Denis Villeneuve made his name in the science fiction genre, thanks to making several movies like Arrival. This gorgeous tale of communication, forgiveness, and understanding came through the guise of a first-contact drama. The movie stars Amy Adams as a linguist whose daughter died from an incurable illness when she was 12 years old. However, when 12 extraterrestrial spacecraft begin to hover over the Earth, she is one of the people brought in to help communicate with them as she has to make the toughest decision of her life.
Sci-fi fans never want waiting long it comes to new films from their favorite directors, and Villeneuve himself has made his name in the genre with movies like Arrival, Dune, and Blade Runner 2049. These all have something in common, as the movies tell smart sci-fi stories while also relying on a smart script over even the best in special effects. The best movies like Arrival take smart ideas and then place them in a fantastical situation, often telling stories that force the viewers to think about what they are seeing on the screen and what it means in the world in general.
20
Dune (2021)
Directed By Denis Velleneuve
Dune is a little different from movies like Arrival because there are a lot of very expensive special effects on display in the film. This movie has giant monsters, evil dictators, and war battles where one alien race wants to conquer all others. Despite those differences, this is still a Denis Villeneuve movie, and it shares a lot in common with movies like Arrival in that there are big ideas that might even dwarf the special effects. Based on Frank Herbert’s novel, Villeneuve did something that David Lynch struggled to pull off almost 30 years before, as it introduced the main players for the franchise and set up even bigger movies to come.
Sharing a director with Arrival means it’s clear that 2021’s Dune has a lot in common with the 2016 film. Both explore themes of language, destiny, and the burden of knowledge, making it a perfect watch for fans of Denis Villeneuve’s cerebral sci-fi storytelling. Additionally, Amy Adams’ Louise Banks and Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides share a similar journey – both are thrust into extraordinary circumstances where their understanding of communication and perception of time set them apart. Villeneuve’s signature visual style, atmospheric sound design, and methodical pacing also mirror Arrival, creating an immersive experience. Plus, both films boast stunning cinematography by Greig Fraser, reinforcing a haunting yet awe-inspiring tone. If you loved Arrival for its deep philosophical questions and stunning visuals, Dune offers another mesmerizing, thought-provoking experience.
19
Children Of Men (2006)
Directed By Alfonso Cuáron
Children of Men, an Oscar-nominated movie from Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuáron, shares a great deal in common with movies like Arrival. The filmmaker took a science fiction setup but then added a very human touch where the sci-fi was just a way to put the humans in the world into a situation where they had to figure out how to just get by in life. The movie saw 18 years pᴀss on a planet where every human seemed to become infertile, and no babies had been born. With humanity dying out, one woman shows up pregnant, and a former activist is enlisted to get her to safety as everyone wants to get their hands on her, culminating in the Children of Men ending.
Both Children of Men and Arrival explore themes of hope in the face of despair, the fragility of civilization, and how a single individual can shape the future. Clive Owen’s Theo, much like Amy Adams’ Louise, is an unlikely protagonist thrust into a world-changing event, with their journeys rooted in empathy and a longing for something lost. The cinematography, with long, immersive takes, echoes Arrival’s deliberate pacing, creating an emotional connection to the unfolding mystery. Additionally, both movies feature melancholic yet uplifting finales that linger in the mind long after the credits roll. If Arrival resonated with you because of its emotional depth and introspective look at humanity, Children of Men delivers a similarly powerful experience.
18
Dark City (1998)
Directed By Alex Proyas
Directed by Alex Proyas, Dark City tells the story of a dystopian society and a murder investigation that leads in very unexpected directions. The movie is a strong mix of film noir and science fiction, making it very close to another Villeneuve movie in Blade Runner 2049, but it also shares a lot in common with movies like Arrival. That is because it is a smart movie with a lot going on under the hood, especially when it comes to the protagonist John Murdoch trying to figure out what is going on around him, making him a nice character to compare to Louise in Arrival.
