Hey there, sci-fi fans! If you recently watched Gareth Edwards’ epic new film The Creator and can’t stop thinking about it, I totally get you. This stunning movie about humanity’s war against sentient AI in a dystopian future really sticks with you long after the credits roll. The jaw-dropping visuals, thought-provoking themes, and killer performances from John David Washington and Gemma Chan make it an instant sci-fi classic.
So now that you’ve devoured The Creator, I bet you’re hungry for more mind-bending, futuristic flicks in the same vein. Well, you’re in luck, because I’ve rounded up the 15 best movies like The Creator that explore artificial intelligence, dystopian futures, and the complex relationship between humans and machines. Trust me, these films are guaranteed to blow your sci-fi loving mind. Let’s dive in!
1. Blade Runner (1982)
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Starring: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young
If you loved the neo-noir aesthetic and philosophical musings of The Creator, then Blade Runner is an absolute must-watch. Set in a gritty, neon-drenched future Los Angeles, the film follows a weary cop tasked with hunting down a group of renegade replicants – bioengineered humanoids with artificial intelligence. As he pursues them, he begins to question the nature of humanity and what really separates man from machine.
With its groundbreaking visual effects, existential themes, and unforgettable performances (especially Rutger Hauer as the replicant leader Roy Batty), Blade Runner is a bona fide sci-fi masterpiece that laid the groundwork for so many movies that followed, including The Creator. Trust me, you need to see this one on the biggest screen possible.
2. Ex Machina (2014)
Directed by: Alex Garland
Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Alicia Vikander
For a more intimate, claustrophobic take on the AI theme, check out Alex Garland’s directorial debut Ex Machina. The story centers on a young programmer who wins a contest to spend a week at the remote estate of his reclusive CEO. But when he arrives, he discovers he’s actually there to participate in a strange experiment – administering the Turing test to an advanced AI robot named Ava.
As the programmer spends more time with Ava, he begins to develop feelings for her. But is she truly self-aware, or just simulating human emotion as part of her programming? With its sparse setting, unsettling atmosphere, and knockout performances from the three leads, Ex Machina is a tense, thought-provoking thriller that will leave you questioning the nature of consciousness itself.
3. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Directed by: James Cameron
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong
“Come with me if you want to live.” With that iconic line, one of the greatest sci-fi action movies of all time kicked into high gear. A sequel that surpasses the original in every way, T2 finds Sarah Connor and her son John on the run from a shape-shifting terminator sent from the future to kill them. Their only hope is an older model terminator reprogrammed to protect them at all costs.
Featuring groundbreaking CGI effects, pulse-pounding set pieces, and a surprising amount of heart thanks to Schwarzenegger’s performance, T2 is a stone-cold classic. But beyond the spectacle, it also grapples with weighty themes about fate, free will, and the dangers of unchecked technological progress – not unlike The Creator. Hasta la vista, baby.
4. District 9 (2009)
Directed by: Neill Blomkamp
Starring: Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, David James
Before he made the Matt Damon-starring Elysium, South African director Neill Blomkamp burst onto the scene with this gritty, provocative sci-fi thriller. Set in an alternate version of Johannesburg where an alien spaceship has become stranded, District 9 imagines a world where the extraterrestrial “prawns” are forced to live in a militarized slum, segregated from the human population.
When a government agent is exposed to an alien substance that begins mutating his DNA, he finds himself on the run and forced to seek refuge in District 9. Shot in a faux-documentary style and filled with biting social commentary, District 9 is a wholly original take on the alien invasion genre. It may not deal with AI, but its vision of a future where “the other” is brutally oppressed feels all too relevant to The Creator‘s themes.
5. Children of Men (2006)
Directed by: Alfonso Cuarón
Starring: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine
Speaking of bleak futures, they don’t get much bleaker than the one imagined in Children of Men. Set in a dystopian world where humanity has become infertile, the film follows a jaded bureaucrat who reluctantly agrees to help transport a miraculously pregnant woman to safety as society crumbles around them.
