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It’s been nearly a decade since the release of Interstellar, a sci-fi masterpiece directed by Christopher Nolan, who is known for his remarkable filmography that includes The Dark Knight and the upcoming Oppenheimer. Similar to his other mind-bending films like Inception and Tenet, Interstellar delved into the concept of time, which Nolan has described as a crucial aspect of our human experience.
Interstellar stands out as Nolan’s only film to venture into the realm of space travel. Set in the near future, the story follows Joseph Cooper, a farmer and former NASA pilot portrayed by Matthew McConaughey, on a journey through a wormhole in search of a new habitable world. This cinematic experience was thought-provoking, intense, and emotionally captivating, taking viewers on a captivating journey to another dimension and showcasing the transformative power of film.
If you found Interstellar enthralling, here’s a list of 15 other movies to consider adding to your watchlist.
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15 Movies Like Interstellar to Watch Next
Moon (2009)
The 2009 film “Moon” utilized the backdrop of space to delve into themes of solitude and self-discovery. Despite its modest budget, it offered a compelling narrative filled with unexpected developments. Sam Rockwell took on the role of Sam Bell, a man who is nearing the end of a three-year contract working alone on a space station but encounters unexpected health issues that delay his return home to his wife.
“Moon” is a hidden gem that deserved more recognition than it received. While it wasn’t destined to be a blockbuster, it had the potential to achieve greatness within the realm of low-budget science fiction. Director Duncan Jones, who later went on to direct films like “Source Code,” “Warcraft,” and “Mute,” showcased his talent with this thought-provoking movie.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
This list would be incomplete without mentioning 2001: A Space Odyssey. This 1968 film is widely regarded as Stanley Kubrick’s magnum opus and is often considered one of the greatest movies ever made. Even though it was released in the late 1960s, the film delves into profound themes related to artificial intelligence, technology, extraterrestrial life, and human evolution. 2001: A Space Odyssey is celebrated for its stunning visual aesthetics, pioneering special effects, and innovative camera techniques.
Kubrick originally planned to have an original score for the film but eventually opted for classical music from composers like Richard Strauss, Johann Strauss II, György Ligeti, and Aram Khachaturian. One of the most memorable sequences in the movie is the “floating pen” scene, which features no dialogue and is accompanied by Richard Strauss’ “The Blue Danube.”
The Martian (2015)
The movie “The Martian,” which came out a year after “Interstellar,” shares some similarities with Nolan’s film, such as featuring actors Matt Damon and Jessica Chastain in important roles. It’s set in the year 2035 and revolves around the character Mark Watney (played by Damon), an astronaut who survives a dust storm on Mars but is left stranded by his crew who assumed he was dead. When NASA learns of his survival, they initiate a mission to bring him back to Earth.
“The Martian,” released in 2015, is a survival story that emphasizes themes of determination and the importance of human connection. It also earned a reputation for its scientific accuracy, making it stand out as one of the more scientifically plausible science fiction films in Hollywood. While these two films are distinct, if you’re intrigued by a space-themed version of “Cast Away” with Tom Hanks, “The Martian” might be the perfect choice for you.
Arrival (2016)
Before directing “Dune” and “Blade Runner 2049,” Denis Villeneuve helmed the captivating science fiction drama “Arrival.” Amy Adams played the role of Louise Banks, an expert in linguistics tasked with establishing communication with an enigmatic alien race. The urgency of the situation was heightened by the looming threat of global conflict. Louise collaborated closely with physicist Ian Donnelly, portrayed by Jeremy Renner, and maintained constant contact with U.S. Army Colonel Weber, played by Forest Whitaker.
“Arrival” departed from the typical alien invasion movie conventions, attracting a distinct audience when compared to films like “Independence Day: Resurgence.” Similar to “Interstellar,” Villeneuve’s film explored themes related to the human perception of time. Like his other works, “Arrival” posed profound questions and left viewers with much to contemplate long after its two-hour runtime had concluded.
Looper (2012)
“Looper,” a science fiction action thriller directed by Rian Johnson before his work on Star Wars and the Knives Out franchise, is set in the 2070s. In this future, criminal organizations send individuals back in time to be eliminated by “Loopers,” allowing them to eliminate any traces and have others do their dirty work. The story follows a young Looper named Joe (portrayed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who carried out these hits without hesitation, until his latest target turned out to be a future version of himself (played by Bruce Willis).
