The 2014 film Interstellar, directed by Christopher Nolan, is a science fiction drama film where astronauts travel through a wormhole to find a new planet for humans because Earth is suffering from famine.
The movie stars Matthew McConaughey as the main astronaut, along with Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain among several other stars. It’s a mix of science fiction and adventure, with lots of emotional moments about family and survival. The film grossed over $681 million worldwide, becoming the tenth-highest-grossing film of 2014. The reason for its success was largely attributed to its amazing visuals and a deep story that made people think about life and the universe.
Kip Thorne, a famous physicist, worked as an executive producer and scientific consultant for the film. His computer-generated version of a black hole in the movie was praised by astronomers and physicists for being very accurate. Other movies by Christopher Nolan which have themes similar to Interstellar are Inception and Dunkirk.
Check out 10 movies like Interstellar to watch:
Gravity (2013)
If you want to watch more movies like Interstellar, Gravity should definitely be on your watchlist. This award-winning film, based on the theme of space, is directed by Alfonso Cuarón. Gravity stars Sandra Bullock as Dr. Ryan Stone, a medical engineer, and George Clooney as senior astronaut Matt Kowalski.
The plot of the film revolves around the duo’s struggle to survive after their spacecraft is destroyed and they are stranded in space. Produced by David Heyman, the film explores isolation, human resilience, and survival against all odds. Much like most science fiction films, Gravity too produced stellar visuals and sound design, and Bullock’s emotional performance was also very well received.
The film won multiple Oscars, including Best Director for Cuarón. The film was the eighth-highest-grossing film of 2013 with a worldwide gross of over $723 million. It is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
Solaris (2002)
This is another sci-fi film you should watch if you enjoyed watching Interstellar. Released in 2002, Solaris stars George Clooney as Dr. Chris Kelvin, a psychologist. He is sent to a spaceship station that is floating around a planet called Solaris. The planet has a strange ocean that can bring back memories and make them real. On the spaceship, Kelvin has to deal with these memories that come to life, including a version of his wife, Rheya, who had died.
The movie is based on a book by Stanisław Lem, and it’s actually a remake of a Russian movie from 1972. In 2010, Solaris was in Time magazine’s “Top 10 Hollywood Remakes” list. According to Times Magazine, the film was “expertly and exquisitely executed and manages to extract that all too rare achievement from a sci-fi film: emotion.”
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
As the title itself suggests, Blade Runner 2049 is about the future. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, this is the visually stunning sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1982 classic Blade Runner. Ryan Gosling essays the role of K, a blade runner who uncovers a mystery that could potentially change the future of humanity.
The film also stars Harrison Ford, who reprises his role as Rick Deckard, and features Ana de Armas and Jared Leto. Produced by Andrew A. Kosove, Broderick Johnson, and others, Blade Runner 2049 is known for its breathtaking visuals, atmospheric world-building, and deep philosophical questions about identity and existence.
Blade Runner 2049 was nominated in five categories at the Oscars, of which it won in two – Best Cinematography and Best Special Visual Effects.
Moonlight (2016)
Although Moonlight is not a space film, its similarity to Interstellar lies in its emotional and philosophical themes. Directed by Barry Jenkins, Moonlight follows the life of Chiron (played by Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and Trevante Rhodes) as he grows up in a tough neighbourhood and struggles with his identity, sexuality, and relationships.
The film also stars Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, and Janelle Monáe. Produced by Adele Romanski and Dede Gardner, Moonlight is an emotionally powerful film about love, self-identity, and personal growth. Its delicate storytelling and poignant moments make it a deeply impactful film.
The Fifth Element (1997)
The Fifth Element, directed by Luc Besson, is an action-packed science fiction adventure that blends humour, adventure, and romance. The film stars Bruce Willis as Korben Dallas, a taxi driver who gets involved in a mission to save the Earth from an evil force. Milla Jovovich plays Leeloo, the mysterious woman who holds the key to saving the world.
Produced by Patrice Ledoux, The Fifth Element is known for its colourful and imaginative world, quirky characters, and fast-paced action. The film explores themes of good versus evil, with a touch of comedy, making it a fun and exciting ride through space.
Ad Astra (2019)
Directed by James Gray, Ad Astra stars Brad Pitt as Roy McBride, an astronaut who embarks on a journey to the outer edges of the solar system to find his missing father, who was lost during a mission to explore life beyond Earth.
The film delves into themes of family, isolation, and personal redemption, with stunning visual effects that show the vastness of space. The film also stars Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, and Donald Sutherland. Produced by Brad Pitt and James Gray, Ad Astra is a slow, introspective film that reflects on human emotions and our connection to the universe.
Moon (2009)
Moon, directed by Duncan Jones, is quite an emotional science fiction film that follows Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell), an astronaut who is nearing the end of his three-year solo mission on the Moon. As strange occurrences happen, Sam begins to question his reality and his own identity. Produced by Stuart Fenegan and Nira Park, Moon focuses themes of on isolation, identity, and self-discovery.
The movie’s eerie atmosphere, combined with Rockwell’s standout performance, explores the psychological effects of being alone in space.
Arrival (2016)
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Arrival stars Amy Adams as Dr. Louise Banks, a linguist enlisted to communicate with alien beings who have landed on Earth.
The film explores themes of language, time, and human understanding as Louise decodes the aliens’ complex language. Produced by Shawn Levy and Aaron Ryder, Arrival is based on Ted Chiang’s novella Story of Your Life. The film also stars Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker.
Arrival is known for its emotional depth, stunning cinematography, and philosophical themes, questioning how communication and perception shape our reality.
Contact (1997)
Directed by Robert Zemeckis and based on Carl Sagan’s novel, Contact stars Jodie Foster as Dr. Ellie Arroway, a scientist who discovers a message from an alien civilization.
The film explores the intersection of science, religion, and the search for meaning in the universe. Produced by Robert Zemeckis and Steve Starkey, Contact delves into deep philosophical questions while maintaining an emotional and intellectual storyline. Matthew McConaughey plays Palmer Joss, a theologian who challenges Ellie’s scientific beliefs. The film combines thought-provoking dialogue with stunning visuals.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey is a groundbreaking science fiction film based on Arthur C. Clarke’s novel. The film tells the story of a mission to Jupiter, after the discovery of a mysterious monolith on the Moon.
The crew, led by Dr. Dave Bowman (Keir Dullea) and Frank Poole (Gary Lockwood), must confront the rogue AI, HAL 9000. Produced by Stanley Kubrick and written by Kubrick and Clarke, the film is known for its stunning visuals and philosophical themes about humanity’s evolution. 2001 is regarded as one of the greatest films in cinematic history, and is a must watch movie like Interstellar.
So, if you enjoyed watching Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar and would like to watch more films of the same theme, check out the above recommendations.
FAQS
When did Interstellar release?
Interstellar was released on November 7, 2014 in the United States.
Which other films like Interstellar can I watch?
If you enjoyed Interstellar, you might like these films that also explore space, time, and existential themes: 2001: A Space Odyssey, Inception, The Martian, Contact, Gravity, Moon, Arrival.
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