If you were captivated by the surreal, thought-provoking journey into the unknown in Alex Garland’s 2018 sci-fi thriller Annihilation, you’re probably craving more movies that deliver a similar blend of existential dread, stunning visuals, and complex themes. Annihilation follows a group of scientists who venture into a mysterious, expanding zone called “The Shimmer” where the laws of nature don’t apply. As they go deeper, they confront terrifying creatures and shocking truths that make them question reality itself.
Movies like Annihilation are rare gems that challenge our perceptions and leave us pondering life’s biggest questions long after the credits roll. They often feature high-concept premises, ambitious world-building, and bold, unconventional storytelling that pushes the boundaries of the sci-fi genre. If you’re ready to embark on more mind-bending cinematic odysseys, here are the 20 best movies like Annihilation to add to your must-watch list:
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Directed by the legendary Stanley Kubrick, 2001: A Space Odyssey is a groundbreaking sci-fi epic that redefined the genre. The film spans from the dawn of man to a future where humanity has achieved space travel, focusing on a mysterious black monolith that seems to trigger leaps in human evolution. Like Annihilation, 2001 is a cerebral, visually stunning exploration of the unknown that raises profound questions about consciousness, intelligence, and our place in the universe. Its iconic imagery, pioneering special effects, and philosophical depth have inspired generations of filmmakers, including Alex Garland himself.
2. Solaris (1972)
Andrei Tarkovsky’s Soviet art film Solaris is a haunting, meditative adaptation of Stanisław Lem’s novel about a sentient ocean planet that seems to have the power to manifest the repressed memories and desires of the cosmonauts studying it. When psychologist Kris Kelvin arrives on the space station orbiting Solaris to investigate strange occurrences, he’s confronted by an apparition of his dead wife, forcing him to grapple with grief, guilt, and the nature of reality. Like The Shimmer in Annihilation, the planet Solaris represents an incomprehensible alien intelligence that reflects the darkest depths of the human psyche.
3. Stalker (1979)
Another Tarkovsky masterpiece, Stalker follows a guide who leads two clients through a dangerous, restricted area called the Zone, in search of a mythical room that grants one’s deepest desires. As they navigate the Zone’s surreal, ever-shifting landscape, they confront their innermost fears and hopes. Stalker shares Annihilation’s theme of a journey into an enigmatic, perilous territory that transforms those who enter it, both physically and psychologically. With its hypnotic pacing, otherworldly imagery, and philosophical musings, Stalker is a transcendent experience that invites multiple viewings and interpretations.
4. Alien (1979)
Ridley Scott’s sci-fi horror classic Alien chronicles the ill-fated voyage of the space tug Nostromo after its crew investigates a distress signal on a desolate moon and unwittingly brings a deadly extraterrestrial creature onboard. As the alien stalks the ship’s corridors and picks off the crew one by one, warrant officer Ripley must fight for survival. Like Annihilation, Alien features a strong female protagonist confronting an incomprehensible, hostile lifeform in a claustrophobic setting. Its blend of sci-fi wonder and primal terror, along with H.R. Giger’s nightmarish creature designs, make it a genre-defining masterpiece.
5. The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter’s The Thing, a remake of the 1951 film The Thing from Another World, follows a group of American researchers in Antarctica who discover a shape-shifting alien organism that assimilates and imitates other lifeforms. Paranoia sets in as they realize the creature could be any one of them. Like Annihilation, The Thing explores the horror of encountering a truly alien entity that defies human understanding. With its groundbreaking practical effects, nerve-shredding tension, and nihilistic tone, The Thing is a bleak masterpiece of sci-fi horror that leaves you questioning who – or what – you can trust.
6. Videodrome (1983)
David Cronenberg’s techno-surrealist nightmare Videodrome stars James Woods as Max Renn, a cable TV programmer who stumbles upon a broadcast signal featuring extreme violence and torture. As he becomes obsessed with the signal, the boundaries between reality and television blur, leading him down a rabbit hole of conspiracy, mutation, and madness. Like Annihilation, Videodrome delves into the disturbing implications of technology merging with biology, and features shocking, fleshy imagery that gets under your skin. It’s a prescient, unsettling exploration of media’s power to warp our perceptions and desires.
