Films like Interstellar (2014)

Published: Mar 15, 2026

We have gathered films similar to Interstellar (2014): science fiction stories about space exploration, long interstellar journeys, the search for new worlds, and the struggle for humanity's future. This collection includes both large-scale missions to save Earth and tense survival stories set millions of kilometers from home. The list features such iconic films as Gravity, The Martian, Contact, Ad Astra, First Man, and others.

Gravity

1. Gravity

Science Fiction Thriller Drama
7.7

2013 · 1h 31min

United States, United Kingdom

Director: Alfonso Cuarón

During a routine mission on a space station, debris from a destroyed satellite strikes, killing part of the crew and sending the rest drifting into open space. Alone, Ryan Stone and Matt Kowalski fight for their lives, hoping to find a way back to Earth.

Similarity

Most similar in: fast pacing, moderate hopelessness, dark tone

Biggest differences: noticeably less complex, slightly more action-heavy, slightly less romantic

Shared keywords

Race Against Time, Outer Space, Encroaching Threat, Survival


Ad Astra

2. Ad Astra

Science Fiction Drama
6.5

2019 · 2h 3min

United States, Brazil

Director: James Gray

Astronaut Roy McBride sets out on a space journey to Mars to make contact with his father—a legendary astronaut whose expedition vanished without a trace 29 years ago during a mission to search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

Similarity

Most similar in: moderate hopelessness, dark tone, mild violence

Biggest differences: noticeably less complex, slightly slower pacing, slightly less action-heavy

Shared keywords

Outer Space, Quest, Search, Legacy, Encroaching Threat


Arrival

3. Arrival

Drama Science Fiction Mystery
7.9

2016 · 1h 56min

United States

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Alien ships arrive at multiple locations around the world. The U.S. government sends a team of scientists, led by a linguist and a physicist, to one of the ships to try to understand the visitors’ true purpose—before supporters of a military solution provoke a war.

Similarity

Most similar in: complex plot, high tension, dark tone

Biggest differences: much less action-heavy, noticeably slower pacing


Sunshine

4. Sunshine

Science Fiction Thriller
7.2

2007 · 1h 48min

United Kingdom

Director: Danny Boyle

In the distant future, humanity faces global cold as the Sun gradually dims. A space mission called Icarus II sets out for the Sun with a nuclear bomb onboard to reignite the fading star.

Similarity

Most similar in: high tension, moderate action, fast pacing

Biggest differences: noticeably darker tone, noticeably more violent, slightly less complex

Shared keywords

Race Against Time, Outer Space, Quest, Encroaching Threat, Survival


The Martian

5. The Martian

Drama Adventure Science Fiction
8.0

2015 · 2h 21min

United States

Director: Ridley Scott

Astronaut Mark Watney is stranded on Mars after his crew evacuates the planet, believing him dead. Now he has to rely only on his own ingenuity and wits to contact Earth and hold out for rescue.

Similarity

Most similar in: high tension, fast pacing, moderate action

Biggest differences: much more humorous, noticeably less bleak, noticeably less complex

Shared keywords

Race Against Time, Outer Space, Space Exploration, Survival


Contact

6. Contact

Drama Science Fiction Mystery
7.5

1997 · 2h 30min

United States

Director: Robert Zemeckis

After years of searching, a radio astronomer finds convincing proof of extraterrestrial intelligence when she receives a signal from an alien civilization. Embedded in the message are instructions for building a machine that could enable true contact with humanity.

Similarity

Most similar in: complex plot, dark tone, mild violence

Biggest differences: noticeably less bleak, noticeably less action-heavy, slightly slower pacing

Shared keywords

Quest, Search


Moon

7. Moon

Science Fiction Drama
7.8

2009 · 1h 37min

United States, United Kingdom

Director: Duncan Jones

Two weeks before the end of his three-year contract on a lunar station, astronaut Sam is involved in an accident. As events unfold, he begins to suspect that something is wrong with the mission and the company controlling it.

Similarity

Most similar in: high tension, mild violence

Biggest differences: much less action-heavy, noticeably slower pacing, slightly darker tone


Apollo 13

8. Apollo 13

Drama History
7.7

1995 · 2h 20min

United States

Director: Ron Howard

The film tells the story of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission to the Moon, meant to be the third crewed lunar landing, but instead the crew is forced to fight for their survival and a safe return home.

Similarity

Most similar in: high tension, fast pacing, moderate action

Biggest differences: noticeably less bleak, noticeably less violent

Shared keywords

Race Against Time, Outer Space, Survival


First Man

9. First Man

History Drama
7.3

2018 · 2h 21min

United States

Director: Damien Chazelle

After the death of his daughter, test pilot Neil Armstrong joins NASA's space program. Ahead of him lie exhausting training, dangerous испытания and preparation for the most important mission of his life — a flight to the Moon and a landing on its surface.

Similarity

Most similar in: high tension, moderate hopelessness, moderate action

Biggest differences: noticeably less complex, slightly slower pacing

Shared keywords

Outer Space, Space Exploration, Quest


Project Hail Mary

10. Project Hail Mary

Science Fiction Adventure
8.2

2026 · 2h 37min

United States

Director: Phil Lord

An ordinary teacher wakes up aboard a spaceship millions of light-years away from Earth, with no memory of how he got there. As his memories gradually begin to return after his amnesia, he realizes that his mission is humanity's last hope to discover why the Sun and other stars are dimming, and how it can be stopped.

Similarity

Most similar in: high tension, fast pacing, complex plot

Biggest differences: noticeably less action-heavy, slightly more humorous, slightly less violent

About the movie Interstellar

Year: 2014

Genres: Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction

Plot: Crop failure and relentless dust storms threaten Earth’s survival. Former NASA pilot Joseph Cooper sets off on a space journey with a team, hoping to find a habitable planet and save the people left on Earth—including his own family.

Keywords: Ensemble Cast, Betrayal, Scam, Race Against Time, Outer Space, Space Exploration, Quest, Search, Legacy, Con Artist