10 Movies & Shows Like Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Description: A groundbreaking science fiction film that explores themes of human evolution, artificial intelligence, and encounters with the unknown. Its slow-paced, visually stunning depiction of space travel and mysterious alien artifacts aligns closely with the tone and aesthetic of thoughtful, philosophical sci-fi.

Fact: The film's iconic 'Star Gate' sequence was created using slit-scan photography, a technique that took months to perfect. The HAL 9000 computer was voiced by Douglas Rain, who never appeared on set and recorded his lines in a single afternoon.

Description: A meticulous scientific thriller about a team investigating a deadly extraterrestrial microorganism, showcasing procedural problem-solving and biological mysteries. Its clinical approach to an alien threat and emphasis on scientific methodology reflects a more grounded take on first contact scenarios.

Fact: The film's high-tech laboratory sets were so convincing they were later used for actual scientific conferences. Author Michael Crichton based the story on real government plans for dealing with extraterrestrial contamination.

Description: A psychologically intense sci-fi drama that examines human consciousness and alien contact through its mysterious oceanic planet. Its slow, meditative pace and focus on the limitations of human understanding when faced with the truly alien create a haunting, philosophical experience.

Fact: Director Andrei Tarkovsky considered the film a response to what he saw as the cold sterility of American sci-fi. The zero-gravity scenes were filmed by rotating the camera with the actors standing still.

Description: A wonder-filled depiction of first contact that emphasizes communication and transcendence over conflict. Its awe-inspiring visual effects and focus on ordinary people experiencing the extraordinary captures the sense of cosmic mystery and possibility inherent in alien encounter stories.

Fact: The film's iconic five-note musical motif was created using hand signals from American Sign Language. The mothership's design was inspired by the lights of an oil refinery at night.

Description: A scientifically rigorous exploration of first contact that balances wonder with skepticism, focusing on the personal and societal impacts of discovering extraterrestrial intelligence. Its blend of hard science with spiritual questions about humanity's place in the universe creates a compelling narrative about the search for meaning.

Fact: The film's opening sequence showing Earth's radio transmissions moving outward into space uses actual historical broadcasts. The alien message received in the film contains 60,000 pages of data when printed out.

Description: A visually spectacular space epic that combines hard science with emotional storytelling, focusing on humanity's quest for survival and the mysteries of the cosmos. Its themes of exploration, time dilation, and higher dimensions resonate with the intellectual and awe-inspiring aspects of classic sci-fi.

Fact: The black hole Gargantua was rendered using actual equations from physicist Kip Thorne, resulting in the first accurate visualization of a black hole. The cornfields in the film were real and grown specifically for the production.

Description: A cerebral isolation story set on a lunar base that explores identity and corporate exploitation through its lone astronaut protagonist. Its minimalist approach to space storytelling and focus on psychological drama rather than action creates a poignant character study with sci-fi elements.

Fact: The film was shot in just 33 days on a modest budget. The moon base sets were built from recycled materials from other film productions to save money.

Description: A tense, visually immersive survival story set in space that captures both the beauty and danger of orbital environments. Its emphasis on realistic physics and the psychological toll of space isolation creates a gripping narrative about human resilience in the void.

Fact: The film's opening 17-minute shot took over two years to plan and execute. Sandra Bullock spent up to 10 hours a day in a specialized light box to simulate weightlessness.

Description: A cerebral first contact story that prioritizes linguistics and non-linear time perception over action, exploring profound questions about communication and destiny. Its thoughtful approach to alien encounters and emphasis on understanding rather than conflict reflects a more philosophical take on extraterrestrial contact.

Fact: The alien language was created by a professional graphic designer and has its own fully functional grammar system. The film's circular alien ships were inspired by the concept of a 'zero-width join' in linguistics.

Description: A scientifically grounded story of survival and problem-solving on an alien planet, emphasizing human ingenuity and the spirit of exploration. Its realistic portrayal of space travel and focus on teamwork in overcoming cosmic challenges mirrors the optimistic, problem-solving nature of many space adventures.

Fact: Author Andy Weir originally self-published the story serially on his website for free. NASA consulted on the film and used it as an opportunity to promote their real-life Mars missions.