Cosmic Detective Films: A Stellar Collection

Description: While not a traditional detective film, "Alien" features a crew investigating a distress signal, only to find themselves hunted by a deadly creature. The film's suspenseful atmosphere and the crew's efforts to uncover the truth about their situation make it a fitting entry.

Fact: The chestburster scene was kept secret from most of the cast to capture their genuine reactions. The film's tagline, "In space no one can hear you scream," has become iconic.

Description: A rescue mission to a lost spaceship turns into a chilling investigation when the crew discovers the ship has returned from a dimension of pure chaos. The film blends horror with detective elements as the crew tries to piece together what happened.

Fact: The film was initially much darker and more graphic, but scenes were cut to achieve an R rating. The ship's design was inspired by Gothic cathedrals.

Description: A psychologist is sent to investigate the mental health of a space station crew orbiting the planet Solaris, which has the ability to materialize people's thoughts. The film explores themes of memory, identity, and the unknown.

Fact: This is a remake of the 1972 Soviet film by Andrei Tarkovsky, which itself was based on the novel by Stanislaw Lem.

Description: A team of astronauts must reignite the dying sun, but their mission turns into a detective story when they encounter a mysterious ship. The film explores themes of sacrifice, duty, and the unknown, making it a compelling addition to this list.

Fact: Director Danny Boyle used real astronauts to consult on the film's accuracy, and the film's score was composed by John Murphy, known for his work on "28 Days Later."

Description: Sam Bell, nearing the end of his three-year stint mining helium-3 on the moon, starts to uncover strange occurrences and his own identity. This film delves into psychological mystery and the isolation of space.

Fact: The film was Duncan Jones' directorial debut, and it features a clone plot twist that was kept secret from the audience until the film's release.

Description: Two crew members of a spaceship awaken from hypersleep to find their vessel in chaos, with no memory of their mission. They must piece together what happened while battling a psychological condition known as "Pandorum."

Fact: The film's title refers to a fictional condition where space travelers experience paranoia, hallucinations, and violent behavior.

Description: A crew of astronauts on a mission to explore Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, encounters mysterious phenomena. The film is presented as a found footage documentary, adding to the mystery and realism.

Fact: The film was praised for its scientific accuracy and realistic portrayal of space travel.

Description: A team of scientists aboard the International Space Station find evidence of life on Mars, but their discovery turns into a survival thriller as they try to contain a rapidly evolving organism.

Fact: The film's title is a play on the idea of life in space and the life-threatening situation the crew finds themselves in.

Description: A crew aboard a space station attempts to solve an energy crisis by testing a particle accelerator, but their experiment leads to unexpected consequences and a mystery involving alternate realities.

Fact: The film was announced and released on the same day during Super Bowl LII, making it a surprise release.