Directed with virtuosic skill by Alfonso Cuarón, Children of Men features some of the most jaw-dropping long takes ever committed to film, immersing you in its all-too-plausible vision of a world on the brink. But amidst all the chaos and despair, the film also finds moments of hope and beauty, reminding us of the enduring human spirit. If you loved the scale and ambition of The Creator, this one is well worth your time.
6. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Directed by: Gareth Edwards
Starring: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk
Before he made The Creator, Gareth Edwards proved his sci-fi chops with this gritty, grounded entry in the Star Wars universe. Set just before the events of A New Hope, Rogue One follows a ragtag group of rebels on a desperate mission to steal the plans for the Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate weapon.
While it may not deal with AI specifically, Rogue One shares The Creator‘s fascination with the human cost of war and the sacrifices required for a greater cause. It’s also just a flat-out awesome action movie, with some of the most thrilling battle scenes in the entire Star Wars saga. And if you dug the dynamic between John David Washington and Madeleine Yuna Voyles in The Creator, you’ll love the father-daughter relationship at the heart of this one.
7. I, Robot (2004)
Directed by: Alex Proyas
Starring: Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, Alan Tudyk
Loosely based on the classic Isaac Asimov stories, I, Robot is a slick, entertaining thriller set in a near-future Chicago where robots have become a ubiquitous part of daily life. Will Smith stars as a technophobic cop investigating a murder that may have been committed by a robot – a seeming impossibility given the Three Laws of Robotics hardwired into their programming.
While it may not be as cerebral as some of the other films on this list, I, Robot is still a fun, fast-paced ride with some interesting ideas about the potential dangers of relying too heavily on artificial intelligence. Plus, it features a scene-stealing turn from Alan Tudyk (who also shows up in Rogue One) as the voice of the main robot suspect. If you’re in the mood for a more mainstream take on the AI theme, give this one a spin.
8. Akira (1988)
Directed by: Katsuhiro Otomo
Starring: Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama
Okay, so this one might seem like a bit of a left-field choice, but hear me out. Akira is a landmark anime film set in a dystopian future Tokyo where biker gangs run rampant and the government conducts secret experiments on psychic children. When one of these children escapes and goes on a rampage, it’s up to two teenage bikers to stop him before he destroys the city.
With its stunningly detailed animation, kinetic action scenes, and mind-bending plot, Akira is a trip in every sense of the word. But beneath all the craziness, it’s also a powerful allegory for the dangers of unchecked power and the consequences of playing God. Sound familiar? While it may not deal with AI specifically, Akira‘s vision of a world where technology has run amok feels right at home next to The Creator.
9. Arrival (2016)
Directed by: Denis Villeneuve
Starring: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker
On the surface, Arrival might not seem to have much in common with The Creator. After all, it’s a film about first contact with extraterrestrial life, not artificial intelligence. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a profound meditation on the nature of communication, empathy, and what it means to be human.
Amy Adams gives a career-best performance as a linguist recruited by the military to communicate with the alien “heptapods” who have landed on Earth. As she begins to decipher their language, she starts to experience vivid flashbacks (or are they flash-forwards?) that hint at a deeper mystery. With its mind-bending plot, stunning cinematography, and powerful emotional core, Arrival is a sci-fi film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
10. Her (2013)
Directed by: Spike Jonze
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams
In a near-future Los Angeles, a lonely writer named Theodore falls in love with his new operating system, a highly advanced AI with a seductively husky voice (provided by Scarlett Johansson). As their relationship deepens, Theodore begins to question the nature of love, intimacy, and what it means to be human in an increasingly digital world.
Written and directed by Spike Jonze, Her is a beautiful, bittersweet love story that feels both timely and timeless. It’s a film that grapples with big ideas about technology, identity, and the ways we connect with each other, but it never loses sight of the human heart at its center. If you’re in the mood for a more introspective, emotionally resonant take on the AI theme, Her is the perfect choice.