7. Brazil (1985)
Terry Gilliam’s dystopian satire Brazil takes place in a retro-futuristic world dominated by a totalitarian bureaucracy. When meek government employee Sam Lowry (Jonathan Pryce) spots a mistake in the paperwork that leads to an innocent man’s arrest and death, he attempts to correct the error, only to become entangled in a web of red tape and sinister conspiracies. Like Annihilation, Brazil features surreal, visually inventive world-building and a protagonist who finds himself trapped in a nightmarish scenario beyond his control. It’s a darkly funny, visually stunning critique of conformity, consumerism, and the dehumanizing effects of unchecked state power.
8. The Fly (1986)
Another Cronenberg classic, The Fly is a tragic sci-fi horror film about brilliant but eccentric scientist Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum), who invents a teleportation device. When he tests the machine on himself, a fly gets caught in the transmission, leading to a horrific genetic fusion. As Brundle slowly mutates into a human-fly hybrid, he grapples with his deteriorating humanity. Like Annihilation, The Fly explores the terrifying consequences of scientific hubris and the blurring of boundaries between man and nature. With Goldblum’s powerhouse performance and Cronenberg’s signature “body horror” visuals, The Fly is a grotesque, emotionally devastating masterwork.
9. Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
Adrian Lyne’s psychological horror film Jacob’s Ladder stars Tim Robbins as Jacob Singer, a Vietnam veteran struggling with fragmented memories, hallucinations, and a growing sense that reality is unraveling around him. As he tries to uncover the truth behind his experiences, he’s drawn into a disorienting nightmare that calls into question everything he believes. Like Annihilation, Jacob’s Ladder is a surreal, mind-bending exploration of trauma, perception, and the nature of existence. With its haunting visuals, non-linear structure, and existential themes, it’s a deeply unsettling film that rewards repeat viewings.
10. Cube (1997)
Vincenzo Natali’s low-budget sci-fi horror film Cube follows a group of strangers who wake up trapped in a bizarre, cube-shaped labyrinth filled with deadly traps. As they navigate the ever-shifting rooms and form uneasy alliances, they realize the structure itself may be a malevolent, intelligent entity. Like Annihilation, Cube features characters venturing into an enigmatic, hostile environment that tests their sanity and survival skills. With its inventive premise, claustrophobic setting, and philosophical undertones, Cube is a lean, mean sci-fi thriller that proves you don’t need a big budget to create a memorably mind-bending experience.
11. Dark City (1998)
Alex Proyas’ neo-noir sci-fi film Dark City takes place in a metropolis where the sun never rises, and residents suffer from collective amnesia. When a man (Rufus Sewell) wakes up with no memory of his identity and accused of murder, he must unravel the city’s secrets while pursued by mysterious pale men in black coats. Like Annihilation, Dark City is a visually stunning, high-concept exploration of memory, identity, and the nature of reality. With its expressionistic production design, mind-bending plot twists, and existential themes, Dark City is an underrated gem that deserves a wider audience.
12. Pi (1998)
Darren Aronofsky’s black-and-white debut feature Pi follows Maximillian Cohen (Sean Gullette), a brilliant but troubled mathematician who believes that everything in nature can be understood through numbers. As he searches for a mysterious 216-digit number that may unlock the secrets of the universe, he’s pursued by a Wall Street firm and a Kabbalah sect who believe the number has mystical properties. Like Annihilation, Pi is a surreal, mind-bending exploration of obsession, madness, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. With its frenetic editing, haunting score, and heady ideas, Pi announced Aronofsky as a major talent to watch.
13. eXistenZ (1999)
Yet another Cronenberg film, eXistenZ is set in a near-future where virtual reality gaming has reached new heights of immersion. When famous game designer Allegra Geller (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is attacked by an assassin, she goes on the run with marketing trainee Ted Pikul (Jude Law). As they plug into her latest VR game, the lines between reality and simulation blur in increasingly disturbing ways. Like Annihilation, eXistenZ explores the unsettling implications of technology merging with biology, and features Cronenberg’s trademark “body horror” imagery. It’s a trippy, provocative sci-fi thriller that questions the nature of identity and free will in a world where reality is endlessly malleable.
14. Donnie Darko (2001)
Richard Kelly’s mind-bending debut Donnie Darko follows the titular teenager (Jake Gyllenhaal), who narrowly escapes death when a jet engine mysteriously crashes into his bedroom. Afterward, Donnie is plagued by visions of a man in a monstrous rabbit suit who tells him the world will end in 28 days. As Donnie investigates the strange events around him, he uncovers a web of time travel, parallel universes, and impending doom. Like Annihilation, Donnie Darko is a surreal, atmospheric sci-fi film that grapples with heady concepts like the nature of time, fate, and sacrifice. With its memorable characters, haunting visuals, and killer ’80s soundtrack, Donnie Darko has become a cult classic that rewards repeat viewings.
