If you loved the tense, apocalyptic thriller 'Miracle Mile' (1989), you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 gripping movies and shows that share its high-stakes suspense, unexpected twists, and race against time. Whether you're a fan of nerve-wracking narratives or end-of-the-world scenarios, these picks will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Scanners (1981)
Description: A psychological sci-fi thriller with explosive tension and a focus on individuals with extraordinary, dangerous abilities.
Fact: The infamous head explosion scene was achieved using a prosthetic head filled with fake blood and meat. The film's score was composed by Howard Shore, who later worked on 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy.
Watch Now 
Escape from New York (1981)
Description: A gritty, dystopian action film with a lone protagonist navigating a dangerous urban landscape against a ticking clock.
Fact: The film's concept was inspired by the Watergate scandal. Kurt Russell's character, Snake Plissken, was named after a character in a John Carpenter script that was never produced.
Watch Now 
Blade Runner (1982)
Description: A neo-noir sci-fi film with a dark, atmospheric tone, exploring themes of identity and humanity under pressure.
Fact: The film initially underperformed at the box office but later became a cult classic. The dystopian Los Angeles was inspired by industrial landscapes and futuristic Hong Kong.
Watch Now 
The Thing (1982)
Description: A claustrophobic horror-sci-fi hybrid with intense paranoia and a group of people trapped in a life-or-death situation.
Fact: The film's practical effects were groundbreaking and still hold up today. It was initially panned by critics but is now considered a masterpiece of the genre.
Watch Now 
Videodrome (1983)
Description: A surreal, body-horror sci-fi film exploring the blurring lines between reality and media-induced hallucinations.
Fact: The film's special effects were so disturbing that some scenes had to be toned down to avoid an X rating. It was one of the first films to predict the addictive nature of television and digital media.
Watch Now 
The Terminator (1984)
Description: A high-stakes thriller with a relentless pursuit, blending sci-fi elements with intense action and a race against time.
Fact: The iconic line 'I'll be back' was almost cut from the script. The film's budget was so tight that some scenes were shot in abandoned buildings without permits.
Watch Now 
The Fly (1986)
Description: A tragic sci-fi horror film with a slow, gruesome transformation and themes of love and loss under extreme circumstances.
Fact: The film's makeup effects took over five hours to apply each day. The famous 'insect politics' monologue was improvised by Jeff Goldblum.
Watch Now 
RoboCop (1987)
Description: A violent, satirical sci-fi action film with a protagonist caught in a corporate dystopia, fighting against overwhelming odds.
Fact: The film's ultra-violence led to it being heavily edited for an R rating. The ED-209 robot malfunctioned during filming, creating an unscripted but iconic scene.
Watch Now 
The Running Man (1987)
Description: A dystopian action film where the protagonist is forced into a deadly game, blending satire with high-energy chase sequences.
Fact: The film was loosely based on a Stephen King novel written under a pseudonym. The futuristic game show concept was a critique of reality TV before it became mainstream.
Watch Now 
They Live (1988)
Description: A sci-fi thriller with a paranoid tone, uncovering hidden truths beneath a seemingly normal world, leading to a desperate fight for survival.
Fact: The famous alley fight scene took three weeks to film. The film's themes of consumerism and media manipulation were ahead of their time.
Watch Now 