When it comes to similarities with Arrival, Dark City also plays with perception, reality, and the nature of time itself. Both movies explore how our understanding of the world is shaped by forces beyond our control – whether it’s the mysterious aliens of Arrival or the enigmatic beings manipulating reality in Dark City. What’s more, the protagonists in both films must piece together a mystery with a tone that delves in and out of surrealism in time with the unfolding revelations of the plot. If you enjoyed Arrival’s blend of high-concept sci-fi with intimate, emotional storytelling, Dark City provides a similarly mind-bending and visually stunning experience.
17
Primer (2004)
Directed By Shane Carruth
Movies like Arrival force viewers to pay close attention, because the plots often play out like a puzzle with the story slowly coming together. When it comes to sci-fi puzzle movies, there might not be a better, more complicated film than Primer. Directed by Shane Carruth, Primer tells the story of two engineers who create a box that allows time travel, but with very specific rules in place. However, just as movies like Arrival took aliens arriving on Earth and told a personal story about a woman and grief. Primer refused to tell a typical time travel story and instead introduced the idea of a paradox that took science and physics very seriously.
Much like Arrival, Primer takes a grounded, cerebral approach to science fiction, challenging audiences to rethink their understanding of time. While Arrival uses linguistics to explore nonlinear time, Primer does so through time travel itself, following two engineers who accidentally stumble upon a means of temporal manipulation. Both films reward those who engage deeply with their intricate storytelling, adding to their rewatch value. The way Arrival immerses viewers in complex theories of communication and determinism finds a kindred spirit in Primer’s dense, puzzle-like narrative. If you were captivated by Arrival’s slow-burn intellectual approach, Primer will keep you thinking long after the credits roll.
16
Timecrimes (2007)
Directed By Nacho Vigalondo
Much like how Primer took the idea of time travel in movies and played with it on a serious level (as Arrival would later do too), Timecrimes did a similar task when it showed how traveling through time had unintended consequences that people rarely think about. Directed by Nacho Vigalondo, Timecrimes is a Spanish-language movie that sees a man named Hector who lives in the Spanish countryside and ends up attacked by a mysterious masked man in the woods. Just like many sci-fi movies like Arrival, this demands a viewer pay attention and then pays it off with a smart twist ending.
Timecrimes is a mind-bending sci-fi film that rivals even Arrival in its surrealism, and both explore the complexities of time, fate, and cause-and-effect. Where Arrival delves into time perception through language, Timecrimes uses a thrilling and intimate time loop narrative to examine free will and inevitability. Much like Louise Banks in Arrival, the protagonist of Timecrimes must piece together a puzzle where his actions – past, present, and future – are interconnected. The film’s minimalist yet gripping storytelling and suspenseful twists will appeal to those who enjoyed Arrival’s intricate narrative structure. For fans of cerebral sci-fi that plays with the nature of time while keeping the story deeply personal, Timecrimes is a must-watch.
15
The Vast Of Night (2020)
Directed By Andrew Patterson
The Vast of Night has a low-budget vibe that works in its favor, and it takes a Twilight Zone-like approach to its production. This is, of course, the total opposite of Arrival, but the two have more in common than first meets the eye. The entirety of The Vast of Night is actually framed as an episode of a fictional anthology series called Paradox Theatre, and takes place over the course of a single evening at a high school basketball game in the 1950s. A radio DJ discovers a strange audio signal that could possibly be extraterrestrial in origin. This brings up an immediate comparison to movies like Arrival, another movie about deciphering alien transmissions, but remains focused on the humans figuring it all out. Also like Arrival, The Vast of Night has a twisty ending.
This atmospheric indie sci-fi gem shares Arrival’s fascination with language, communication, and first contact. Like Arrival, it’s a slow-burn mystery that builds tension through conversation, sound, and an eerie sense of discovery rather than large-scale spectacle. Both films immerse the audience in the protagonist’s experience, allowing tension to rise through subtle yet powerful storytelling. The Vast of Night’s long, unbroken takes and immersive sound design create an intimate experience similar to Arrival’s focus on dialogue and atmosphere. Fans of Arrival who appreciate intelligent, dialogue-driven sci-fi that prioritizes mood and mystery will find The Vast of Night captivating.
