10 Wild Foreign Language Sci-Fi Movies Worth Discovering

The US is known for creating excellent science fiction films, with recent hits like *Annihilation*, *Her*, and *Tenet* being strong contenders for the best. However, looking at sci-fi movies globally reveals that many countries also make incredible films, especially when it comes to more unusual and imaginative stories.

As a huge cinema fan, I’m always on the lookout for something different, and I’ve put together a list of 10 amazing sci-fi films from around the world. We’re talking everything from a really energetic and beautiful Japanese movie to a totally mind-bending French sci-fi experience – perfect if you want to escape the usual Hollywood blockbusters and find something truly unique.

‘Paprika’ (2006)

The “DC Mini” is a groundbreaking new device that lets people enter each other’s minds, and it’s being hailed as a major advancement in mental health treatment. Dr. Atsuko Chiba, one of the first researchers working with the technology, uses the alias “Paprika” to provide therapy, specifically helping detective Konakawa confront his past. But when the DC Mini is stolen and misused, it starts to merge dreams with reality, forcing Dr. Chiba and Konakawa to team up and stop the chaos.

Jumping Through Dreams

Satoshi Kon’s *Paprika* is both a thrilling science fiction film and a passionate tribute to the art of filmmaking. It’s visually stunning and fast-paced, blending sci-fi concepts with the storytelling techniques of classic cinema in a way that few anime – outside of Studio Ghibli – achieve. Even if you’re not a fan of anime, you can appreciate how beautifully made *Paprika* is. The film is also based on a novel by renowned Japanese sci-fi writer Yasutaka Tsutsui.

‘After Blue’ (2021)

I recently checked out the 2021 French film, *After Blue (Dirty Paradise)*, and it’s quite a ride. The story unfolds on a fascinating, all-female planet also called After Blue. We follow Roxy, a teenage rebel, whose life gets flipped upside down when she sets a prisoner named Kate Bush – yes, *that* name is intentional – free. This act gets Roxy and her mother, Zora, exiled from their community. Their only hope for acceptance? Track down Kate Bush and put her back in the sandy jail she escaped from. It’s a unique premise with a lot of potential, and I’m eager to see where it goes.

Coming-of-Age on a Lonely Planet

Though “After Blue” explores strong feminist themes, it’s still enjoyable for a wide range of viewers because of its stunning visuals and imaginative world. You can interpret its deeper meanings or simply appreciate it as a visually impressive film. It uniquely combines science fiction and Western influences, and while it’s sparked debate among fans and critics, it undeniably delivers a bold and original cinematic experience.

‘Battle Heater’ (1986)

Furuchi and Hama are a pair of unlucky electronics repairmen. They’re currently trying to fix a broken kotatsu heater when a dangerous accident almost kills Furuchi. Hama manages to save him using electricity, but this unexpectedly brings the heater to life. Soon, strange and unsettling deaths begin to occur, and it seems the heater might be responsible.

When Science Brings a Portable Heater to Life

Movies about killer objects aren’t rare, but *Battle Heater* stood out when it was released. Director Jōji Iida took a uniquely strange approach to the story of a murderous portable heater. The film mixes comedy and gruesome body horror with its unusual science fiction idea—a heater that’s come to life—and features a cast of quirky characters and bizarre, often deadly, situations. Despite its silliness, the movie also feels like a throwback to classic monster movies with its visuals and overall mood.

‘Stranger’ (2020)

In 2020, Ukrainian director Dmitriy Tomashpolskiy created the unusual film *Stranger*, blending several genres. The story centers on Inspector Gluhovsky, a careful and systematic investigator who looks into a hydrotherapy clinic after a patient vanishes. While initially searching for a killer, Gluhovsky uncovers a much larger and stranger mystery surrounding the clinic’s experimental treatments, and a hidden presence within the water itself.

Lovecraft Meets Lynch in Ukraine

Despite being a hidden gem, the movie *Stranger* is a beautifully strange blend of science fiction, mystery, and horror. It’s largely unknown, likely because of where it was made. While it may not be perfectly polished due to budget limitations, the film expertly creates a chilling and unsettling atmosphere. It masterfully combines cosmic horror with unusual science, all within a captivating mystery. You truly won’t find another film quite like *Stranger*.

‘Violence Voyageur’ (2018)

As summer begins, high school friends Bobby and Akkun venture into a secluded forest hoping to find an abandoned military base to explore. Instead, they stumble upon a strange and unsettling theme park. When Akkun is captured and subjected to experiments, Bobby finds himself trapped in a terrifying world where sinister scientists are turning children into robotic soldiers.

