Best Movies like Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Star Wars launched the original battle between rebels and the Galactic Empire, establishing the universe and characters later revisited in The Force Awakens. Both films feature the ongoing conflict against an oppressive regime, focus on legacy heroes, and unfold across interstellar settings with high-stakes adventure and action.

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. Star Wars is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 1m runtime, released in 1977 with an average rating of 8.2 by 22,576 people. The movie made an estimated total of $775,398,007 in the box office.

The Empire Strikes Back continues the saga of Han Solo and his allies fighting a resurgent evil force, much like the renewed battles they face in The Force Awakens. Both explore the challenges and sacrifices of a dispersed resistance against a powerful threat across the galaxy.

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. The Empire Strikes Back is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 4m runtime, released in 1980 with an average rating of 8.4 by 18,618 people. The movie made an estimated total of $538,400,000 in the box office.

Return of the Jedi follows the decisive struggle to defeat the Empire and features Han Solo and his allies at the center of the conflict, paralleling their roles thirty years later as they confront a new menace and attempt to restore peace in The Force Awakens.

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. Return of the Jedi is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 12m runtime, released in 1983 with an average rating of 7.9 by 17,102 people. The movie made an estimated total of $572,700,000 in the box office.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story shares a focus on ordinary individuals joining a beleaguered resistance to challenge a fearsome enemy force, set in the same galaxy and time period as The Force Awakens, with overlapping themes of rebellion and the fight for hope.

A rogue band of resistance fighters unite for a mission to steal the Death Star plans and bring a new hope to the galaxy. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 13m runtime, released in 2016 with an average rating of 7.5 by 16,572 people. The movie made an estimated total of $1,056,057,273 in the box office.

Guardians of the Galaxy features a disparate group of heroes forming alliances to oppose a destructive enemy and save the universe, much like the team-based interstellar adventure in The Force Awakens, blending action, occasional humor, and the bonds between unlikely allies.

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. Guardians of the Galaxy is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 1m runtime, released in 2014 with an average rating of 7.9 by 29,994 people. The movie made an estimated total of $772,776,600 in the box office.

Dune depicts a struggle for control over a vital resource amidst intergalactic conflict and features large-scale battles and shifting alliances, echoing the galactic warfare and heroism of The Force Awakens within a richly developed science fiction universe.

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. Dune is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 35m runtime, released in 2021 with an average rating of 7.8 by 15,218 people. The movie made an estimated total of $410,668,500 in the box office.

The Fifth Element transports viewers to a far-future setting with cosmic threats and heroes determined to avert disaster, combining action-packed sequences and the discovery of new allies—similar to the structure and adventurous spirit of The Force Awakens.

In 2257, 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. The Fifth Element is a movie from France in French, with a total 2h 6m runtime, released in 1997 with an average rating of 7.6 by 11,940 people. The movie made an estimated total of $263,920,180 in the box office.

Serenity centers on a group of rebels and fugitives seeking justice in a universe threatened by authoritarian forces, echoing The Force Awakens’ themes of resistance, camaraderie, and navigating moral dilemmas through spacefaring adventures against oppressive regimes.

A group of rebels travel the outskirts of space evading the sinister Alliance regime. Their lives of smuggling and cargo-running are interrupted by a psychic passenger who harbours a dangerous secret. Soon, the crew find themselves being pursued by an Alliance agent who will stop at nothing to find them. Serenity is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 59m runtime, released in 2005 with an average rating of 7.4 by 3,929 people. The movie made an estimated total of $38,869,464 in the box office.

Star Trek explores a future where a crew embarks on daring missions across space and faces hostile adversaries, reflecting The Force Awakens’ blend of character-driven journeys, interstellar settings, and a focus on teamwork under pressure.

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. Star Trek is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 7m runtime, released in 2009 with an average rating of 7.4 by 10,606 people. The movie made an estimated total of $386,839,614 in the box office.

The Matrix follows protagonists combating a powerful, controlling threat and explores identity and chosen destinies, mirroring The Force Awakens through its hero’s journey structure, high-stakes rebellion, and transformative battles against an oppressive enemy.

