Are you a fan of Ridley Scott’s epic sci-fi thriller Prometheus? Did you love the suspenseful, atmospheric journey to uncover the origins of humanity and our place in the universe? Well, you’re in luck, because I’ve put together a list of the top 15 movies that will scratch that same itch and blow your mind with their captivating stories, stunning visuals, and thought-provoking themes.
These films share many of the qualities that made Prometheus so compelling – a sense of mystery and discovery, encounters with alien life, explorations of deep space, questions about the nature of human existence, and plenty of pulse-pounding thrills along the way. So strap in and get ready for an epic voyage through the best that sci-fi cinema has to offer.
1. Alien: Covenant (2017)
As a direct sequel to Prometheus, Alien: Covenant is the natural starting point. Directed by Ridley Scott, it follows a new crew of space explorers who land on an uncharted world that seems like paradise, but holds dark and terrifying secrets. The discovery of David, the sinister android from Prometheus, leads them into a battle for survival against the iconic xenomorphs.
With its mix of sci-fi wonder and horror, philosophical musings on creation, and stunning visual design, Alien: Covenant feels like a true spiritual successor to Prometheus. Michael Fassbender’s dual performance as the androids David and Walter is a highlight.
2. Interstellar (2014)
Christopher Nolan’s ambitious epic Interstellar is a grand-scale adventure through space and time. When Earth faces environmental collapse, a team of astronauts venture through a mysterious wormhole to find a new home for humanity.
Like Prometheus, it grapples with weighty questions about our place in the universe and the sacrifices required to save the human race. The jaw-dropping visuals of alien worlds, black holes, and tesseracts will make you feel like you’ve journeyed to the far reaches of the cosmos. With career-best performances from Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, and Jessica Chastain, Interstellar is a moving and thought-provoking voyage.
3. Arrival (2016)
In this cerebral sci-fi drama, Amy Adams stars as a linguist recruited to communicate with aliens after mysterious spacecraft appear around the globe. As she works to decipher their language and unravel the mystery of their intentions, the story evolves into a mind-bending exploration of time, memory, and the power of communication.
Like Prometheus, Arrival is a more understated and idea-driven brand of sci-fi, using the framework of first contact to explore deeper themes. Denis Villeneuve’s masterful direction creates an eerie and dreamlike atmosphere, while the film’s nonlinear structure keeps you guessing until the profoundly emotional payoff.
4. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
You can’t discuss groundbreaking, thought-provoking sci-fi without mentioning Stanley Kubrick’s ultimate classic, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Tracing the arc of human evolution, it begins with our ape-like ancestors, jumps forward to a manned mission to Jupiter, and builds to an infamous psychedelic journey beyond the infinite.
2001 set the standard for so many of the films that followed, including Prometheus – the clinical realism of the spacecraft, the air of cosmic mystery, the presence of an inscrutable alien intelligence guiding events from behind the scenes. More than 50 years later, Kubrick’s haunting vision of “the dawn of man” remains unmatched in its scope and audacity.
5. Blade Runner (1982)
Ridley Scott’s other sci-fi masterpiece, Blade Runner is a neo-noir thriller set in a dystopian future Los Angeles, where synthetic humans called replicants are hunted by special police operatives. Harrison Ford stars as Deckard, a “blade runner” tasked with tracking down a group of fugitive replicants.
Blade Runner shares Prometheus’ fascination with questions of artificial life and what it means to be human. The film’s gritty, lived-in vision of the future and Vangelis’ haunting electronic score create an immersive atmosphere. And like Prometheus, it trusts the audience to ponder its ambiguous mysteries long after the credits roll.
6. Sunshine (2007)
Danny Boyle’s underrated gem Sunshine follows a crew of astronauts on a desperate mission to reignite the dying sun and save humanity from extinction. As they approach the intense heat and radiation of the star, they grapple with equipment failures, interpersonal conflicts, and the psychological strain of their mission.
Sunshine shares Prometheus’ grand themes of sacrifice and the fragility of human life in the face of the cosmic unknown. It also features a memorable horror sequence in its final act that feels like a precursor to Prometheus’ suspenseful set-pieces. With innovative visuals and strong performances from Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, and Chris Evans, Sunshine is a gripping ride.
7. Solaris (1972)
Andrei Tarkovsky’s Soviet-era classic Solaris is a haunting, meditative film about a psychologist sent to investigate strange occurrences on a space station orbiting a mysterious planet. As the crew grapples with apparitions from their pasts, the line between reality and illusion blurs.
Like Prometheus, Solaris is a slow burn that takes its time establishing an unsettling atmosphere and introducing its metaphysical themes. It’s a film that demands patience and reflection from the viewer, but rewards with images and ideas that linger in the mind. The 2002 Steven Soderbergh remake with George Clooney is also worth a look for a more modern take on the material.
