Movies like Message from Space (1978)
The best movies like Message from Space (1978) are Battle Beyond the Stars (1980), Battlestar Galactica (1978) and Dune (1984). If Message from Space hooked you with its action and adventure, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedStar Wars (1977)8.2/10 from 23,141 votes
- NewestStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)Released 2019
- In JapaneseThe War in Space (1977)Also in Japanese
Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)
A young farmer assembles a band of diverse mercenaries to defend his peaceful planet from an evil tyrant.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & action
SnoozefestMovies like thisBattlestar Galactica (1978)
After the destruction of the Twelve Colonies of Mankind, the last major fighter carrier leads a makeshift fugitive fleet in a desperate search for the legendary planet Earth.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDune (1984)
In the year 10,191, the most precious substance in the universe is the spice Melange. The spice extends life. The spice expands consciousness. The spice is vital to space travel. The spice exists on only one planet in the entire universe, the vast desert planet Arrakis, also known as Dune. Its native inhabitants, the Fremen, have long held a prophecy that a man would come, a messiah who would lead them to true freedom.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe War in Space (1977)
The year is 1988, and in the midst of recovering from a near-miss with a large comet, Earth finds that there are much worse matters at hand: the sudden arrival of a strange army of aliens and their fleet of unstoppable warships.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & science fiction
The Ice Pirates (1984)
In the not too distant future, where by far the most precious commodity in the galaxy is water. The last surviving water planet was somehow removed to the unreachable centre of the galaxy at the end of the galactic trade wars. The galaxy is ruled by an evil emperor presiding over a trade oligarchy that controls all mining and sale of ice from asteroids and comets.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & action
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Black Hole (1979)
The explorer craft USS Palomino is returning to Earth after a fruitless 18-month search for extra-terrestrial life when the crew comes upon a supposedly lost ship, the USS Cygnus, hovering near a black hole. The ship is controlled by Dr. Hans Reinhardt and his monstrous robot companion, but the initial wonderment and awe the Palomino crew feel for the ship and its resistance to the power of the black hole turn to horror as they uncover Reinhardt's plans.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Last Starfighter (1984)
Video game expert Alex Rogan finds himself transported to another planet after conquering the video game The Last Starfighter, only to find out it was just a test. He was recruited to join the team of best Starfighters to defend their world from the attack.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSpacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983)
On a distant planet inhabited by mutants, two bounty hunters race to rescue three Earth female captives from the clutches of an evil warlord.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisBuck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979)
Capt. William "Buck" Rogers is a jovial space cowboy who is accidentally time-warped from 1987 to 2491. Earth is engaged in interplanetary war following a global holocaust, and Buck's piloting skills make him an ideal starfighter recruit for the Earth Defense Directorate.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Fifth Element (1997)
In 2263, a taxi driver is unintentionally given the task of saving a young girl who is part of the key that will ensure the survival of humanity.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & action
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 thisConquest of the Earth (1980)
A compilation of Battlestar Galactica episodes 1–3 and 7–9, with alternate footage. The Galactica and its ragtag fleet of ships finally arrive on Earth, only to discover that the planet is not prepared for the inevitable Cylon invasion.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & adventure
Stargate (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 thisWing Commander (1999)
In the mid-27th century, the Terran Confederation is at war with the vicious alien Kilrathi Empire. When the Kilrathi capture a crucial navigational device that could lead them to Earth, the Confederation’s only hope rests with a small group of young fighter pilots. Lieutenant Christopher Blair, along with his wingman Todd 'Maniac' Marshall and Commander Jeanette 'Angel' Deveraux, must intercept the alien fleet and prevent the destruction of mankind. Battling overwhelming odds and racing against time, they face not only external threats but also inner fears and rivalries as they fight to save Earth from annihilation.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & action
SnoozefestMovies 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 thisStar Trek Beyond (2016)
The USS Enterprise crew explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a mysterious new enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBarbarella (1968)
In the far future, a highly sexual woman is tasked with finding and stopping the evil Durand-Durand. Along the way she encounters various unusual people.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKrull (1983)
A prince and a fellowship of companions set out to rescue his bride from a fortress of alien invaders who have arrived on their home planet.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisZardoz (1974)
In the far future, a savage trained only to kill finds a way into the community of bored immortals that alone preserves humanity's achievements.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisStar Wars (1977)
Princess Leia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker and dashing captain Han Solo team together with the loveable robot duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the beautiful princess and restore peace and justice in the Empire.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & action
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisForbidden Planet (1956)
Starship C57D travels to planet Altair 4 in search of the crew of spaceship "Bellerophon," a scientific expedition that has been missing for twenty years. They find themselves unwelcome by the expedition's lone survivor and warned of destruction by an invisible force if they don't turn back immediately.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & adventure
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 thisThe Super Inframan (1975)
The surface of the Earth is under attack, thousands of people are killed in this unprovoked attacked. The cause, Princess Dragonmon and her army of monsters have decided to invade. Princess Dragonmon is an alien whose race has been hiding under us for centuries waiting to attack at the time is right. A doctor has been preparing for something like this and turns his assistant Rayma into the cyborg hero known as Inframan. Now only Inframan stands between the Earth and Princess Dragonmon but when a close friend is captured and brainwashed, can she be stopped with this inside man feeding her info?
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLogan's Run (1976)
In the 23rd century, inhabitants of a domed city freely experience all of life's pleasures — but no one is allowed to live past 30. Citizens can try for a chance at being "renewed" in a civic ceremony on their 30th birthday. Escape is the only other option.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both action & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEnemy Mine (1985)
A soldier from Earth crashlands on an alien world after sustaining battle damage. Eventually he encounters another survivor, but from the enemy species he was fighting; they band together to survive on this hostile world. In the end the human finds himself caring for his enemy in a completely unexpected way.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStar Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
A surprise visit from Spock's father provides a startling revelation: McCoy is harboring Spock's living essence.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & action
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: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & action
Popcorn FlickMovies 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: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGuardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & science fiction
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisHalo: Nightfall (2014)
Set between the events of Halo 4 and Halo 5: Guardians… Halo: Nightfall tells the dramatic story of legendary man hunter and Naval Intelligence Officer Jameson Locke and his team as they are caught in a horrific biological attack while investigating terrorist activity on the distant colony world of Sedra. As they unravel a plot that draws them to an ancient, hellish artifact, they will be forced to fight for their survival, question everything and ultimately choose between their loyalty and their lives.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Message from Space?
The closest matches to Message from Space are Battle Beyond the Stars (1980), Battlestar Galactica (1978) and Dune (1984). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Message from Space?
People who watched Message from Space most often go on to Battle Beyond the Stars (1980), Battlestar Galactica (1978) and Dune (1984).
What is the highest-rated movie like Message from Space?
Star Wars (1977), rated 8.2/10 by 23,141 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Message from Space?
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Message from Space?
Yes: The War in Space (1977).
How are movies similar to Message from Space chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Message from Space, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.