Unlike space-focused films like “Interstellar,” “Looper” doesn’t explore outer space but instead delves into the complex interplay of past, present, and future. Its captivating premise, along with compelling performances by Levitt, Willis, and Emily Blunt, coupled with stylish action sequences, makes “Looper” a memorable and thought-provoking cinematic experience.
Contact (1997)
The movie “Contact,” based on Carl Sagan’s novel and directed by Rob Zemeckis, features Matthew McConaughey and Jodie Foster. It was released 17 years before “Interstellar.” In the film, a brilliant scientist played by Jodie Foster discovers evidence of extraterrestrial life and is chosen to initiate first contact. The movie depicts a less-than-enthusiastic reaction to the discovery, suggesting that it could intensify conflicts between religion and science.
While some critics have interpreted “Contact” as being critical of religion, others see it as a story about finding faith. Nevertheless, in the DVD commentary, Zemeckis clarified that the intended message was that science and religion can coexist. “Contact” stands out as one of the rare films that delve into the interplay between science and religion, as well as the societal repercussions of encountering extraterrestrial life.
Gravity (2013)
Gravity, released in 2013, is unmatched in its portrayal of the vast and isolating emptiness of deep space. After their spacecraft is destroyed, Dr. Ryan Stone (played by Sandra Bullock) and Matt Kowalski (portrayed by George Clooney) find themselves stranded in space with no hope of rescue. Despite incredibly unfavorable odds, Stone taps into her inner strength to navigate a path back to Earth.
While Gravity does contain some scientific inaccuracies, it garnered critical acclaim for its direction, musical score, cinematography, and Bullock’s outstanding performance. The film, released prior to Interstellar, further heightened the audience’s interest in space-themed movies. The film’s ability to captivate viewers with a single character for most of its duration is truly remarkable.
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Inception (2010)
Apart from “The Dark Knight,” “The Dark Knight Rises,” and “Oppenheimer,” Christopher Nolan’s film “Inception” stands out as one of his most popular works. While “Inception” doesn’t revolve around astronauts like “Interstellar,” it shares a central theme of time manipulation. The key distinction lies in “Interstellar” emphasizing the emotional connection between a father and his daughter, whereas “Inception” focuses on the exploration of dreams.
Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Dom Cobb, a skilled thief with the unique ability to enter people’s dreams and extract their deepest secrets. Cobb is tasked with an extraordinarily challenging mission—to implant an idea into someone’s subconscious. “Inception” excels in numerous aspects, from its awe-inspiring visuals to the captivating musical score composed by Hans Zimmer. The film further demonstrates that contemporary action movies can be intellectually engaging while delivering a compelling narrative.
Ad Astra (2019)
In the movie Ad Astra, Clifford McBride, portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones, embarked on a deep space mission in search of extraterrestrial life but disappeared. His son Roy, played by Brad Pitt, grew up to become an astronaut and was assigned the task of investigating enigmatic power fluctuations associated with Clifford’s crew. This investigation led Roy on a journey to Neptune, where he uncovered long-hidden secrets that had been concealed from him for three decades.
The film portrayed space as a hostile and psychologically challenging environment for humans. However, from the perspective of an audience member rather than a character in the story, Ad Astra’s cinematography was truly remarkable. Hoyte van Hoytema, known for his collaborations with director Christopher Nolan on films like Interstellar, Dunkirk, Tenet, and Oppenheimer, was responsible for the visually stunning cinematography in the movie, making it a feast for the eyes.
First Man (2018)
First Man, directed by the same filmmaker responsible for Whiplash and La La Land, explores the journey of Neil Armstrong as he became the first person to set foot on the moon. The movie unfolds in the early 1960s, depicting Armstrong’s experiences in test flights, his family life, and the rigorous astronaut training he underwent. Ryan Gosling portrayed Armstrong, marking his final role in a theatrical film before taking on the character of Ken in the Barbie movie.
Armstrong’s life story was a natural fit for the grandeur of cinema, and the film culminated in a breathtaking moon landing sequence. Gosling’s portrayal of Armstrong was marked by a quiet, resolute demeanor and is considered one of the standout performances of his career. Although First Man didn’t perform as expected at the box office, it’s important to note that its commercial success didn’t reflect the film’s high quality.
