5 Best Steampunk Films Of All Time, Ranked

Steampunk is a tricky genre to pin down. Is it just gluing some gears on a top hat? Is it Victorian England with iPads? It’s a vibe that’s often hard to define but immediately recognizable when you see it. It’s that sweet spot where retro-futurism meets grit, brass, copper, and a whole lot of steam. Which are the best steampunk films? While Hollywood has definitely dropped the ball a few times (we’re pretending “Wild Wild West” didn’t happen, okay?), there are some directors who absolutely nailed the assignment.

Steampunk: Clockwork and Corsets with a Dose of Heroism

If you are looking to dive into the world of clockwork and corsets, you need to start with the cream of the crop. We’ve ignored the flops and old tropes and dug through the archives to bring you the definitive list of the best steampunk films ever made. Grab your gear and your goggles; we’re goin’ in.

5. “Treasure Planet” (2002)

Admittedly, Disney did this movie dirty. Released in the early 2000s, it bombed at the box office, but it has aged like a fine wine (or fuel for steampunk enthusiasts). It’s “Treasure Island” in space, but instead of sleek spaceships, we get solar-powered galleons and cyborg pirates. 

The animation style blends traditional 2D hand-drawn art with 3D CGI environments, creating a universe that feels handcrafted yet expansive. It’s the perfect introduction to the genre because it doesn’t take itself too seriously – it just wants to show you how cool a cyborg arm looks while surfing a solar wind.

4. “The City of Lost Children” (1995)

If you want something that feels like a fever dream you had after eating bad cheese (it happens), this is it. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro, this French masterpiece is visually overwhelming – yet in the best way possible. We’re talking about a world where a mad scientist steals children’s dreams because he can’t have his own. 

You’ve got Ron Perlman (yes!) playing a circus strongman, weird clones, and an aesthetic that is dripping in grime, green hues, and intricate machinery. It’s dark, weirdly whimsical, and arguably one of the best steampunk films for people who prefer the “punk” side of the equation over the shiny brass.

3. “The Prestige” (2006)

Before Christopher Nolan was bending time in “Tenet,” he was bending reality with rival magicians in Victorian London. While it’s not flashy with airships, this film captures the scientific obsession of the ethos perfectly. This theme alone qualifies this as one of the best steampunk films to watch.

The rivalry between Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale is intense, but the real scene-stealer is the inclusion of Nikola Tesla. And who plays the electric wizard? David Bowie. That’s right. We get Bowie walking through lightning bolts in a movie about obsession and technology gone wrong. It grounds the genre in a gritty reality that makes the “magic” feel like dangerous science.

2. “Howl’s Moving Castle” (2004)

Hayao Miyazaki is the king of flying machines, but “Howl’s Moving Castle” is his steampunk magnum opus. The castle itself is a character – a clanking, heaving monstrosity of metal, turrets, and chicken legs powered by a fire demon. It is the ultimate representation of the genre: messy, loud, and inexplicably beautiful. 

Beyond the visuals, the film tackles heavy themes like war and identity, contrasting the horrors of industrial warfare with the stunning and precious beauty of nature. It’s magical, it’s heartbreaking, and it proves that animation is often an ideal medium for this genre, making it a strong contender for one of the best steampunk films.

1. “Hugo” (2011)

Martin Scorsese directing a 3D family movie sounded like a prank, but it turned out to be a masterpiece. “Hugo” isn’t just a movie; it’s a love letter to the mechanics of filmmaking and the history of cinema itself. Set in a 1930s Paris train station, the film is truly obsessed with clockwork. 

From the automaton at the center of the mystery to the inner workings of the station clocks, everything clicks and whirs with tactile precision. It captures the wonder of invention, which is really what steampunk is all about at its core. It’s visually stunning, emotionally wrecking, and hands down the top contender for the best steampunk film of all time.

The Steampunk Genre Lives On

We have an honorable mention (because we always do)! “Mortal Engines,” which came out in 2018, gave us a glimpse at the dysfunctional and dystopian nightmare of having cities that are mobile. The story is bleak, the cities are truly harrowing, but our heroine is captivating. In an apocalyptic world, it shows hope and a way to move forward.

Steampunk has had a huge effect on fashion in the 80s, then a resurgence in the 90s. Certainly films like “The Road Warrior” and “Mad Max” come to mind when bringing the genre into the mainstream. Between machines, armor, and masks, the concept is as enticing as the stories these best steampunk films tell.