NASA Reveals the Most Scientifically Accurate Sci-Fi Movies
▼ Summary
– Hollywood often exaggerates storytelling for intrigue, making films based on scientific topics seem unrealistic compared to real-world practices like hacking.
– Experts can help determine the balance between implausibility and realism, with context being key, as seen in the accurate portrayal of healthcare in “The Pitt.”
– NASA scientists have identified a list of realistic science fiction films, including “Gattaca,” “Contact,” and “Jurassic Park,” based on their plausibility.
– “Gattaca” is noted as the top realistic film for its depiction of genetics, inspiring a 2022 scientific paper, while “Contact” benefited from astronomer Carl Sagan’s insistence on accuracy.
– Neil deGrasse Tyson’s approved sci-fi list also includes many of these titles, along with others like “The Matrix,” “The Martian,” and “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
When it comes to science fiction, the line between fantastical storytelling and plausible science is often blurred, but some films manage to impress the experts. NASA scientists, gathered at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, have identified a selection of movies that stand out for their scientific credibility. These are stories that, while still designed to entertain, respect the underlying principles of real-world science and technology, making them compelling for both audiences and professionals.
The list of films deemed most realistic includes several classics. “Gattaca” (1997) tops the ranking for its prescient and nuanced exploration of genetic engineering, a portrayal so compelling it inspired a detailed scientific paper decades later. “Contact” (1997), based on Carl Sagan’s novel, benefited immensely from the astronomer’s direct involvement, ensuring its concepts remained grounded. Other notable titles praised for their plausibility are “Metropolis” (1927), “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (1951), “Woman from the Moon” (1929), “The Thing from Another World” (1951), and “Jurassic Park” (1993). The inclusion of Jurassic Park might raise eyebrows, but its use of genetic material trapped in amber sparked serious public discourse about the boundaries of paleogenetics.
This NASA-vetted list finds agreement with other scientific voices. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has also highlighted several of these films while adding others to a broader list of scientifically commendable sci-fi. His selections include “The Matrix,” “The Martian,” “Interstellar,” “Back to the Future,” “Deep Impact” (1998), and Stanley Kubrick’s seminal “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968). The common thread is a commitment to building narratives on a foundation of real or theoretically sound science, even when venturing into speculative territory. This approach not only creates more immersive worlds but also serves to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers by showing what might be possible.
(Source: BGR)
