The Best Sci-Fi Action Movies Like 'Pacific Rim'
Looking for the best movies like Pacific Rim? From Hollywood classics to new films, this list of movies similar to Pacific Rim feature sci-fi action that is both thrilling and fun to watch. The Edge of Tomorrow and Transformers are great examples of movies that fans of Pacific Rim love because they both have aliens and robots duking it out. Get ready to experience the explosive action in with these thriller sci-fi movies like never before. But which of these recommendations is the best next-watch for fans of Pacific Rim?
Vote up the best movies like Pacific Rim, so other fans know what to watch next. And thanks to streaming services, like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney Plus, and Prime Video, you can start streaming these movies right now.
- 1Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Brendan Gleeson
Edge of Tomorrow is an exhilarating sci-fi action film that expertly balances intense combat sequences with a thought-provoking story. This movie, starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, follows the gripping tale of a soldier who becomes trapped in a time loop, reliving the same battle against alien invaders over and over. With each iteration, he learns new skills and strategies, ultimately joining forces with a skilled warrior played by Blunt. The dynamic duo must find a way to break the cycle and save humanity from impending doom. The stunning visual effects combined with riveting performances make Edge of Tomorrow a must-watch for fans of Pacific Rim.
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- 2Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Keean Johnson
Based on the Japanese manga series, Alita: Battle Angel is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant sci-fi adventure film set in a dystopian future where cybernetic enhancements are commonplace. When a compassionate doctor (Christoph Waltz) discovers the broken remains of a cyborg girl (Rosa Salazar), he rebuilds her and helps her uncover her forgotten past. As she navigates this treacherous world filled with adversaries, Alita must also struggle with her own humanity. With its breathtaking action sequences, intricate world-building, and superb performances, Alita: Battle Angel is sure to delight fans of Pacific Rim.
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- 3
Kong: Skull Island
Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie LarsonAudiences are transported back to 1973 in Kong: Skull Island as a group of explorers ventures deep into an uncharted island populated by colossal creatures led by none other than King Kong himself. Starring Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, and John C. Reilly; this adventure-packed film explores themes like revenge and redemption while showcasing breathtaking visuals that bring its monstrous inhabitants to life. Like Pacific Rim, Kong: Skull Island offers viewers thrilling action sequences anchored by an engaging storyline that keeps the audience enthralled from start to finish.
- 4Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Olga Kurylenko
Set in 2077, Oblivion stars Tom Cruise as Jack Harper, one of Earth's last remaining drone repairmen tasked with protecting resource-gathering stations from alien scavengers after a devastating war. When Jack rescues an enigmatic woman (Andrea Riseborough) from a downed spacecraft, his entire worldview is thrown into question as he uncovers hidden truths about Earth's fate and his own identity. With its striking visuals and intriguing narrative twists, Oblivion provides viewers with an immersive sci-fi experience reminiscent of Pacific Rim's captivating storytelling.
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- 5Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel
Directed by Michael Bay, Transformers delivers an action-packed cinematic experience featuring thrilling battles between Autobots and Decepticons as they fight for control of Earth's resources. With a star-studded cast including Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, and Josh Duhamel; the movie boasts an engaging storyline that delves into the origins of these alien robots while showcasing spectacular visual effects that bring their epic showdowns to life. Like Pacific Rim, this film offers non-stop excitement combined with a gripping narrative that keeps viewers enthralled from beginning to end.
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- 6Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, Millie Bobby Brown
The legendary Godzilla returns in this captivating sequel to the 2014 reboot, boasting an all-star cast including Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, and Millie Bobby Brown. As titanic creatures dubbed "Titans" awaken from their slumber and battle for supremacy amidst global devastation, humankind's fate hangs in the balance. Godzilla: King of the Monsters delivers pulse-pounding action scenes featuring iconic kaiju such as Rodan, Mothra, and Ghidorah in addition to top-notch special effects. Its enthralling plot delves into themes like humanity's impact on nature while providing an adrenaline-fueled cinematic experience akin to Pacific Rim.
- 7
Bumblebee
Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena, Jorge LendeborgBumblebee serves as both a prequel and spin-off to the popular Transformers franchise, focusing on fan-favorite character Bumblebee as he arrives on Earth in 1987. After being discovered by a teenager named Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), the two form an unlikely friendship while evading government agents and hostile Decepticons alike. Featuring impressive action sequences and heartfelt moments between its human protagonist and her robotic companion; Bumblebee is sure to resonate with fans of Pacific Rim due to its emotional storytelling coupled with exhilarating battle scenes.
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- 8Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn
Directed by the iconic Steven Spielberg, Ready Player One takes place in a dystopian future where individuals escape their harsh reality by entering the OASIS – a virtual universe where anything is possible. The story follows Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan), an avid gamer who embarks on an epic quest to solve puzzles left behind by OASIS creator James Halliday (Mark Rylance) – ultimately leading to control over this digital realm. Alongside intense battles featuring famous pop culture icons and thrilling racing sequences within the OASIS landscape; Ready Player One offers emotional depth through its portrayal of friendship, love, and sacrifice – making it a perfect fit for fans of Pacific Rim.
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- 9Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgård, Rihanna
Inspired by the popular board game, Battleship centers around an international naval fleet forced into combat against alien invaders who seek Earth's resources for their own survival. Featuring Taylor Kitsch, Rihanna, and Liam Neeson, the movie combines intense battle scenes with emotional human moments that demonstrate courage under pressure. Like Pacific Rim, Battleship offers viewers thrilling showdowns between humanity and extraterrestrial forces alongside engaging character arcs that leave a lasting impression.
