Recently, steampunk or steampunk films have become very popular. This term, formed from the English words steam - steam and punk - protest, appeared in the late 90s of the last century. It marks a direction in science fiction that combines advanced technology and art inspired by steam engines. This is a kind of stylization for the English Victorian era of the 19th century and the period of early capitalism. Our list contains the best steampunk movies. There are new films here, and already become classics of the genre.
Chronicles of Predatory Cities / Mortal Engines (2018)
- Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Action, Thriller, Adventure
- Rating: KinoPoisk - 6.2, IMDb - 6.1
- The film is based on the novel of the same name by Philip Reeve.
The events of this film are set in the post-apocalyptic world of the future. After the global war, which practically destroyed the planet, the surviving remnants of humanity turned into nomads. They live in predatory cities, which are huge machines that run on steam and move overland.
Their goal is the same: to find a weaker settlement, take it apart and absorb its resources. London has become one of the most powerful and dangerous hunting metropolises. Here everything is run by the politician Thaddeus Valentine, who dreams of world domination. But the young Esther Shaw stands in his way, who, together with her friends and associates, will not allow her to carry out her plans.
Abigail (2019)
- Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Family
- Rating: KinoPoisk - 5.2, IMDb - 9
- The work on the film took more than two years.
The main character of this retro-futuristic film is Abigail. She lives in a city closed from the outside world due to an epidemic of a strange disease that broke out several years ago. One of the victims of a mysterious disease then was the girl's father. He was taken away in an unknown direction, and since then Abigail has not heard anything about him.
Trying to get to the bottom of the truth and understand where dad went, the heroine finds out that there was no epidemic. In fact, dark sorcerers have seized power in the city in which she lives. They organized a Special Department, the main responsibility of which is to identify and destroy all people with magical abilities.
Abby realizes that her dad was a wizard, and this gift was inherited by her. And the girl realizes with horror that now "black" inspectors will hunt for her. She joins a group of rebels and leaves the city in an airship. She will soon find out that her own father was involved in the manufacture of mechanisms that suppress the magical gift.
"Coma" (2020)
- Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adventure, Action
- Rating: KinoPoisk - 6.4, IMDb - 6.6
- The creators of the picture used the film "The Matrix" as a source of inspiration
This film is best watched alone, to fully enjoy the unusual visuals and meaning of the events taking place. The main character is a young and ambitious architect. After the accident, he comes to life in a wonderful world. Everything here is woven from the fragmentary memories of people who are in a coma in real life. In this space, objects and buildings from various places and countries simultaneously exist, roads lead to nowhere, airships, subway trains and even submarines soar in the air.
Everything is organized in the form of flying islands connected by unusual passages. To get from one point to another, the inhabitants of this world have to jump upside down, crawl through holes and even fly. But all this is nothing compared to the danger that lurks everywhere. The existence of those who are stuck in a fantasy world is threatened by the reapers, huge black monsters with fiery eyes. If they touch a person in this space, then in reality a person in a coma will die.
City of Ember (2008)
- Genre: Family, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure
- Rating: KinoPoisk - 6.8, IMDb - 6.5
This picture, for sure, will appeal to all fans of science fiction, where we are talking about the future after the apocalypse. A long time ago, a global catastrophe occurred on Earth that destroyed absolutely everything on the surface. The remnants of humanity took refuge in an underground city, hoping to spend 200 years here. But the planned period has long since ended, and the inhabitants are still in the dungeon.
No one knows how to do this, because the capsule containing the necessary instructions has been lost. And if in the near future it is not found, people face painful death from hunger and cold. After all, the strategic reserves have come to an end, and the resource of the energy generator that supports life in the settlement has already been exhausted. Panic is brewing in the city, and the mayor does nothing but give out a promise. And then young Lynn gets down to business. Together with her best friend Dong, she tries to find a way to the surface of the Sun.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
- Genre: Adventure, Action, Fantasy
- Rating: KinoPoisk - 7.8, IMDb - 8.1.
Steampunk is an original and highly complex phenomenon in cinema. Some experts single out child genres from it, such as dieselpunk and clopunk. Their main difference lies in stylization for different eras.
The steam engines of the late 19th and early 20th centuries are specific features of steampunk films. The integral features of a diesel punk are cars with internal combustion engines that arose in the 20-50s of the last century and run on fuel. And "Mad Max: Fury Road" is an excellent example of diesel punk.
The events of this picture unfold in the post-apocalyptic future after the destruction of almost all of human civilization. Max Rotakanski drives his car across the endless desert. On his way, he encounters a group of people led by Furiosa, who are trying to cross the lifeless territory in a truck and get to the Green Lands refuge. The matter is complicated by the fact that they are being chased by thugs from the Immortal Joe's gang. Max teams up with the fugitives to help them reach their goal.
The Golden Compass (2007)
- Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Family
- Rating: KinoPoisk - 6.6, IMDb - 6.1.
