12 movies to watch if you love 'Star Wars'
Meghan Cook
- Fans of the "Star Wars" franchise may enjoy other films with similar stories and familiar faces.
- "Star Wars" actors have also appeared in pictures like "Inside Llewyn Davis" and "Jane Got a Gun."
- "Star Trek," "Zathura," and "Guardians of the Galaxy" are reminiscent space-adventure movies.
Director J.J. Abrams rebooted another sci-fi series with "Star Trek" (2009).
Summary: In this reimagining of the beloved television classic, young James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) follows in his late father's footsteps by becoming a Starfleet captain against all odds.
Why you'll like it: Before introducing "Star Wars" to a younger generation with "The Force Awakens" (2015), Abrams rekindled love for "Star Trek" with a reboot that recruited new fans without compromising on what made the original series so noteworthy.
The space saga "Dune" (1984) also sparked a fervent fandom.
Summary: Adapted from the series by Frank Herbert, "Dune" takes place in the distant future as a war brews over a rare spice named melange and young Paul Atreides (Kyle MacLachlan) rises to defend his home planet.
Why you'll like it: Before the latest "Dune" adaptation — starring Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, and Timothée Chalamet — releases in 2021, newcomers can dive into the universe of Arrakis with the 1984 original.
Beyond the easy parallels between the desert planet in "Dune" and "Star Wars" settings like Tatooine, the former also benefits from imaginative world-building and intriguing characters that are sure to endear sci-fi fans.
"Avatar" (2009) is a sci-fi adventure full of cinematic achievements.
Summary: As his troops touch down on an alien planet, former Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) uses an Avatar to live among the Na'vi and learn about their culture through the eyes of native Neytiri (Zoe Saldana).
Why you'll like it: Just as each "Star Wars" installment has pushed the cinematic achievements of its time, "Avatar" sparked a new era in film with its cutting-edge motion-capture technology.
This new method of filmmaking, coupled together with the Na'vi's unique language and painstakingly detailed CGI, completely immerses viewers in the distant world of Pandora.
"Alien" (1979) is a space horror classic with a powerful female protagonist.
Summary: At the tail end of a years-long space mission, Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and her crew venture off course when they detect signs of alien life on a nearby planet.
Why you'll like it: Made during the same decade as the original "Star Wars" film, "Alien" also features high-quality special effects and set designs that wowed audiences.
Plus fans of Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) will likely appreciate Weaver's memorable turn as the fearless ship officer Ripley.
Unlikely heroes face an intergalactic threat in "Guardians of the Galaxy" (2014).
Summary: After stealing a powerful orb and attracting attention from all corners of the universe, charming rogue Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) teams up with a band of misfits to defend the galaxy from tyranny.
Why you'll like it: Rife with humor, adventure, and well-earned emotion, "Guardians of the Galaxy" repackages the formula "Star Wars" perfected and tops it all off with a catchy soundtrack to boot.
"Zathura: A Space Adventure" (2005) is a more family-friendly approach to sci-fi storytelling.
Summary: Adapted from the book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, this space-adventure film centers on three kids (Josh Hutcherson, Jonah Bobo, and Kristen Stewart) as a board game transports them to the far reaches of space.
Why you'll like it: Younger "Star Wars'' fans will likely enjoy the movie's blend of edge-of-your-seat action and thrilling special effects, while adults may appreciate director Jon Favreau's connection to the film since he famously created the hit "Star Wars" TV series "The Mandalorian."
"Spaceballs" (1987) pokes light-hearted fun at science-fiction movies.
Summary: In this "Star Wars" parody, pilot Lone Starr (Bill Pullman) and his sidekick Barf (John Candy) attempt to rescue Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga) from an evil nemesis and save a planet from destruction.
Why you'll like it: With overt references to "Star Wars" characters, storylines, and themes, "Spaceballs" is a fun companion piece to the original trilogy from notable comedy director Mel Brooks.
"2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968) is known for its spectacular set design and practical effects.
Summary: In this classic sci-fi film, ship commander Dr. Dave Bowman (Keir Dullea), a crew of astronauts, and their artificially intelligent computer HAL try to discover the origins behind a mysterious lunar artifact.
Why you'll like it: Director Stanley Kubrick raised the bar for science-fiction films with groundbreaking costuming, futuristic set design, and mind-blowing practical effects.
Atmospheric in tone and riddled with tension, "2001: A Space Odyssey" may be a perfect fit for fans of more dramatic "Star Wars" entries like "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" (2016).
Isaac and Adam Driver were both in the dark comedy "Inside Llewyn Davis" (2013).
Summary: Titular musician Llewyn Davis (Isaac) crashes from one apartment to the next while trying to jump-start his career as a folk singer.
Why you'll like it: Before they played space pilot Poe Dameron and aspiring sith lord Kylo Ren, Isaac and Driver both starred in the Coen brothers drama as singers in the 1960s New York City music scene.
In a sequence that also features Justin Timberlake, the three collaborate on a song that soon becomes a radio hit, and it's fun to see the "Star Wars" actors indulge in their comedic side.
Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, and Joel Edgerton acted alongside each other in "Jane Got a Gun" (2016).
Summary: In this action-fueled western, Jane Hammond (Portman) seeks help from her ex-fiancé (Edgerton) when her family is targeted by a ruthless band of outlaws led by John Bishop (McGregor).
Why you'll like it: Years after playing Padmé Amidala, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Owen Lars in the "Star Wars" prequels, the trio of actors reunited in this revenge-filled Western.
"Star Wars" fans will likely get a kick out of seeing the actors step into new roles and swap lightsabers for rifles.
Harrison Ford brought his roguish charm to "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981).
Summary: In this whip-smart adventure film, archaeology professor Indiana Jones (Ford) traverses the globe tracking down the Ark of the Covenant before it falls into the wrong hands.
Why you'll like it: When Ford wasn't starring in the "Star Wars" films as the captain of the Millennium Falcon, he was working with Steven Spielberg on the set of "Raiders of the Lost Ark."
"Star Wars" fans can revisit Ford at the height of his fame as he confidently carries an entire franchise by fighting Nazis and unearthing lost treasure.
"Star Wars" creator George Lucas was directly inspired by "Seven Samurai" (1954).
Summary: In the epic Akira Kurosawa drama "Seven Samurai," a group of vagabond warriors comes to the aid of a village when it falls under attack.
Why you'll like it: Lucas has often cited his admiration for Kurosawa's extensive filmography, but critics need to look no further than "Seven Samurai" to draw evident comparisons between the action epic and the original "Star Wars" trilogy.
From editing transitions, visual homages, and Kurosawa's masterful ability to implement multiple genres in a single film, fans of the sci-fi franchise may enjoy seeing the inspiration for Lucas' work.
READ MORE ARTICLES ON
Popular Right Now
Popular Keywords
Advertisement