10 Tech Inventions In Sci-Fi Movies That Will Probably Be Real Soon

May 19, 2024, noon

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10 Tech Inventions In Sci-Fi Movies That Will Probably Be Real Soon

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Summary Virtual reality gaming like Ready Player One is closer than you think, with immersive experiences on the horizon.

Mission: Impossible's optical illusion tech could be real soon, showing the blend of sci-fi and reality.

Genetic engineering like Gattaca and human cloning in Never Let Me Go pose ethical dilemmas for the future.

The best sci-fi movies are full of interesting and innovative technology that appears years ahead of today's capability, but some could be real soon. Over the past several decades, technology has been developing at an exponential pace and the good and bad of science fiction could be rearing its head soon enough. One of the hallmarks of the sci-fi genre is that new technologies are introduced before humanity is ready for them, with devastating results. Playing with the fabric of reality is always a dangerous game even if it’s for the greater good.

However, if science fiction is to be believed, there is always a cost and sacrifice for the sake of progress, and that will appear alongside the latest innovation.

Many inventions would be exciting to possess already, like the coolest flying cars in sci-fi movies, but those developments may take longer than others. In the meantime, small steps toward huge achievements will propel humanity into its next phase of existence. Most recent inventions have done lots of good for people, especially those in the medical field. However, if science fiction is to be believed, there is always a cost and sacrifice for the sake of progress, and that will appear alongside the latest innovation.

Related 10 Sci-Fi Universes Whose Technology Could Actually Happen From Star Trek to The Expanse, even some of the wildest sci-fi universes have enough scientific basis that their technology could be real one day.

10 Virtual Reality Gaming In Ready Player One (2018)

VR headsets and haptic suits are almost there already

Video games have captured the hearts and minds of generations since the earliest forms, and as technology evolves, so does entertainment. Virtual reality headsets and experiences have grown in popularity and ability over the past decade, and the completely immersive artificial reality of Ready Player One is right around the corner. This would open the door for exciting new collaborations between companies. One of the biggest challenges faced in creating this type of mental and physical connection is getting the body to feel what the eyes and mind are processing.

In Ready Player One, Wade (Tye Sheridan), enters a game that he experiences fully with all of his senses but looks and behaves akin to something like the Metaverse. He hooks himself up to cords and a headset that suspends him in the air and responds to stimuli in the game. Although not quite the same, the recent Disney project, the HoloTile, would allow gamers to walk, run, or jump within the world of the game without hurting themselves, which is one of the current downsides of VR technology.

Ready Player One Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available Adapted from Ernest Cline's novel of the same name, Ready Player One follows Wade Watts, an orphan who desperately wants to win a seemingly-impossible video game competition that would see him win ownership of the OASIS, a sophisticated virtual reality game that had revolutionized modern life. Helped by his friends and racing against time to find the hidden clues before the OASIS is claimed by an evil conglomerate, Wade's love of the game is put to the test. Director Steven Spielberg Release Date March 29, 2018 Cast T.J. Miller , Hannah John-Kamen , Lena Waithe , Mark Rylance , Mckenna Grace , Letitia Wright , Ben Mendelsohn , Ralph Ineson , Simon Pegg , Olivia Cooke , Tye Sheridan Runtime 2h 20m

9 The Hallway Projector In Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

Ethan's perspective trick, and many other Mission: Impossible feats

Every Mission: Impossible movie features a piece of technology accessible enough for the audience to wonder if it already exists somewhere. In the films, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team complete daring chases and escapes while using unbelievable technological advancements to help them. The most iconic are the perfectly matched face masks that let the characters impersonate anyone they want. Right now, this can be achieved through extensive plastic surgery, but Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol has a few other innovations that are easier to imagine.

Though the Mission: Impossible movies aren't strictly sci-fi, they still have so much speculative technology that there's a distinct blend of genres.

