All the Excellent Sci-Fi Movies and Shows You Can Watch This Week at Home or in Theaters, Including ‘Alice in Borderland’

It’s a packed week for science fiction, with a theatrical classic returning in a new restoration, a hit survival series continuing its high-stakes games, a franchise prequel unfolding on Earth, and Marvel’s First Family making a long-awaited streaming bow. Below you’ll find what each title is about and who’s behind it, plus exactly when and where to watch.

Each entry includes core plot points, the principal cast, and the key creative team—directors, writers and producers—so you can zero in on what fits your queue. Dates and platforms are listed inside the descriptions for quick reference, and every title appears in single quotes for consistency.

‘Alice in Borderland’ (2020– )

Season 3 premieres Thursday, September 25 on Netflix. Continuing from the deadly “face card” games, the story again centers on Arisu and Usagi—played by Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya—as they navigate new stages in a deserted Tokyo where each challenge forces players to gamble with strategy, teamwork and survival. The series adapts Haro Aso’s manga of the same name, retaining its puzzle-driven structure and the shifting alliances among returning and newly introduced competitors.

Directed by Shinsuke Sato with scripts developed from Aso’s original work, the production blends large-scale set pieces with character-focused mysteries about the world known as the “Borderland.” The ensemble includes performers such as Aya Asahina, Ayaka Miyoshi and Dori Sakurada, among others tied to the evolving game hierarchy. Netflix carries the global launch on September 25, aligning the new season’s premiere with the show’s established cast and creative team.

‘Alien: Earth’ (2025– )

A new episode drops on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, on FX. Set before the events depicted in earlier franchise films, the series follows Wendy—portrayed by Sydney Chandler—and a network of operatives, scientists and corporate figures as a bio-threat begins to surface on Earth. The plot explores first-contact horror and corporate maneuvering on the ground, connecting outbreaks and coverups to the broader ‘Alien’ universe while keeping the focus on human-scale responses to an evolving organism.

Created and showrun by Noah Hawley with Ridley Scott among the executive producers, the series features an ensemble that has included Alex Lawther, Essie Davis, Adarsh Gourav, Samuel Blenkin and Timothy Olyphant in key roles tied to investigation, security and administration. FX airs the September 23 installment, continuing the season’s chronology as new discoveries complicate containment efforts and escalate the stakes across multiple locations.

‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ (2025)

Streaming begins Tuesday, September 23, 2025. The film introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach)—as an early mission exposes them to cosmic forces and pulls them into conflict with the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) and Galactus. The story is set in a 1960s-inspired timeline, weaving scientific discovery with the team’s formative dynamics as they learn to operate together.

Directed by Matt Shakman, the screenplay credits include Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer, with production overseen by Marvel Studios. Reported supporting roles have included Ralph Ineson as Galactus and Paul Walter Hauser as Harvey Elder/Mole Man, along with additional characters connected to the Baxter Building and the team’s expanding circle. The title arrives with a Certified Fresh critics’ score of 87% and a Certified Fresh audience score of 91%, and it streams starting September 23.

‘The Girl Who Leapt Through Time’ (2006)

The 4K restoration returns to theaters on Saturday, September 27, 2025. The story follows high-schooler Makoto Konno, who discovers the ability to time-leap and uses it to smooth over daily crises, only to trigger unintended consequences that disrupt the lives of her friends Chiaki Mamiya and Kōsuke Tsuda. The film stands as a new take on Yasutaka Tsutsui’s classic novel, reimagining the premise with fresh characters while keeping the core theme of choice and causality.

Directed by Mamoru Hosoda and written by Satoko Okudera, the animated feature was produced at Madhouse with character designs by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto and music by Kiyoshi Yoshida. The original Japanese voice cast includes Riisa Naka as Makoto, Takuya Ishida as Chiaki and Mitsutaka Itakura as Kōsuke. The 4K theatrical engagement on September 27 offers a restored presentation of the award-winning film across participating cinemas.

Tell us which of these you’re most excited to watch this week—and why—in the comments!