Another film from the year 2000 centered around a mission to Mars, this one directed by Brian De Palma, known more for thrillers than sci-fi.

The movie follows a rescue mission sent to retrieve the sole survivor of the first manned expedition to the Red Planet. It blends elements of mystery, survival, and even a touch of the awe-inspiring.

Featuring a cast including Gary Sinise, Tim Robbins, Don Cheadle, and Connie Nielsen, the film explores the isolation and dangers of deep space travel and the unknown challenges awaiting on Mars.

De Palma brings some of his signature visual flair to the space sequences, particularly an early orbital disaster scene. While it ventures into more speculative territory than some Mars films, it reflects the enduring human fascination with our planetary neighbor and the drive to reach it.

This early 2000s Mars movie takes a slightly different approach, focusing on a mission sent to evaluate Mars for potential human colonization after terraforming efforts begin to fail.

Starring Val Kilmer, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Tom Sizemore, the film presents a rugged, dangerous vision of the Red Planet. The plot centers on the challenges faced by the crew when they arrive and encounter unexpected issues.

While perhaps not as scientifically rigorous as some later films, it captures the spirit of early 21st-century thinking about Mars exploration and the ambitious goal of making it habitable. The film features some interesting robotic designs and explores the harsh realities of operating in such an alien environment.

It's a solid sci-fi adventure that grapples with the high stakes and potential dangers involved in humanity's first steps towards becoming an interplanetary species.

Duncan Jones' directorial debut is a masterclass in minimalist science fiction, offering a compelling look at life on a lunar mining base. Starring Sam Rockwell in a tour-de-force performance, the film explores themes of identity, isolation, and corporate exploitation.

Rockwell carries virtually the entire film, delivering a performance that is both deeply moving and technically brilliant. The film's visual style, with its practical effects and model work, gives it a tangible, slightly retro feel that holds up remarkably well.

Set towards the end of a three-year solitary shift, the story unravels a mystery that challenges everything the protagonist thought he knew about his mission and himself. It's a smart, character-driven film that uses its setting on the Moon not for grand action, but for intimate, psychological drama.

Did you know the visual effects were done by a relatively small team, utilizing techniques that harken back to classic sci-fi? This ingenuity perfectly complements the film's grounded approach to its futuristic setting. A truly excellent entry into lunar sci-fi.

Brad Pitt stars in this visually stunning and introspective journey through our solar system. While it's a personal story at its core, the film presents a fascinating near-future where humanity has established outposts on the Moon and Mars.

Directed by James Gray, the movie uses these locations not just as backdrops, but as integral parts of the narrative, showing the logistical and psychological realities of living and working far from Earth.

One fascinating aspect is the depiction of the Moon as a somewhat commercialized, even dangerous, frontier. The action sequences set in these off-world colonies add a unique dimension to the sci-fi exploration.

Pitt's performance is central to the film's emotional weight, exploring themes of isolation and connection across vast distances. It's a thought-provoking film that grounds its cosmic adventure in human experience, set against a beautifully realized vision of a partly colonized solar system.

This film is an absolute triumph in grounded science fiction, focusing on ingenuity and the sheer will to survive when stranded on Mars.

Directed by Ridley Scott and starring a fantastic Matt Damon, it tells the story of an astronaut presumed dead and left behind on the Red Planet. What follows isn't just a survival tale, but a captivating look at how science, engineering, and human resilience can overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.

Did you know that the book by Andy Weir was self-published before becoming a bestseller? The film adaptation stays remarkably true to the novel's problem-solving spirit, making you feel like you're right there with Mark Watney, trying to 'science the s***' out of his predicament.

It's a thrilling, surprisingly funny, and deeply optimistic portrayal of human capability against the harsh backdrop of attempting to live on another world. A must-watch for anyone fascinated by the practical challenges of putting humans on Mars.