15. Primer (2004)
Shane Carruth’s ultra-low-budget debut Primer follows two engineers, Aaron (Carruth) and Abe (David Sullivan), who accidentally invent a time machine in their garage. As they conduct secret experiments, the consequences of their actions grow increasingly complex and dangerous, fracturing their friendship and threatening to unravel the fabric of reality itself. Like Annihilation, Primer is a challenging, ideas-driven sci-fi film that doesn’t spoon-feed answers to the audience. With its intricate plot, technical jargon, and minimalist style, Primer is a brain-teaser that demands active engagement and rewards close analysis.
16. Sunshine (2007)
Danny Boyle’s underrated sci-fi thriller Sunshine takes place in a future where the sun is dying, and Earth is plunged into a new ice age. A crew of astronauts is sent on a desperate mission to reignite the sun with a massive stellar bomb. As they approach their destination, they discover the fate of the previous mission’s crew and confront the psychological toll of their isolation and the magnitude of their task. Like Annihilation, Sunshine is a visually stunning, philosophically rich exploration of human frailty and the sublime terror of the unknown. With its nail-biting suspense, dazzling visuals, and existential themes, Sunshine is a sci-fi gem that deserves more recognition.
17. Under the Skin (2013)
Jonathan Glazer’s eerie, experimental sci-fi film Under the Skin stars Scarlett Johansson as an alien entity who takes the form of a human woman and prowls the streets of Glasgow, seducing lonely men and luring them to their doom. As she continues her predatory mission, she begins to question her own identity and purpose. Like Annihilation, Under the Skin is a hypnotic, enigmatic exploration of an alien consciousness grappling with the strange beauty and horror of human existence. With its striking visuals, unsettling score, and Johansson’s mesmerizing performance, Under the Skin is a haunting, unforgettable experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
18. Ex Machina (2015)
Alex Garland’s directorial debut Ex Machina follows Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), a programmer who wins a contest to spend a week at the remote estate of his reclusive CEO, Nathan (Oscar Isaac). There, he discovers that Nathan has created Ava (Alicia Vikander), a highly advanced AI housed in a humanoid body. As Caleb interacts with Ava and begins to question Nathan’s motives, he’s drawn into a complex web of deception, desire, and the blurred lines between human and machine. Like Annihilation, Ex Machina is a thought-provoking, visually stunning exploration of the implications of artificial intelligence and the nature of consciousness. With its claustrophobic setting, twisty plot, and powerhouse performances, Ex Machina is a modern sci-fi classic.
19. Arrival (2016)
Denis Villeneuve’s cerebral sci-fi drama Arrival stars Amy Adams as Louise Banks, a linguist recruited by the U.S. military to communicate with extraterrestrial visitors after mysterious spacecraft appear around the globe. As Louise attempts to decipher the aliens’ language and purpose, she begins to experience vivid, non-linear visions that hint at a deeper connection between their arrival and her own past and future. Like Annihilation, Arrival is a profound, emotionally resonant exploration of the transformative power of encountering the truly alien. With its stunning cinematography, innovative sound design, and powerful performances, Arrival is a sci-fi masterpiece that celebrates the importance of communication, empathy, and unity in the face of the unknown.
20. Annihilation (2018)
Of course, we have to include Annihilation itself on this list. Alex Garland’s mind-bending adaptation of Jeff VanderMeer’s novel follows Lena (Natalie Portman), a biologist who joins an all-female expedition into a mysterious, expanding zone called “The Shimmer,” where the laws of nature have been twisted in strange and terrifying ways. As they venture deeper into the heart of The Shimmer, the team encounters increasingly bizarre and deadly phenomena that challenge their sanity and force them to confront the darkest parts of themselves. With its stunning visuals, haunting score, and thought-provoking themes of self-destruction and transformation, Annihilation is a modern sci-fi masterpiece that pushes the boundaries of the genre and leaves a lasting impact on the viewer.
These 20 movies offer a wide range of mind-bending, thought-provoking experiences for fans of Annihilation. From classic sci-fi epics like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Solaris to modern masterpieces like Under the Skin and Arrival, these films explore the mysteries of the universe, the depths of the human psyche, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion. They challenge our perceptions, confront us with the unknown, and leave us pondering life’s biggest questions long after the credits roll. So if you’re ready to embark on more surreal, cerebral cinematic journeys, these movies are the perfect places to start. Just remember: in the realm of mind-bending sci-fi, nothing is