14
Sunshine (2007)
Directed By Danny Boyle
Sunshine is perfect for fans of movies like Arrival. A crew of astronauts and scientists travel to the sun with a payload intended to restart it after our star begins to fail in this fantastically simple but cosmic film by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting). This 2007 film was overlooked in many ways, including at the Oscars, which didn’t give it a single nomination. However, it featured an incredible cast including Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans, Rose Byrne, and Michelle Yeoh. Alex Garland wrote the script for the movie, as well as other movies like Arrival, including Ex Machina and Annihilation. When it comes to smart sci-fi, it doesn’t get much better.
As a quieter, less conflict-oriented genre movie like Arrival, Sunshine blends hard sci-fi with a deeply emotional core, exploring themes of sacrifice, fate, and the fragility of humanity. While Sunshine focuses on a mission to reignite the dying Sun rather than aliens, both films create an immersive experience through stunning cinematography, an evocative score, and a sense of awe in the face of the unknown. Arrival’s themes of existential dread and human resilience echo Arrival’s exploration of mortality and destiny. Additionally, both movies share a sense of inevitability, where characters must come to terms with choices that alter the course of history. If Arrival’s combination of stunning visuals and philosophical depth resonated with you, Sunshine offers a similarly breathtaking and contemplative journey.
13
Upstream Color (2013)
Directed By Shane Carruth
Upstream Color is an overlooked movie from 2013, written, directed, produced, and starring Shane Carruth, who also made the time-travel mind-bender Primer, from 2004. Upstream Color isn’t another time-travel story, but fans of movies like Arrival are likely to enjoy puzzling out the complex story. In the movie, a man known only as the Thief seems to be harvesting a larva-like enтιтy that has profound effects on the human mind when ingested. Profound effects. Who is who and what is what becomes a major question in the film.
If you were drawn to Arrival’s hypnotic storytelling and emotional depth, Upstream Color is an equally enigmatic and poetic experience. Like Arrival, it is a movie that requires the viewer to actively engage with its themes rather than offering straightforward exposition. Both explore human connection through nontraditional narratives, using dreamlike visuals and evocative sound design to communicate complex ideas. While Arrival uses language as its focal point, Upstream Color deals with idenтιтy, control, and shared consciousness, weaving a puzzle-like structure that slowly reveals its meaning. If you loved Arrival for its ability to blur the line between science fiction and deep human emotion, Upstream Color will leave you mesmerized.
12
Fast Color (2018)
Directed By Julia Hart
Fast Color is a movie from 2018 that straddles a few different genres. On one hand, it’s a superhero movie. Ruth (played brilliantly by Gugu Mbatha-Raw) possesses superpowers, causing earthquakes. The film is also post-apocalyptic, taking place during a severe water shortage in the United States. But what it’s really about is family. Ruth returns home, where she hasn’t been in some time, to try and reconcile with her estranged mother and daughter, both of whom have their own superhuman abilities. It shares themes with movies like Arrival by having family drama play out larger than the fantastical ideas.
Like Arrival, Fast Color is a deeply emotional sci-fi film that prioritizes character over spectacle. It also centers on a strong female protagonist with unique abilities that change her perception of the world. While Arrival’s Louise Banks gains a new understanding of time through alien language, Fast Color’s Ruth has powers tied to a hidden legacy within her family. Both movies focus on self-discovery and acceptance, using science fiction as a means to explore personal transformation. Additionally, both films emphasize the importance of motherhood – Fast Color through its multigenerational story and Arrival through its nonlinear narrative about love and loss. If you enjoyed Arrival’s intimate, thought-provoking approach to sci-fi, Fast Color offers a similar blend of emotional depth and mystery.
11
Under The Skin (2013)
Directed By Jonathan Glazer
Under the Skin is a gorgeously esoteric 2013 film that stars Scarlett Johansson as an alien enтιтy that comes to Earth to eat people. However, the movie is nowhere near that simple. Johansson’s alien skins people and impersonates them, all the while driving around Scotland to find more victims. It sounds absurd, but it’s haunting and dark, punctuated by the eerie soundtrack. Under the Skin explores the issues of idenтιтy and loneliness, without ever really providing any easy answers. Directed by Jonathan Glazer, Under the Skin has a lot going on under the hood like movies like Arrival, and this is about a lot more than just a killer alien, as it is more about living the human experience.