Set in the 22nd century, The Matrix tells the story of a computer hacker who joins a group of underground insurgents fighting the vast and powerful computers who now rule the earth. The Matrix is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 16m runtime, released in 1999 with an average rating of 8.3 by 28,319 people. The movie made an estimated total of $463,517,383 in the box office.

Avatar presents an epic struggle between invaders and indigenous rebels for planetary survival, with elaborate science fiction world-building and large-scale action reminiscent of the generations-old conflict and expansive settings in The Force Awakens.

In the 22nd century, a paraplegic Marine is dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission, but becomes torn between following orders and protecting an alien civilization. Avatar is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 42m runtime, released in 2009 with an average rating of 7.6 by 34,346 people. The movie made an estimated total of $2,147,483,647 in the box office.

Jupiter Ascending depicts an unsuspecting protagonist discovering a galactic destiny and becoming involved in a cosmic power struggle, paralleling The Force Awakens’ focus on ordinary characters thrust into star-spanning adventures and wars between dominant forces.

In a universe where human genetic material is the most precious commodity, an impoverished young Earth woman becomes the key to strategic maneuvers and internal strife within a powerful dynasty… Jupiter Ascending is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 7m runtime, released in 2015 with an average rating of 5.5 by 7,176 people. The movie made an estimated total of $184,000,000 in the box office.

John Carter traces a journey from ordinary life to becoming a pivotal figure in an interplanetary conflict, mirroring The Force Awakens’ motif where unlikely heroes rise to prominence amid sweeping battles across diverse, alien worlds.

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. John Carter is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 12m runtime, released in 2012 with an average rating of 6.4 by 6,193 people. The movie made an estimated total of $284,100,000 in the box office.

Ender's Game follows a young protagonist through military training and subsequent leadership in a desperate battle for humanity, exploring themes of responsibility and large-scale conflict, much like The Force Awakens’ focus on new heroes emerging in an ongoing war.

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. Ender's Game is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 54m runtime, released in 2013 with an average rating of 6.6 by 6,335 people. The movie made an estimated total of $125,537,191 in the box office.

Flash Gordon chronicles a hero’s quest to save the galaxy from a tyrannical ruler, incorporating space battles and alliances across distant worlds, sharing with The Force Awakens the blend of high adventure and a desperate struggle against evil.

A football player and his mates travel to the planet Mongo and find themselves fighting the tyranny of Ming the Merciless to save Earth. Flash Gordon is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 51m runtime, released in 1980 with an average rating of 6.3 by 1,114 people. The movie made an estimated total of $27,100,000 in the box office.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is set in a vibrant intergalactic society where heroes face cosmic threats, reflecting The Force Awakens’ sense of exploration, futuristic environments, and the challenge of confronting malevolent forces with a new generation of protagonists.

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. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is a movie from France in English, with a total 2h 17m runtime, released in 2017 with an average rating of 6.7 by 8,123 people. The movie made an estimated total of $225,973,340 in the box office.

The Chronicles of Riddick features resistance fighters, shifting alliances, and a universe-spanning war with oppressive rulers, resembling the power struggles and reluctant heroism central to The Force Awakens’ depiction of rebellion against a technologically advanced enemy.

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. The Chronicles of Riddick is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 59m runtime, released in 2004 with an average rating of 6.6 by 4,563 people. The movie made an estimated total of $115,772,733 in the box office.

Battle Beyond the Stars portrays a ragtag group assembling to defend a planet from invasion, echoing the formation of resistance alliances and interplanetary battles that drive the stakes and character motivations in The Force Awakens.

A young farmer assembles a band of diverse mercenaries to defend his peaceful planet from an evil tyrant. Battle Beyond the Stars is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 43m runtime, released in 1980 with an average rating of 5.4 by 230 people. The movie made an estimated total of $11,000,000 in the box office.

Oblivion depicts a post-war world where remnants of humanity discover hidden truths and confront powerful antagonists, employing a sci-fi setting and themes of mistaken identities and renewed conflict common to The Force Awakens.

