Following humanity’s desperate attempt to find a new home as Earth succumbs to environmental disaster that ravages mankind’s food sources, Interstellar is an epic film of space exploration, survival and hope that is awe-inspiring, deeply profound, and incredibly philosophical with its meditations on society and family. The Christopher Nolan epic was immediately regarded as a sci-fi classic and one of the most moving and magnificent films ever made, one that has lost none of its impact in the 10 years since its release.

Naturally, such is the captivating power of the film, many fans have eagerly sought out other contemplative and insightful science-fiction films that can deliver a similar experience that juggles meditative poignancy with a divine sense of spectacle. From the surreal to the scientifically accurate, and from space exploration to the subconscious, these 10 movies are sure to twist the mind while snatching viewers away on epic adventures far beyond their wildest dreams. So strap yourself in and prepare for take-off!

10 ‘The Fountain’ (2006)

Directed by Darren Aronofsky

While it has attracted criticism for being incredibly difficult to grasp, The Fountain has developed a cult following courtesy of its arresting aura and its philosophically charged clashing of three distinct and different stories. In the modern day, Dr. Tommy Creo (Hugh Jackman) searches desperately for a cure for his wife’s terminal illness. The film also explores the manuscript she writes about a 16th-century Spanish conquistador on a mission to find the Tree of Life, while in the distant future, a space traveler nurtures the dying Tree of Life as he travels to the heart of a dying star.

With themes of loss, obsession, and yearning permeating across all three stories – all of which feature Hugh Jackman in the prominent role – The Fountain excels as a powerful depiction of grief. Its balancing of arthouse adventure, drama, sci-fi, fantasy and mythos, and heartbreaking romance makes for an emotionally overwhelming film that, regardless of whether viewers love it or hate it, is difficult to forget. Its enormity and thematic weight make it an intriguing watch for fans of Interstellar.

9 ‘Gravity’ (2013)

Directed by Alfonos Cuarón

One of many testaments to the notion that Alfonso Cuarón stands among the greatest directors of the 21st century, Gravity thrives as a relentlessly scintillating sci-fi thriller that depicts a desperate fight for survival while frying the nerves of audience members. It follows astronauts Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney) as their routine spacewalk becomes a deadly affair when they are struck by space debris.

A ceaselessly pulsating story wrapped in grief and dread that plays on common fears surrounding the vast vacuum of outer space, Gravity realizes its heart-stopping story with breathtaking visuals and searing performances to be a riveting yet exhausting viewing experience. The sci-fi film was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and went on to win seven, with Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Visual Effects among its most defining achievements.

8 ‘The Martian’ (2015)

Directed by Ridley Scott

A cerebral sci-fi thriller that was celebrated for its commitment to scientific accuracy while delivering a great spectacle, The Martian is perhaps the most logical next viewing experience for lovers of Interstellar. It also, quite funnily, stars Matt Damon as an astronaut abandoned on a distant planet (in this case, Mars), just to really appeal to fans of Nolan’s sci-fi classic. Desperate to survive, Mark Watney (Damon) uses his resourcefulness to survive the inhospitable conditions of Mars as the greatest scientific minds on Earth try to figure out a way to rescue him.

The Martian is a brilliant feat of intelligence, both in terms of its scientific basis and its narrative prowess. The manner in which it blends such information-heavy plotting with a lively and energetic story of survival is quite ingenious. Complemented by its awe-inspiring visual display and great performances from all involved, including another Interstellar star in Jessica Chastain, The Martian is arguably the most perfect film for sci-fi lovers to immerse themselves into.

7 ‘Ad Astra’ (2019)

Directed by James Gray

Directed, co-written, and co-produced by James Gray, Ad Astra is a meditative sci-fi journey that explores father-son relationships with a delightfully restrained and distant lens that imbues the film with a somber melancholy from start to finish. Brad Pitt stars as Roy McBride, an American astronaut sent on a mission to Neptune to investigate a series of devastating power surges that might be tied to the fate of his father who went missing on a space mission years prior.

Methodical in its pacing and hinging on a wonderfully taut performance from Pitt while also featuring some sublime cinematography courtesy of the brilliant Hoyte van Hoytema, Ad Astra is an enrapturing sci-fi drama that tends to have a hypnotizing impact on viewers. Even though it does have some flaws, Ad Astra is an underrated little gem of sci-fi cinema defined by its atmospheric intrigue as well as its existential questions that are sure to linger on the mind.

6 ‘Sunshine’ (2007)

Directed by Danny Boyle

With an entrancing screenplay from Alex Garland and the ever-brilliant direction of Danny Boyle, Sunshine is a fascinating sci-fi adventure, especially when viewed in conjunction with the writer-director duo’s previous film, 28 Days Later. Whereas that was a dramatic and socially aware zombie flick, Sunshine almost runs more like a monster horror movie, especially in the second half. Its basic premise focuses on a crew sent into space to reignite the dying sun with a nuclear warhead, a mission that turns deadly when an accident occurs, and a long-lost ship that once had the same mission encountered.

