Blade Runner 2049 is a visually stunning sci-fi masterpiece that expands upon the groundbreaking world introduced in Ridley Scott’s original 1982 film. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, this 2017 sequel follows a young blade runner named K (Ryan Gosling) who unearths a long-buried secret with the potential to plunge the remnants of society into chaos.
If you were captivated by the dystopian future, breathtaking cinematography, and thought-provoking themes of Blade Runner 2049, you may be hungry for more science fiction films that deliver a similar audio-visual experience while exploring complex ideas. Look no further – here are the 15 best movies like Blade Runner 2049 that are sure to blow your mind:
1. Ex Machina (2015)
Alex Garland’s directorial debut Ex Machina is a tense, cerebral sci-fi thriller that grapples with the implications of artificial intelligence. Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), a programmer at a massive tech company, wins a contest to visit the secluded estate of the company’s brilliant but eccentric CEO, Nathan (Oscar Isaac).
There, Caleb learns he has been chosen to evaluate the capabilities and consciousness of Ava (Alicia Vikander), a highly advanced humanoid robot. As Caleb interacts with Ava, he begins to question the true nature of her intelligence and emotional capacity. Ex Machina keeps you guessing until the very end with its clever twists and turns.
The film’s sleek, minimalist production design and haunting score create an atmosphere of unease that perfectly complements its weighty philosophical questions about what it means to be human. Like Blade Runner 2049, Ex Machina is a smart, stylish sci-fi film that will leave you pondering its ideas long after the credits roll.
2. Arrival (2016)
Before he tackled Blade Runner 2049, director Denis Villeneuve crafted another modern sci-fi classic with Arrival. When a dozen mysterious spacecraft appear around the globe, linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) is recruited by the U.S. military to attempt to communicate with the alien visitors.
As tensions mount and nations teeter on the brink of global war, Louise races against time to unravel the aliens’ cryptic language and decipher their true purpose on Earth. Arrival is a rare sci-fi film that favors intellect over action, delving deep into the nature of language, perception, and time.
Villeneuve brings his signature visual flair to the story, imbuing even the film’s quietest moments with a sense of profound beauty and mystery. Like Blade Runner 2049, Arrival is a slow-burn sci-fi drama that rewards patient viewers with a powerful emotional payoff.
3. Interstellar (2014)
Christopher Nolan’s epic space odyssey Interstellar is a grand, ambitious film that tackles weighty themes of love, sacrifice, and the survival of the human species. In a dystopian future where Earth is ravaged by blight and dust storms, Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), a former NASA pilot, is recruited for a daring mission to travel through a wormhole in search of a new home for humanity.
Interstellar is a visual feast, with jaw-dropping sequences that capture the awe and terror of space travel. Nolan’s use of practical effects and IMAX cameras immerses you in the vastness of the cosmos. Hans Zimmer’s soaring score is equally majestic, adding to the film’s sense of scale and wonder.
Like Blade Runner 2049, Interstellar grapples with heady sci-fi concepts while never losing sight of the human drama at its core. It’s a film that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible, and one that will leave you marveling at the mysteries of the universe.
4. Gattaca (1997)
Andrew Niccol’s Gattaca is a thought-provoking sci-fi drama set in a future where genetic engineering has created a society divided into “valids” and “invalids.” Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke), an invalid, dreams of traveling to space but is barred from the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation due to his genetic imperfections.
Determined to achieve his goal, Vincent assumes the identity of a valid named Jerome Morrow (Jude Law) and begins working at Gattaca, all while evading detection from the authorities. Gattaca is a stylish, intelligent film that explores the dangers of genetic determinism and the indomitable power of the human spirit.
Like Blade Runner 2049, Gattaca features stunning cinematography and production design that bring its futuristic world to life. The film’s muted color palette and sleek, minimalist aesthetic create a sense of sterility and oppression that reflects the rigid social hierarchy of its universe.
5. Children of Men (2006)
Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men is a gripping, dystopian thriller set in a near-future where humanity faces extinction due to global infertility. Theo Faron (Clive Owen), a disillusioned bureaucrat, is drawn into a dangerous mission to escort a young refugee named Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey), the first pregnant woman in nearly two decades, to safety.
Children of Men is a masterclass in immersive filmmaking, with Cuarón’s fluid, unbroken shots placing you directly in the chaos and desperation of its crumbling world. The film’s bleak, war-torn landscapes and oppressive atmosphere of dread create a palpable sense of urgency and despair.
