definitely a guilty pleasure with it’s hilarious characters and storyline based around an alien invasion. At one time, the movie was rated as the second highest grossing film of all-time raking in over $816 million at the box office.

Will Smith made another big break in Hollywood with a supporting cast that worked perfectly for the film including; Bill Pullman, Vivica A. Fox, Jeff Goldblum, and Randy Quaid.

Men in Black 1997

The original is usually always best and in the Men in Black series, this is the case thus far. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld (The Addams Family / Get Shorty), Men in Black created a humorous and deep new universe of alien mythology and government cover ups.

The soundtrack highlighted a great score from Danny Elfman and a catchy tune from Will Smith himself.

For fans of the Men in Black series, note that Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, and the rest of the crew are returning for a third movie in 3D. Check out a bootleg teaser trailer here:

Feel free to leave your thoughts on Will Smith’s best movies, specifically sci-fi in the comments section below.