Best Steampunk Movies Ever

The best source for finding an idea for Steampunk outfit is watching Steampunk-inspired movies. Also, it is the best way to understand the Steampunk culture. We listed some Steampunk movies that they are not in the best movies category, but are the inspiration of Steampunk culture, help you to learn the culture and explore the Steampunk universe, as well as show you the most amazing Steampunk clothes, gears, gadgets and machines.

Steampunk is a combination of science fiction and fantasy. The Steampunk universe is inspired by Victorian England (late nineteenth century) but the only difference is the technology; everything looks futuristic with big robots, submarines, flying ships – all working with coal and steam power. Also, the fashion: a gentleman wearing a Victorian-style suit with robotic arms, while a lady wears a gorgeous dress with a clock belt on her waist. Let’s have a look our list and explore the amazing Steampunk world.

The Best Steampunk Movies of All Time

1- Wild Wild West

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

Top Cast:

Will Smith as Captain James T. West
Kevin Kline as US Marshal Artemus Gordon
Kenneth Branagh as Dr. Arliss Loveless
Salma Hayek as Rita Escobar

Genre: Action, Comedy, Steampunk, Sci-Fi, Cowboy

Based On: The Wild Wild West by Michael Garrison

Release Date: 30 June 1999

I know; it is not a great movie, but Steampunk elements are amazing in the movie. Western style Victorian clothes, a Steampunk wheelchair, small plane with steam power, the giant spider robot and Dr. Arliss Loveless’s six legs.

The plot is about a crazy inventor named Dr. Arliss Loveless (Kenneth Branagh) who is planning to assassinate the American President. The President calls Civil War hero James West (Will Smith) and U.S. Marshal Artemus Gordon (also Kline) and orders them to arrest Dr. Loveless. Of course, it is not an easy task. Dr. Loveless has lots of steam-powered toys and robots. We see how our characters deal with Dr. Loveless and his surprises.

Let’s see some of the Victorian style outfits from the movie:

2- Van Helsing

Director: Stephen Sommers

Top Cast:

Hugh Jackman as Van Helsing
Kate Beckinsale as Anna Valerious
Richard Roxburgh as Count Dracula

Genre: Horror, Steampunk, Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Inspired By: Professor Abraham Van Helsing

Release Date: 5 May 2004

One of my favourites, it has Dracula, vampires, werewolves, a machine gun crossbow, Hugh Jackman, and Kate Beckinsale which alone makes it enough to be my favourite I can hear you say, “It is not a Steampunk movie, it is an Gothic movie.” Yes, you are right it is a Gothic movie, but the gas-powered Steampunk crossbow put this movie into the Steampunk list as well.

The story is about a famous monster hunter Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) who is sent to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula (Richard Roxburgh) who is using Dr. Frankenstein’s research and a werewolf for some sinister purpose. Kate Beckinsale’s gorgeous outfits, especially her Steampunk-inspired bolero jackets and sexy corsets step up the movie.

Also Count Dracula’s Victorian style jackets and his wife’s authentic dresses make the movie sexier. Shouldn’t miss it. Some of the charismatic and sexy outfits from the movie:

3-The Golden Compass

Director: Chris Weitz

Top Stars:

Nicole Kidman: Mrs. Coulter
Daniel Craig: Lord Asriel
Dakota Blue Richards: Lyra
Ian McKellen: Iorek Byrnison (Voice)
Jum Carter: John Faa
Eva Green: Serafina Pekkala
Christopher Lee: First High Councilor
Ian McShane: Ragnar Sturlusson

Genre: Fantasy, Steampunk, Adventure

Based On: Northern Lights by Philip Pullman

Release Date: 26 December 2007

The Golden Compass bring us a Victorian style universe with Dwarves, Warrior Bears, Witches, steam-powered ships and machines, tons of Steampunk gadgets, and finally, – of course – Nicole Kidman with most amazing dresses as a villain.

Our story is in a parallel universe, young Lyra travels to the far North to save her best friend and other kidnapped children from an evil mysterious organisation. The Steampunk fashion in the movie is absolutely superb. Armored bears, sexy witches, Western style outfits, steampunk gadgets are not to be missed.

Let’s explore the world of the Golden Compass:

4- Sky Captain and The World Tomorrow

Director: Kerry Conran

Top Stars:

Jude Law: Joseph Sullvan/Sky Captain
Gweneth Paltrow: Polly Perkins
Angelina Jolie: Commander Frankie Cook
Giovanni Ribisi: Dex Dearborn
Michael Gambon: Mr Paley

Genre: Steampunk, Adventure, Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi

Release Date: 1 October 2004

With brilliant stylistic throwbacks to comics famous in the 1940’s, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is a fun adventure that combines art deco design with film noir to create a beautiful spectacle.

Considered a dieselpunk film, the movie follows the search for missing scientists by journalist Polly Perkins and Sky Captain Joe Sullivan amid attacks on New York City by giant robots.

Set in an advanced technical version of 1939, the film is a fun and mysterious adventure to Shangri-La, islands with dinosaur-like creatures, and the Himalayas. With costumes and backdrops that will make you drool, this film is a feast of Steampunk inspiration and is one not to miss!