Like Blade Runner 2049, Children of Men uses its sci-fi premise to explore timely social and political issues, from immigration and xenophobia to the erosion of civil liberties in the face of crisis. It’s a powerful, thought-provoking film that remains all too relevant today.
6. The Matrix (1999)
The Wachowskis’ groundbreaking sci-fi action film The Matrix follows Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves), a computer programmer 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.
Recruited by the mysterious Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), Anderson – now known as Neo – joins a group of rebels fighting to free humanity from the Matrix. With its mind-bending premise, groundbreaking “bullet time” visual effects, and sleek, leather-clad aesthetic, The Matrix redefined the possibilities of sci-fi action cinema.
Like Blade Runner 2049, The Matrix grapples with questions of reality, identity, and what it means to be human in an increasingly technological world. Its influence can be felt in countless sci-fi films that followed, including Blade Runner 2049 itself.
7. Minority Report (2002)
Based on a story by Philip K. Dick (whose novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? inspired the original Blade Runner), Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report is a gripping sci-fi thriller set in a future where police use psychics called “precogs” to arrest criminals before they commit their crimes.
Tom Cruise stars as John Anderton, the head of the Precrime unit, who finds himself on the run when he is accused of a future murder. As Anderton seeks to clear his name and uncover a conspiracy, he begins to question the ethics and infallibility of the Precrime system.
Minority Report is a visually stunning film, with Spielberg’s dynamic camerawork and inventive action sequences bringing its futuristic world to vivid life. Like Blade Runner 2049, it explores the dangers of relying too heavily on technology and the importance of preserving human agency and free will.
8. Her (2013)
Spike Jonze’s Her is a poignant, unconventional love story set in a near-future Los Angeles. Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely writer reeling from a recent divorce, falls in love with Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), an intelligent computer operating system with a seductively husky voice.
As Theodore and Samantha’s relationship deepens, the film explores the nature of love, intimacy, and what it means to be human in an age of increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence. Her is a visually striking film, with its warm, pastel-hued cinematography and sleek production design creating a world that feels both familiar and futuristic.
Like Blade Runner 2049, Her grapples with the blurring lines between human and machine, and the emotional complexities that arise when we form attachments to artificial beings. It’s a tender, thought-provoking film that will linger in your mind long after you’ve seen it.
9. Annihilation (2018)
Alex Garland’s Annihilation is a mind-bending sci-fi horror film that follows a group of scientists who venture into a mysterious, ever-expanding zone known as “The Shimmer” to investigate the disappearance of previous expeditions.
As the team, led by biologist Lena (Natalie Portman), pushes deeper into the lush, mutated landscape of The Shimmer, they begin to experience strange, terrifying phenomena that challenge their sanity and understanding of the natural world. Annihilation is a visually stunning film, with its vibrant, otherworldly color palette and unsettling creature designs creating a sense of unease and wonder.
Like Blade Runner 2049, Annihilation is a cerebral sci-fi film that grapples with weighty themes of identity, transformation, and the unknowable mysteries of the universe. It’s a challenging, ambiguous film that demands multiple viewings to fully unpack its layers of meaning.
10. Moon (2009)
Duncan Jones’ Moon is a quiet, introspective sci-fi drama that explores the psychological toll of isolation and the nature of personal identity. Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) is the sole occupant of a lunar mining facility, nearing the end of his three-year contract when he begins to experience strange visions and physical symptoms.
As Sam investigates the cause of his deteriorating mental state, he uncovers a shocking truth about his mission and his own existence. Moon is a minimalist, low-budget film that relies on Rockwell’s powerhouse performance and Jones’ clever, twisty script to create a sense of mounting tension and unease.
Like Blade Runner 2049, Moon grapples with questions of memory, identity, and what it means to be human in a world increasingly shaped by technology. It’s a thoughtful, emotionally resonant film that proves that great sci-fi doesn’t require a massive budget or flashy special effects.
11. Solaris (1972)
Andrei Tarkovsky’s Solaris is a haunting, meditative sci-fi film that explores the limits of human understanding and the power of memory and grief. When psychologist Kris Kelvin (Donatas Banionis) is sent to investigate strange occurrences on a space station orbiting the mysterious planet Solaris, he encounters a being that appears to be his long-dead wife, Hari (Natalya Bondarchuk).
