[Disclosure: I am very happy to work with this post’s sponsor, Ohio Basement Authority, to bring you an interesting look at movies and TV series with dynamic blends of both sci-fi and horror elements!]

The worlds of horror and science fiction are often much more similar than many people would think. Much of horror is built on the fear of something that’s not understandable, and aliens or supernatural creatures tend to fit that bill very well. However, finding an interesting horror movie or TV show that appeals to lovers of both horror and science fiction can sometimes be a difficult undertaking. Take a look at these movies and TV shows with the real-world aspect of terrifying basements, but a decidedly science fiction twist.

A Quiet Place

Much of A Quiet Place centers around emotional experiences, rather than physical ones. Director John Krasinski has even spoken openly about how his experience of having a daughter drove him to write A Quiet Place as a way to explore what a parent would do for their child. That makes the movie seem very mundane — at least, until the antagonists are introduced. The antagonists in this movie are blind supernatural creatures that hunt by sound, and the movie is about this family’s attempts to escape them. That means many scenes have a characteristic science fiction concept to them. In one unforgettable scene, the mother hides in the soundproofed basement, only to be driven out when a pipe bursts, luring in the creatures.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Fans of science fiction may not immediately think of The Rocky Horror Picture Show as a science fiction classic. However, in many ways, it’s a parody of horror B-movies from decades back, which tended to have science fiction elements. That means The Rocky Horror Picture Show may appeal to you more than you thought. Dr. Frank-N-Furter plays a key role here as a scientist living underneath a British castle. The science fiction sensibilities of the movie become even more clear with the introduction of the Medusa Transducer, a mysterious machine with the ability to transform people into statues.

Stranger Things

Stranger Things lives in a world that’s thoroughly positioned in between horror and science fiction. Some people may even consider it more of a drama than either. The TV show’s ability to showcase a town caught in the thrilling grip of something unexplainable makes it more intriguing to fans of many different genres. Throughout the movie, a basement plays a pretty significant part, though not always a terrifying one. One of the main characters uses the basement every night to call another character. This is a great way to build the drama, the terror, and the world all at once.

Get Out

When most people think of Get Out, they don’t think of a particularly science fiction sensibility. However, though the horror and dark comedy tend to be what sticks out at people, science fiction actually plays a surprisingly significant role in the creation of this story. Once everything’s been established as “normal,” the science fiction elements rear their heads. The laboratory in the basement is a place that can transpose people’s consciousnesses. When the main character Chris undergoes hypnosis, he goes to the Sunken Place. These concepts will be familiar to any science fiction lover.

Conclusion

Horror and science fiction work together in a large number of movies and TV shows to tell an even more interesting story. Many of the foundational works of science fiction have horrifying elements, and many foundational works of horror have science fiction elements. If you’re interested in something that mixes the two together, why not consider one of these options?