Netflix's 'The Fifth Element' Is the Greatest Action Sci-Fi You've Overlooked

Luc Besson's 1997 cult classic offers a bizarre, imaginative future world full of flying cabs, dramatic talk show hosts, and Gary Oldman's delightfully deranged performance.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 2:28pm

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An extreme close-up of shattered glass and reflective chrome surfaces, capturing the high-tech, high-fashion aesthetic of the sci-fi world of The Fifth Element.The Fifth Element's dazzling visual style and over-the-top sci-fi spectacle shine in this abstract close-up of the film's futuristic textures.Los Angeles Today

The Fifth Element, Luc Besson's 1997 sci-fi action film, is now streaming on Netflix, giving new generations a chance to experience its imaginative future world. The movie follows cab driver Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis) as he teams up with the mysterious Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) to stop a great evil that threatens the planet every 5,000 years. With its wild French sci-fi spectacle, memorable characters like the flamboyant talk show host Ruby Rhod (Chris Tucker), and Gary Oldman's over-the-top performance as the villain Zorg, The Fifth Element is a cult classic that deserves more attention than the latest Star Wars installment.

Why it matters

The Fifth Element offers a unique and visually stunning take on the sci-fi genre, blending action, humor, and a touch of the bizarre in a way that sets it apart from more mainstream sci-fi franchises like Star Wars. Its imaginative world-building, practical effects, and memorable characters make it a refreshing alternative for viewers craving something different from the typical blockbuster fare.

The details

In The Fifth Element, a great evil threatens the planet every 5,000 years, and humanity must unite with an alien race called the Mondoshawans to stop it. When a spaceship carrying the 'fifth element' - a human-sized pod that can help defeat the evil - is destroyed, a severed hand is recovered and used to reconstruct the person it belonged to: Leeloo, played by Milla Jovovich. Leeloo teams up with cab driver Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis) to figure out what the 'fifth element' is and how to use it to save the world from the villainous Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg (Gary Oldman).

  • The Fifth Element was released in theaters in 1997.

The players

Luc Besson

The director and co-writer of The Fifth Element, known for his unique and visually striking sci-fi films.

Milla Jovovich

The actress who played the mysterious Leeloo, the 'fifth element' that holds the key to stopping the great evil.

Bruce Willis

The veteran actor who starred as the cab driver Korben Dallas, who gets caught up in the mission to save the world.

Gary Oldman

The acclaimed actor who portrayed the over-the-top villain Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg, known for his flamboyant performance.

Chris Tucker

The actor who played the flamboyant talk show host Ruby Rhod, one of the film's most memorable supporting characters.

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What they’re saying

“The Fifth Element is undeniably one of the most memorable movies of all time, and only partially because of its wild French sci-fi spectacle.”

— Sam Barsanti, Author

“The sci-fi action film is streaming on Netflix, giving new generations a chance to experience the imaginative future world full of cab drivers, dramatic talk show hosts, and evil industrialists.”

— Sam Barsanti, Author

What’s next

As The Fifth Element continues to gain new fans on Netflix, it will be interesting to see if the film's cult status leads to any potential sequels, spinoffs, or other adaptations in the future.

The takeaway

The Fifth Element stands out as a unique and highly imaginative sci-fi action film that offers a refreshing alternative to more mainstream blockbuster franchises. Its blend of humor, visual flair, and memorable characters make it a must-watch for fans of the genre looking to explore something beyond the typical space operas and dystopian tales.