10 Movies Like Interstellar to Watch If You Love Space Films (2024)

One of the most revered and celebrated sci-fi films of the last 10 years, Interstellar is a visually striking Christopher Nolan masterpiece of incredible magnitude. While audiences argue about which Nolan film is his best (see also Inception, The Prestige, The Dark Knight, Oppenheimer), Interstellar remains his most pure sci-fi film. With the help of renowned, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Kip Thorne, Nolan created mathematically sound visuals of black holes and wormholes five years ahead of the first actual photos. While some of the scientific accuracy — theory of relativity, ‘time slippage,’ power of gravity, power of love — is lost in favor of cinematic dramatization, the scientific theories established in the film are air-tight in consistency and highly intriguing. These are some of the things that make Interstellar such an incredible experience to behold, even with its near-three-hour runtime.

While Interstellar is a one-of-a-kind film, other films out there share many similarities and qualities that make them worth the watch. Here’s a compiled list of movies like Interstellar.

Ad Astra (2019)

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An often glossed-over sci-fi epic, Ad Astra remains scientifically accurate for the most part, which could be why it was considered a bit more monotonous than the monstrous Interstellar. Destined to walk in his father’s footsteps, Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) is tasked with finishing the intergalactic mission his father went missing 30 years prior. McBride is an admirable protagonist throughout the film, definitely similar to the behavior and resolve of Interstellar’s Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), who is also on an Earth-saving mission.

Read our review of Ad Astra.

The Right Stuff (1983)

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Boasting a spectacular cast that provides unparalleled charm, The Right Stuff is a fun, crisply written story based on true events in American history. From the first breaking of the sound barrier to the recruitment of the Mercury 7 astronauts, The Right Stuff’s rowdy, unconventional group of test pilots proves a little spunk can go a long way. Taking a much more lighthearted tone compared to other films on this list, The Right Stuff is a good movie to check out for a fun time.

Armageddon (1998)

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Starring another ragtag team of adventurers, Michael Bay’s Armageddon tacks a big slice of cheese on to a sci-fi narrativein the most wholesome, expected way possible. After NASA learns an impending asteroid the size of Texas is heading towards Earth, it assembles a team of deep-core drillers to fly out and destroy the asteroid from the inside out. Fans of other Bay films will certainly enjoy this one, as the action and quippy quotes heavily outweigh the corny, obligatory romance.

Apollo 13 (1995)

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Another film with a fantastic cast of actors, Ron Howard’s Apollo 13 is the well-told true story of a perilous mission and the three astronauts who embarked on it. After a successful takeoff and exit of Earth’s atmosphere, Apollo 13 takes heavy internal damage which must be fixed before the crew runs out of oxygen. With all the right ingredients for a good film (true story, Ron Howard, great cast, etc.), Apollo 13 is a sci-fi classic that will be rewatched and referenced for years to come.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

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A true pioneer of the sci-fi film catalog, Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey is a stunning work of art that was way ahead of its time. After an ominous obelisk is discovered on the moon, two astronauts and an AI computer are sent to Jupiter to investigate its origins. The oldest film on this list of greats, it still holds up as one of the most impressive visual experiences in sci-fi cinematic history.

Sunshine (2007)

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Another save-the-world sci-fi film, Danny Boyle’s Sunshine is an underdog, high-octane thriller that somehow flew under many people’s radar. Set in the year 2057 with a quickly dying sun, an international team of astronauts is sent to space with a nuclear fission bomb to reignite it. While the plot is a bit sporadic and confusing, the visuals, complemented by Cillian Murphy’s presence, make this a must-see film for sci-fi fans.

The Martian (2014)

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From reliable director Ridley Scott, The Martian is a fun, creative story that packs many desired sci-fi elements into one film. Accidentally separated from his crew in a storm and left for dead on Mars, Mark Watney (Matt Damon) must singlehandedly come up with ways to contact NASA, grow food, and survive until he can be rescued. The overall tone and cinematography are similar at times to Interstellar’s, and the two films even share some of the same actors (Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain).

Read our review of The Martian.

Deep Impact (1998)

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An eerily similar film to Armageddon that came out the same year, Deep Impact is a slightly bleaker edition that treads familiar ground. Upon the presidential announcement that two very large comets are heading straight toward Earth, a team of astronauts is sent to space to stop them while the world prepares as best it can. It focuses a bit more on the effects on Earth rather than in space, making this film emotionally resonate and relatable.

Moon (2009)

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A compelling and spellbinding sci-fi flick everyone should check out, Moon is a unique addition to the sci-fi genre. Close to the end of his three-year stint as the lone resource collector and moon base operator, Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) and his AI assistant GERTY (​​Kevin Spacey) start to experience some strange happenings that make him question his sanity. While this may not have lots of shared attributes with Interstellar, the mysteries this film uncovers are just as, if not more, exciting to experience.

Read our review of Moon.

Solaris (2002)

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Based on the classic sci-fi novel by Stanislaw Lem, Solaris explores some interesting themes and events that tread beyond the realm of ‘hard’ sci-fi. After a crew of astronauts on a space station orbiting a foreign planet begin acting strangely, home base decides to send psychologist Kelvin (George Clooney) to try and understand the issue. Though it received mixed reviews from audiences upon release, Soderbergh’s sound writing and directing shine through to carry it along.

