sci-fi movie

Meaning

A sci-fi movie is a casual term for a science fiction film. These movies typically feature futuristic technology, space travel, time travel, parallel universes, or extraterrestrial life. It is the standard, everyday way native speakers refer to this genre when talking to friends or writing reviews.

Examples

• I'm in the mood for a good sci-fi movie tonight, maybe something about space.

  I'm in the mood for a good sci-fi movie tonight, maybe something about space.

• Interstellar is my absolute favorite sci-fi movie because of its amazing soundtrack.

  Interstellar is my absolute favorite sci-fi movie because of its amazing soundtrack.

• He doesn't usually like sci-fi movies, but he really enjoyed the new Dune film.

  He doesn't usually like sci-fi movies, but he really enjoyed the new Dune film.

• That classic sci-fi movie predicted smartwatches and video calls decades ago.

  That classic sci-fi movie predicted smartwatches and video calls decades ago.

• They are filming a low-budget sci-fi movie in our neighborhood next week.

  They are filming a low-budget sci-fi movie in our neighborhood next week.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I watched a science-fictional movie last night.

  ✓ I watched a sci-fi movie last night.

  'Science-fictional' is grammatically awkward and not used. Native speakers use the abbreviation 'sci-fi' or the full noun phrase 'science fiction' as a modifier.

• ✗ I don't like ski-fi movies.

  ✓ I don't like sci-fi movies.

  This is a common pronunciation error. 'Sci-fi' should be pronounced as 'sigh-fy' (rhyming with hi-fi), not with a hard 'k' sound.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Star Wars is perhaps the most famous ___ franchise in cinematic history.

  💡 A movie genre dealing with space and futuristic tech.

  Show answer

  sci-fi movie

• If you like time travel stories, you will love this new ___.

  💡 Short for science fiction film.

  Show answer

  sci-fi movie