Are you a fan of the thrilling dystopian world depicted in the Divergent series? If you’ve already binge-watched all the movies and are craving more captivating stories set in unsettling futures, look no further. We’ve compiled a list of the 22 best movies that share similar themes, strong protagonists, and heart-pounding action sequences. Get ready to immerse yourself in these gripping tales of rebellion, self-discovery, and the fight against oppressive systems.
1. The Hunger Games (2012)
Director: Gary Ross
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks
If you loved the defiant spirit of Tris in Divergent, you’ll instantly connect with Katniss Everdeen, the fierce heroine of The Hunger Games. In a post-apocalyptic nation called Panem, teenagers are forced to participate in a televised battle royale where only one survivor emerges. Katniss volunteers to take her sister’s place, setting off a chain of events that sparks a revolution. With its compelling characters, intense action, and thought-provoking themes, The Hunger Games is a must-watch for any Divergent fan.
2. The Maze Runner (2014)
Director: Wes Ball
Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter, Thomas Brodie-Sangster
Imagine waking up in a mysterious glade surrounded by an ever-changing maze, with no memory of your past. This is the reality for Thomas and the other “Gladers” in The Maze Runner. As they attempt to unravel the secrets of the maze and find a way out, they face deadly challenges and uncover a sinister plot. With its intriguing premise, fast-paced action, and a band of determined young heroes, The Maze Runner offers a thrilling ride similar to Divergent.
3. Ender’s Game (2013)
Director: Gavin Hood
Cast: Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, Hailee Steinfeld, Viola Davis, Ben Kingsley
Based on the acclaimed novel by Orson Scott Card, Ender’s Game takes place in a future where humanity is at war with an alien race known as the Formics. Ender Wiggin, a brilliant young strategist, is recruited to join an elite military academy where he trains to lead Earth’s forces against the enemy. As Ender navigates the challenges of the academy and his own moral dilemmas, he discovers the true nature of the conflict. Like Divergent, Ender’s Game explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the cost of survival in a dystopian setting.
4. The Giver (2014)
Director: Phillip Noyce
Cast: Brenton Thwaites, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Odeya Rush, Katie Holmes
In a seemingly perfect society where emotions and individuality have been eradicated, a young man named Jonas is chosen to become the new Receiver of Memory. As he learns the truth about his world from the current Receiver, he begins to question the very foundation of his community. The Giver shares Divergent’s themes of conformity, free will, and the power of knowledge. With its stellar cast and thought-provoking storyline, this film is a worthy addition to your watchlist.
5. Snowpiercer (2013)
Director: Bong Joon-ho
Cast: Chris Evans, Song Kang-ho, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer
Set in a post-apocalyptic world where a failed climate change experiment has triggered a new ice age, Snowpiercer takes place entirely on a train that circles the globe. The train’s passengers are divided by class, with the wealthy elite residing in the front and the impoverished masses confined to the tail. When a rebellion led by Curtis Everett threatens to upset the status quo, a thrilling and thought-provoking journey unfolds. Like Divergent, Snowpiercer grapples with themes of social inequality, rebellion, and the struggle for a better future.
6. Equilibrium (2002)
Director: Kurt Wimmer
Cast: Christian Bale, Emily Watson, Taye Diggs, Angus Macfadyen
In a totalitarian future where emotions are outlawed and suppressed by mandatory drug use, John Preston is a top-ranking government agent tasked with enforcing the law. When he misses a dose of the emotion-suppressing drug, he begins to question his beliefs and the very system he serves. Equilibrium shares Divergent’s themes of individuality, rebellion against conformity, and the power of human emotion. With its stylish action sequences and compelling performances, this film is a hidden gem for dystopian movie enthusiasts.
7. The 5th Wave (2016)
Director: J Blakeson
Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, Ron Livingston, Maggie Siff, Alex Roe
When Earth is invaded by an alien race in a series of devastating “waves,” 16-year-old Cassie Sullivan finds herself fighting for survival in a world turned upside down. As she searches for her missing brother, she encounters a mysterious young man who may be her only hope. The 5th Wave combines elements of science fiction, romance, and dystopian thriller, making it an engaging watch for fans of the Divergent series.
