Films like Blade Runner

15 picks with a similar feel

What defines Blade Runner, going by its Boxlist taste profile: Otherworldly and original: a serious sci-fi film, intricate rather than simple. Best if you like surprises over comfort. Its strongest markers on Boxlist are themes of social commentary, underdogs and an all-consuming quest, plus tags such as tech noir, flying car and genetics.

Here are 15 films with a similar feel, ranked by how closely they match that profile. Treat them as picks to try, not a definitive list.

Based on Blade Runner (1982).

  1. 1

    Upgrade (2018)

    Film7.5

    Why it's like Blade Runner: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary and an all-consuming quest. Common ground: cyberpunk, artificial intelligence, dystopia.

  2. 2

    RoboCop (1987)

    Film7.3

    Why it's like Blade Runner: Also heightened and weighty, with themes of social commentary and an all-consuming quest. Common ground: cyberpunk, dystopia.

  3. 3

    Chappie (2015)

    Film6.8

    Why it's like Blade Runner: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary. Common ground: android, artificial intelligence, dystopia.

  4. 4

    Dark City (1998)

    Film7.3

    Why it's like Blade Runner: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary and underdogs. Common ground: tech noir, cyberpunk, fugitive.

  5. 5

    Minority Report (2002)

    Film7.3

    Why it's like Blade Runner: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary and underdogs. Common ground: neo-noir, dystopia.

  6. 6

    The Matrix (1999)

    Film8.2Faster-paced

    Why it's like Blade Runner: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary and underdogs. Common ground: cyberpunk, artificial intelligence, dystopia.

  7. 7

    I, Robot (2004)

    Film6.9

    Why it's like Blade Runner: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary and underdogs. Common ground: artificial intelligence, dystopia.

  8. 8

    Aliens (1986)

    Film7.9Easier to follow

    Why it's like Blade Runner: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary. Common ground: android.

  9. 9

    Dredd (2012)

    Film6.8Easier to follow

    Why it's like Blade Runner: Also heightened and weighty, with themes of social commentary and underdogs. Common ground: futuristic, dystopia.

  10. 10

    Sunshine (2007)

    Film7.0Lighter option

    Why it's like Blade Runner: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary.

  11. 11

    The Platform (2019)

    Film7.0Easier to follow

    Why it's like Blade Runner: Also heightened and weighty, with themes of social commentary and underdogs. Common ground: dystopia.

  12. 12

    A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

    Film7.0

    Why it's like Blade Runner: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary. Common ground: android, artificial intelligence, dystopia.

  13. 13

    Alita: Battle Angel (2019)

    Film7.2Lighter option

    Why it's like Blade Runner: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary and underdogs. Common ground: cyberpunk, bounty hunter, dystopia.

  14. 14

    Serenity (2005)

    Film7.4Easier to follow

    Why it's like Blade Runner: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary and underdogs. Common ground: fugitive, dystopia.

  15. 15

    Interstellar (2014)

    Film8.3Easier to follow

    Why it's like Blade Runner: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary and underdogs. Common ground: artificial intelligence, dystopia.

Boxlist compares Blade Runner with every film in its catalogue on ten taste scores (pace, tone, weight, realism and more), story themes, genres and TMDB keywords, and ranks the closest. Every pick has a TMDB rating of 6.7 or more from at least 1,000 votes, new releases wait until their ratings settle, and only one title per franchise makes the list. It is an approximation of feel, so treat it as a starting point. Ratings are TMDB audience scores out of 10.

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Questions

What should I watch if I like Blade Runner?
Picks with a similar feel include Upgrade, RoboCop, Chappie and Dark City. Each shares part of Blade Runner's taste profile, themes or tags; the full list has 15 films.
How are these films like Blade Runner chosen?
Boxlist compares Blade Runner with every film in its catalogue on ten taste scores (pace, tone, weight, realism and more), story themes, genres and TMDB keywords, and ranks the closest. Every pick has a TMDB rating of 6.7 or more from at least 1,000 votes, new releases wait until their ratings settle, and only one title per franchise makes the list. It is an approximation of feel, so treat it as a starting point.
Is there a lighter film like Blade Runner?
Sunshine has a similar feel but scores lighter on Boxlist's weightiness scale.

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