10 Movies & Shows Like Starship Troopers (1997)

Description: Aliens shares similarities with Starship Troopers in its militaristic approach to battling extraterrestrial threats. Both films feature intense combat sequences, a focus on teamwork among soldiers, and a critique of military propaganda. The themes of survival against overwhelming odds and the dehumanization of the enemy are also prevalent in both movies.

Fact: James Cameron directed Aliens as a sequel to Ridley Scott's Alien, shifting the tone from horror to action. Sigourney Weaver's performance as Ellen Ripley earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. The film's iconic line 'Get away from her, you bitch!' was improvised by Weaver.

Description: Predator, like Starship Troopers, combines action and sci-fi elements with a focus on a group of soldiers facing an alien adversary. Both films explore themes of masculinity, survival, and the futility of war. The visual aesthetic of a technologically advanced enemy hunting humans is another common thread.

Fact: Predator was originally conceived as a vehicle for Arnold Schwarzenegger after the success of Commando. The Predator's thermal vision was achieved by filming actors with infrared cameras. Jean-Claude Van Damme was initially cast as the Predator but was replaced due to creative differences.

Description: Independence Day mirrors Starship Troopers in its depiction of a global alien invasion and humanity's united response. Both films feature large-scale battles, patriotic themes, and a mix of action and humor. The destruction of major landmarks and the portrayal of aliens as a monolithic threat are also common elements.

Fact: Independence Day was the highest-grossing film of 1996, earning over $800 million worldwide. The film's iconic White House explosion scene was created using miniatures. Will Smith's character was originally written as a fighter pilot, but the role was changed to a Marine after Smith was cast.

Description: The Fifth Element shares Starship Troopers' vibrant visual style and satirical tone. Both films blend action with humor and feature over-the-top characters. The futuristic settings and the portrayal of a united humanity facing an existential threat are also similar.

Fact: Luc Besson wrote the first draft of The Fifth Element when he was 16 years old. The film's costumes were designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier, giving it a unique fashion-forward look. Bruce Willis initially turned down the role of Korben Dallas but changed his mind after meeting Besson.

Description: District 9, like Starship Troopers, uses sci-fi to explore social and political themes. Both films critique militarism and xenophobia, albeit in different ways. The documentary-style approach in District 9 gives it a similar gritty realism to Starship Troopers' satirical take on war propaganda.

Fact: District 9 was made on a budget of $30 million, a fraction of typical sci-fi blockbusters. The film was shot in Johannesburg, South Africa, and used many non-professional actors. The prawn aliens were created using a combination of practical effects and CGI.

Description: Battle: Los Angeles shares Starship Troopers' focus on ground-level military combat against an alien invasion. Both films emphasize the camaraderie among soldiers and the chaos of war. The documentary-style cinematography in Battle: Los Angeles gives it a similar gritty, realistic feel to the combat sequences in Starship Troopers.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life Battle of Los Angeles in 1942, a supposed UFO sighting. Aaron Eckhart trained with real Marines to prepare for his role. The aliens' design was kept secret during production to maintain suspense.

Description: Elysium shares Starship Troopers' dystopian vision of the future and its critique of social inequality. Both films feature advanced technology and militarized societies. The themes of class struggle and the dehumanization of the oppressed are also prevalent in both movies.

Fact: Elysium was directed by Neill Blomkamp, who also directed District

Description: Edge of Tomorrow, like Starship Troopers, features a futuristic war against alien invaders and a protagonist who undergoes significant personal growth. Both films blend action with dark humor and explore themes of sacrifice and redemption. The mechanized combat suits in Edge of Tomorrow are reminiscent of the powered armor in Starship Troopers.

Fact: The film is based on the Japanese light novel All You Need Is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. Tom Cruise performed many of his own stunts, including the beach landing sequence. The film's original title was changed from All You Need Is Kill to Edge of Tomorrow for international markets.

Description: Pacific Rim shares Starship Troopers' theme of humanity uniting to fight an alien threat. Both films feature large-scale battles and a focus on teamwork. The over-the-top action and visual spectacle are also similar, with Pacific Rim's Jaegers paralleling the powered armor in Starship Troopers.

Fact: Guillermo del Toro directed Pacific Rim as a love letter to giant monster and robot films. The Jaegers were designed to move like heavyweight boxers to emphasize their size and power. The film's score was composed by Ramin Djawadi, who also worked on Game of Thrones.

Description: Chappie, like Starship Troopers, explores themes of humanity and artificial intelligence within a militarized society. Both films blend action with philosophical questions about consciousness and morality. The satirical tone and visual style are also similar, with Chappie's robotic designs echoing the technology in Starship Troopers.

Fact: Chappie was inspired by Neill Blomkamp's earlier short film Tetra Vaal. The titular character was performed by Sharlto Copley using motion capture. The film's soundtrack was composed by Hans Zimmer, marking his first collaboration with Blomkamp.