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Blade Runner

Hacker Approved

The most recommended of 29 science fiction films

People recommend it for its visuals, atmosphere and fully realized world, and its influence on later films. Critics object to the color grading changes made in later cuts.

People recommend it for its visuals, atmosphere and fully realized world, and its influence on later films. Critics object to the color grading changes made in later cuts.

65 people gave an opinion

recommend it
54
criticize it
11
approval share
83%
Each figure is one person. RecommendsCriticizes

Recommended in 10 of 13 months

  1. November 2025: recommended
  2. December 2025: not recommended
  3. January 2026: recommended
  4. February 2026: recommended
  5. March 2026: recommended
  6. April 2026: recommended
  7. May 2026: recommended
  8. June 2026: not recommended
  9. July 2026: recommended
  10. August 2026: recommended
  11. September 2026: recommended
  12. October 2026: recommended
  13. November 2026: not recommended (month in progress)

Owned for 34 years

Median of the 3 owners who said how long they have had it.

Each square is one year.

Why it carries the badge

  • 54 people recommend itNeeds 10 or more, met.
  • 4.9 recommenders for every criticNeeds 2 to 1 or better, met.
  • Recommended in 10 of 13 monthsNeeds 4 or more, met.

The same three rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. How the badge works

What people say about it

The reasons people give, with the number of comments that give each one. Open a reason to read what they said.

Why people recommend it

Each mark is one comment

  • Visuals, atmosphere and fully realized world

    “The whole thing is just perfect, there's no other movie that comes close to the world that is envisioned in Blade Runner.”

    Comment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

    “It is one of my favorites, for the completeness of the world, for the visuals, for the music”

    Comment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

    “It's one of the very few immersive masterpieces where all elements complement each other”

    Comment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”
  • Iconic, influential science fiction masterpiece

    “It belongs up there with Apocalypse Now, Mad Max / The Road Warrior, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Blade Runner, and the rest.”

    Comment from 5 May 2026 in “Highlander returns to theaters in glorious 4K, for 40th anniversary.”

    “so much reverence for the original as a visual tectonic impact still influencing films decades later”

    Comment from 27 Jan 2026 in “Blade Runner Costume Design (2020)”

    “some creations are absolutely rare, unique and unlikely artefacts of culture and circumstances”

    Comment from 6 Aug 2026 in “The Title Cards in Blade Runner Are Fucking Amazing”
  • Strong performances and costume design

    “It's not even so much that I like the taste / style of the fashion in the original Blade Runner, more that it just feels more real and interesting.”

    Comment from 26 Jan 2026 in “Blade Runner Costume Design (2020)”

    “The original Blade Runner has more creativity in one outfit than pretty much the entirety of the sequel.”

    Comment from 26 Jan 2026 in “Blade Runner Costume Design (2020)”

    “he aced his role of Leon. Leon is weird, awkward and insecure, while also capable of great violence”

    Comment from 29 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”
  • Ambiguous Deckard and humanity themes

    “In Ridley Scott's original film, Deckard's humanity is still open to question”

    Comment from 26 Nov 2025 in “Space Truckin' – The Nostromo (2012)”

    “the movie does a excellent job of leaving Deckard questioning his humanity”

    Comment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

    “Honestly, that is still what I get from Ridley Scott’s version.”

    Comment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

What people warn about

Each mark is one comment

  • Altered color grading in later cuts

    “I'm deeply offended by how the Final Cut decided to add all these wonderful improvements yet Ridley Scott agreed to completely mess up the color grading”

    Comment from 29 Sep 2026 in “Pirating the Pirates”

    “the theatrical cut is inferior”

    Comment from 6 Aug 2026 in “The Title Cards in Blade Runner Are Fucking Amazing”

    “It is objectively awful and by far the worst release of the film”

    Comment from 28 Sep 2026 in “Pirating the Pirates”
  • Deckard-as-replicant twist seen as weak

    “Scott's idea that Deckard is a replicant but doesn't know it is just weak”

    Comment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

    “having Deckard be a "weak" replicant makes no narrative sense, and it also makes no sense thematically”

    Comment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”
  • Acting criticized, especially Harrison Ford

    “Harrison Ford is not very good in it—perhaps not a great actor generally.”

    Comment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

    “There are some acting missteps that unfortunately flaw the film for me.”

    Comment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”
  • Removed narration and audio complaints

    “I thought getting rid of Deckard's inner thoughts VO was a mistake.”

    Comment from 6 Aug 2026 in “The Title Cards in Blade Runner Are Fucking Amazing”

    “The audio was good but after I listened to it many times, I started to dislike it.”

    Comment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

Other science fiction films people recommend

The four most recommended other science fiction films, with the same counts for each, so you can compare like for like. The tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs.

Blade Runner compared with 4 alternatives
ProductRecommendCriticizeApprovalMonthsOwnedBadge
Blade RunnerThis page541183%1034 yrs3 ownersApproved
Colossus: The Forbin Project35295%9—Approved
Jurassic Park (1993 film)32782%8—Approved
The Fifth Element24389%5—Approved
Terminator 2: Judgment Day21775%6—Approved
See all 29 science fiction films, ranked

What people said

40 of the 85 comments that mention it, newest first. Each links to the original comment.

“The entire five disc Blade Runner 25th Anniversary 2007 Blu-Ray boxed set is pretty amazing.”