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- 10Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum
With Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, and Bill Pullman leading an all-star ensemble cast, Independence Day stands as one of cinema's most iconic sci-fi/action films — featuring humanity uniting against seemingly insurmountable odds when Earth is invaded by extraterrestrial forces. The movie boasts groundbreaking special effects alongside gripping performances that create an immersive viewing experience filled with high-stakes emotionality. Fans of Pacific Rim will undoubtedly appreciate this captivating tale centered around heroism in the face of impending global destruction.
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- 11
The Tomorrow War
Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, J.K. SimmonsStarring Chris Pratt as high school teacher Dan Forester, The Tomorrow War is an action-packed sci-fi thriller where soldiers from 2051 visit present-day Earth to recruit fighters for a war against deadly aliens that threaten humanity's future existence. As Dan reluctantly joins the fight alongside other brave volunteers — including a brilliant scientist portrayed by Yvonne Strahovski — they form unlikely bonds amid life-or-death battles set against mind-bending temporal landscapes. With edge-of-your-seat action sequences reminiscent of Pacific Rim combined with a gripping story of sacrifice and family bonds; The Tomorrow War delivers on all fronts for fans of thrilling science fiction.
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- 12Hera Hilmar, Robert Sheehan, Hugo Weaving
Based on Philip Reeve's novel of the same name, Mortal Engines presents a post-apocalyptic world where massive, mobile cities prey on smaller towns for resources. The story follows Tom Natsworthy (Robert Sheehan), a young historian from London who becomes embroiled in an epic conflict after encountering a mysterious fugitive named Hester Shaw (Hera Hilmar). As they navigate a treacherous landscape filled with gargantuan machines and deadly enemies, the unlikely duo forms a bond that changes their lives forever. With its stunning visuals and unique premise, Mortal Engines offers viewers an action-packed cinematic experience reminiscent of Pacific Rim.
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- 13
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevingne, Clive OwenAdapted from the renowned French comic book series Valérian and Laureline, this visually enthralling space adventure directed by Luc Besson follows special operatives Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) as they work to maintain order in the universe. When they're summoned to a sprawling metropolis called Alpha, they must navigate various alien species' complex politics while unraveling a nefarious plot that threatens the city's survival. With its vibrant visuals, imaginative world-building, and adrenaline-fueled action sequences; Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is sure to captivate audiences seeking an experience akin to Pacific Rim.
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- 14Jeffrey Combs, Anne-Marie Johnson, Gary Graham
Released in 1989, Robot Jox is a cult classic that explores a post-World War III world where international disputes are settled through one-on-one combat between giant manned robots known as "jox." Starring Gary Graham and Anne-Marie Johnson, this film boasts impressive practical effects for its era alongside engaging performances that capture the visceral thrill of piloting colossal machines in battle. Fans of Pacific Rim will not only enjoy the riveting robot duels but also appreciate the themes of personal honor and rivalry that permeate throughout the movie.
- 15Eva LaRue, Bill Moseley, Ralph Waite
Crash and Burn is another cult favorite from 1990 set in a dystopian future where robots have been outlawed due to their role in causing widespread destruction. When an android disguised as a human infiltrates an isolated fortress community intent on revenge, it's up to a young resident mechanic (Paul Ganus) to stop them before it's too late. Though not as well-known as other titles on this list; Crash and Burn offers tense action scenes between humans and rogue machines that will surely captivate fans of Pacific Rim looking for more mecha-centered intrigue.
- 16Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron
Ridley Scott's highly anticipated return to the Alien franchise, Prometheus tells a gripping tale of human exploration and the search for mankind's origins in the far reaches of space. Starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, and Charlize Theron; this film delves into complex themes like creation while delivering pulse-pounding sequences featuring extraterrestrial creatures that leave both characters and audiences breathless. Like Pacific Rim, viewers can expect captivating storytelling paired with stunning visuals that immerse them in a richly detailed world filled with heart-stopping danger.
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- 17Harrison Ford, Asa Butterfield, Hailee Steinfeld
Adapted from Orson Scott Card's beloved novel, Ender's Game stars Asa Butterfield as genius child prodigy Ender Wiggin who joins an elite military program training to defend Earth against an alien threat known as the Formics. Guided by his mentor Colonel Graff (Harrison Ford), Ender rises through the ranks, mastering advanced strategies designed to help him lead humanity's last stand against these formidable foes. Combining intense space battles, an emotionally charged narrative, and thought-provoking commentary on warfare; Ender's Game offers a captivating sci-fi experience that fans of Pacific Rim are sure to appreciate.
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- 18
Pacific Rim: Uprising
John Boyega, Scott Eastwood, Jing TianTaking place ten years after the events of Pacific Rim, this action-packed sequel follows Jake Pentecost (John Boyega), son of legendary Jaeger pilot Stacker Pentecost, as he joins forces with other pilots to combat a new wave of monstrous Kaiju threatening Earth. As they battle these seemingly insurmountable odds armed with upgraded Jaegers boasting state-of-the-art weaponry; Jake must confront not only external enemies but also his own personal demons if he hopes to honor his father's legacy and protect humanity from annihilation once again. Much like its predecessor, Pacific Rim: Uprising delivers on all fronts — offering fans gripping storylines combined with exhilarating action sequences and top-notch visual effects that will keep them glued to their seats throughout its thrilling runtime.
