Intense Sci-Fi Movies Like 'Interstellar'

By leah jones

If you're looking for movies like Interstellar—films that explore space, science fiction or the human condition—these are some diverse options that have similar themes and intensity.

Gravity (2013)

Gravity focuses on human survival and isolation. It tells the story of a medical engineer and an astronaut struggling to survive after an accident leaves them adrift in space.

Arrival (2016)

Arrival depicts a linguistics professor trying to communicate with extraterrestrial visitors to save humanity from global war in a similar race against time as in Interstellar.

Sunshine (2007)

Sunshine combines the dangers of space exploration with intense, emotional human drama as a team of astronauts is sent to reignite the dying Sun.

Annihilation (2018)

Annihilation follows a group of scientists venturing into a mysterious zone known as "The Shimmer," where the laws of nature appear to break down. 

Passengers (2016)

Passengers focuses on the psychological weight of space travel after two passengers are awoken 90 years too early from suspended animation and must try to survive.

Life (2017)

Life explores the complexities of discovering new lifeforms in space when a team of astronauts meet a rapidly evolving organism that becomes a deadly threat.

Lucy (2014)

Lucy delves into never before observed capabilities of the human mind. A woman accidentally unlocks increased brain capacity, granting her superhuman abilities.

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

Edge of Tomorrow is about a soldier caught in a time loop who relives the same battle against aliens until he can save humanity.

Tenet (2020)

Tenet is a mind-bending sci-fi thriller where a secret agent manipulates time to prevent a global catastrophe, navigating a complex web of espionage, nonlinear time and fate.

After Earth (2013)

After Earth is a sci-fi adventure navigating dangerous space exploration and familial bonds as a father and son crash-land on a post-apocalyptic Earth.

These movies like Interstellar offer a similar thought-provoking and mind-blowing viewing experience while telling their own unique story.

Head home for more