RecommendsComment from 8 Oct 2026 in “Beauty in DVD Menus”

“Oh you're going to love the Penultimate Cut fanedit/restoration of Blade Runner”

RecommendsComment from 29 Sep 2026 in “Pirating the Pirates”

“I'm deeply offended by how the Final Cut decided to add all these wonderful improvements yet Ridley Scott agreed to completely mess up the color grading”

CriticizesComment from 29 Sep 2026 in “Pirating the Pirates”

“It is objectively awful and by far the worst release of the film”

CriticizesComment from 28 Sep 2026 in “Pirating the Pirates”

“he aced his role of Leon. Leon is weird, awkward and insecure, while also capable of great violence”

RecommendsComment from 29 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

“His scene sitting across the table from Holden is classic.”

RecommendsComment from 24 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

“the movie does a excellent job of leaving Deckard questioning his humanity”

RecommendsComment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

“Harrison Ford is not very good in it—perhaps not a great actor generally.”

CriticizesComment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

“what really stands out are his eyes -- intense, fearful, paranoid, menacing”

RecommendsComment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

“It is one of my favorites, for the completeness of the world, for the visuals, for the music”

RecommendsComment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

“Honestly, that is still what I get from Ridley Scott’s version.”

RecommendsComment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

“There are some acting missteps that unfortunately flaw the film for me.”

CriticizesComment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

“having Deckard be a "weak" replicant makes no narrative sense, and it also makes no sense thematically”

CriticizesComment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

“Scott's idea that Deckard is a replicant but doesn't know it is just weak”

MixedComment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

“I primarily like the movie for the cinematography and atmosphere, more than the story”

RecommendsComment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

“a stunning, iconic masterpiece of a movie with an unfortunate chilling cultural effect”

MixedComment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

“It's one of those weird and rare movies that grows on you the number of times you watch it.”

RecommendsComment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

“The audio was good but after I listened to it many times, I started to dislike it.”

MixedComment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

“Probably one of the most important science fiction movie ever made.”

RecommendsComment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

“The whole thing is just perfect, there's no other movie that comes close to the world that is envisioned in Blade Runner.”

RecommendsComment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

“It's one of the very few immersive masterpieces where all elements complement each other”

RecommendsComment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

“It's amazing that Blade Runner looks as good as anything that has come since.”

RecommendsComment from 23 Aug 2026 in “The Art and Beauty of Blade Runner (2015)”

“I thought getting rid of Deckard's inner thoughts VO was a mistake.”

MixedComment from 6 Aug 2026 in “The Title Cards in Blade Runner Are Fucking Amazing”

“the one with the best color grading.”

RecommendsComment from 6 Aug 2026 in “The Title Cards in Blade Runner Are Fucking Amazing”

“I cannot forgive Ridley Scott for changing the color grading to a greenish tint”

CriticizesComment from 6 Aug 2026 in “The Title Cards in Blade Runner Are Fucking Amazing”

“the theatrical cut is inferior”

CriticizesComment from 6 Aug 2026 in “The Title Cards in Blade Runner Are Fucking Amazing”

“some creations are absolutely rare, unique and unlikely artefacts of culture and circumstances”

RecommendsComment from 6 Aug 2026 in “The Title Cards in Blade Runner Are Fucking Amazing”

“That's the best version of the theatrical release that you'll probably ever be able to get.”

RecommendsComment from 6 Aug 2026 in “The Title Cards in Blade Runner Are Fucking Amazing”

“they stumble upon something extraordinary that touches the heart of the human experience”

RecommendsComment from 6 Aug 2026 in “The Title Cards in Blade Runner Are Fucking Amazing”

“I liked it, and was surprised with the general level of dislike it has received.”

RecommendsComment from 6 Aug 2026 in “The Title Cards in Blade Runner Are Fucking Amazing”

“a beautiful, visually stunning masterpiece that I will never tire to look at”

RecommendsComment from 5 Aug 2026 in “The Title Cards in Blade Runner Are Fucking Amazing”

“a more apt title would be "The Title Cards in Blade Runner are Thoughtfully Executed."”

RecommendsComment from 5 Aug 2026 in “The Title Cards in Blade Runner Are Fucking Amazing”

“really give a good feel for the world they take place in”

RecommendsComment from 18 May 2026 in “Halt and Catch Fire”

“there are some films where the studio insisted on messing it up (Blade Runner is a prime example)”

MixedComment from 10 May 2026 in “Movies Are Too Long”

“It belongs up there with Apocalypse Now, Mad Max / The Road Warrior, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Blade Runner, and the rest.”

RecommendsComment from 5 May 2026 in “Highlander returns to theaters in glorious 4K, for 40th anniversary.”

“Its so alive. The whole world. So rundown. So real, so breathing.”

RecommendsComment from 26 Feb 2026 in “How to fold the Blade Runner origami unicorn (1996)”

“so much reverence for the original as a visual tectonic impact still influencing films decades later”

RecommendsComment from 27 Jan 2026 in “Blade Runner Costume Design (2020)”

“It's not even so much that I like the taste / style of the fashion in the original Blade Runner, more that it just feels more real and interesting.”

RecommendsComment from 26 Jan 2026 in “Blade Runner Costume Design (2020)”

“The original Blade Runner has more creativity in one outfit than pretty much the entirety of the sequel.”

RecommendsComment from 26 Jan 2026 in “Blade Runner Costume Design (2020)”

“In Ridley Scott's original film, Deckard's humanity is still open to question”

RecommendsComment from 26 Nov 2025 in “Space Truckin' – The Nostromo (2012)”

Counts come from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.