Read our review of Solaris.

Connor Sheppard is an Oregon-grown culture writer for IGN with previous work on The Manual. Intrigued from a young age by pop culture and movies, he has developed into an experienced critic and consumer of all things media. From his time earning a bachelor's degree in digital communications at Oregon State University, he found a love for writing and appreciating specific actors and directors in the many films he watches.

10 Movies Like Interstellar to Watch If You Love Space Films (2024)

FAQs

What movie is as good as Interstellar? ›

1. 2001: A Space Odyssey. Starting with a classic—it happens to be considered not just one of the best sci-fi movies ever made, but one of the best movies period—we have 1968's 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Is Interstellar the best space movie ever? ›

'Interstellar'

Interstellar challenges audiences to contemplate their place in the universe, making it an emotional, thought-provoking experience. It sets the bar for what can be considered among the best space movies.

Is Interstellar 100% accurate? ›

The scientific accuracy of the movie Interstellar is all over the place. Parts of it are very realistic, parts of is stupid, parts of it very interesting speculation, and parts of it make no sense.

What movie is connected to Interstellar? ›

A theory connects Interstellar to Tenet and Inception.

The theory's primary connection is between Interstellar and Tenet, suggesting that Interstellar takes place in the future and that the Time Bomb was created to prevent Earth from reaching its barren, uninhabitable state.

What is the greatest space movie of all time? ›

The best space movies
  1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Film. Science fiction. ...
  2. The Martian (2015) Film. Action and adventure. ...
  3. WALL-E (2008) Film. Animation. ...
  4. Star Wars (1977) Film. Science fiction. ...
  5. The Right Stuff (1983) Film. Action and adventure. ...
  6. A Trip to the Moon (1902) Film. ...
  7. Outland (1981) Film. ...
  8. Galaxy Quest (1999) Film.
May 23, 2024

What is the most accurate space movie? ›

From 'Apollo 13' to 'Gravity,' these are the most realistic space...
  • Apollo 13 (1995) Apollo 13 is arguably the most realistic movie about space out there. ...
  • The Martian (2015) ...
  • Interstellar (2014) ...
  • Contact (1997) ...
  • Gravity (2013)
Jan 11, 2023

What is the only watch to go to space? ›

#1 OMEGA Speedmaster “Moonwatch” Professional

Created in 1957 as part of OMEGA's Professional line of watches (alongside the Seamaster 300 and the Railmaster) the Speedy has become synonymous with space exploration. The Speedmaster Moonwatch (ref.

Why did they lose 23 years in Interstellar? ›

Due to Gargantua's massive gravitational pull, “every hour on that planet is seven years on Earth”. After a massive tidal wave hits the spacecraft and delays their exit, they find that 23 years have passed on Earth.

Who turned down Interstellar? ›

Irrfan Khan's encounter with the opportunity to join the cast of Interstellar is a tale of conflicting commitments. Despite having worked in several Hollywood films, including a significant international repertoire, he had to decline Nolan's offer due to scheduling conflicts.

Is Interstellar based on a true story? ›

The movie Interstellar draws heavily from contemporary science, including established concepts and speculative ideas, to support its storyline. No, the movie Interstellar is not based on true theory. It is a work of science fiction.

Is there any movie like Interstellar? ›

If movies like Interstellar are modern examples of sci-fi that push boundaries, Solaris was a trailblazing classic that opened doors for future exploration. The Russian sci-fi epic follows psychologist Kris Kelvin (Donatas Banionis), who is sent to investigate the mysterious death of astronauts near the planet Solaris.

What WTF is Interstellar about? ›

Set in a dystopian future where Earth is suffering from catastrophic blight and famine, the film follows a group of astronauts who travel through a wormhole near Saturn in search of a new home for humankind.

Did anyone win an Oscar for Interstellar? ›

It received five nominations at the 87th Academy Awards, winning Best Visual Effects. At the 68th British Academy Film Awards, it was nominated for Best Original Music, Best Cinematography and Best Production Design, and won Best Special Visual Effects.

Is Interstellar the most accurate movie? ›

In summary, "Interstellar" makes a commendable effort to adhere to scientific principles, providing one of the most visually accurate renditions of black holes and relativity to date.

Where does Interstellar rank in movies? ›

One look at the IMDB Top 250 and you notice “Interstellar” has an incredible 8.6 rating. That's good enough to be the 25th greatest film of all-time on that poll. However, critics were not persuaded by the movie upon its release, it currently stands at 73% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic.

Why is Interstellar so highly rated? ›

Interstellar's Cinematography Has Aged Well Over Time

On top of that, one of the best aspects of Interstellar is its visual effects. The spectacle of the scenes that take place in space is absolutely gorgeous, with the scale of the intergalactic beauty being out of this world.

Which movie is better Interstellar or gravity? ›

Some may prefer the intense and claustrophobic nature of “Gravity,” while others may appreciate the ambitious scope and thematic depth of “Interstellar.” Ultimately, the choice between the two films comes down to personal taste and the kind of experience you are seeking.

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