Emma Stone in Poor Things. Photo: Atsushi Nishijima/Searchlight Pictures
Here’s a directory of the top steampunk (or steampunk-related) live action movies, based on rankings from users of the Internet Movie Database (IMDb).
Some of these films are exclusive to specific streaming services, whereas others move between services. See our monthly streaming guides for updates.
The Prestige (2006) — Based on a novel by Christopher Priest, this movie stars Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale as rival magicians in 19th century London.
The cast also includes Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, and Andy Serkis, plus David Bowie in a memorable appearance as Nikola Tesla.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 77% (critics); 92% (audience). IMDb score: 8.5/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Poor Things (2023) — This movie tells the story of Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), a young Victorian woman who is brought back to life — with an infant’s brain — by an eccentric scientist portrayed by Willem Dafoe. Mark Ruffalo co-stars as a debauched lawyer who takes Bella on a journey through steampunk-infused Europe. The film won four Oscars, including Best Actress honors for Stone.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 93% (critics); 79% (audience). IMDb score: 7.8/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Brazil (1985) — Terry Gilliam’s dark dystopian comedy is now regarded as a major influence on steampunk, due in part to its depiction of quirky retrofuturistic technology. The cast features Jonathan Pryce, Robert De Niro, Kim Greist, Ian Holm, Bob Hoskins, and Michael Palin.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 98% (critics); 90% (audience). IMDb score: 7.8/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Hugo (2011) — The Martin Scorsese period film was a box office flop but was acclaimed by critics and has become a favorite of steampunk fans.
Asa Butterfield stars as Hugo Cabret, a boy in 1931 Paris who attempts to repair a broken automaton. This leads him to Papa Georges (Ben Kingsley), a toy store owner with a mysterious past.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 93% (critics); 78% (audience). IMDb score: 7.5/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Invention for Destruction (1958) — This classic Karel Zeman film was inspired by the works of Jules Verne. It is notable for its combination of live action and animation techniques.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 100% (critics); 84% (audience). IMDb score: 7.5/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
The Time Machine (1960) — George Pal directed this classic 1960 adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 76% (critics); 80% (audience). IMDb score: 7.5/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Sherlock Holmes A Game of Shadows (2011) — Guy Ritchie’s steampunk-infused adaptation stars Robert Downey Jr. as the detective and Jude Law as Dr. Watson.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 60% (critics); 77% (audience). IMDb score: 7.4/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) — This adaptation of the Jules Verne classic is now regarded as a steampunk prototype. Harper Goff’s Nautilus design has inspired contemporary steampunk artists. It streams on Disney+.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 90% (critics); 74% (audience). IMDb score: 7.2/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) — Terry Gilliam directed this fantasy adventure about Baron Munchausen's exploits in 18th century Europe. It received critical praise and four Oscar nominations, but bombed at the box office.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 90% (critics); 82% (audience). IMDb score: 7.1/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) — Guillermo del Toro directed this sequel to Hellboy, with Ron Perlman returning in the title role, along with Selma Blair as Liz Sherman and Doug Jones as Abe Sapien.
The production design has strong steampunk elements, especially in the climactic fight scene.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 86% (critics); 71% (audience). IMDb score: 7/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Time After Time (1979) — Malcolm McDowell stars as H.G. Wells, who uses his time machine to pursue Jack the Ripper to 20th century San Francisco.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 88% (critics); 71% (audience). IMDb score: 7/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Wonka (2023) — This musical fantasy tells the origin story of Willy Wonka, the chocolate maker from Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Timothée Chalamet stars in the title role. It streams on Max in the U.S.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 82% (critics); 91% (audience). IMDb score: 7/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) — Adapted from Lemony Snicket’s children’s book series, the film tells the story of three orphans who undergo a series of mishaps in a neo-Victorian world. Jim Carrey steals the show as the villainous Count Olaf.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 72% (critics); 63% (audience). IMDb score: 6.8/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Jungle Cruise (2021) — Dwayne Johnson stars as Frank Wolff, an Amazon riverboat skipper who takes Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt) on a search for the Tree of Life in 1916. It streams on Disney+.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 62% (critics); 92% (audience). IMDb score: 6.6/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020) — This musical fantasy stars Forest Whitaker as Victorian-era toymaker Jeronicus Jangle. It streams on Netflix.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 91% (critics); 69% (audience). IMDb score: 6.4/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004) — This modern classic of dieselpunk is known for its innovative style and production techniques. The story involves intrigue, adventure, and a fiendish plot, set in a technologically advanced alternate-history version of 1939.