8. The Host (2013)
Director: Andrew Niccol
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Max Irons, Jake Abel, Diane Kruger, William Hurt
Based on the novel by Twilight author Stephenie Meyer, The Host takes place in a future where Earth has been invaded by an alien race that takes over human minds while leaving their bodies intact. Melanie Stryder, one of the few remaining humans, is captured and implanted with an alien soul named Wanderer. As Melanie resists Wanderer’s control, the two form an unlikely bond and set out to find the last remnants of humanity. Like Divergent, The Host explores themes of identity, resistance, and the power of human connection in the face of overwhelming odds.
9. In Time (2011)
Director: Andrew Niccol
Cast: Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy, Olivia Wilde
In a future where time has become the ultimate currency and people stop aging at 25, the wealthy can live forever while the poor struggle to survive. When Will Salas, a young man from the ghetto, is falsely accused of murder, he goes on the run with a beautiful hostage, determined to bring down the corrupt system. In Time shares Divergent’s themes of social inequality, rebellion against an unjust system, and the power of individual action.
10. Mortal Engines (2018)
Director: Christian Rivers
Cast: Hera Hilmar, Robert Sheehan, Hugo Weaving, Jihae, Ronan Raftery
In a post-apocalyptic world where cities have become mobile predators, roaming the Earth and consuming smaller towns for resources, two unlikely allies come together to change the course of the future. Hester Shaw, a mysterious young woman with a scarred face, and Tom Natsworthy, an outcast from the great traction city of London, embark on a perilous journey that could determine the fate of humanity. Mortal Engines offers a visually stunning and imaginative take on the dystopian genre, with themes of survival, redemption, and the fight against oppression.
11. The Darkest Minds (2018)
Director: Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Cast: Amandla Stenberg, Mandy Moore, Bradley Whitford, Harris Dickinson, Skylan Brooks
In a future where a mysterious disease has killed most of America’s children and left the survivors with powerful abilities, the government declares them a threat and forces them into internment camps. Ruby, a teenage girl with telekinetic powers, escapes from her camp and joins a group of fellow runaways seeking a safe haven. As they uncover the truth behind the government’s actions, they must band together to protect themselves and fight for their freedom. The Darkest Minds shares Divergent’s themes of young heroes rising up against an oppressive system and the power of unity in the face of adversity.
12. Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Cast: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly, Mahershala Ali, Ed Skrein
Set in a post-apocalyptic future, Alita: Battle Angel follows the story of a cyborg girl who is discovered in a scrapyard by a compassionate doctor. As Alita learns to navigate her new life and the treacherous streets of Iron City, she discovers that she possesses extraordinary fighting abilities that could hold the key to saving her friends and the world she’s grown to love. With its stunning visuals, thrilling action sequences, and a strong female lead, Alita: Battle Angel is a must-watch for fans of the Divergent series.
13. Ready Player One (2018)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, T.J. Miller, Simon Pegg
In a dystopian future where people escape the harshness of reality by immersing themselves in a virtual world called the OASIS, a young man named Wade Watts embarks on a high-stakes treasure hunt that could change his life and the fate of the OASIS itself. As Wade and his friends navigate the pop culture-infused challenges of the virtual world, they must also confront the dangers of the real one. Ready Player One combines elements of science fiction, nostalgia, and adventure, making it a thrilling ride for Divergent fans.
14. The Lobster (2015)
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Cast: Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, Léa Seydoux, John C. Reilly, Ben Whishaw
In a surreal dystopian future, single people are given 45 days to find a romantic partner or face being transformed into an animal of their choice. David, a recently divorced man, checks into a hotel where he must navigate the strange rules and rituals of the matchmaking process. As he forms connections with the other residents, he begins to question the very nature of love and conformity. The Lobster offers a darkly comedic and thought-provoking take on the pressures of society and the search for genuine human connection.
15. Minority Report (2002)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton, Max von Sydow
Based on a short story by Philip K. Dick, Minority Report takes place in a future where crime is virtually eliminated thanks to a special police unit that uses psychics to arrest criminals before they commit their crimes. When the head of the unit, John Anderton, is himself accused of a future murder, he goes on the run to prove his innocence and uncover a conspiracy that threatens the entire system. Like Divergent, Minority Report grapples with themes of free will, destiny, and the dangers of a seemingly perfect society.