5- Mortal Engines

Director: Christian Rivers

Top Stars:

Hera Hilmar: Hester Shaw
Robert Sheehan: Tom Natsworthy
Hugo Weaving: Thaddeus Valentine

Genre: Fantasy, Steampunk, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Based On: Novel of Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve

Release Date: 8 December 2018

Combining post-apocalyptic and Steampunk clothing and set design, this film explores a future world where cities move on motorised wheels and consume each other in an effort to survive.

With a conspiracy brewing that will affect everyone, two strangers meet and work together to stop it. In this film there are amazing design choices made that not only produce beautiful Steampunk fashion, but also a stunning bit of world-building that has to be seen.

Based on a series of dystopian novels, the creativity of this story translates beautifully to the screen and makes for a fun adventure!

6- League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

Director: Stephen Norrington

Top Stars:

Sean Connery: Allan Quatermain
Stuart Townsend: Dorian Gray
Peta Wilson: Mina Harker
Jason Flemyng: Dr. Henry Jekyll
Captain Nemo: Naseeruddin Shah
Tony Curran: Rodney Skinner
Shane West: Tom Sawyer

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Steampunk, Fantasy

Based On: The League of Extraordinary Gentleman Comic Book by DC Books

Release Date: 11 July 2003

Starring Captain Nemo, Vampiress Mina Harker, an invisible man named Rodney Skinner, American secret service agent Tom Sawyer, the invincible Dorian Gray, and the dangerous Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde. You know most of these names but you have never seen them in the same movie. It is a classic superhero story.

The bad guy tries to start a world war and our heroes try to stop him. But the elements of the movie makes the difference. Our heroes use a gigantic submarine and the bad guys have a factory which manufactures robotic soldiers in the 18th centuary. All the weapons, gadgets and machines are inspired by the Steampunk universe. Can’t say it is a great movie, but outfits and machines are worth seeing.

7- Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Director: Guillermo Del Toro

Top Stars:

Ron Perlman: Hellboy
Selma Blair: Liz Sherman
Doug Jones: Abe Sapien

Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, Steampunk

Release Date: 11 July 2008

Our superhero is different than superheros in other movies. It is a Red Demon Superhero. His horns look like Steampunk Goggles. How many of you think like me? Also Abraham Spain has real Goggles in the movie.

The mythical world starts a war against the human-ruled world. Hellboy and team try to save the world against mythical creatures. I know it sounds familiar, but what makes the difference in the movie are the outfits, gadgets, weapons and Steampunk elements.

8- 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea

Director: Richard Fleischer

Top Stars:

Kirk Douglas: Ned Land
James Meson: Captain Nemo
Paul Lukas: Prof. Pierre Aronax

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Steampunk, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Release Date: 20 July 1955

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a story from writer Jules Verne, the father of Steampunk. The creative Jules Verne wrote about futuristic submarines and interesting diving suits back in the 19th century when it was all just fantasy. Oceans are not a safe place and many ships were lost in the ocean the late 19th century. Sailors who survived have stories about giant sea monsters.

The story starts with Professor Aronnax and his two companions, Conseil and Ned Land on an adventure to find the mysterious sea monster. You must watch the original version of the movie to see how the world’s Steampunk journey starts.

9- Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows

Director: Guy Ritchie

Top Stars:

Robert Downey Jr.: Sherlock Holmes
Jude Law: Dr. John Watson
Rachel McAdams: Irene Adler
Stephen Fry: Mycroft Holmes

Genre: Action, Adventure, Steampunk

Release Date: 16 December 2011

London 19th century: our character is well-known Sherlock Holmes acted by famous Robert Downey Jr. (well known for his role as Ironman) in a Steampunk mystery story. Detective Sherlock Holmes and his partner Watson are investigating a series of unrelated murders and terrorist attacks around the globe.

Victorian-style vests, hats, coat tails and Sherlock Holmes’s interesting Steampunk gadgets and gears put this movie into our list.

10- Hugo

Director: Martin Scorsese

Top Stars:

Asa Butterfield: Hugo Cabret
Chloe Grace Moretz: Isabelle
Christopher Lee: Monsieur Labisse
Ben Kingsley: Georges Melies

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Steampunk, Mystery

Release Date: 23 November 2011

Paris 1930: an orphan boy lives in the walls of a train station. He has a mechanical toy left from his father that doesn’t work without a key. His adventure starts searching for a mysterious key.

It is a great Steampunk adventure in beautiful Paris. The sexy Burlesque dancers in Steampunk clothes are the most amazing part of the movie.

11-The City of Lost Children

Director: Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Top Stars:

Ron Perlman: One
Daniel Emilfork: Krank
Judith Vittet: Miette

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Steampunk. Sci-Fi

Release Date: 15 December 1995

A highly intelligent but evil scientist Krank uses a dream-extracting machine to steal dreams from children. One (Ron Perlman), the hulking strongman of a traveling circus, and his precocious 9-year-old friend, Miette (Judith Vittet) together try to defeat Krank’s minions and save One’s son Denree.

The movie doesn’t offer us gorgeous outfits or a beautiful world, but it offers us the good quality science fiction and fantasy that we love.

12- Stardust

Wicked witches, flying pirates, dashing prince and more, Stardust offers us a mesmerising Steampunk mystical story. In a small town bordering on magical kingdom Stormhold, a young man makes a promise to his beloved that he will retrieve a fallen star for her by venturing into the magical realm.

The pirates with flying ships and their outfits will captivate every Steampunk lover.