Jack Harper is one of the last few drone repairmen stationed on Earth. Part of a massive operation to extract vital resources after decades of war with a terrifying threat known as the Scavs, Jack’s mission is nearly complete. His existence is brought crashing down when he rescues a beautiful stranger from a downed spacecraft. Her arrival triggers a chain of events that forces him to question everything he knows and puts the fate of humanity in his hands. Oblivion is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 4m runtime, released in 2013 with an average rating of 6.7 by 11,661 people. The movie made an estimated total of $286,168,572 in the box office.

Edge of Tomorrow merges alien warfare with a central character’s repeated attempts to shape the outcome, sharing with The Force Awakens a narrative of learning, adaptation, and battling overwhelming odds within a technologically advanced future.

Major Bill Cage is an officer who has never seen a day of combat when he is unceremoniously demoted and dropped into combat. Cage is killed within minutes, managing to take an alpha alien down with him. He awakens back at the beginning of the same day and is forced to fight and die again... and again - as physical contact with the alien has thrown him into a time loop. Edge of Tomorrow is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 54m runtime, released in 2014 with an average rating of 7.6 by 15,288 people. The movie made an estimated total of $370,541,256 in the box office.

Super 8 centers on characters confronting extraordinary events and secretive military operations, overlapping The Force Awakens’ motif of ordinary individuals thrust into situations where their decisions influence the outcome of much larger conflicts.

In late 1970s Ohio, a group of friends filming a homemade zombie movie witness a devastating train derailment. Soon after, their quiet town is gripped by unexplained disappearances, strange phenomena, and a growing sense of fear, as they uncover that something terrifying has been set loose. Super 8 is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 52m runtime, released in 2011 with an average rating of 6.8 by 7,175 people. The movie made an estimated total of $260,100,000 in the box office.

The Last Starfighter involves an unsuspecting protagonist being enlisted to join a war to save distant worlds, paralleling The Force Awakens’ structure of discovering hidden potential and stepping into intergalactic conflicts.

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. The Last Starfighter is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 41m runtime, released in 1984 with an average rating of 6.6 by 779 people. The movie made an estimated total of $28,733,290 in the box office.

Stargate uses interstellar travel as a means for heroes to confront powerful enemies in a distant world, with themes of rebellion and mythic journeys that resonate with The Force Awakens’ depiction of new battles on ancient fronts.

An interstellar teleportation device, found in Egypt, leads to a planet with humans resembling ancient Egyptians who worship the god Ra. Stargate is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 1m runtime, released in 1994 with an average rating of 7.0 by 3,891 people. The movie made an estimated total of $196,567,262 in the box office.

Pacific Rim tells a story of humans fighting a technologically superior external threat, highlighting alliances, strategy, and the mobilization of survivors—reflecting the large-scale, fate-of-humanity conflicts present in The Force Awakens.

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. Pacific Rim is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 11m runtime, released in 2013 with an average rating of 6.9 by 13,597 people. The movie made an estimated total of $411,000,000 in the box office.

Solaris explores mysterious phenomena and psychological challenges in a sci-fi setting, aligning with The Force Awakens through its emphasis on confronting the unknown and addressing personal and cosmic-scale conflict.

A troubled psychologist is sent to investigate the crew of an isolated research station orbiting a bizarre planet. Solaris is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 39m runtime, released in 2002 with an average rating of 5.9 by 1,481 people. The movie made an estimated total of $30,002,758 in the box office.

Starman follows a journey involving extraterrestrial encounters and the hope of understanding across divide, touching similar science fiction themes of connection and discovery as those found in The Force Awakens.

When an alien takes the form of a young widow's husband and asks her to drive him from Wisconsin to Arizona, the government tries to stop them. Starman is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 55m runtime, released in 1984 with an average rating of 6.9 by 1,021 people. The movie made an estimated total of $28,744,356 in the box office.

Interstellar investigates humanity's survival through space exploration and personal sacrifice, matching The Force Awakens in using epic cosmic settings and heroes determined to overcome existential threats for the sake of future generations.

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. Interstellar is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 49m runtime, released in 2014 with an average rating of 8.5 by 40,566 people. The movie made an estimated total of $746,606,706 in the box office.

