Interstellar vs Arrival

Interstellar is glossier and more original; Arrival is more emotionally stirring and more surreal. Both are original, dark and heavy.

Interstellar poster

Interstellar

Type and year
Film · 2014
Length
169 min
Rating
8.3
out of 10 on TMDB · 26,769 votes
Arrival poster

Arrival

Type and year
Film · 2016
Length
116 min
Rating
7.6
out of 10 on TMDB · 14,214 votes

Which fits you better?

Take the two-minute taste test to see how well Interstellar and Arrival each match your taste, and which one to watch first.

Take the taste test

Characteristics, side by side

InterstellarArrival

  • Pace
    SlowFast
  • Originality
    Tried & testedFresh & original
  • Wholesomeness
    UnsavouryWholesome
  • Weightiness
    LightHeavy
  • Realism
    ImaginaryRealistic
  • Intricacy
    SimpleIntricate
  • Linearity
    SurrealLinear
  • Style and visuals
    GrittyGlossy
  • Scale
    EnclosedBig & varied
  • Emotional punch
    Emotionally undemandingEmotive & stirring

Taste attributes

Both

  • Drama
  • Science fiction
  • Fresh & original
  • Unsavoury
  • Heavy
  • Imaginary
  • Complex relationship
  • Fish out of water/culture clash
  • Human spirit/resilience/survival

Only Interstellar

  • Adventure
  • Robots/ai/space
  • Glossy
  • All consuming quest
  • Rescue/escape/jeopardy
  • Social commentary
  • Underdog triumphs

Only Arrival

  • Mystery
  • Monster/alien/supernatural
  • Surreal
  • Emotive & stirring
  • Injustice/tragedy/vengeance
  • Solving the riddle/not as it seems
  • Troubled leads

Genres

Both

  • Drama
  • Science Fiction

Only Interstellar

  • Adventure

Only Arrival

  • Mystery

Where to watch

More comparisons

All comparisons