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National Media Group and CSP Platform, the authors of the large-scale study "Sketches of the Future," presented on June 20 at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum – 2025, reveal new data about viewers' preferences. A survey of 1,200 respondents across Russia showed which existing science fiction films about the future inspire viewers, instill hope, and shape a positive image of tomorrow. Previously, 75% of respondents, when asked what images of the future they would like to see in cinema and literature, chose “inspiring and optimistic: a world in which humanity develops and overcomes difficulties.”
Foreign Films: Strong Impressions and Inspiration
According to the survey, films with a positive ending and an open possibility for the future create an inspiring mood. The top 10 most inspiring foreign films about the future are:
1. Avatar (21.8%)
2. The Fifth Element (19.3%)
3. Back to the Future (16.1%)
4. WALL·E (15.1%)
5. I Am Legend (14.8%)
6. Terminator (13.2%)
7. The Martian (13%)
8. In Time (12.7%)
9. Interstellar (11.2%)
10. The Matrix (11.1%)
Percentages reflect the share of respondents selecting these titles from any number of answers among films they have watched.
Russian and Soviet Films: Strong Impression and a World You Want to Live In
In terms of audience impact, Soviet films lead due to their accumulated recognition and the support of the older generations. The main patterns of the top films include fighting the injustice of the world, a clear value system dividing heroes and antiheroes, the image of a positive society, and faith in progress. Heroes often rely on social support or see examples in society that inspire them. Recent Russian productions with a positive tone (“One Hundred Years Ahead,” “Two Hills”) also demonstrate a high level of inspiration among their audiences, indicating significant emotional potential.
The top 10 most inspiring and hopeful Russian films are:
1. Guest from the Future (36.8%)
2. Adventures of Elektronik (33.7%)
3. Amphibian Man (14.3%)
4. Moscow-Cassiopeia (9.3%)
5. Attraction (8.5%)
6. One Hundred Years Ahead (8.1%)
7. Kin-dza-dza! (7.5%)
8. The Time of the First (6.9%)
9. Two Hills (TV series) (6.6%)
10. Through Thorns to the Stars (6.3%)
Why is science fiction so attractive to viewers?
The key factor in the appeal of science fiction is the opportunity to see an alternative reality and expand the boundaries of everyday experience. Science fiction creates a space of possibilities—some to aspire to, others to be warned against. Only then do technical and artistic aspects of filmmaking come into play.
Top 5 factors in the appeal of science fiction:
(Percentage of respondents, any number of answers)
● The opportunity to glimpse another reality (60%)
● Visual appeal of frames, quality of filming and graphics (54%)
● Good acting (54%)
● Unconventional storyline, original ideas (50%)
● Interesting characters and their development (48%)
The most fascinating plots (percentage of respondents, any number of answers) are connected to overcoming the boundaries of time and space and the ability to penetrate the past and the future—this is noted by 63% of respondents. Almost half of viewers (45–46%) highlight themes related to space exploration and contact with extraterrestrial civilizations. The same number (45%) prefer storylines about artificial intelligence. Stories about universe explorers (42%) and topics about human transformation and genetic engineering (40%) are also popular. Only about one in five viewers is interested in plots centered on inequality, social stratification, and protest.
The research was conducted via panel online survey in June 2025, involving 1,200 respondents over age 18. Films and series were selected based on the following criteria: the science fiction genre about the future, regardless of release date; expert assessment in the film industry with an option to add alternative titles; and an average viewer rating of at least 6 points on Wink, Kinopoisk, Okko, START, KION, and PREMIER. Respondents evaluated 39 foreign and 24 Russian films.
The full version of the study is available at: https://nmg.ru/upload/documents/vdokhnovlyayushchie-filmy.pdf
Foreign Films: Strong Impressions and Inspiration
According to the survey, films with a positive ending and an open possibility for the future create an inspiring mood. The top 10 most inspiring foreign films about the future are:
1. Avatar (21.8%)
2. The Fifth Element (19.3%)
3. Back to the Future (16.1%)
4. WALL·E (15.1%)
5. I Am Legend (14.8%)
6. Terminator (13.2%)
7. The Martian (13%)
8. In Time (12.7%)
9. Interstellar (11.2%)
10. The Matrix (11.1%)
Percentages reflect the share of respondents selecting these titles from any number of answers among films they have watched.
Russian and Soviet Films: Strong Impression and a World You Want to Live In
In terms of audience impact, Soviet films lead due to their accumulated recognition and the support of the older generations. The main patterns of the top films include fighting the injustice of the world, a clear value system dividing heroes and antiheroes, the image of a positive society, and faith in progress. Heroes often rely on social support or see examples in society that inspire them. Recent Russian productions with a positive tone (“One Hundred Years Ahead,” “Two Hills”) also demonstrate a high level of inspiration among their audiences, indicating significant emotional potential.
The top 10 most inspiring and hopeful Russian films are:
1. Guest from the Future (36.8%)
2. Adventures of Elektronik (33.7%)
3. Amphibian Man (14.3%)
4. Moscow-Cassiopeia (9.3%)
5. Attraction (8.5%)
6. One Hundred Years Ahead (8.1%)
7. Kin-dza-dza! (7.5%)
8. The Time of the First (6.9%)
9. Two Hills (TV series) (6.6%)
10. Through Thorns to the Stars (6.3%)
Why is science fiction so attractive to viewers?
The key factor in the appeal of science fiction is the opportunity to see an alternative reality and expand the boundaries of everyday experience. Science fiction creates a space of possibilities—some to aspire to, others to be warned against. Only then do technical and artistic aspects of filmmaking come into play.
Top 5 factors in the appeal of science fiction:
(Percentage of respondents, any number of answers)
● The opportunity to glimpse another reality (60%)
● Visual appeal of frames, quality of filming and graphics (54%)
● Good acting (54%)
● Unconventional storyline, original ideas (50%)
● Interesting characters and their development (48%)
The most fascinating plots (percentage of respondents, any number of answers) are connected to overcoming the boundaries of time and space and the ability to penetrate the past and the future—this is noted by 63% of respondents. Almost half of viewers (45–46%) highlight themes related to space exploration and contact with extraterrestrial civilizations. The same number (45%) prefer storylines about artificial intelligence. Stories about universe explorers (42%) and topics about human transformation and genetic engineering (40%) are also popular. Only about one in five viewers is interested in plots centered on inequality, social stratification, and protest.
The research was conducted via panel online survey in June 2025, involving 1,200 respondents over age 18. Films and series were selected based on the following criteria: the science fiction genre about the future, regardless of release date; expert assessment in the film industry with an option to add alternative titles; and an average viewer rating of at least 6 points on Wink, Kinopoisk, Okko, START, KION, and PREMIER. Respondents evaluated 39 foreign and 24 Russian films.
The full version of the study is available at: https://nmg.ru/upload/documents/vdokhnovlyayushchie-filmy.pdf