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Movies Like Dune

12 Sci-Fi Movies Just as Action-Packed and Visually Incredible as Dune

Dune is finally in theatres and on HBO Max, and it's exactly what we expected: incredible. The movie follows Paul Atreides, a powerful young man who must travel to another planet to meet his destiny. Like other sci-fi movies, it's filled with thrilling action scenes, beautiful wide shots, and fantastic special effects. And let's not forget Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya are major actors in it! I don't know about you, but I'll watch anything he stars in. He's just so dang talented (and attractive)!

If you need more Dune-esque content ASAP and can't wait for Dune: Part Two, we hear you. But don't worry: we've also got you covered! The following 11 movies are so similar, from their twisty action plot lines to save-the-world elements. They're must-watches for anyone who considers themself a sci-fi fan.

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Blade Runner: The Final Cut (1982)

Blade Runner: The Final Cut is a sci-fi movie based on a book, just like Dune. It's a dystopian story about a man hunting down dangerous rogue androids who have come to Earth in an attempt to extend their lifespan.

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Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Set in a dystopian future where the world has become a desert wasteland where people must fight for resources, Mad Max: Fury Road follows a man named Mad Max who flees from a tyrant named Immortan Joe with the help of Joe's rogue lieutenant Imperator Furiosa. It's similar to Dune in that it's about fighting for your people against forces dead set on stopping you. Plus, both movies feature gorgeous cinematography highlighting gorgeous shots of the desert.

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Arrival (2016)

Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve was also a filmmaker behind Arrival. This movie is about an alien invasion in which a linguist (Amy Adams) works as a communicator between humans and alien visitors to avoid a global war with the aliens. Both movies have great twist endings and strong leads.

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Gladiator (2000)

Powerful sons, adventure, death, power, and locations with sprawling landscapes are all commonalities between Dune and Gladiator. Filled with action, Gladiator is about a former Roman General seeking vengeance against a corrupt emperor who killed his family and sent him to be a slave.

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Dune (1984)

If you loved the 2021 version of Dune, why not watch the 1984 version? The two movies are fairly different — the recent version reveals less of the plot and expands upon some characters — but they're both about the same book. Like the 2021 version, the original movie version of Dune is about Paul leading warriors and saving his world.

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2067 (2020)

Like Paul in Dune, 2067's Ethan (Kodi Smit-McPhee) goes on an adventure to save other people. But, he's headed to the future because his current world is living on synthetic oxygen that's slowly killing them.

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Prometheus (2012)

With impressive special effects on a large scale, Prometheus will amaze you as much as Dune did. This movie is about a space crew who searches for the origin of humankind in another world.

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Extinction (2018)

Full of suspense and action, Extinction is another sci-fi movie about saving your family and planet amid an alien invasion. With stars like Michael Peña and Lizzy Caplan, It's sure to be an exciting watch!

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The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Based on a book, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is like Dune in that it's about quests and has gorgeous, scenic cinematography of mountains, rivers, and more. In Dune, the emphasis is on a precious resource worth saving, but in this early 2000s movie, you'll see Frodo search for the ring of Sauron so he can destroy it.

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The Fifth Element (1997)

Are you looking for another movie with complex characters, a scarce, valuable resource, and a plot about battling evil? Look no further than The Fifth Element. This movie is about a cab driver in an apocalyptic future who searches for a unique element that can save the world from evil forces.

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Stargate (1994)

Stargate is about men who unlock the powers of an Egyptian artifact. If you loved how Dune included themes such as religion, politics, and power, this is a great next movie for you.

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Star Trek (2009)

Dune isn't the only story set in space that's been made over time and time again. The 2009 movie adaptation of the wildly popular 1966 television series Star Trek sees the original characters board the USS Enterprise for its maiden voyage. They cross paths with an evil commander named Nero, who is on a mission to avenge those he holds responsible for destroying his home planet. Paul Atreides and the crew of the USS Enterprise have one major thing in common: they're fish out of water with the fate of the known universe on their shoulders.

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