Hunt and Benji (Simon Pegg) create an optical illusion with a screen to create the image of an empty hallway so they can sneak past a pair of guards. Using a recording and a perfectly matched projector, this could be recreated. Though the Mission: Impossible movies aren't strictly sci-fi, they still have so much speculative technology that there's a distinct blend of genres. As audiences prepare for the release of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Two, looking back at the most incredible stunts pulled off by Cruise and the cast is a reminder of how far the franchise has come.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available The fourth film in the franchise, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, is an action-thriller film set years after the events of Mission: Impossible 3. It sees Ethan Hunt and the Impossible Missions Force (IMF) see themselves falsely accused of a crime. Following a terrorist attack on the Kremlin, the IMF is implicated in the attack, forcing the government to disavow knowledge of them. To clear their names and find the true culprit, the United States initiates the "Ghost Protocol," forcing them all to go off the grid with no support to solve the case. Director Brad Bird Release Date December 15, 2011 Cast Tom Cruise , Paula Patton , Simon Pegg , Jeremy Renner Runtime 2h 13m Franchise(s) Mission: Impossible

8 Reversing Extinction In Jurassic Park (1993)

Dinosaurs might be a stretch, but recently extinct animals are possible

Humanity only recently became aware of the effects and devastation the extinction of a species has on an ecosystem and the worldwide environment. Mitigating and reversing the effects of climate change are the best ways to make a difference, but scientists have also been experimenting with attempts to bring back the Woolly Mammoth. Though the project is still in its infancy and nothing's certain yet, it's easy to draw comparisons between this goal and the seminal summer blockbuster, Jurassic Park.

In the movie, an eccentric billionaire hires a team of scientists to extract dinosaur DNA from fossils and bring the long-dead animals back to life. Of course, there are devastating consequences, and the theme of the movie is that humans shouldn't meddle with the course of nature. However, many of the most recent extinction events were caused by humanity's interference, so bringing back the species that are supposed to be on Earth might be a safer step than the return of the dinosaurs.

Jurassic Park Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available Huge advancements in scientific technology have enabled a mogul to create an island full of living dinosaurs. John Hammond has invited four individuals, along with his two grandchildren, to join him at Jurassic Park. But will everything go according to plan? A park employee attempts to steal dinosaur embryos, critical security systems are shut down and it now becomes a race for survival with dinosaurs roaming freely over the island. Director Steven Spielberg Release Date June 11, 1993 Cast Sam Neill , Laura Dern , Jeff Goldblum , Richard Attenborough , Bob Peck , Martin Ferrero Runtime 127 minutes

7 The Self-Driving Cab In Total Recall (1990)

Self-driving cars with style and service made available everywhere

Self-driving cars already exist, but they haven't been perfected or brought into the mainstream yet. There are still many kinks to be worked out, and the safest way for self-driving cars to operate is if there weren't any humans on the road. This will be one of the biggest issues to overcome if self-driving vehicles become popular, as people love driving and the inherent sense of freedom it provides. However, safety, accessibility, and carbon emissions could all be capped and handled if automated drivers were normalized.

In Total Recall, the self-driving cab is hardly the most exciting or innovative part of the movie, but it is the closest thing to real life in the story. Arnold Schwarzenegger plays Douglas Quaid, a man with many false memories and unbelievable connections to an uprising on Earth and Mars. However, during one of his chase sequences, he gets into the cab and reveals the human-like automated cabbie. Although a plastic person would be more unsettling than an empty front seat, it's still an indication of what's to come.

