Sci-fi films centered on space and cosmic themes are often among the most complex yet entertaining cinematic experiences. Unlike typical commercial superhero movies, these films push viewers to think beyond their comfort zones, and only a handful of directors have consistently managed to craft them successfully.
With Ryan Gosling’s ‘Project Hail Mary‘ witnessing record-breaking opening numbers, it’s clear that audiences still have an appetite for real science, smart problem-solving, humor, and high-stakes missions to save the planet. So, if you loved the film, here are 10 movies that focus on realistic or believable science rather than pure action or fantasy.
10. Solaris (1972)
What better way to start the list than Andrei Tarkovsky’s slow-burn adaptation of Stanislaw Lem’s 1961 novel? The film follows a psychologist sent to a space station orbiting a sentient planet that shows human regrets and memories.
The intricate themes of being alone, facing an intelligence we can’t understand, and finding connection across huge differences make ‘Solaris‘ a standout in the space sci-fi genre. Although more philosophical and introspective, it has a hard sci-fi foundation and a sense of the unknown that make it a profound companion piece.
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9. First Man (2018)
Damien Chazelle’s biographical drama about Neil Armstrong follows the years leading up to the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon in 1969. The film, starring Ryan Gosling, depicts 1960s space technology in detail, the high-risk challenges of space travel, and the personal struggles behind exploration.
It captures the same ‘science as heroism’ theme, but with a more tense and emotional story and impressive zero-gravity scenes.
8. Ad Astra (2019)
Brad Pitt stars in this film about a man traveling to the edge of the solar system in search of his lost father. It contains realistic sci-fi, like long-space journeys and anti-matter drives, with loneliness and a search for answers.
‘Ad Astra‘s deep themes of loss, duty, and tackling huge challenges mirror ‘Project Hail Mary‘s mix of personal stakes and saving the world.
7. Apollo 13 (1995)
Ron Howard’s historical docudrama ‘Apollo 13‘ recreates NASA’s real-life disaster when an oxygen tank explosion leaves astronauts stranded en route to the Moon. The ground team’s frantic engineering fixes, showing real teamwork and science in action, feel straight out of Andy Weir’s playbook.
The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won two, including Best Film Editing and Best Sound. It is also listed in The New York Times Guide to the Best 1000 Movies Ever Made.
6. Sunshine (2007)
Danny Boyle’s criminally underrated film ‘Sunshine’ follows a crew on a deadly suicide mission to reignite the dying sun using a massive bomb. Echoing themes of ‘Project Hail Mary,’ the film shows threats to the Sun, isolation, and scientific sacrifices for humanity.
The story bends hard sci-fi with deep fear about life and focuses on crew relationships, creating a haunting yet visually striking take on saving the world from a cosmic disaster.
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5. Arrival (2016)
Denis Villeneuve’s thoughtful first-contact story follows linguist Louise Banks (played by Amy Adams) as she deciphers alien language during a time of global tension.
The focus on communication challenges and learning to understand alien minds matches the friendship between Ryan Gosling’s Ryland Grace and Rocky in ‘Project Hail Mary.’ The story is more about thinking and problem-solving than survival, but the hope in connecting across differences brings the same emotional impact.
4. Gravity (2013)
Considered one of the best sci-fi films of all time and the highest-grossing movie worldwide in 2013, this Alfonso Cuaron masterpiece follows Sandra Bullock as an astronaut stranded in low Earth orbit after a debris accident.
The film pays close heed to orbital mechanics, zero-gravity, and real-space dangers, similar to the problem-solving in ‘Project Hail Mary‘. Although shorter and probably more intense, it follows isolation and clever thinking under extreme pressure, with stunning visuals that make space feel terrifyingly real.
3. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Stanley Kubrick’s iconic masterpiece remains the gold standard for thoughtful, realistic sci-fi. The film follows a mission to Jupiter, as it uncovers ancient mysteries and combines accurate space travel, the eerie logic of AI (HAL 9000), and big questions about human evolution.
Like ‘Project Hail Mary‘, the film focuses on scientific realism and space rather than explosions, using long, quiet moments of isolation and problem-solving that feel way ahead of its time.
2. Interstellar (2014)
This list is incomplete without Christopher Nolan‘s sci-fi epic that explores real science, including black holes, wormholes, and time differences. Originally set to be directed by Steven Spielberg, the film follows a group of astronauts on a deadly mission to save humanity from a dying Earth.
At its heart, the film focuses on family, sacrifice, and human strength, similar to ‘Project Hail Mary.’ Just like a typical Nolan project, ‘Interstellar‘ feels more thoughtful and bigger in scale, but the real blend of science and high-stakes problem-solving makes it a must-watch.
1. The Martian (2015)
The most logical and obvious entry on the list, isn’t it? Just like ‘Project Hail Mary’, Ridley Scott’s ‘The Martian‘ is based on a novel by the same author, Andy Weir, shares the same screenwriter, Drew Goddard, and follows a very similar style.
Matt Damon plays Mark Watney, an astronaut stranded on Mars who survives using science, ingenuity, and humor. Like Ryland Grace, he is alone and solves problems in creative ways, making the idea of “science as heroism” feel very real. If you have not seen it yet, this is the closest experience to ‘Project Hail Mary‘ and an absolute must-watch.
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