Both Arrival and Under the Skin use quiet, introspective storytelling and striking visuals to create an eerie sense of discovery. Where Arrival sees an expert trying to understand an alien presence, Under the Skin reverses this by following an alien observing humanity. Both movies challenge the audience to empathize with beings who perceive the world in fundamentally different ways. Additionally, Under the Skin features an unsettling, otherworldly score that echoes Arrival’s immersive sound design. Fans of Arrival who appreciate thought-provoking, slow-burn sci-fi with hypnotic visuals will find Under the Skin to be an unforgettable experience.
10
Ex Machina (2015)
Directed By Alex Garland
Alex Garland’s directorial debut, Ex Machina, was a genre disruptor – one that has plenty in common with Arrival. Ex Machina was championed at the Academy Awards, beating out names such as The Force Awakens and Mad Max: Fury Road in the Visual Effects category. This bare-bones masterwork explores questions not only of artificial intelligence but gender and Sєxuality. Alicia Vikander’s performance as the AI Ava is captivating, completely coming through in her largely CGI-rendered movements. Oscar Isaac and Domnhall Gleeson are a powerful double act as well. Perhaps the biggest draw, though, is the visuals from Garland, who is far more cynical and Kubrick-esque than movies like Arrival.
Above all though, Ex Machina is another cerebral sci-fi film that examines communication, intelligence, and what it means to be human. It share’s Arrival’s containment to a shared, intimate setting where dialogue and interaction drive the story’s tension and intrigue. However, while Arrival focuses on alien language, Ex Machina explores artificial intelligence and the ethics of creation. Both movies build suspense through quiet, methodical storytelling, allowing their thought-provoking themes to take center stage. Additionally, Oscar Isaac, who appeared in Arrival’s director Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, delivers another standout performance. If you enjoyed Arrival’s ability to balance emotional depth with intellectual curiosity, Ex Machina offers a similarly gripping, introspective experience.
9
Annihilation (2018)
Directed By Alex Garland
Alex Garland’s second feature was even more out there than Ex Machina, choosing to adapt an existing novel by writer Jeff VanderMeer. Annihilation is similar to many movies like Arrival, tackling questions of relationships and love, while also exploring agency, conservation, and the environment. Once again, this is a far darker take on the genre than even Ex Machina or Arrival. Annihilation is a psychedelic journey into a nightmarish landscape, inhabited by mutant creatures and slowly deteriorating sanity. Natalie Portman gives an incredible performance in the lead role and is put through the absolute wringer.
Sharing Arrival’s contemplative approach to sci-fi, Annihilation also focuses heavily on themes of transformation, grief, and the unknown. Both films also feature strong female leads – Natalie Portman in Annihilation and Amy Adams in Arrival – who confront extraordinary, reality-altering phenomena. Annihilation’s dreamlike visuals and cryptic storytelling mirror Arrival’s approach to the mysteries of language and perception. Director Alex Garland creates an unsettling, awe-inspiring atmosphere similar to Denis Villeneuve’s work, and both films offer thought-provoking conclusions that leave audiences questioning reality. If Arrival’s blend of deep emotion and cosmic mystery captivated you, Annihilation is an essential follow-up.
8
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Directed By Denis Villeneuve
Denis Villeneuve achieved the impossible with this direct sequel to 1984’s Blade Runner. The original film redefined the genre, and to many seemed untouchable. Yet somehow, Villeneuve crafted a surprising, loyal, and outstanding sequel. Visually, the film stands on its own, yet at the same time, feels in line with the original. Everything feels bigger in scope, dour and dreary, and ultimately hopeful. Villeneuve’s ability to project scope and emotion through this genre is shown perfectly in this film. Villeneuve proved in this and movies like Arrival, that he was more than the man for the job when it came to Dune.
Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 shares much of Arrival’s DNA – both films are visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and thematically rich. Like Arrival, Blade Runner 2049 is a slow-burn sci-fi film that explores profound philosophical questions, such as the nature of idenтιтy, memory, and fate. Both movies use their striking cinematography and evocative sound design to create an immersive, meditative experience. Additionally, Arrival and Blade Runner 2049 share a fascination with nonlinear storytelling and how knowledge can alter perception. If you were captivated by Arrival’s intellectual and emotional depth, Blade Runner 2049 offers another breathtaking, thought-provoking journey through the unknown.