Ready Player One explores a future shaped by high technology and individuals rising to meet challenges in a virtual world, paralleling The Force Awakens with its emphasis on a new generation finding their place amid legendary conflict.

When the creator of a popular video game system dies, a virtual contest is created to compete for his fortune. Ready Player One is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 20m runtime, released in 2018 with an average rating of 7.6 by 17,144 people. The movie made an estimated total of $607,274,134 in the box office.

Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone depicts daring exploits across unfamiliar worlds, featuring battles against formidable enemies—elements also central to The Force Awakens’ sense of adventure, rescue, and the fight against oppression.

On a distant planet inhabited by mutants, two bounty hunters race to rescue three Earth female captives from the clutches of an evil warlord. Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 30m runtime, released in 1983 with an average rating of 5.4 by 140 people. The movie made an estimated total of $16,478,265 in the box office.

The Iron Giant presents a story of forging alliances with extraordinary beings in the face of fear and distrust, much like The Force Awakens’ heroics amidst new allegiances and the struggle to bring hope to a troubled world.

In the small town of Rockwell, Maine in October 1957, a giant metal machine befriends a nine-year-old boy and ultimately finds its humanity by unselfishly saving people from their own fears and prejudices. The Iron Giant is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 26m runtime, released in 1999 with an average rating of 8.0 by 6,265 people. The movie made an estimated total of $23,300,000 in the box office.

The Black Hole explores space travel and the mysteries of advanced technology, featuring crew dynamics and looming danger, similarities echoed in The Force Awakens’ narrative involving perilous journeys and resistance against powerful threats in a sci-fi universe.

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. The Black Hole is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 38m runtime, released in 1979 with an average rating of 5.8 by 555 people. The movie made an estimated total of $35,841,901 in the box office.

Treasure Planet reimagines a classic adventure with interstellar pirates and a coming-of-age hero, pairing the swashbuckling journeys and generational legacies central to The Force Awakens’ story of new heroes rising in a galactic setting.

When space galleon cabin boy Jim Hawkins discovers a map to an intergalactic "loot of a thousand worlds," a cyborg cook named John Silver teaches him to battle supernovas and space storms on their journey to find treasure. Treasure Planet is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 36m runtime, released in 2002 with an average rating of 7.6 by 4,679 people. The movie made an estimated total of $109,578,115 in the box office.

Dark City plunges characters into an unfamiliar reality controlled by unseen forces, aligning with The Force Awakens through its depiction of identity, memory, and fighting back against a manipulative power in a dark science fiction backdrop.

A man struggles with memories of his past, including a wife he cannot remember, in a nightmarish world with no sun and run by beings with telekinetic powers who seek the souls of humans. Dark City is a movie from Australia in English, with a total 1h 41m runtime, released in 1998 with an average rating of 7.3 by 3,266 people. The movie made an estimated total of $27,200,000 in the box office.

Event Horizon incorporates deep-space exploration and encounters with dangerous forces, sharing The Force Awakens’ setting of remote outposts, technological mysteries, and the ever-present threat posed by hostile groups beyond the known frontier.

In 2047, a group of astronauts are sent to investigate and salvage the starship Event Horizon which disappeared mysteriously seven years before on its maiden voyage. However, it soon becomes evident that something sinister resides in its corridors. Event Horizon is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 36m runtime, released in 1997 with an average rating of 6.6 by 3,382 people. The movie made an estimated total of $26,700,000 in the box office.

Sunshine follows a crew’s mission to save humanity by venturing into deep space, mirroring The Force Awakens with its high-stakes journey, space-based setting, and focus on group dynamics under extreme pressure.

Fifty years into the future, the sun is dying, and Earth is threatened by arctic temperatures. A team of astronauts is sent to revive the Sun — but the mission fails. Seven years later, a new team is sent to finish the mission as mankind’s last hope. Sunshine is a movie from United Kingdom in English, with a total 1h 48m runtime, released in 2007 with an average rating of 7.0 by 4,344 people. The movie made an estimated total of $34,800,000 in the box office.