10 Steampunk Movies & Shows To Watch

Kate
Apr 28
3 min read

Steampunk, with its fusion of Victorian and Belle Époque era aesthetics, imaginative technology, and futuristic adventures, is an endlessly fascinating subgenre of fantasy and science fiction. From sprawling cities powered by steam to eccentric gadgets and fantastical storytelling, this genre offers a unique visual and narrative experience. Whether you're new to steampunk or a seasoned enthusiast, there’s a wealth of movies and shows that bring this captivating style to life.

Below are 10 steampunk movies and shows in no particular order, each offering a mesmerizing glimpse into worlds where history meets innovation and fantasy. So, grab your goggles and gear up for a journey through clockwork dreams and steam-powered wonders!

Category Descriptions for Retrofuturism:

Steampunk - Victorian and Belle Epoque eras with steam based machines
Raypunk - art deco and space race content, like Flash Gordon.
Atompunk - is the nuclear age, like Fallout. It is close to the retrofuturism of raypunk.
Dieselpunk - oil based machines, usually with 80s aesthetics like Mad Max. I included Mortal Engines on my steampunk list here, but it probably also falls into dieselpunk.
Cassette Futurism - cold war tech aesthetics, such as Back to the Future, Total Recall, and Alien.
Aetherpunk - more flight based than steam, often focusing on lost technology. I didn't add Treasure Planet, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Atlantis: The Last Empire to this list as they're more aetherpunk than steampunk. The AfroFuturism of Black Panther is also close to aetherpunk.
Solarpunk - utopian idea of environment and sustainability synthesis, like Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

(1) The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec

Sent in the 1910s, this movie follows the journalist Adèle Blanc-Sec who is trying to revive a mummy while a pterosaur is on the loose in Paris. It's on multiple streaming services and is a wild ride. IMDB link

Vintage-style movie poster for "Adèle Blanc-Sec" featuring a woman riding a pterodactyl, explorers near pyramids, and Parisian cityscape.

(2) Adventures of the League of STEAM

Youtube web-series that is like League of Extraordinary Gentleman meets Ghostbusters. They have 3 seasons on Youtube, and don't worry the "old timey" filter is just for the trailer.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?feature=share&list=PLF81175639214CDE4

(3) Hugo

A visually stunning film by Martin Scorsese, set in 1931 Paris where an orphan living in the walls of a train station gets wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton. Streaming on a few platforms. IMDB link.

A boy swings on clock hands over a large clock face. The scene glows with warm, golden light. Text: "Hugo in 3D," and release info.

(4) Assorted Doctor Who Episodes

Several episodes and designs, such as the TARDIS interior and alternate Victorian era gadgets, have clear steampunk influences. Here are some of my top steampunk Doctor Who episodes:

The Talons of Weng-Chiang with the 4th Doctor and Leela (Season 14, Episode 21) IMDB link.
The Girl in the Fireplace with the 10th Doctor and Rose (Season 2, Episode 4) IMDB link.
The Next Doctor with the 10th Doctor and Martha (2008 Christmas Special) IMDB link.
The Beast Below with the 11th Doctor and Amy Pond (Season 5, Episode 2) IMBD link.
The Crimson Horror with the 11th Doctor and Madame Vastra (Series 7, Episode 12) IMDB link.
Deep Breath with the 12th Doctor and Clara (Series 8, Episode 1) IMDB link.
The Haunting of Villa Diodati with the 13th Doctor and companions (Series 12, Episode 8) IMDB link.

A woman in a gown is flanked by a vintage clock, a masked figure, and a person with a contraption, amid glowing green and orange clouds.

(5) Mortal Engines

A post-apocalyptic world with massive moving cities powered by steam and gears. It's between dieselpunk and steampunk, but I'm putting it with the latter. It's different from the books, but I found the movie to be better. Streaming on a few platforms. IMDB link.

Woman with a red scarf dramatically covering her face in front of a dystopian city on massive tires. Text: "Mortal Engines," "December 14."

(6) Sherlock Holmes Duology

Directed by Guy Ritchie, these two films feature Robert Downey Jr. as the iconic detective with Jude Law as Watson in a Victorian-era setting with steampunk elements. Streaming on a few platforms. IMDB 1 / IMDB 2.

Two Sherlock Holmes movie posters side by side; one shows Victorian detectives in blue tones, the other in a shadowy, cobblestone street.

(7) 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

A ship sent to investigate a wave of mysterious sinkings encounters the advanced submarine, the Nautilus, commanded by Captain Nemo. Streaming online. Imdb link.

Two men, one in a sailor hat, are featured against a sea background. A giant squid and submarine are seen below. Text reads "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea."

(8) Penny Dreadful

A dark fantasy series set in Victorian London, interweaving steampunk elements with classic horror. Streaming online. Imdb link.

Four serious characters in dark attire, one holding a bloodied cloth and another a cane, against a moody blue-black backdrop. Text: "Penny Dreadful."

(9) Castle in the Sky

A Studio Ghibli anime that features airships and steampunk technology in a lush, fantastical world. Streaming online. IMDB link.

Two characters fly over a detailed cityscape on a purple aircraft. Both are excited. The text reads "Castle in the Sky" at the bottom.

(10) The Wild Wild West

I'm not referring to the Will Smith comedic version, but the original tv show that features steam powered gadgets as two agents battle crime in the 1870s. Streaming online. IMDB link.

Poster for "The Wild Wild West" features characters in cowboy outfits with various action scenes, brown title, and a vintage comic style.

Is there any steampunk movie or show that you like that I missed?

I didn't add The Nevers or Carnival Row to this list as I felt both television shows didn't reach their full potential. Should they be included as steampunk?