John Carter is one of those sci-fi movies that baffle the audience with its exciting plot. Apart from impressive visual effects and action set-pieces, the film also offers the invigorating exploits of a man with special abilities on an alien planet.

Directed by Andrew Stanton and starring Taylor Kitsch in the lead, the movie offers a stirring experience.

And if you are looking for more movies just like John Carter, you need not search anymore. In this article, we provide a list of 15 movies that resemble John Carter with their premises and deliver guaranteed entertainment.

Avatar

What else could top a list that features the best sci-fi movies about an alien planet other than Avatar? Since its release in 2009, the film has left an indelible impact on the minds of movie viewers and filmmakers alike.

Avatar offers, on the screen, unrestrained imagination. From the aesthetically pleasing fantasy world to exhilarating escapades, it is everything that both sci-fi and fantasy films wish to achieve. Director James Cameron’s brilliance moves the audience and presents a one-of-its-kind experience.

If you haven’t watched Avatar yet, you must right away for it will plunge your mind into a world from which you would not want to return.

The Martian

Bagging the 2nd spot in this list is The Martian. Just like John Carter, The Martian is set on planet Mars. The story follows an astronaut’s attempt at survival who finds himself stranded on an inhospitable planet.

Matt Damon illustrates an excellent performance as the protagonist and succeeds in keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. It was released in 2015 and received several accolades for its powerful storytelling.

Dune

With an intoxicating screenplay and gripping storyline, Dune is a star-studded sci-fi epic. Released in 2021, the film features the likes of Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, and Dave Bautista among several others.

Set on a dangerous alien planet, Dune exhibits undoubtedly stunning visuals and action. It is directed by Denis Villeneuve and collected a revenue of $401.8 million in its theatrical run.

Edge of Tomorrow

Presenting the unique concept of a time loop amidst an exterminating alien invasion, Edge of Tomorrow is a cult classic. It ticks all the boxes for a great sci-fi film with its exhilarating fights, crisp screenplay, and most importantly, gorgeous special effects. The flawless performances of Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt add to its glory. The movie came out in 2014 and is directed by Doug Liman. Edge of Tomorrow certainly must be on your list if you are a sci-fi admirer.

Oblivion

Moving on to another Tom Cruise film, Oblivion is a sure-shot entertainer for all those who adore stories about the future. The film is set in a post-apocalyptic Earth a exhibits some of the most picturesque visuals that the genre has witnessed.

Another aspect of this film that makes it stand out is the sublime background score composed by M83.

With the element of mystery embedded into an otherwise adventurous plot, Oblivion is sure to strap you in.

Guardians of the Galaxy

It is somewhat comprehensive that a list of sci-fi films would feature one or more superhero epics. Although many superhero flicks incorporate science fiction in their plot, no one does it better than James Gunn with Guardians of the Galaxy.

A part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, GOTG is the whimsical tale of a band of misfits across the universe.

The film unabashedly explores how life in other worlds would look like. With old pop songs to accompany you, MCU’s Guardians of the Galaxy is a treat to watch.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Following up with GOTG is its sequel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The film carries the whimsical tone from the first film and once again, presents a compelling visualization of the ‘space world’.

GOTG Vol. 2 is nothing less than its predecessor and unequivocally, provides entertainment all the way through.

Prometheus

Moving on from a playful theme, we have a sci-fi horror- Prometheus. The movie takes us on an exciting yet scary ride with its story as the main characters explore the darkest corners of the Universe.

Directed by Ridley Scott, Prometheus came out in theatres in 2012.

Warcraft

Inspired by a video game of the same name, Warcraft is an action fantasy film that explores the events that occur after a group of alien species invade the planet.

The film grossed a total of $439 million worldwide at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing film based on a video game.

Directed by Duncan Jones, Warcraft offers an enthralling spectacle.

It was released in 2016.

War of the Worlds

We have yet another Tom Cruise-starring sci-fi flick on this list- War of the Worlds. Directed by the eulogized filmmaker Steven Spielberg, the displays the catastrophe caused when an alien race unexpectedly attacks humans, posing the threat of mankind’s extinction.

The plot follows the protagonist’s desperate measures to protect himself and his family from the hostile creatures amidst the chaos that has ensued.

The movie came out back in 2005 and has collected over $704 million to date.

Passengers

After the two Guardians of the Galaxy films, Chriss Pratt features in this list once again with Passengers. Passengers, released in 2016, showcases a deep-space voyage and the protagonists’ measures to prevent their spacecraft from meeting a disaster.

It is directed by Morten Tyldum and is rated a solid 7 out of 10 on IMDb.

Elysium

Released in 2013, Elysium presents the compelling narrative of the protagonist’s exploits in a futuristic world. It is directed by Neill Blomkamp and stars Matt Damon.

Apart from being set in the future, the film also showcases an advanced space station, making it a perfect choice for a sci-fi binge.

Elysium is rated 6.4 on IMDb and 64% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Alien: Covenant

Alien: Covenant is the sequel to Prometheus and stars the same cast. Like Prometheus, it is a sci-fi horror and exhibits space exploration.

Set on a distant planet, it flaunts deadly alien species that ambush the main characters.

It was released in 2017 and is directed by Ridley Scott- the director of Prometheus.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

Set in a distant space station, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets follows the escapades of Valerian and Laureline (played by Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne respectively) whose goal is to save the extraterrestrial city from an existential threat.

The movie was lauded for its scenic depiction of a space city upon its release in 2017.

It is directed by Luc Besson.

Sunshine

Starring Chris Evans and Cillian Murphy among several others, Sunshine offers a visually pleasing space odyssey. The story is based on a group of astronauts whose mission is to save the sun.

The film has strong performances from the cast and places its claim as a laudable sci-fi thriller.

Sunshine was released back in 2007 and is directed by Danny Boyle.