I took a chance on low-budget sci-fi, and here are the hidden gems I’d rewatch tonight

You don’t need a massive budget to make a compelling film. I would argue that sometimes a larger budget can actually be a hindrance to the creative process, because it can lead to more studio meddling in the end product. It’s probably why I prefer short horror films to most mainstream feature-length films in the same genre, because you can really see what directors are capable of with limited time and often a shoestring budget.