As Kelvin grapples with the nature of this apparition and his own guilt and longing, the film delves into profound questions about the nature of reality, love, and the human condition. Solaris is a slow, hypnotic film that eschews traditional sci-fi tropes in favor of a more introspective, philosophical approach.
Like Blade Runner 2049, Solaris uses its sci-fi premise to explore deeply human themes of loss, regret, and the search for meaning in a vast, unknowable universe. It’s a challenging, rewarding film that demands patience and reflection from its viewers.
12. Under the Skin (2013)
Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin is a surreal, unsettling sci-fi film that follows an alien entity (Scarlett Johansson) who takes the form of a human woman and prowls the streets of Glasgow, luring unsuspecting men to their doom.
As the alien begins to experience strange, unfamiliar emotions and question her mission, the film becomes a haunting meditation on identity, empathy, and what it means to be human. Under the Skin is a visually stunning film, with Glazer’s eerie, dreamlike imagery and Mica Levi’s discordant score creating a sense of unease and otherworldly dread.
Like Blade Runner 2049, Under the Skin uses its sci-fi premise to explore complex themes of identity, sexuality, and the blurring lines between human and alien. It’s a challenging, enigmatic film that lingers long in the mind after the final credits roll.
13. Metropolis (1927)
Fritz Lang’s silent sci-fi epic Metropolis is a groundbreaking film that laid the foundation for countless sci-fi movies to come, including Blade Runner and its sequel. Set in a futuristic city divided between the wealthy elite and the oppressed working class, the film follows Freder (Gustav Fröhlich), the son of the city’s ruler, as he becomes involved with Maria (Brigitte Helm), a woman who seeks to unite the divided classes.
Metropolis is a visually stunning film, with its massive, art deco-inspired sets and groundbreaking special effects creating a sense of awe and grandeur. Its themes of class struggle, the dangers of unchecked technology, and the importance of human connection continue to resonate nearly a century after its release.
Like Blade Runner 2049, Metropolis uses its futuristic setting to explore timeless human struggles and the search for meaning and purpose in a world increasingly dominated by machines. It’s a must-see for any fan of sci-fi cinema.
14. Brazil (1985)
Terry Gilliam’s Brazil is a darkly comic, dystopian sci-fi film that follows Sam Lowry (Jonathan Pryce), a low-level bureaucrat who becomes embroiled in a web of mistaken identity, terrorism, and totalitarian government control.
As Sam navigates the absurdities and horrors of his Orwellian world, he retreats into elaborate daydreams and fantasies of heroism and romance. Brazil is a visually inventive film, with Gilliam’s trademark mix of surreal imagery, grotesque characters, and biting satire creating a world that is both hilarious and deeply unsettling.
Like Blade Runner 2049, Brazil uses its sci-fi premise to explore the dehumanizing effects of bureaucracy, conformity, and the erosion of individual freedom. It’s a film that rewards multiple viewings, with its dense, layered storytelling and visual gags revealing new depths with each watch.
15. The Fountain (2006)
Darren Aronofsky’s The Fountain is a mind-bending, metaphysical sci-fi film that interweaves three parallel stories across time and space. In the 16th century, a Spanish conquistador (Hugh Jackman) searches for the Tree of Life in Mayan territory; in the present day, a scientist (Jackman) races to find a cure for his wife’s (Rachel Weisz) terminal illness; and in the far future, a space traveler (Jackman) journeys toward a dying star in a bubble-like spacecraft.
As the three stories unfold and intersect, the film becomes a profound meditation on love, death, and the search for eternal life. The Fountain is a visually stunning film, with its kaleidoscopic imagery and dreamlike pacing creating a sense of transcendence and spiritual awe.
Like Blade Runner 2049, The Fountain grapples with weighty themes of mortality, the nature of consciousness, and the interconnectedness of all things. It’s a challenging, polarizing film that demands surrender to its unique rhythms and abstract storytelling.
These 15 movies like Blade Runner 2049 offer a wide range of sci-fi experiences, from mind-bending psychological thrillers to grand space operas to intimate character studies. Each film uses its futuristic setting and high-concept premises to explore timeless human questions of identity, love, mortality, and the search for meaning in an increasingly complex and technological world.
Whether you’re a die-hard sci-fi fan or simply appreciate great filmmaking, these movies are sure to captivate, challenge, and inspire you with their visual splendor, provocative ideas, and emotional depth. So sit back, dim the lights, and prepare to be transported to strange new worlds and alternate realities that will expand your mind and touch your soul. The future is now, and it’s waiting for you to explore it.