7
Inception (2010)
Directed By Christopher Nolan
Inception was one of the most popular science fiction films of the past decade. The hard rules established by Christopher Nolan were able to add an understandable construct to this world of dreams. The sheer stakes involved were unlike anything before, giving weight to a subject that feels so ethereal. Visually speaking, the film is stunning, utilizing unreal visual effects both practical and CGI. The score from Hans Zimmer is explosive and emotional, and the entire thing is a somber roller coaster through the mind of Nolan. Similar to movies like Arrival, this was a film that took a sci-fi idea and then made it as smart and accessible as possible. People are still talking about the Inception ending today.
Much like Arrival, Christopher Nolan’s Inception plays with time, memory, and the power of perception. Each is a blockbuster that challenges the audience to think beyond linear storytelling, using intricate narratives that reward careful attention. Just as Arrival explores how language can change the way we see time, Inception examines the nature of dreams and reality, questioning what is real and what is constructed. The emotional core of both films also revolves around loss and personal sacrifice, with characters making heartbreaking choices that reshape their futures. If you enjoyed Arrival for its
6
Ad Astra (2019)
Directed By James Gray
If movies like Arrival are stories about the wonders of possible life outside the galaxy, Ad Astra is the exact opposite. Struck with the overwhelming lack of extraterrestrial life, what is the human mind left with? While it handles these big questions about the universe, it is also far more concerned with interpersonal and existential questions of trauma, toxic behavior, and relationships. It’s questions concerning these topics that are only boosted by the career-best performance from Brad Pitt and the unreal set pieces and action sequences. It’s contemplative and heavy, but never pretentious.
Like Arrival, Ad Astra is a deeply introspective sci-fi film that explores human emotion, isolation, and the weight of personal sacrifice. It also mirrors Arrival’s ability to balance intimate character studies with grand cosmic themes, using sci-fi as a vehicle for exploring deeply human concerns. Much like Louise Banks in Arrival, Brad Pitt’s Roy McBride is a quiet, thoughtful protagonist burdened with existential questions. Both films also use stunning cinematography and haunting scores to enhance their meditative, otherworldly atmosphere. If you loved Arrival for its emotional depth and exploration of idenтιтy and purpose, Ad Astra offers a similarly introspective journey.
5
Her (2013)
Directed By Spike Jonze
Her (starring Joaquin Phoenix) is on the far end of the emotional spectrum of science fiction films. The AI element is far less important than the actual relationship involved. This is a romantic drama about love, trauma, and the possessiveness that comes with it only happens to be a science fiction movie. If anything, the science fiction elements are more just heightened versions of today’s technology, and the isolation that it creates. It’s a gorgeous film that embraces its science fiction roots, but because of its relevant emotional themes, it feels just as close to viewers today and is a nice companion to movies like Arrival.
While Her leans more into romance than traditional sci-fi, it shares many of Arrival’s central themes, including the nature of communication, love, and human connection. It’s another story exploring how language shapes relationships, whether it’s through learning an alien tongue in Arrival or forming an emotional bond with an AI in Her. The melancholy tone and soft, dreamlike cinematography in both movies create an intimate, contemplative atmosphere. Additionally, Her and Arrival both feature protagonists who must confront the inevitability of loss while still choosing to embrace love.For those moved by Arrival’s emotional storytelling, Her offers another beautifully crafted meditation on love and time.
4
Interstellar (2014)
Directed By Christopher Nolan
Arrival’s unexpected time-travel turn is a direct link to the 2014 space travel drama Interstellar, from Christopher Nolan. In both films, the protagonist has to suffer through the death of their child through time-bending means, but here, in Interstellar, it is through time traveling to the future. The film is often an echo of more abstract features like Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. However, the emotional core works fully. Both Interstellar and movies like Arrival are about re-insтιтuting the hopeful vision of the future that the current cynical society has lost.
Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar shares Arrival’s fascination with time, relativity, and the emotional weight of human choices. Like Arrival too, Interstellar centers on protagonists who must reconcile with time’s pᴀssage – Louise Banks through her nonlinear perception of life and Cooper through time dilation across space. Like Arrival, Interstellar is a visually stunning and deeply emotional sci-fi film that balances grand cosmic mysteries with personal stakes. Hans Zimmer’s unforgettable score in Interstellar also echoes Arrival’s use of music to heighten the film’s emotional impact. Fans of Arrival who love thoughtful, philosophical sci-fi will find Interstellar to be an equally powerful experience.
3
Moon (2009)
Directed By Duncan Jones
Moon is a fantastic one-off science fiction drama with tons of twists and turns. This moon-based film tackles elements of agency, with a twist concerning a shocking cloning element. If anyone is looking for a fantastic central performance in a science fiction film, look no further than this. Sam Rockwell absolutely kills it in this movie, giving a funny and heartfelt performance for the books. It is also very interesting in that he is really the only character in the entire movie, making this a similar experience to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Also, like movies like Arrival, this is about the people in the sci-fi world more than it is about just the sci-fi experience.
Like Arrival, Moon is an intimate, character-driven sci-fi film that explores idenтιтy, isolation, and existential questions. The protagonist-centered narrative unravels the mind of someone facing a reality-altering discovery, forcing them to rethink everything they knew about themselves and their world. Sam Rockwell’s performance in Moon carries the same quiet intensity as Amy Adams’ in Arrival, making the audience deeply invested in his journey. The film’s minimalist aesthetic and thought-provoking narrative echo Arrival’s focus on atmosphere and emotional storytelling. If you were drawn to Arrival for its intelligent and intimate sci-fi approach, Moon delivers a similarly gripping and introspective experience.
2
Looper (2012)
Directed By Rian Johnson
Rian Johnson is a master at deconstructing a genre, so to see him do so with this sci-fi noir was a game-changer. The film is the first in a long time to offer an excellent performance from Bruce Willis, who really captures the tortured soul of older Joe. The film is a tangible near future, feeling just distant enough for the escapism, but close enough to make an impact. Once again, it tackles a lot of the similar themes of breaking traumatic cycles as movies like Arrival do. But, where Arrival is on a much larger scale, Looper embraces a more microlens.
Looper is, much like Arrival, a sci-fi movie that uses time as a central theme while maintaining an emotional core. It mirrors Arrival closely in that it challenges conventional storytelling by playing with nonlinear narratives, gradually revealing how past, present, and future are interconnected. Just as Arrival explores the implications of seeing time differently, Looper delves into the consequences of time travel and personal destiny. Additionally, Looper and Arrival share a focus on personal sacrifice, with characters making difficult choices for the greater good. If you enjoyed Arrival’s ability to blend intellectual sci-fi with heartfelt storytelling, Looper offers a thrilling and emotionally engaging take on time’s complexities.
1
District 9 (2009)
Directed By Neil Blomkamp
Arrival’s vision of first contact is far more traditional than Neil Blomkamp’s District 9, but there is also a chance his vision is even more realistic. Standing as a direct parallel to the horrors of South African Apartheid, District 9 uses its alien storyline to address the crushing systematic issues of xenophobia. But, this film is far and away more exciting than the contemplative nature of Arrival. Chock-full of explosive action sequences and humor, District 9 offers a science-fiction action film that still isn’t afraid to dip its toes in the more political arguments behind its story.
District 9 is as thought-provoking a viewing experience as Arrival, and is a sister sci-fi film that examines humanity’s response to extraterrestrial life. Both films use an alien encounter as a lens for exploring deeper themes – Arrival focuses on communication and unity, while District 9 delves into social and political issues like segregation and xenophobia. The emotional journey of District 9’s protagonist, Wikus, mirrors Louise Banks’ arc in Arrival, as both characters initially approach the unknown with skepticism before undergoing a profound transformation. Additionally, both films blend realistic storytelling with stunning sci-fi elements, creating an immersive experience. If you loved Arrival for its intellectual depth and emotional resonance, District 9 provides a gripping and socially relevant sci-fi experience.