Total Recall Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available Based on Philip K. Dick's short story "We Can Remember It for You Wholesale", Total Recall tells the story of Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a construction worker who receives an implanted memory of an adventure in humanity's colony on Mars. Quaid finds his memories playing out in real time, hunted by agents of a mysterious organization as he works to topple the tyrannical regime of a Martian dictator (Ronny Cox). Director Paul Verhoeven Release Date June 1, 1990 Cast Marshall Bell , Ronny Cox , Sharon Stone , Rachel Ticotin , Michael Ironside , Arnold Schwarzenegger

6 Instant Translation In The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy (2005)

The Babel Fish would change humanity's communication skills

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy is a hallmark of the sci-fi genre in the cinematic realm. It’s also well-known in the literary canon thanks to the novel of the same name by Douglas Adams. Combining sci-fi with comedy and predicting useful if outlandish future inventions, The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy has many enviable gadgets that would help any traveler in their journey across the universe. The one with the most practical application on Earth is the Babel Fish, which allows the wearer to instantly translate any language.

Something that might come close would be smart glasses that create subtitles on their screen for a person to read while talking to someone else.

There are written versions of this with translation software available on the internet, but the nuances of language and expression are difficult to capture. The world is full of many different languages and dialects, and no one could possibly learn and understand them all, making the Babel Fish an intriguing possibility. Something that might come close would be smart glasses that create subtitles on their screen for a person to read while talking to someone else.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available Director Garth Jennings Release Date April 28, 2005 Cast Bill Bailey , Martin Freeman , Yasiin Bey , Sam Rockwell , Zooey Deschanel , Bill Nighy Runtime 110 minutes

5 Cloaking Devices In The Invisible Man (2020)

Invisibility becomes a chilling possibility with dangerous consequences

The Invisible Man is a great example of a movie that perfectly blends sci-fi and horror as the amazing technology of becoming invisible is used to terrorize the central character. Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss) thinks she has escaped the clutches of her abusive ex-boyfriend when he's suddenly haunting her, even though this isn't possible. Unfortunately for Cecilia, The Invisible Man predicts a near future when invisibility is made possible, and it's used for evil instead of good. This is the case in most stories about invisibility, as it's an inherently sneaky ability.

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There are likely some positive ways that invisibility would affect humanity, but most likely it would be used for espionage and warfare. This is why it's safe to assume that world governments have been looking into this technology for a long time. Additionally, most sci-fi movies about space and air travel include a type of cloaking device that shields a ship from prying eyes, which would be a huge innovation. Cecilia makes it out of The Invisible Man alive and well, and the film is considered a realistic addition to the genre.

The Invisible Man Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available Inspired by H.G. Well's novel of the same name, The Invisible Man is a modern retelling of the sci-fi horror classic. After narrowly escaping her abusive and powerful tech mogul boyfriend (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss) is relieved to hear of his death. However, she soon becomes convinced that he's watching her, and little by little, she comes to believe that he's found a way to not only cheat death but the laws of reality, too. Director Leigh Whannell Release Date February 28, 2020 Cast Zara Michaels , Storm Reid , Sam Smith , Oliver Jackson-Cohen , Anthony Brandon Wong , Aldis Hodge , Amali Golden , Harriet Dyer , Bianca Pomponio , Elisabeth Moss , Benedict Hardie Runtime 124 minutes

4 An Operational Base On The Moon In Ad Astra (2019)

Scientists have already revealed plans for a train on the moon

Investments in space travel can sometimes fall under fire as citizens feel money is better spent trying to solve the problems on Earth. While this is a valid critique of priorities, in Ad Astra, the future holds stable and instrumental space travel where people are living in successful colonies and bases on the moon. The movie begins with Roy Richard McBride (Brad Pitt) being sent to Mars to investigate the remaining crew of a mission to Neptune. The intricacies of this much space travel in such a short time haven't been worked out by scientists yet.

However, traveling commercially to the moon and easily transporting supplies once there could be achieved. The proposed train on the moon that scientists have publicly spoken about would be to maintain operations on a base built on the moon’s surface. Supplies would need to be shipped across the moon which could eventually lead to additional people spending longer periods in space. Developing outposts like this would also mean deeper space travel could be possible, as it's a closer starting position to other planets in the galaxy.

