5 Classic Sci-fi Movies Every Dungeon Crawler Carl Fan Needs to Watch

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You’ve probably heard of Dungeon Crawler Carl – it’s incredibly popular right now! This sci-fi series by Matt Dinniman tells the story of Carl, a Coast Guard veteran, and Donut, his ex-girlfriend’s cat, who are among the few people left after aliens destroy Earth. They’re forced to compete in a dangerous, televised dungeon crawl as part of a galactic game show. It’s an exciting and surprisingly emotional adventure.

The next installment in the series, A Parade of Horribles, will be released in a few weeks, and that’s only the beginning! We’re also creating games and developing a TV series for Peacock, with Matt Dinniman as an executive producer. If you’re looking for something to watch in the meantime, while nothing compares to Dungeon Crawler Carl, we have some recommendations for classic sci-fi shows you might enjoy.

5) The Running Man (1987)

If you’re looking for a movie that feels most like the story that inspired it, the 1987 film The Running Man is a better choice than the 2025 version. Directed by Paul Michael Glaser and written by Steven E. de Souza, the film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger in a version of Stephen King’s novel. It’s set in a dark future where the government controls the media and broadcasts a deadly game show. In this show, criminals try to survive while being hunted by trained killers. When police officer Ben Richards (Schwarzenegger) is wrongly accused of a crime and forced to participate, he becomes a symbol of hope against the corrupt system.

This adaptation of The Running Man shares similarities with Dungeon Crawler Carl. Like Carl, the protagonist, Richards, isn’t choosing to be in this situation – he’s forced into it. He endures incredibly difficult trials, but refuses to let the system defeat him, ultimately becoming a source of inspiration. Plus, the movie boasts impressive visual effects that make it thoroughly enjoyable.

4) Brazil

Directed by Terry Gilliam (known for Monty Python) and co-written with Charles McKeown and Tom Stoppard, the 1985 film Brazil stars Jonathan Pryce, Robert De Niro, and Katherine Helmond. The movie centers on Sam Lowry, a frustrated office worker who dreams of a mysterious woman and tries to find her as a way to escape his dull, technology-filled life. Things become chaotic when a case of mistaken identity draws him into a complicated situation involving the woman from his dreams.

Although Brazil and Dungeon Crawler Carl are quite different in style, they share some common themes. Both stories feature a protagonist trapped in a frustratingly complex and illogical system – Carl battles the artificial intelligence within his game, while Sam struggles against a deeply flawed and controlling government. Both works also heavily feature media – in Brazil, it’s used for both entertainment and surveillance, and while Sam isn’t in a TV show, his life feels like one. Finally, both Brazil and Dungeon Crawler Carl employ a similar brand of dark humor.

3) Big Trouble in Little China

Okay, this one might be a bit of a stretch when it comes to sci-fi, as most people think of Big Trouble in Little China as more of a fantasy film. But it’s so enjoyable and feels like a perfect fit for fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl that we’re including it! Directed by John Carpenter and starring Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun, and James Hong, the movie centers on Jack Burton (Russell) who gets mixed up in a strange adventure beneath San Francisco’s Chinatown. An ancient Chinese prince and a crime boss have kidnapped a woman with green eyes, hoping to use her to lift an old curse. Jack gets involved because she’s the fiancée of his best friend.

This movie has a similar vibe to Dungeon Crawler Carl, but what really appeals to book fans is the classic pairing of a clueless hero and their sidekick. Like Carl, Jack is an ordinary person unexpectedly thrown into an unusual and wild situation, and he’s just trying to cope. It’s a dynamic that works incredibly well.

2) The Fifth Element

In Luc Besson’s action film, The Fifth Element, Bruce Willis plays Korben Dallas, a taxi driver and ex-military operative. His life takes a dramatic turn when a mysterious woman named Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) falls into his cab. He soon finds himself tasked with saving the world by locating four ancient stones, which are the only hope against a powerful cosmic threat poised to destroy Earth.

If you enjoy Dungeon Crawler Carl, you’ll probably love The Fifth Element. Both feature a reluctant hero – Dallas, much like Carl – and a threat to Earth from a powerful, otherworldly force. Plus, the movie is packed with exciting, fast-paced action, a wild story, and a fun, over-the-top energy. It’s a genuinely great film, even if you’re not familiar with the web series.

1) Death Race 2000

I recently discovered Death Race 2000, and as a big fan of Dungeon Crawler Carl, I think it’s right up our alley! It came out in 1975 and paints a pretty bleak picture of America in the year 2000 – it’s become totally controlled by a harsh government. To keep people from rebelling, they created this crazy, brutal race called the Transcontinental Road Race. Drivers speed across the country, and believe it or not, they earn points for being violent, especially if they hit pedestrians! This year, though, a group is trying to use the race to fight back against the government and take control.

Even though Death Race 2000 takes place on Earth, it shares many similarities with Dungeon Crawler Carl. Both feature a game show premise where participants endure terrible experiences for entertainment. You’ll find plenty of dark humor, exaggerated characters, and smart social commentary through satire. It’s a worthwhile film, especially if you enjoy Dungeon Crawler Carl.

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2026-04-28 19:52