Love Interstellar? You'll Love These 11 Movies Too

Yes, Arrival is more of an alien movie than a space movie, but I will argue till my last breath that after Interstellar, this is one of the best sci-fi movies that comes with the same feeling of watching something extraordinary like when we watched Interstellar. The plot follows the landing of twelve alien ships across the globe and how a linguist specialist, is called in to decode their language. The movie is visually stunning, very emotional and touches upon the topic of choices we make as the human race.

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Cast: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner

Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video

IMDb Rating: 7.9/10

Duration: 1 hour, 56 minutes

Just as stunning and emotionally gripping as Interstellar— Gravity, starring Sandra Bullock is a ride with it being one of her most powerful performances. The plot follows her as an astronaut stranded in space who navigates survival, grief, and resilience. The film is a great blend of visuals, a good score, and one that sticks with you. It is introspective, thrilling and very enjoyable.

Director: Alfonso Cuarón

Cast: Sandra Bullock

Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video

IMDb Rating: 7.7/10

Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes

This gritty New York thriller is definitely not a space movie or remotely close in visuals to Interstellar, but this writer is covinced that they have a lot in common. Both films come with a relentless tension, where every second feels high-stakes. The main characters for instance—Howard and Cooper, are obsessed, whether it’s with a life-changing gamble or saving humanity, and that obsession drives them to make risky, often self-destructive choices. Uncut Gems is pure chaos in the best way, also making it Adam Sandler's best performance. The movie will have your heart beating, and your jaw clenched all in a good way!

Directors: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie

Cast: Adam Sandler, Kevin Garnett

Where To Watch: Netflix

IMDb Rating: 7.4/10

Duration: 2 hours, 15 minutes

After space, if you're in the mood for a movie set in the desert, then No Country For Old Men is the way to go. It is a cinematic masterclass that is every bit gritty, indulgent, and will leave you at the edge of your seat while you travel across a Texan desert. What makes this Interstellar flavoured is mainly the weight of choices, and the relentless passage of time with little to no hope.

Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Cast: Jaview bardem, Tomy Lee Jones

Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Duration: 2 hours, 2 minutes

Contact is a movie that brilliantly explores humanity's place in the universe, while tip-toeing on the tension between science and faith. It is an emotional, sci-fi movie based on Carl Sagan's novel. The plot essentially follows Dr. Ellie Arroway played by Jodie Foster who is a SETI scientist, who discovers a message from extraterrestrials, becoming a representative of humanity.

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Cast: Jodie Foster, Mathew McConaughey

Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video

IMDb Rating:7.5/10

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Much like Interstellar, Sunshine, starring the beloved Cillian Murphy is a gripping and visually astounding sci-fi thriller that is set in 2057. The plot revolves around a crew of scientists that have to reignite the sun that is dying, to save the Earth. It is a movie that beautifully explores humanity's survival, the burden of the impossible and the unknown, and the toll a mission like this can take on humans. It is fast-paced, visceral, and has a brilliant score to match with the visuals.

Director: Danny Boyle

Cast: Cillian Murphy, Michelle Yeoh

Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video

IMDb Rating: 7.2/10

Duration: 1 hour, 47 minutes

If you're someone who enjoys post-apocalyptic Earth movies, the Oblivion, starring Tom Cruise is one to look out for. It is a visually striking and a very thought-provoking movie that is set in the year 2077. It follows a drone technician whose job is to maintain Earth's last resource harvesters after an alien war. Similar to Interstellar, it explores identity, memory, and resilience. What we like most about this one is how it blends mystery with action while also never toning down the search for identity.

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Cast: Tom Cruise, Olga Kurylenko

Where To Watch: JioHotstar

IMDb Rating: 7/10

Duration: 2 hours, 4 minutes

This film is as old as the writer, and cheekily so, ahead of its time. Gattaca is a thought-provoking movie that is set in the near-future following Freeman, who assumes another's identity to pursue his dream of space travel. Like Interstellar, it explores identity, ambition, and potential of human beings and the drive to overcome impossible odds. While this film mostly focusses on genetic discrimination and personal determination, it is still an emotional ride that defies societal limits making it a powerful, character driven alternative like Interstellar.

Director: Andrew Niccol

Cast: Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman

Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video

IMDb Rating: 7.7/10

Duration: 1 hour, 47 minutes

The Martian, is a compelling movie that follows astronaut Mark Watney who is stranded on Mars. The movie is one that is grounded in reality, focusing more on science and problem solving along with human resistance. The interlink between this and Interstellar is mainly the lengths a man can go to survive. All in all, this is a thrilling optimistic story set against impossible odds.

Director: Ridley Scott

Cast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastian

Where To Watch: Jio Hotstar

IMDb Rating: 8/10

Duration: 2 hours, 21 minutes

Even with an average rating, this movie still manages to capture its viewers. It is a visually stunning, introspective journey of an astronaut played by Pitt, as he travels to Neptune to find his father whose obsession with extraterrestrial life now threatens humanity. Similar to Interstellar, it also explores a parent-child relationship, humanity's place in the universe, but with a more psychological focus. It is not as science-driven, but still doesn't miss the bullseye.

Director: James Gray

Cast: Brad Pitt, Tomy Lee Jones

Where To Watch: JioHotstar

IMDb Rating: 6.5/10

Duration: 2 hours, 4 minutes

This four time Oscar winner, also directed by Nolan, starring Leonardo DiCaprio is one for the books. It is a signature mind-bending Nolan film that will keep you hooked throughout. The most fascinating thing about Inception is how it swaps outer space for the inner universe and vastness of the human mind. Both are set in isolated locations, while both explore the journey of a father that is emotional, chaotic, and in search for meaning. It is a complex plot with a philosophical lens, while also offering an insight into the subconscious, guilt, and reality of a human being. If you love Nolan's movies, then this one is a strong contender against Interstellar and the magnificence that film already comes with.

Director: Christopher Nolan

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cillian Murphy

Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video

IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

Duration: 2 hours 28 minutes