Ad Astra Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available Brad Pitt stars in Ad Astra as astronaut Roy McBride, who embarks on a mission to Neptune to find his missing father (Tommy Lee Jones) in the outer reaches of space. Liv Tyler and Donald Sutherland appear in this 2019 sci-fi movie directed by James Gray. Director James Gray Release Date September 17, 2019 Cast Anne McDaniels , Liv Tyler , Ruth Negga , John Ortiz , Loren Dean , Kimberly Elise , John Finn , Brad Pitt , Tommy Lee Jones , Jamie Kennedy , Donald Sutherland , Greg Bryk Runtime 124 minutes

3 Genetic Engineering In Gattaca (1997)

The ability to alter a person's DNA before they're born

Hawke's character, Vincent, is a member of the lower class, and so has not been genetically modified, which bars him from the career in space travel that he desires.

Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman make striking star-crossed lovers in Gattaca. The film examines a potential future where genetic engineering has made it possible to select the most perfect possible traits in children, creating the ultimate social caste system. Like all innovation, this has started out gradually and innocently in the present day, with geneticists looking to isolate diseases and prevent medical difficulties for unborn children. However, it's a slippery slope before this subtle manipulation allows parents to design their children and participate in eugenics.

Hawke's character, Vincent, is a member of the lower class, and so has not been genetically modified, which bars him from the career in space travel that he desires. He assumes a new identity and does everything he can to push himself to the limits and shows that he is just as capable, if not more, than the others. Should genetic engineering eventually go the way of Gattaca, it will be an important film to revisit when considering how much DNA can truly turn the tide on ambition and ability.

Gattaca Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available Director Andrew Niccol Release Date September 7, 1997 Cast Ethan Hawke , Uma Thurman , Gore Vidal , Xander Berkeley , Jayne Brook , Loren Dean

2 Human Cloning In Never Let Me Go (2010)

The ethics of medical advancement are pushed to their limits

Based on Kazuo Ishiguro's novel of the same name, Never Let Me Go is much darker than it first appears. Starring Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley, and Andrew Garfield, the film is a moving exploration of coming-of-age narratives with a dark dystopian twist. It soon becomes clear that the young characters are clones raised and bred to be organ donors for non-clone humans. This twist is devastating not only to the characters but also to the audience and directly questions the ethics of medical testing and experimentation.

Medical testing has a long history of disproportionately targeting and exploiting marginalized groups, and as cloning becomes a more distinct possibility, this is something to keep in mind. Though cloning has only been tested on animals thus far, it's a chilling possibility and opens the door for a number of ethical questions that humanity isn't ready for. Sci-fi movies are often more cold and foreboding than Never Let Me Go, which takes place in a reimagined history rather than a distant future. However, this makes the technology feel more immediate.

Never Let Me Go Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available Director Mark Romanek Release Date October 15, 2010 Cast Carey Mulligan , Keira Knightley , Sally Hawkins , Andrew Garfield , Charlotte Rampling , Domhnall Gleeson Runtime 103 minutes

1 A.I. With Consciousness In Ex Machina (2014)

An exploration of what it means to create life and be human

Artificial Intelligence is increasingly part of everyday life for anyone who uses the internet. The biggest technological and social media companies are constantly experimenting with new AI models to better track user movement and interest. However, AI development won't just be used to help companies market their products, AI models will be pushed to the limits of their abilities. Researchers and scientists have always been interested in robots, and combining artificial intelligence with a physical body could be the first step toward man-made sentient life.

The movie grapples with Ava's position in the world as a newly formed member of humanity and draws clear comparisons with sexism and gender discrimination in society.

In Ex Machina, Ava (Alicia Vikander) is an android who not only is capable of human emotions, but she's also aware of complex social engagement like manipulation and premeditated action. The movie grapples with Ava's position in the world as a newly formed member of humanity and draws clear comparisons with sexism and gender discrimination in society. An AI model with the same emotional capacity as a human isn't right around the corner, but it's closer than one might think, and sci-fi movies remind the audience of how precarious the future is.