Sci-fi movies can be many things: escapist fun, cerebral explorations of the nature of humanity, or purely superficial visual spectacles. Yes, that even includes movies from decades before we reached the level of technology we have today with CGI and other visual effects. Such is the case with the three sci-fi movies on Prime Video you need to watch in December. All three are from decades ago, yet they still impress.
One stars Charlie Sheen in a more dramatic role than fans might be used to seeing him in, one is from the James Bond universe, and another is an Arnold Schwarzenegger classic. If you’re looking for something a bit different from the typical sci-fi fare, these three movies won’t disappoint. For more ideas, check out the best sci-fi movies on Amazon Prime Video.
An astronomer named Zane (Charlie Sheen) discovers intelligent alien life, but his boss doesn’t believe him and fires him. So, Zane proceeds to continue with the investigation on his own and comes across irrefutable proof. But as it turns out, these creatures have a secret, and they’re willing to do whatever is necessary to make sure Zane never learns what it is. Zane and his new climate scientist ally, Ilana (Lindsay Crouse), now find themselves in grave danger.
The mystery suspense sci-fi thriller shows a different side of Sheen, who went on to tackle more comedic roles in his career. It’s one of those lost movies in his vault that’s worth checking out. The Arrival offers a fresh take on an overdone genre, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you thoroughly entertained throughout.
Stream The Arrival on Prime Video.
Travel all the way back to the 1970s for this spy-fi film, one of many in the James Bond universe. Roger Moore stars as the fictional MI6 agent looking into the theft of a space shuttle. He eventually travels into outer space where (spoiler alert!) and saves the world from the threat of apocalyptic proportions, which would have involved the creation of a master race.
Sure, Moonraker isn’t your traditional sci-fi movie. But if you’re in the mood for sci-fi that isn’t totally sci-fi, this is a good compromise. You get all the elements of a great action thriller with one of the best to ever play the Bond character combined with science and space exploration. It’s silly and entertaining, perfect for more lighthearted, nostalgic viewing.
Stream Moonraker on Prime Video.
Back in the 1980s, before he was Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger was one of the biggest action movie stars in Hollywood. One of his less flashy films of that decade was The Running Man, a dystopian action movie set in a future (2017 and 2019!) where professional killers hunt down convicted criminals to kill them. Oh, and it’s all for sport because it’s the subject of an entertaining game show on television. The prize? A tropical vacation and a government pardon from the totalitarian police state.
Schwarzenegger is Captain Ben Richards, a police helicopter pilot who, after refusing to open fire on rioters, is blamed anyway and sent to a prison labor camp from a crime he didn’t commit. He is coerced into joining the TV show after the host, Damon Killian (Richard Dawson), becomes impressed with his stature and incredible abilities. Not surprisingly, Richards becomes a force to be reckoned with in the “game.” As far as action movies go, The Running Man isn’t one to take too seriously. But it’s Schwarzenegger at his best and will remind you why he was one of the most sought-after movie stars of the generation.
Stream The Running Man on Prime Video.
Some of the best shots in Grok Imagine’s AI-made Odyssey don’t contain actors. Ancient landscapes stretch into the distance. Close-ups of grimy hands suggest people who have touched something rougher than a keyboard. For a few seconds, the illusion holds.
https://twitter.com/imagine/status/2113712964419063911
YouTube videos could soon look better without eating quite so much data, right? Thankfully, the platform plans to introduce a new video format called AV2 on its web player in early 2027, promising more efficient streaming and potentially fewer playback hiccups on slower internet connections. The big headline is a roughly 30% improvement in compression efficiency over AV1, YouTube's existing video format. That doesn't guarantee every video will use 30% less data, but it could make streaming a little easier on both internet connections and data allowances.
What is AV2, and why should viewers care?
YouTube is changing how its Home page works, giving viewers more control over what shows up there and making some of the app’s most-used sections easier to reach. Custom Feeds are now replacing the existing topic chips for eligible users, while YouTube is also testing a redesigned top bar on mobile that moves Subscriptions closer to the Home feed.
YouTube first started experimenting with Custom Feeds earlier this year, letting you type out what you wanted to watch and turning that request into its own stream of recommendations. Now, the feature is starting to look less like a side experiment and more like something YouTube actually wants people to use as part of their everyday Home page.