Paper-Made Sci-Fi

Violence Voyageur is an animated film created using a unique technique called “geki-mation” by director Ujicha. Imagine the style of South Park, but with significantly more detail and a focus on intensely scary science fiction and horror. This film is aimed at mature audiences and offers a strange, immersive experience. Though the animation style is simple, it’s crafted with incredible care, making each scene feel artistic. It also evokes a nostalgic feeling for classic sci-fi, while still delivering genuine scares.

‘Incredible But True’ (2022)

An elderly couple achieves a lifelong dream when they purchase their ideal home. However, they soon learn about a hidden room and are warned to avoid it. Unable to resist their curiosity, they discover the room contains a portal that causes them to vanish for 12 hours each time they enter, also reversing their age by three days. This strange benefit creates tension in their marriage, as they disagree on whether it’s a blessing or a pointless pursuit.

Inconvenient Time Travel

Quentin Dupieux’s film, Incredible But True, isn’t a typical high-energy comedy, and it unfolds at a deliberate pace. But despite its subtle humor and sci-fi elements, the film is surprisingly playful and showcases Dupieux’s talent for taking a simple concept and making it completely ridiculous. It’s a time travel story that focuses on small jumps in time, and the film cleverly demonstrates that restraint can be effective. We watch a couple hilariously struggle to adapt to the strange time portal that appears in their house, proving that sometimes, less really is more.

‘Brick’ (2025)

Tim and Olivia’s relationship is falling apart after a miscarriage, and they separate when Tim prioritizes work over a planned trip. However, on the night Olivia intends to move out, they become trapped inside their apartment building by a mysterious metal barrier. While exploring the building, they encounter other trapped residents and discover the situation might be caused by a malfunctioning new security system. They believe a deceased resident may have left clues about how to escape in his notes.

Trapped Inside with Future Tech

Brick is a compelling sci-fi mystery that steadily builds tension. The serious situation facing Tim, Olivia, and the tenants of a German apartment building makes it completely captivating. The film also showcases Netflix’s commitment to offering diverse, original content from around the world. If you enjoy sci-fi with a focused, single-location setting, you’ll appreciate the blend of mystery and drama within this one building.

‘Timecrimes’ (2007)

Héctor, a man in his middle years, hopes to find tranquility in the countryside with his wife. But his peaceful life is disrupted when he sees a strange person and follows them into the woods, leading to a series of odd occurrences. Convinced a murderer is nearby, Héctor hides inside a machine that unexpectedly sends him back in time. Now trapped in a repeating hour, he must figure out what’s happening to survive and fix the situation.

Killer Stuck in a Time Loop

Nacho Vigalondo’s *Timecrimes* gained a dedicated following among science fiction and horror enthusiasts by cleverly combining time travel paradoxes with the tension of a gritty thriller. The film’s strength lies in its focus on the fear and paranoia of its main character, Hector, played exceptionally by Javier Gutiérrez, instead of relying on flashy action. This creates a compelling, dark, and psychological mystery – a real gem for sci-fi lovers.

‘Biotherapy’ (1986)

Japanese scientists are close to a major discovery with a chemical called “GT medicine,” which can dramatically speed up cell growth. But their progress is threatened by a strange, blue-colored figure who begins systematically killing them, hoping to steal the formula. While the story is set in a science fiction world, it mainly serves as a backdrop for a series of unusual and gruesome murders.

A Macabre Sci-Fi Movie Almost Lost to Time

The obscure film *Biotherapy*, made by a director who only made one feature, has gained a dedicated following among Japanese horror enthusiasts. Its monster is truly one-of-a-kind – a bizarre, scientifically-created being that seems to exist between our world and a terrifying other dimension. You can only find *Biotherapy* in low-quality online copies, which actually adds to its strange appeal. It feels like a science fiction slasher movie that’s been broadcast from another world. If you enjoy unusual films, try watching it alongside another strange Japanese sci-fi movie from the same period, *Guzoo: The Thing Forsaken by God – Part I*.

‘Else’ (2024)

Thibault Emin’s film, a collaboration between France and Belgium, emerged from the uncertainty of the pandemic. It tells the story of two people who meet right before a lockdown and find themselves stuck together. The film depicts a strange disease where people begin to merge with their surroundings. As the pair desperately tries to avoid this fate, they are forced to watch as others succumb and their world is invaded.

I’ll Stop The World and Melt With You

I was really surprised by *Else*. It’s billed as body horror, but honestly, it’s more about creating a beautiful, almost dreamlike atmosphere. It’s genuinely the most visually stunning depiction of the end of the world I’ve ever seen, and it’s anchored by a really sweet love story. What starts as a few unsettling cases of people merging with their surroundings quickly escalates into this massive, bizarre pandemic that consumes an entire alien world – the scale of it is just incredible!

2025-10-11 20:06