5 Great Sci-Fi Movies To Watch After The Avatar Trilogy

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The newest Avatar movie, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is packed with action and surprises, and many fans will find it the most enjoyable installment yet. However, relying heavily on this film’s success to fund future movies creates a risk: if Fire and Ash doesn’t earn enough money, James Cameron might not make any more Avatar films. While it would be a decent way to end the series, it would be disappointing for audiences if we never return to the world of Pandora in theaters.

With everyone eagerly awaiting the final box office results, the first two Avatar movies are likely to become very popular on streaming services as fans revisit Pandora. If you’re looking for something else to watch after enjoying the Avatar films, here are five excellent sci-fi recommendations.

5) War for the Planet of the Apes

At the heart of the Avatar movies is a conflict between humans seeking to exploit the resources of Pandora and the Na’vi people who are fighting to protect their home. The recent Planet of the Apes films explore a similar theme – Caesar and the apes are trying to defend themselves against harmful humans, even though the story doesn’t take place on another planet.

War for the Planet of the Apes concludes the original trilogy with a powerful and intense story. Even when pushed to his limits by humans, Caesar remains determined to protect his family and lead them to safety. The film is packed with stunning action, though the path to a hopeful resolution is far from easy.

4) Pacific Rim

When it comes to exciting stories, Pacific Rim presents a world facing total collapse. Alien monsters emerge from a tear in the ocean and begin destroying cities, pushing humanity to find a defense. They create massive robots called Jaegers, and each one requires two skilled pilots to operate.

Although Pacific Rim appears like a typical monster movie at first glance, director Guillermo del Toro infuses it with his unique style, creating memorable characters and impressive visuals. The sequel, Pacific Rim: Uprising, isn’t particularly special, but the original Pacific Rim is enjoyable even without it.

3) Preadtor: Badlands

I’ve noticed that with the Avatar films, it’s easy to get distracted by how beautiful everything around the story is. Pandora is so full of life, and James Cameron always makes sure there’s something visually stunning happening. Well, I think Dan Trachtenberg has that same talent, and he really shows it in Predator: Badlands. He creates a world that’s just as immersive and detailed.

In Badlands, a Yautja hunter named Dek journeys to a strange planet seeking a famous creature. But his mission becomes more than just a hunt; he starts to appreciate the world around him and discovers who the true enemies are. Like Jake Sully from Avatar, Dek forms unexpected friendships along the way.

2) Arrival

The Avatar films begin long after the initial encounter between humans and the Na’vi, and it’s likely that first meeting wasn’t peaceful. The films show that, by the time the story starts, Neytiri and her people have lost hope for a peaceful relationship with humans. In contrast, Louise Banks approaches first contact with optimism in Arrival, as she tries to communicate with alien visitors.

Rather than being about an invasion or a journey to another planet, the movie Arrival centers on a linguist, Banks, who learns to communicate with aliens. This process fundamentally alters her perception of time and reality, and she’s ultimately faced with difficult decisions that have global consequences. At its heart, Arrival is a deeply human story disguised as a science fiction film.

1) John Carter

This list aims to include only truly great films, and while John Carter didn’t receive high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, many people don’t consider it a great movie. However, it’s often unfairly criticized because it was a major box office failure. In fact, it’s a genuinely touching film with surprisingly good special effects, even today.

John Carter, a man from Earth, unexpectedly lands on Mars and gets caught up in a local war. Initially, he wants to stay out of it, but he grows to care for the people he meets. While the Martian world in the movie isn’t as visually stunning as Pandora from Avatar, it’s best to appreciate John Carter for what it is and enjoy the story it tells, rather than constantly comparing it to other films.

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2025-12-23 19:14