Movies like Hardware Wars (1978)
The best movies like Hardware Wars (1978) are Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996), Family Guy Presents: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side (2009) and Sleeper (1973). If Hardware Wars hooked you with its comedy and science fiction, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedBURN·E (2008)7.5/10 from 842 votes
- NewestPlankton: The Movie (2025)Released 2025
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996)
In the not-too-distant future, the evil Dr. Forrester forces a temp named Mike into a series of experiments, where he's forced to watch cheesy movies so the mad scientist can monitor his mind. However, as Mike can't control where the movies begin or end, he'll try to keep his sanity with the help of his robot friends.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFamily Guy Presents: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side (2009)
Peter makes good on another power outage at home by retelling "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back".
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSleeper (1973)
Miles Monroe, a clarinet-playing health food store proprietor, is revived out of cryostasis 200 years into a future world in order to help rebels fight an oppressive government regime.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRobot Chicken: Star Wars (2007)
A series of 30 sketches, following the hilarious antics of various characters from a galaxy, far, far away.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Bed Sitting Room (1969)
In the hazy aftermath of World War III, the fallout from a 'nuclear misunderstanding' is producing strange mutations amongst the survivors, and the noble Lord Fortnum finds himself transforming into a bed sitting room.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisMonkey Business (1952)
Research chemist Barnaby Fulton works on a fountain of youth pill for a chemical company. One of the labs chimps gets loose in the laboratory and mixes chemicals, but then pours the mix into the water cooler. When trying one of his own samples, washed down with water from the cooler, Fulton begins to act just like a twenty-year-old and believes his potion is working. Soon his wife and boss are also behaving like children.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGroot's First Steps (2022)
Following the events of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1,” Baby Groot is finally ready to try taking his first steps out of his pot—only to learn you have to walk before you can run.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Little Guy (2022)
Groot discovers a miniature civilization that believes the seemingly enormous tree toddler is the hero they’ve been waiting for.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGroot's Pursuit (2022)
Groot investigates a spooky noise that’s been haunting the Quadrant, which leads to an intense dance off.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOur Man Flint (1966)
When scientists use eco-terrorism to impose their will on the world by affecting extremes in the weather, Intelligence Chief Cramden calls in top agent Derek Flint.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBURN·E (2008)
What lengths will a robot undergo to do his job? BURN·E is a dedicated hard working robot who finds himself locked out of his ship. BURN·E quickly learns that completing a simple task can often be a very difficult endeavor.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisUnidentified Flying Mater (2009)
Mater finds a small UFO called Mator and they have a night out. Later, when Mator is captured by military forces, Mater sneaks up and saves him with the help of Lightning McQueen and the UFO's mother.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPlankton: The Movie (2025)
Plankton's tangled love story with his sentient computer wife goes sideways when she takes a stand — and decides to destroy the world without him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGroot Takes a Bath (2022)
Everybody needs some alone time to relax and wash up, but things go quite differently when you’re a Flora Colossi toddler.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPuppy (2013)
A Minion, longing for a puppy, humorously tries to catch a dog, a squirrel, and even a ladybug, but none of his attempts succeed. Just as his hopes fade, a tiny UFO swoops down and abducts the ladybug. The Minion watches in fascination as the UFO, making adorable beeping noises, forms an unexpected bond with him, becoming his new "puppy." They share fun adventures, with the UFO using its space powers to entertain, playing music and enlarging snacks like cheese puffs and bananas. One evening, the UFO puppy shows the Minion its home in the stars and expresses a longing to return. The Minion, determined to help, sends an email with their picture to the UFO's home planet, triggering a rescue party. Before leaving, the UFO uses its grow-ray to enlarge the ladybug into a puppy-sized companion. The Minion, surrounded by friends, joyfully accepts the new “puppy,” ready for more adventures together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSpaceballs (1987)
When the nefarious Dark Helmet hatches a plan to snatch Princess Vespa and steal her planet's air, space-bum-for-hire Lone Starr and his clueless sidekick fly to the rescue. Along the way, they meet Yogurt, who puts Lone Starr wise to the power of "The Schwartz." Can he master it in time to save the day?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGalaxy Quest (1999)
For four years, the courageous crew of the NSEA Protector — Commander Peter Quincy Taggart, Lieutenant Tawny Madison, and Doctor Lazarus — set off on a thrilling and often dangerous mission in space... until their series was cancelled! Now, twenty years later, aliens under attack have mistaken the Galaxy Quest television transmissions for "historical documents" and beam up the crew of has-been actors to save the universe. With no script, no director, and no clue, the actors must turn in the performances of their lives.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMagnum Opus (2022)
Groot sets out to paint a family portrait of himself and the Guardians, only to discover just how messy the artistic process can be.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTom and Jerry: Spy Quest (2015)
Two groups of classic cartoon characters come together in this fun-filled crossover with the popular action-adventure series Jonny Quest. Fans of all ages won't want to miss this heart-stopping romp as Tom and Jerry join Jonny Quest and his pal Hadji and embark on a dangerous spy mission in order to save the world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Drawn Together Movie: The Movie! (2010)
When the mystery-solving musician Foxxy Love notices she and her fellow housemates can curse without being bleeped—something they've never been able to do before—she realizes their show has been canceled. Determined to get back on the air, the gang travels to Make-A-Point-Land in order to get a point (and get back on the air).
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSchool Safari (2005)
In this film, we meet Jack who is inspired by his Uncle Bob - who he believes to be an explorer in Africa. Jack starts to see the world around him and all those in it, just as if he were out on safari in the Serengeti!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
A Night On The Tiles (2005)
The film follows the shenanigans of the goings on in the male and female toilets of a local nightclub. We meet the two young toilet attendants who have more interest in each other than the events of the evening.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
The Wages of Tin (1925)
aka Billy, the Ford Buster
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
STRIKE (An Epic Superhero Short Film) (2013)
John Eckert just broke up with his dream girl, and feels like his life isn't amounting to anything. But all of this is about to change when a freak lightning storm gives him the ability to control electricity. When the town becomes the target of a super villain, he must hone his abilities and save the day.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Date Movie (2006)
Spoof of romantic comedies which focuses on a man, his crush, his parents, and her father.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisReno 911!: Miami (2007)
A rag-tag team of Reno cops are called in to save the day after a terrorist attack disrupts a national police convention in Miami Beach during spring break. Based on the Comedy Central series.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)
Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, Nick Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a dangerous superfan. Things take a wildly unexpected turn when Cage is recruited by a CIA operative and forced to live up to his own legend, channeling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters in order to save himself and his loved ones.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisElectric Eye (2021)
An experimental short film, shot during the COVID-19 pandemic, made by one person. Using recorded scenes and archival footage, the short presents an unorthodox narrative to explore the themes of self-identification, identity, gender expression and androgyny.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction
Like Hardware Wars and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Hardware Wars?
The closest matches to Hardware Wars are Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996), Family Guy Presents: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side (2009) and Sleeper (1973). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Hardware Wars?
Start with Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996), the closest match to Hardware Wars.
What is the highest-rated movie like Hardware Wars?
BURN·E (2008), rated 7.5/10 by 842 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Hardware Wars?
Plankton: The Movie (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Hardware Wars?
Yes: Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996), Family Guy Presents: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side (2009) and Sleeper (1973).
How are movies similar to Hardware Wars chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Hardware Wars, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.