Movies like Avatar (2009)
The best movies like Avatar (2009) are John Carter (2012), Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017) and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016). If Avatar hooked you with its science fiction and action, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedInterstellar (2014)8.5/10 from 41,826 votes
- NewestThe Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)Released 2026
- Same seriesAvatar: The Way of Water (2022)Avatar
John Carter (2012)
John Carter is a war-weary, former military captain who's inexplicably transported to the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars) and reluctantly becomes embroiled in an epic conflict. It's a world on the brink of collapse, and Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisValerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)
In the 28th century, Valerian and Laureline are special operatives charged with keeping order throughout the human territories. On assignment from the Minister of Defense, the two undertake a mission to Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis where species from across the universe have converged over centuries to share knowledge, intelligence, and cultures. At the center of Alpha is a mysterious dark force which threatens the peaceful existence of the City of a Thousand Planets, and Valerian and Laureline must race to identify the menace and safeguard not just Alpha, but the future of the universe.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
A rogue band of resistance fighters unite for a mission to steal the Death Star plans and bring a new hope to the galaxy.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStargate (1994)
An interstellar teleportation device, found in Egypt, leads to a planet with humans resembling ancient Egyptians who worship the god Ra.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAvatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, learn the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure.
Why it matches: Same series: Avatar · both action & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisEnder's Game (2013)
Based on the classic novel by Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game is the story of the Earth's most gifted children training to defend their homeplanet in the space wars of the future.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia, cocky Han Solo, Chewbacca, and droids C-3PO and R2-D2 are thrown into various stages of capture, betrayal and despair.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & action
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisReturn of the Jedi (1983)
Luke Skywalker leads a mission to rescue his friend Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt, the Emperor prepares to crush the Rebellion with a more powerful Death Star, and the Rebel fleet mounts a massive attack on the space station. Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader in a final climactic duel before the evil Emperor.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & action
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisStar Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Thirty years after defeating the Galactic Empire, Han Solo and his allies face a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren and his army of Stormtroopers.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBattleship (2012)
When mankind beams a radio signal into space, a reply comes from ‘Planet G’, in the form of several alien crafts that splash down in the waters off Hawaii. Lieutenant Alex Hopper is a weapons officer assigned to the USS John Paul Jones, part of an international naval coalition which becomes the world's last hope for survival as they engage the hostile alien force of unimaginable strength. While taking on the invaders, Hopper must also try to live up to the potential that his brother, and his fiancée's father—an Admiral—expect of him.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once again as the journey of Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron continues. With the power and knowledge of generations behind them, the final battle begins.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDune (2021)
Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet's exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence - a commodity capable of unlocking humanity's greatest potential - only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisInterstellar (2014)
The adventures of a group of explorers who make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & science fiction
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisPlanet of the Apes (2001)
After a spectacular crash-landing on an uncharted planet, brash astronaut Leo Davidson finds himself trapped in a savage world where talking apes dominate the human race. Desperate to find a way home, Leo must evade the invincible gorilla army led by Ruthless General Thade.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & action
SnoozefestMovies like thisStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Anakin Skywalker, a young slave strong with the Force, is discovered on Tatooine. Meanwhile, the evil Sith have returned, enacting their plot for revenge against the Jedi.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPacific Rim (2013)
Using massive piloted robots to combat the alien threat, Earth's survivors take the fight to the invading alien force lurking in the depths of the Pacific Ocean. Nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless enemy, the forces of mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes who now stand as Earth's final hope against the mounting apocalypse.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStar Trek Into Darkness (2013)
When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFlash Gordon (1980)
A football player and his mates travel to the planet Mongo and find themselves fighting the tyranny of Ming the Merciless to save Earth.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (2023)
When the ruthless forces of the Motherworld threaten a quiet farming village on a distant moon, a mysterious outsider becomes its best hope for survival.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDune: Part Two (2024)
Follow the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, Paul endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & adventure
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisStar Trek (2009)
The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James Kirk, is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock, a Vulcan, was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before. The human adventure has begun again.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
Following an assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala, Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi investigate a mysterious plot into the heart of the Separatist movement and the beginning of the Clone Wars.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)
The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAlita: Battle Angel (2019)
When Alita awakens with no memory of who she is in a future world she does not recognize, she is taken in by Ido, a compassionate doctor who realizes that somewhere in this abandoned cyborg shell is the heart and soul of a young woman with an extraordinary past.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisReady Player One (2018)
When the creator of a popular video game system dies, a virtual contest is created to compete for his fortune.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStar Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to do battle with the First Order.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Wandering Earth II (2023)
Humans built huge engines on the surface of the earth to find a new home. But the road to the universe is perilous. In order to save earth, young people once again have to step forward to start a race against time for life and death.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSolo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Chronicles of Riddick (2004)
After years of outrunning ruthless bounty hunters, escaped convict Riddick suddenly finds himself caught between opposing forces in a fight for the future of the human race. Now, waging incredible battles on fantastic and deadly worlds, this lone, reluctant hero will emerge as humanity's champion - and the last hope for a universe on the edge of annihilation.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStar Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
As the Clone Wars sweep through the galaxy, Anakin Skywalker and his new Padawan learner Ahsoka Tano plunge into a dangerous mission to rescue the kidnapped son of crime lord Jabba the Hutt.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Avatar?
The closest matches to Avatar are John Carter (2012), Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017) and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Avatar?
People who watched Avatar most often go on to John Carter (2012), Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017) and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016).
What is the highest-rated movie like Avatar?
Interstellar (2014), rated 8.5/10 by 41,826 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Avatar?
The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Is Avatar part of a series?
Yes. It belongs to Avatar, which includes Avatar: The Way of Water (2022).
Are there English movies like Avatar?
Yes: John Carter (2012), Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017) and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016).
How are movies similar to Avatar chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Avatar, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.