Oblivion (2013)
“Oblivion” marked the initial cinematic collaboration between Tom Cruise and director Joseph Kosinski, who would later helm “Top Gun: Maverick.” The movie is set in a post-apocalyptic world where Earth has suffered immense damage from a long-standing conflict between humans and enigmatic scavengers. The majority of the planet’s population has left, leaving Jack, portrayed by Cruise, to maintain combat drones for a five-year period. As Jack’s tenure nears its end, he stumbles upon a concealed truth related to his mission.
Released in 2013, this science fiction adventure shares thematic elements with “Interstellar,” including love, exploration, and the concept of sacrifice. Much like Kosinski’s previous works such as “Tron: Legacy” and his upcoming project “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Oblivion” is notable for its striking cinematography and its ability to keep audiences consistently engaged and captivated. Despite its merits, the film has somewhat slipped under the radar, even though it stands as one of the finest sci-fi movies of the early 2010s.
Annihilation (2018)
Annihilation features “The Shimmer,” an enigmatic and restricted area that only Kane, portrayed by Oscar Isaac, ventured into and returned from. Kane’s time in this mysterious zone had a profound impact on him, transforming him into a completely different person when he reunited with his wife, Lena, played by Natalie Portman. Lena, a professor of cellular biology and a former soldier, decided to join a scientific expedition in order to uncover the secrets of the Shimmer and learn what had happened to her husband.
The film Annihilation masterfully creates an unsettling atmosphere, firmly establishing itself in the psychological horror genre. Through its visual elements and a synth-based score, the movie effectively conveys a sense of foreboding and an otherworldly ambiance. Discussing Annihilation has often been challenging without revealing spoilers, but the film offers a thought-provoking exploration of humanity’s inclination toward self-destruction.
Aniara (2018)
“Aniara,” a Swedish-Danish film from the late 2010s that premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, takes place in a bleak future where Earth is uninhabitable, and humans are on a spacecraft bound for Mars. The ship, also called Aniara, is designed like a cruise ship, but an incident sends it off course, stranding the passengers in space with no fuel.
The film’s straightforward plot makes it accessible to those who might not typically embrace complex sci-fi. Nevertheless, “Aniara” offers plenty of food for thought, prompting viewers to contemplate humanity’s role in the vast expanse of the universe. It’s highly recommended for those interested in the more philosophical aspects of space-themed films.
Tenet (2020)
Nolan ventured into the realm of time once again with his film “Tenet,” widely regarded as his most perplexing work yet. In this film, John David Washington took on the role of the “Protagonist,” a CIA operative entangled in the enigmatic concept of time inversion. Together with his ally Neil, played by Robert Pattinson, they set out to rescue the world using the cryptic word “Tenet.”
“Tenet” was an ambitious project that deliberately avoided the conventional time travel narrative. The use of time inversion in the movie made it arguably Nolan’s most intricate and challenging film to date. To the point that even the lead actors, Washington and Pattinson, have confessed to not fully comprehending the film, as reported by IndieWire. Consequently, “Tenet” didn’t resonate with everyone and was criticized for its unnecessarily complex plot. Nevertheless, some viewers appreciated the multi-layered storyline and Nolan’s inventive approach to manipulating time.
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
“Edge of Tomorrow,” a somewhat overlooked and underrated film, proved to be an ideal summer action blockbuster. Despite its generic title, which didn’t do justice to the film’s quality, it was sometimes listed as “Live Die Repeat: Edge of Tomorrow” on certain digital platforms. The movie blended elements of “Groundhog Day” with an alien invasion storyline, where William Cage, portrayed by Tom Cruise, experienced a reset of his day each time he died.
Tom Cruise, well-known for his courageous roles, took on a different character in “Edge of Tomorrow.” William Cage initially started as a coward but underwent a transformation into an effective leader due to the time loop. The time loop brought him together with war hero Rita Vrataski, played by Emily Blunt, offering him a fighting chance against the alien foes.
What surprised many viewers was how the film managed to strike a balance between high-stakes world-ending scenarios and humor. The humor in the movie never derailed the plot into the meta-comedy often seen in modern superhero films. “Edge of Tomorrow” effectively conveyed the message of holding onto hope in a seemingly hopeless world.
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