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Science fiction is one of the most popular movie genres. As such, it has given rise to a lot of subgenres over the years. Some of these are more niche and aren't as prevalent, despite the fact that many people know them and like them. Steampunk is one of these genres that deserves more attention than it had previously gotten. It can both take place in the past, usually in the 19th century, or in the future — but no matter the era, it maintains a specific aesthetic inspired by the industrial revolution and steam-powered technology of the 19th century.
A usual definition of the steampunk genre states that it presents inventions, technologies, or historical events that happened differently in the real world or didn't exist in the first place. For every well-known steampunk movie, there are many underrated ones that flew under the radar and that every fan of the genre should watch.
5 Invention For Destruction (1958)
Though many steampunk movies are in the English language, some best, most underrated pieces come from non-English-speaking countries. This Czechoslovakian 1958 movie was directed by Karel Zeman and based on Jules Verne's work. It is a classic, but is mostly unknown among the general audiences and has barely over 2,000 ratings on IMDb.
The movie shows that when somebody creates an invention that has the power to destroy the world, it's more than likely that someone evil will try to use it for their own nefarious purposes. The film is visually beautiful — shot on a camera from 1928, it offers the charm of even older movies. What's more, it will keep the viewers guessing throughout, especially if they're not familiar with the original source material.
4 Wild Wild West (1999)
With a rating of just 4.9 on IMDb, Wild Wild West is easily one of the most underappreciated steampunk movies out there. It's also a good example that steampunk stories don't always have to take place in Victorian England, as they often do. They can also be set in the Wild West, at least when the heroes or villains get their hands on technologies people could only dream of in the 19th century. Set in 1869, the movie tells the story of a government agent James West, who's pursuing the villainous general McGrath.
The less the viewers know about the movie before watching it, the better, because it offers plenty of surprising moments and imaginative ideas. It works with a lot of machines and inventions, marking it clearly as a steampunk movie. After the success of The Addams Family (1991) and Men in Black (1997), the director Barry Sonnenfeld didn't do so well with this movie, but if viewers approach it with an open mind and if they like the actors in the leading roles (Will Smith and Kevin Kline) they might just enjoy this unusual western science fiction.
3 Steamboy (2004)
Leaving Steamboy out of any list of the best steampunk movies feels like an oversight — it even has steam in its name! However, it still flew under the radar and currently has only 17 thousand ratings on IMDb — a small number compared to hundreds of thousands or even millions that popular films tend to have. Just like many steampunk stories, Steamboy takes place in the 19th century, in the 1860s. Its main hero gets his hand on a mysterious power source, and he has to use it to fight evil and stop London from getting destroyed.
Anyone who likes movies set in the British capital should check out Steamboy. London is charming in this film, especially with the high-quality animation — which sometimes takes even over the plot. That doesn't mean Steamboy doesn't have what it takes to surprise the audience. In some ways, it's similar to superhero movies, but offers a lot more creativity and visual beauty.
2 Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter might not jump to mind somebody says steampunk. Yet it still fits in the genre, because it utilizes elements that just didn't exist in Lincoln's era. It also portrays a version of Abraham Lincoln very different from the usual historical portrayal. As the name suggests, Lincoln is busy fighting evil vampires, which make for many tension-filled action scenes. The movie stars some familiar faces, such as Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Dominic Cooper, to name just three.
It didn't get such high ratings from the critics or general audiences, but even though the movie isn't the best steampunk piece ever made, it's a lot of fun and keeps a fast pace. Those who would like to see even more of this world should read the novel by Seth Grahame-Smith the movie uses as an inspiration source.
1 April And The Extraordinary World (2015)
The animated French/Belgian/Canadian movie fulfills one important characteristic of a steampunk story: It takes place in the past, but presents it in a way different from reality. The story is set in Paris in 1941, but a version that looks much more like the 19th century. As the title suggests, it centers on a young girl named April who's searching for her missing parents, and goes on an unforgettable adventure as a result. The movie is visually beautiful and fans of steampunk will enjoy all the little details and clever ideas that make the movie's fictional world unique. Some viewers have compared the movie's aesthetics to the works of Jules Verne or the Tintin comics.
The movie combines drama, action, and humor, as well as a bit of romance. Some other movies would struggle to connect all of these genres, but April and the Extraordinary World manages it. It helps that April is a sympathetic heroine, so it's easy to cheer on her and wish her success on her journey.