The film stars Jude Law as the title character along with Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Giovanni Ribisi, and Michael Gambon.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 71% (critics); 46% (audience). IMDb score: 6.1/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Other Movies
These films received mixed or negative reviews, but they frequently make the rounds on streaming services and may be worth a look.
Abigail (2019) — A Russian steampunk fantasy adventure about a girl with magical powers.
IMDb score: 4.8/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012) — Benjamin Walker stars as the 16th President, who has a secret life as a vampire hunter. The film received mostly negative reviews.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 34% (critics); 50% (audience). IMDb score: 5.9/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
City of Ember (2008) — A fantasy adventure about an underground city in a post-apocalyptic world. It received mixed reviews but bombed at the box office.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 53% (critics); 46% (audience). IMDb score: 6.4/10.
Links: Website | Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Cowboys & Aliens (2011) — Based on a graphic novel, the story pits humans in 1873 New Mexico Territory against invading aliens. It was directed by Jon Favreau and features an all-star ensemble cast with Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell, Paul Dano, and more. It got mixed reviews.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 44% (critics); 43% (audience). IMDb score: 6/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
The Golden Compass (2007) — This steampunk-influenced fantasy was the first attempt at an adaptation of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series. Set in an alternate Earth ruled by a theocracy, it tells the story of an orphan girl who embarks on a journey in search of a lost friend. It received mixed reviews, due in part to its rushed pace.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 42% (critics); 51% (audience). IMDb score: 6.1/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003) — This loose adaptation of the comic book series stars Sean Connery as Allan Quatermain, a 19th century adventurer who leads a team of superheroes to foil a terrorist plot. The team consists mostly of reimagined fictional characters, including Captain Nemo, Mina Harker, Dorian Gray, Tom Sawyer, and Dr. Henry Jekyll aka Mr. Hyde.
The film scored well at the box office but was largely panned by critics. It also drew criticism from Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill, creators of the original comic series.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 16% (critics); 44% (audience). IMDb score: 5.8/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Mortal Engines (2018) — Steampunk fans had high hopes for this film, which was based on the post-apocalyptic steampunk novel by Philip Reeve. It takes place on a far-future Earth in which London is a “predator city” on wheels that hunts for smaller towns to devour. However, the movie version toned down the book’s steampunk elements. It was panned by most critics and was regarded as a box office disaster.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 25% (critics); 48% (audience). IMDb score: 6.1/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
The Time Machine (2002) — John Logan’s adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel stars Guy Pearce as the time traveler, Samantha Mumba as his Eloi love interest, and Jeremy Irons as leader of the Morlocks. It scored mixed reviews from critics but received an Oscar nomination for Best Makeup.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 28% (critics); 37% (audience). IMDb score: 6/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Van Helsing (2004) — This gothic horror film has made some lists of top steampunk movies even though it was panned by critics. It stars Hugh Jackman as monster hunter Gabriel Van Helsing in late 19th century Europe. The character was inspired by Abraham Van Helsing from Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but in this story he encounters a variety of legendary monsters, including Frankenstein’s creature. One of his weapons is a steam-powered crossbow.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 24% (critics); 57% (audience). IMDb score: 6.1/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Wild Wild West (1999) — Barry Sonnenfeld’s film adaptation of the 1960s TV series was widely panned by critics and scored big at the Razzie Awards, including nods for Worst Film, Worst Director, and Worst Screenplay.
Will Smith stars as U.S. Army Captain James West and Kevin Kline in dual roles as sidekick Artemus Gordon and U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant. Smith later described it as his worst movie.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 16% (critics); 28% (audience). IMDb score: 4.9/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