The main character of the film is 12-year-old Lira Belaqua. She lives in a reality similar to the early 20th century, which is strongly associated with the use of technology on the steam engine. In this reality, witches rule the heavens, the most brave warriors are polar bears, and the soul of each person has a physical embodiment in the form of the so-called daemon (an animal that most closely matches the character of the owner).
Lyra lives an ordinary life, but the familiar world collapses when an attempt is made on her beloved uncle, Lord Azriel. And soon around under strange circumstances children begin to disappear. Among the disappeared was the heroine's best friend Roger. To save him, Lyra embarks on a perilous journey to the North Pole. After all, it is there that the residence of the powerful organization responsible for the abductions and planning to destroy all worlds is located.
Wild Wild West (1999)
- Genre: Western, Comedy, Science Fiction, Action
- Rating: KinoPoisk - 6.5, IMDb - 4.9.
The events of this picture unfold in the 70s of the last century. Super Agents Jimi West and Artemus Gordon are on an important mission. They are tasked with neutralizing General McGrath, who is suspected of kidnapping leading experts in physics, chemistry, hydraulics and metallurgy. Unfortunately, the operation failed miserably, and the heroes themselves miraculously escaped death during the explosion of a carriage loaded with boxes of nitroglycerin.
President Grant, dissatisfied with the failure of the assignment, once again sends the heroes in search of scientists. This time the brave agents are sent to New Orleans. There they meet inventor Arliss Loveless, who, as a result of a bad experience, lost his lower body and is forced to move in a wheelchair. The mad genius is angry with the whole world and dreams of revenge. With the help of a huge mechanical spider powered by a steam engine, he captures President Grant. Now Jim West and Artemus Gordon have to save the first person of the state from the punishment of a mad scientist.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)
- Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
- Rating: KinoPoisk - 6.9, IMDb - 5.8
- This is a film adaptation of Alan Moore's comics.
The world is in danger again. The international criminal Phantom, aka Professor Moriarty, decided to unleash a global war. To stave off disaster, British authorities recruit renowned adventurer Allan Quatermain, renowned for his ability to tackle the most difficult challenges. But a man alone cannot cope with such a task, so he organizes a special group codenamed "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."
Heroes with superpowers become its participants. Among them are Captain Nemo, The Invisible Man, Dorian Gray, Tom Sawyer, Dr. Jekyll, who periodically transforms into Hyde, and the vampire Mina Harker. A motley company on the Nautilus submarine is sent to Venice, where the Phantom plans to stage a terrorist attack during a secret meeting of the leaders of major states.
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)
- Genre: Fantasy, Thriller, Adventure, Action, Detective
- Rating: KinoPoisk - 6.3, IMDb - 0.
This film is an excellent example that demonstrates all the attributes of the diesel punk style. Events unfold in 1939. Recently, 6 prominent scientists disappeared one after another. A young and ambitious journalist, Polly Perkins, takes on the investigation of this convoluted case. She finds out that all the disappeared geniuses worked in a secret laboratory under the direction of Dr. Totenkopf.
At the same time, giant robots are attacking all over the world, stealing coal, oil, equipment from steel plants, generators and other resources. Each mechanical giant bears the Totenkopf logo. Polly seeks help from Sky Captain, an extra-class pilot in the US Air Force. Together they go to Nepal, to the mysterious Shambhala, where the secret base of the mad scientist is located.
"Keeper of time" / Hugo (2011)
- Genre: Adventure, Detective, Family, Drama
- Rating: KinoPoisk - 6.9, IMDb - 7.5
- The film was awarded with Oscar, Golden Globe, Saturn awards.
This picture was filmed in the mainstream of klokpunk, a characteristic feature of which is the stylization of the Renaissance. In the world in which the main characters live, all mechanisms operate on the energy of springs and flywheels. Hugo Cabre is a 12-year-old orphan boy. From his father he inherited an amazing mechanical automaton doll that once knew how to write. Now she is motionless, because her winding key is lost.
But one day the boy accidentally meets young Isabelle, who has the key he needs. At first, the girl does not want to share her property, but then she gives up. With the help of the key, Hugo revives the automaton, and from that moment on his life takes on new colors. Ahead of him are incredible adventures, unforgettable meetings and even a journey through time.
City of Lost Children / La cité des enfants perdus (1995)
- Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy, Drama
- Rating: KinoPoisk - 7.2, IMDb - 7.5.
This fantastic tape rounds off our list of the best steampunk movies. The events of the picture unfold in an eerie place in which kidnapped children languish in prison. Here they were imprisoned by the scientist Crank, who went mad from constant insomnia. With the help of a specially designed device, a cruel genius steals children's dreams and falls into a state similar to a trance. True, the dreams of frightened kids are mostly nightmares. And this makes the inventor even crazier and bloodthirsty.
But one day a brave young man named One enters the City of Lost Children. He is looking for his younger brother, who was kidnapped many years ago. A brave 9-year-old girl Miette and a company of juvenile robbers help the guy with the search.
