Films like Divergent
15 picks with a similar feel
What defines Divergent, going by its Boxlist taste profile: An otherworldly sci-fi film that is fresh, stylish and pacy. Best if you like the extraordinary over the everyday. Its strongest markers on Boxlist are themes of coming of age, social commentary and mysteries that are not what they seem, plus tags such as caste system, individuality and futuristic.
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 Divergent (2014).
- 1
Ready Player One (2018)
Film7.6Lighter option
Why it's like Divergent: Also heightened and glossy, with themes of coming of age and social commentary. Common ground: future, dystopia.
- 2
Star Trek (2009)
Film7.4
Why it's like Divergent: Also heightened and inventive. Common ground: futuristic, alternate reality.
- 3
I, Robot (2004)
Film6.9Heavier option
Why it's like Divergent: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: future, dystopia.
- 4
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Film7.5Heavier option
Why it's like Divergent: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: future, dystopia.
- 5
Pacific Rim (2013)
Film6.8
Why it's like Divergent: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary. Common ground: dystopia.
- 6
The Hunger Games (2012)
Film7.2
Why it's like Divergent: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of coming of age and social commentary. Common ground: dystopia.
- 7
The Maze Runner (2014)
Film7.2
Why it's like Divergent: Also heightened and fast-paced, with themes of coming of age and social commentary. Common ground: dystopia.
- 8
Interstellar (2014)
Film8.3
Why it's like Divergent: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary. Common ground: future, dystopia.
- 9
Total Recall (1990)
Film7.3
Why it's like Divergent: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: futuristic, dystopia.
- 10
Tron (1982)
Film6.7Lighter option
Why it's like Divergent: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: dystopia.
- 11
Minority Report (2002)
Film7.3More intricate
Why it's like Divergent: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: future, dystopia.
- 12
Inception (2010)
Film8.3
Why it's like Divergent: Also heightened and glossy, with themes of social commentary and mysteries that are not what they seem.
- 13
Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
Film7.2
Why it's like Divergent: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary. Common ground: dystopia.
- 14
In Time (2011)
Film6.9
Why it's like Divergent: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary. Common ground: future, dystopia.
- 15
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
Film7.0Easier to follow
Why it's like Divergent: Also heightened and inventive, with themes of social commentary and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: future, dystopia.
Boxlist compares Divergent 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.
Which of these suit you?
Take the taste test and every pick shows how well it matches you.
Take the taste testQuestions
- What should I watch if I like Divergent?
- Picks with a similar feel include Ready Player One, Star Trek, I, Robot and Blade Runner 2049. Each shares part of Divergent's taste profile, themes or tags; the full list has 15 films.
- How are these films like Divergent chosen?
- Boxlist compares Divergent 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 Divergent?
- Ready Player One has a similar feel but scores lighter on Boxlist's weightiness scale.