The movie features an all-star cast of international actors which includes Cillian Murphy (another 28 Days Later alumni), Chris Evans, Michelle Yeoh, Rose Byrne, Benedict Wong, and Cliff Curtis. Every single one of them excels as the spiraling story explores horror aesthetics as well as rich and contemplative issues of survival, sacrifice, and humanity. It is a thoroughly entertaining film that functions as both a hard-core sci-fi thinkpiece and an engaging, action-packed thriller with intense stakes.

5 ‘Moon’ (2009)

Directed by Duncan Jones

While Interstellar is a masterpiece of sci-fi on an epic scale, Moon is an equally brilliant sci-fi drama that concentrates its focus on a comparatively small narrative of a man whose reality is falling down around him. Sam Rockwell stars as Sam Bell, an engineer aboard a mining station on the moon who is nearing the end of his three-year contract. However, when he learns of a clone being dispatched to serve as his replacement, he begins to question his own existence as he counts down the days until he can go home and return to his family.

It marks a remarkable debut outing from Duncan Jones, one that sees the young filmmaker balance a heartfelt story of identity and humanity against a visually engrossing spectacle that squeezes every last cent out of its relatively modest budget. A triumph of creativity, brilliant storytelling, and contemplative sci-fi drama, Moon is science-fiction cinema at its philosophical best.

4 ‘Oblivion’ (2013)

Directed by Joseph Kosinski

The first collaboration between Joseph Kosinski and Tom Cruise, who would later reunite to make Top Gun: Maverick, Oblivion juggles elements of action blockbuster with sci-fi wonder and futuristic social commentary to deliver an engaging viewing experience, even if it is a somewhat flawed one. Set in the aftermath of an alien war that ravaged Earth, it follows a drone repairman stationed on the abandoned planet who begins to question the nature of his purpose and the past when he rescues a woman who appears in his dreams.

While in this case, it is extraterrestrial warfare that renders the planet unlivable as opposed to environmental catastrophe, Oblivion still casts an interesting yet damning vision of Earth’s future that thrusts humanity into a desperate fight for survival, not at all dissimilar to Interstellar. One for the action lovers who appreciate sci-fi aesthetics and high-minded themes alongside their combat sequences, Oblivion is easily enjoyed while offering something of substance to think about as well.

3 ‘Inception’ (2010)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Another intense sci-fi thriller from Christopher Nolan, Inception trades out space exploration wonder for an equally cerebral deep dive into the human subconscious and the nature of dreams. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Cobb, a thief who uses a device to invade people’s dreams and steal their ideas. When a businessman makes him an offer to infiltrate the mind of a rival and implement the idea of destroying his own company, Cobb and his team prepare for the most dangerous and volatile assignment of their lives.

Its star-studded cast grounds the film spectacularly, while the screenplay handles its necessary yet immense exposition with maximum efficiency and rewarding intrigue, a feat that cannot be overstated. Nolan operates with his usual adherence to practical effects to make for an astonishing blockbuster. However, the underlying meditations on the human mind, how it functions, and the mystic nature of the subconscious ensure Inception is far more than just a bombastic action thriller. It is a modern masterpiece of cerebral sci-fi.

2 ‘Solaris’ (1972)

Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky

If it is rich and contemplative explorations of philosophy that viewers want, then they would be hard-pressed to find a filmmaker more attuned to their interests than Andrei Tarkovsky. While Stalker probably stands as the best marriage of sci-fi and the director’s intense, poetic approach to cinema, 1972’s Solaris may be the more accessible for newer fans, particularly lovers of Interstellar, given its story of mystery and space exploration.

Based on Stanisław Lem’s novel of the same name, it follows a psychologist sent to a space station orbiting the oceanic planet Solaris to determine why the crew on board have gone insane. While its runtime is similar to Interstellar’s, Tarkovsky delivers Solaris with a slow and meticulous pacing that is intended to dwell on the mind and let its insights and themes unfurl gradually. Hypnotic, immense, and poignantly haunting, it explores humanity with precision yet open-mindedness that invites viewers to engage with the film, and even challenge it, in a deep psychological level.

1 ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

Among the greatest cinematic achievements of all time, one that is the defining pinnacle of science-fiction in the medium and is second only to Citizen Kane in terms of absolutely quintessential viewing experiences for movie lovers, 2001: A Space Odyssey is a film of immense divinity. As if that wasn’t enough of a reason to seek it out, it was also a key influence on Christopher Nolan as he made Interstellar and ranks highly among the director’s favorite films.

The Stanley Kubrick masterpiece sees humanity trying to understand a mysterious obelisk that appears at pivotal points in evolution. With the assistance of HAL 9000, a small crew embarks on a voyage beyond Jupiter to procure answers about the artifact. A mesmerizing adventure as well as an imposing cautionary tale about advancements in AI, 2001: A Space Odyssey is sci-fi cinema at its most commanding, enormous, and spellbinding.

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