8. Contact (1997)
Based on Carl Sagan’s novel, Contact stars Jodie Foster as an astronomer who discovers a signal from an alien intelligence containing schematics for a mysterious machine. As different factions debate the machine’s purpose and whether to build it, she becomes embroiled in a journey that challenges her beliefs about science, faith, and our place in the universe.
Contact shares Prometheus’ fascination with the search for meaning in the cosmos and the implications of first contact. It takes a more grounded, scientific approach, but still builds to a mind-expanding climax that raises as many questions as it answers.
9. Alien (1979)
You can’t explore the world of Prometheus without acknowledging its roots in Ridley Scott’s original 1979 masterpiece, Alien. When the crew of a deep space mining vessel investigates a distress signal on an uncharted moon, they inadvertently bring a deadly extraterrestrial creature onto their ship.
Alien is the template for so many of the elements that Prometheus and its ilk have followed – the working-class space truckers, the retro-futuristic technology, the introduction of corporate malfeasance and hidden agendas, and of course, the iconic and terrifying xenomorph creature. It’s a perfect blend of sci-fi and horror that still holds up today.
10. Event Horizon (1997)
In this underrated sci-fi horror gem, Sam Neill stars as a scientist who joins a rescue mission to the Event Horizon, a spaceship that disappeared years earlier and has now mysteriously returned. As the crew attempts to uncover what happened, they are confronted with unspeakable horrors that defy explanation.
Event Horizon shares Prometheus’ knack for atmospheric, suspenseful set-pieces and a pervading sense of cosmic dread. It also grapples with some heady metaphysical concepts about the nature of evil and the consequences of unrestrained scientific ambition. Some impressive practical effects and a strong cast make it a cult favorite.
11. The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter’s The Thing is a masterclass in claustrophobic, paranoid horror. When an Antarctic research team discovers an alien organism that can perfectly imitate other lifeforms, they are thrust into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse as they try to determine who is still human.
Like Prometheus, The Thing uses the isolated setting of an inhospitable environment to amp up the tension and explore questions of identity and trust. The groundbreaking creature effects still pack a punch, and the ambiguous ending invites endless rewatches and discussions.
12. The Abyss (1989)
James Cameron’s underwater sci-fi epic The Abyss follows a team of oil rig workers who encounter a mysterious alien presence at the bottom of the ocean. As they work with a group of Navy SEALs to uncover the truth, they are drawn into a story with implications for the future of humanity.
The Abyss shares Prometheus’ sense of wonder at the possibilities of alien life, and its finale raises thought-provoking questions about our place in the universe. The groundbreaking CGI effects hold up remarkably well, and the stellar cast anchored by Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio invest you in the human drama.
13. Europa Report (2013)
This found-footage thriller follows an international crew of astronauts on a mission to Jupiter’s moon Europa to investigate the possibility of alien life in the oceans beneath the icy surface. When disaster strikes, the crew must fight to survive and uncover the truth of what they have discovered.
Europa Report shares Prometheus’ commitment to a realistic, scientifically grounded approach to its storytelling, with an emphasis on problem-solving and believable human behavior under extreme circumstances. It also builds to a haunting, awe-inspiring conclusion that will leave you pondering the mysteries of the universe.
14. Annihilation (2018)
Alex Garland’s mind-bending adaptation of Jeff VanderMeer’s novel follows a team of scientists who venture into a region where the laws of nature have been bizarrely altered by an extraterrestrial presence. As they journey deeper into “the shimmer,” their sense of reality and identity begins to mutate and warp in unsettling ways.
Like Prometheus, Annihilation is a visually arresting and philosophically dense film that trusts its audience to unpack its ambiguous themes and cryptic symbolism. It’s a challenging and rewarding viewing experience anchored by a stellar cast led by Natalie Portman.
15. Pandorum (2009)
In this underrated sci-fi horror film, two crew members of a massive spaceship wake up from hypersleep with no memory of their mission or identities. As they explore the seemingly abandoned vessel, they discover terrifying creatures lurking in the shadows and must fight to survive and uncover the truth.
Pandorum shares Prometheus’ knack for claustrophobic, atmospheric tension and mixes in some impressive action sequences and creature designs. It also explores some intriguing sci-fi concepts about the nature of identity, memory, and the psychological toll of deep space travel.
So there you have it – 15 mind-bending, thought-provoking, and thrilling sci-fi movies to satisfy any Prometheus fan’s craving for cosmic mystery and existential dread. Whether you’re in the mood for a grand-scale space opera, a claustrophobic horror thriller, or a cerebral meditation on the nature of humanity, one of these films is sure to fit the bill.
So dim the lights, fire up the widescreen TV, and prepare to have your mind expanded by the far reaches of human imagination. Happy viewing!