11. The Matrix (1999)
Directed by: The Wachowskis
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss
“What is the Matrix?” With that simple question, one of the most influential sci-fi films of all time kicked off a mind-bending journey down the rabbit hole. Keanu Reeves stars as Neo, a hacker who discovers that the world as he knows it is actually a simulated reality created by machines to keep humans docile while using their bodies as an energy source.
With its groundbreaking “bullet time” effects, stylish leather-clad aesthetic, and heady philosophical themes, The Matrix was a game-changer when it hit theaters in 1999. But more than 20 years later, its vision of a world where the line between reality and simulation has been blurred feels more relevant than ever. If you’re in the mood for a classic sci-fi action flick with some serious brain-bending ideas, plug into The Matrix.
12. Minority Report (2002)
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton
Based on a story by Philip K. Dick (whose work also inspired Blade Runner), Minority Report is set in a near-future Washington D.C. where a special police unit uses psychics called “precogs” to arrest criminals before they commit their crimes. Tom Cruise stars as the head of the unit, who finds himself on the run when he is accused of a future murder.
Directed with virtuosic skill by Steven Spielberg, Minority Report is a sleek, suspenseful thriller that raises thought-provoking questions about free will, determinism, and the ethics of pre-crime. With its cutting-edge visual effects and breakneck pacing, it’s also just a flat-out entertaining ride from start to finish. If you’re a fan of The Creator‘s blend of action and ideas, you’ll definitely want to check this one out.
13. A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, Frances O’Connor
Speaking of Spielberg, the legendary director took on the AI theme more directly with this ambitious, visually stunning sci-fi drama. Based on a story by Stanley Kubrick, A.I. follows a highly advanced robot child named David who is programmed to love unconditionally. When his human family abandons him, David sets out on a quest to become a real boy and earn his mother’s love.
With its stunning special effects, heartbreaking performances (especially from young Haley Joel Osment), and poignant themes of love, loss, and what it means to be human, A.I. is a one-of-a-kind film that swings for the fences and mostly succeeds. It may be a bit more sentimental than some of the other films on this list, but its vision of a future where the line between human and machine has blurred is no less powerful.
14. Moon (2009)
Directed by: Duncan Jones
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey (voice), Dominique McElligott
For a more intimate, character-driven take on the AI theme, check out Duncan Jones’ stunning directorial debut Moon. Sam Rockwell stars as Sam Bell, a lonely astronaut nearing the end of his three-year solo mission on the far side of the moon. As his mental and physical health begins to deteriorate, Sam makes a shocking discovery that calls into question everything he thought he knew about his mission and his own identity.
Shot on a shoestring budget and featuring a tour-de-force performance from Rockwell (who is essentially the only actor on screen for most of the film), Moon is a haunting, thought-provoking meditation on isolation, identity, and what it means to be human in an increasingly technologically advanced world. If you loved the existential themes and mind-bending twists of The Creator, you’ll definitely want to take a trip to the Moon.
15. Wall-E (2008)
Directed by: Andrew Stanton
Starring: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin
Okay, I know what you’re thinking. “A Pixar movie? Really?” But hear me out. Wall-E may be a family-friendly animated film, but it’s also a surprisingly deep and poignant meditation on the relationship between humans and machines, and the dangers of over-reliance on technology.
Set in a dystopian future where Earth has been abandoned by humans and left to be cleaned up by a lonely robot named Wall-E, the film follows the titular character as he falls in love with a sleek, advanced robot named EVE and sets out on a journey across the galaxy. With its stunning visuals, charming characters, and powerful environmental message, Wall-E is a sci-fi classic that proves that even the most unlikely sources can offer profound insights into the human condition.
So there you have it, folks! 15 mind-blowing sci-fi movies like The Creator that will keep you thinking long after the credits roll. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic like Blade Runner, a cerebral thriller like Ex Machina, or a heartwarming animated adventure like Wall-E, there’s something on this list for every sci-fi fan.
So what are you waiting for? Grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and get ready to have your mind blown by some of the best sci-fi movies ever made. And who knows? Maybe one of these films will even inspire you to create your own groundbreaking work of science fiction. After all, as The Creator so powerfully reminds us, the future is always in our hands.
