It's a strange feeling when the future you once imagined becomes the past. For decades, sci-fi films have painted vivid pictures of what our world might look like decades down the line. But as time marches on, those far-off dates creep closer and closer, until one day we realize: the future they depicted is now history. This list explores ten sci-fi movies that, technically, are no longer futuristic—their settings have already passed us by.
When Tomorrow Becomes Yesterday
Some of these films, like Children of Men, open with a specific date—November 16, 2027—that once felt impossibly distant. Now, that year is nearly upon us, and the dystopian world it imagined feels uncomfortably close to home. Others, like Soylent Green, were set in 2022, a year we've already lived through. The point isn't to mock these films for being 'wrong' about the future, but to marvel at how their visions—both hopeful and terrifying—have aged.
10. Soylent Green (1973) – Set in 2022
This classic dystopian thriller imagined a world ravaged by pollution and overpopulation, where resources are scarce and society is on the brink. Set in 2022, it's now half a decade behind us. While our real 2022 wasn't quite as bleak, the film's core anxieties about climate change and resource scarcity feel more relevant than ever. The famous twist—which I won't spoil for the uninitiated—remains a chilling commentary on consumerism and desperation.
9. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) – Set in 2026
The middle chapter of the modern Planet of the Apes trilogy leaps forward to 2026, a year that has just passed. This film marks the turning point where apes rise to dominance, and humanity's grip on the world begins to slip. While we haven't seen a simian uprising, the film's themes of coexistence and fear of the 'other' are timeless. It's also widely considered the best of the trilogy, blending spectacle with genuine drama.
8. Pacific Rim (2013) – Mostly Set in 2025
Guillermo del Toro's monster-vs-robot epic is pure fun, but its timeline is now firmly in the past. The film's prologue begins in 2013, with kaiju emerging from the Pacific, and then jumps to 2025, when humanity's last stand takes place. In reality, those years were thankfully kaiju-free, but the film's spirit of global unity against a common threat remains inspiring. It's a reminder that sometimes we just need giant robots to feel hopeful.
7. The End of Evangelion (1997) – Set in 2015
This anime film is a mind-bending, apocalyptic conclusion to the Neon Genesis Evangelion series. Set in 2015, it depicts a world on the verge of total annihilation, with psychological and existential themes that go far beyond typical mecha fare. The real 2015 was comparatively mundane, but the film's exploration of human connection and isolation feels even more relevant in our hyper-connected yet lonely world.
6. Terminator Salvation (2009) – Mostly Set in 2018
While Terminator 2 is the more iconic film, Salvation is the one that's now set in the past. It takes place in 2018, in a post-apocalyptic world where machines rule and John Connor leads the resistance. Our 2018 was a bit less dramatic, but the film's themes of AI and humanity's fight for survival are more pertinent than ever, especially as we grapple with real-world advances in artificial intelligence.
The Future Is Now
These films, and others like them, serve as time capsules of our hopes and fears. They show us what we once thought the future might hold, and how far we've come—or haven't. As we look ahead to the next wave of sci-fi, it's worth remembering that today's 'future' is tomorrow's 'past.' For more on how classic sci-fi holds up, check out our list of flawless 80s sci-fi movies or dive into cyber warfare films that explore digital threats. And if you're in the mood for something more recent, our Netflix picks might have just what you need.
So the next time you watch a sci-fi film set in a year that's already passed, take a moment to appreciate the vision—and the reality. The future is always closer than we think.
