David Bowie as Nicola Tesla in The Prestige
Steampunk & Gaslamp Fantasy

My Favorite Steampunk Films

(From the Blog Archives: Originally published on my now-defunct blog about 10 years ago.)

When I tell friends I’m writing steampunk, some of them smile, and others say, “What?” The ones who smile are wondering how a bottle-cap with glued-on gears and watch parts they saw at the flea market has anything to do with literature.  The conversation usually goes something like this:

Me: It’s Victorian-era science fiction. You know, like Jules Verne or H. G. Wells.

Them: Oh! Wow.  (puzzlement, scratches head)

Me: Yep. It’s fun to mix up the genres. I throw some magic in there too for good measure.

Them: Why is it called steampunk?

Me: Short answer is because the genre was named in the 80s along with Cyberpunk and a few other “punks.” The “Steam” is because it takes place the age of steam-powered machines and industry. “Punk” is because the protagonist often an antihero, or a non-conventional hero who goes up against a corrupt system, society or non-human entity of some sort.  Just think Neo in The Matrix—but that’s Cyberpunk.

And then, as it always happens, they ask…

Them: “OK, I got’cha.  Are there any steampunk movies out there?” 

Me: You remember Wild Wild West? How about Cowboys and Aliens?

Then they smile and nod, and we’ve reached an understanding of what strangeness occupies my free-time and fantasy life. If the discussion carries any farther, I might add these others to the list.

My favorite steampunk films (in no specific order) are:

The Prestige —Touchstone, 2006
Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale AND David Bowie? Yes, please! Two ruthless magicians duel it out for the best stage act. When Tesla gets involved, things get interesting. (see attached photo)

Howl’s Moving Castle US release by Walt Disney Home Entertainment, 2004
An artistic masterpiece by Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. Again, a love story featuring a steampunk magician who is Christian Bale. What is it with me?  {wink}

Sherlock Holmes —Warner Bros., 2010
Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law have fun with these roles in the steampunk remake. Yes! That impossible death-machine contraption in the end qualifies this version as sci-fi, folks. Not to mention the use of dark secret societies is a well-known steampunk trope—one of which I am particularly fond.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus —Sony Pictures Classics, 2008
Bet you’ve never heard of this film. But with Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell, you should have.  The setting is modern, so it bends the rules a bit on what is considered steampunk. However, it involves magic, a Victorian style traveling troupe of actors and whimsical machines. The visual aesthetic is heavily influenced by steampunk maker culture too.

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen — Fox, 2003
Superheroes pulled from the pages of Victorian novels must join forces to battle a global threat. It’s got everything any steampunk heart could desire. Much love for this fun action movie.

Stardust — Paramount, 2007
A beautiful love story, this film also features a kick-ass airship that harvests lightning bolts for energy. Oh yes…

Hugo — Paramount, 2011
Visually stunning, this movie was full to bursting with enough gears and clockworks to satisfy. The story was sweet and well-told.

Of course, this list doesn’t scratch the surface of what steampunk films have been made. Want to dig deeper? Check out this link: http://steampunk.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_steampunk_films

So, what are your faves?  We’ll talk books in a future blog post. That’s going to be a much longer list…

I'm a fantasy author and artist.