16. V for Vendetta (2005)
Director: James McTeigue
Cast: Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Rea, John Hurt
Set in a totalitarian future Britain, V for Vendetta follows the story of Evey Hammond, a young woman who is rescued from a life-threatening situation by a mysterious masked vigilante known only as “V.” As Evey becomes entangled in V’s plot to overthrow the oppressive government, she learns the truth about her own past and the power of individual resistance. With its themes of rebellion, identity, and the fight against tyranny, V for Vendetta shares many similarities with the Divergent series.
17. Gattaca (1997)
Director: Andrew Niccol
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law, Loren Dean, Ernest Borgnine
In a future where genetic engineering has created a society divided by the quality of individuals’ DNA, Vincent Freeman dreams of traveling to space despite his inferior genetic status. By assuming the identity of a genetically superior man, Vincent infiltrates the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation and becomes entangled in a murder investigation that threatens to expose his true identity. Gattaca explores themes of determination, discrimination, and the human spirit’s resilience in the face of a system that seeks to define individuals by their genetic makeup.
18. Children of Men (2006)
Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Cast: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Clare-Hope Ashitey
In a bleak future where humanity faces extinction due to global infertility, a disillusioned bureaucrat named Theo Faron becomes an unlikely champion for the survival of the species when he’s tasked with escorting a miraculously pregnant woman to safety. As they navigate a dangerous landscape of political unrest and social collapse, Theo and his charge become the targets of various factions seeking to control the fate of the unborn child. Children of Men offers a gripping and emotionally charged tale of hope in the face of overwhelming despair.
19. Logan’s Run (1976)
Director: Michael Anderson
Cast: Michael York, Jenny Agutter, Richard Jordan, Roscoe Lee Browne, Farrah Fawcett
In a dystopian future where individuals are euthanized upon reaching the age of 30 to maintain a balanced population, Logan 5 is a “Sandman” tasked with hunting down those who attempt to escape their fate. When Logan himself becomes a “runner,” he uncovers the truth about his society and the possibility of a life beyond its confines. Logan’s Run is a classic of the dystopian genre, exploring themes of youth, conformity, and the search for meaning in a tightly controlled world.
20. Battle Royale (2000)
Director: Kinji Fukasaku
Cast: Tatsuya Fujiwara, Aki Maeda, Tarō Yamamoto, Takeshi Kitano
In a future Japan where the government has instituted a program to control unruly youth, a class of ninth-graders is selected to participate in a brutal game of survival on a remote island. Armed with random weapons and forced to fight until only one remains, the students must confront their own mortality and the depths of human cruelty. Battle Royale is a controversial and provocative film that shares Divergent’s themes of youth rebellion and the struggle against a ruthless system.
21. Akira (1988)
Director: Katsuhiro Otomo
Cast: Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama, Tesshō Genda
Set in a dystopian Neo-Tokyo, Akira tells the story of Shōtarō Kaneda and his childhood friend Tetsuo Shima, who acquires powerful telekinetic abilities after a motorcycle accident. As Tetsuo’s powers grow out of control and threaten to destroy the city, Kaneda and a group of resistance fighters race to stop him and uncover the secrets behind the enigmatic “Akira” project. This groundbreaking anime film explores themes of power, corruption, and the consequences of unchecked ambition in a vividly realized post-apocalyptic world.
22. Blade Runner (1982)
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos
In a neon-drenched future Los Angeles, Rick Deckard is a “blade runner” tasked with hunting down and “retiring” rogue replicants – bioengineered beings virtually indistinguishable from humans. As Deckard pursues a group of fugitive replicants, he begins to question the nature of his own identity and the blurred line between human and machine. Blade Runner is a seminal work of science fiction that explores themes of identity, memory, and what it means to be human in a world where the boundaries between the real and the artificial have become increasingly blurred.
If you enjoyed the thrilling dystopian world and powerful themes of self-discovery and rebellion in the Divergent series, these 22 movies offer similar captivating stories and strong protagonists. From the heart-pounding action of The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner to the thought-provoking explorations of identity in The Giver and The Host, there’s no shortage of gripping tales to immerse yourself in. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and get ready to experience the excitement, romance, and revolution that made Divergent a fan favorite. Happy watching!
