Star Wars just keeps getting closer and closer to our lineup of binge-worthy content. With Andor taking command of Disney+ and other series coming to the streaming platform as well, we can’t wait to see what Lucasfilm continues to churn out — especially after catching wind that writer Damon Lindelof and director Shawn Levy are helming future films in the galaxy far, far away.
In the meantime, once we’re up to speed on everything else Jedi-related, we’ll surely be craving more. We just love that inherent quality that comes with Star Wars media, don’t we? So, where else can we get the same kind of cinematic tone and excitement? Here’s a closer look at some other landmark films that Star Wars fans will enjoy. There are plenty of familiar titles below, but some might catch you by surprise — in a good way. Take a look!
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
10 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Stanley Kubrick Productions
2001: A Space Odyssey is widely considered to be Stanley Kubrick’s finest effort, if not one of the greatest films of all time. Combining sci-fi imagery with a classical score, Kubrick shows the grandiose nature of space and the mystery of the cosmos. The ending will make you contemplate life itself — and a whole lot more. Make sure you also read Arthur C. Clarke’s companion novel, which he wrote while the film was being developed. The intergalactic premise of 2001 will certainly appeal to Star Wars fanatics.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
9 Aliens (1986)
Brandywine Productions
Ridley Scott’s original film was straight-up horror. Instead of sticking with that approach for a sequel, James Cameron went all action for his 1986 installment, which brings back Sigourney Weaver for an Oscar-nominated turn as Ripley, the sole survivor of the original film. After decades sleeping in hyperspace, she finds herself back in the middle of an alien assault, which, this time, led her to a showdown with the aliens’ “queen bee” — otherwise known as an expletive starting with the letter “B.” Fans of Star Wars’ countless action sequences throughout its films and TV series will surely eat up the sequences created by Cameron in Aliens.
8 Avatar (2009)
20th Century Fox
Speaking of Cameron — he is finally delivering on his promise for Avatar sequels, and we can’t wait for The Way of Water’s release. The original film follows a group of humans as they infiltrate the lush alien world of Pandora in order to mine it for resources. In the process, one of the lead men of the operation falls for one of the Pandora natives and begins to realize the damage he and his team could potentially cause to the indigenous environment and its wildlife inhabitants. Star Wars will surely love the unique, Pocahontas-type civilization created by Cameron in Avatar.
7 Dune (2021)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Released last year, the first Dune successfully reboots the franchise with a stellar cast that includes Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, and Jason Momoa. The adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal novel hurls audiences into the far future as Duke Leto Atreides (Isaac) accepts stewardship of the dangerous desert planet Arrakis, the only source of the most valuable substance in the universe, known as “the spice.” Denis Villaneuve’s masterpiece gets a second installment, with the first winning numerous Oscars — and rightfully so. The Dune universe, which involves traveling between planets, echoes components of the Star Wars galaxy.
6 Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Marvel Studios
James Gunn’s 2014 masterpiece, Guardians of the Galaxy, was so good that we’re even getting a holiday special centered on these fan-favorite Marvel heroes. In the original film, this ragtag group of misfits came together to escape jail and ended up saving the galaxy as a team. After that, they stayed together, taking on all kinds of odd jobs to earn money. Fans of Lucasfilm projects will surely eat up the space-traveling universe set up by Marvel here.
5 Metropolis (1927)
UFA
Thea von Harbou adapted her 1925 novel about social justice and industrialization into the screenplay, and her husband — the notorious Fritz Lang — directed the film. The result, of course, is a marvel. Star Wars die-hards will love the futuristic, urban dystopia that is Metropolis, which follows the attempts of a wealthy son of the city master to overcome the vast gulf separating the classes in their city and bring the workers together. Metropolis remains monumental and groundbreaking, even spawning a highly anticipated AppleTV+ series being developed by Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail.
4 Planet of the Apes (1968)
A premise involving astronauts “traveling” to a foreign planet inhabited by humanlike apes will definitely tickle the fancy of Star Wars followers. In the 1968 groundbreaking film, Planet of the Apes, astronauts travel on a voyage to discover what is truly out in the galaxy — only to be taken to a planet where intelligent apes, capable of speech, rule the Earth, enslaving mute humanoids. Just one astronaut (Charlton Heston) would live through this perilous journey. He is captured by the apes and questioned, as a human of his intellect was foreign to this world. With perhaps one of the greatest endings in film history, this visual treat is not to be missed. And don’t miss out on the recent Planet of the Apes reboot installments from the past several years!
3 Seven Samurai (1954)
Toho
Box office hits throughout the years have heavily incorporated elements from Seven Samurai, and the epic plot involving rebellious protagonist rising up against opposition is said to have inspired George Lucas’ original Star Wars film. The storyline revolves around a town needing defense from infiltrating bandits, leading townsfolk to reach out to a samurai who answers their request for protection. As the samurai gathers a group to assist in securing the town, a huge battle erupts after 40 bandits attack the village. This landmark film from Akira Kurosawa is not to be missed by cinephiles in general, not just Star Wars fans.
2 Spaceballs (1987)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
And then there’s the lovely little Star Wars parody film from Mr. Mel Brooks himself. Spaceballs also pokes fun at various sci-fi franchises, not just the galaxy far, far away. Brooks populates his film with colorful characters such as Lonestar (Bill Pullman), Barf (John Candy), Darth Helmet (Rick Moranis), and Yogurt (Brooks himself). With nonstop one-liners and laugh-out-loud gags, Spaceballs is a can’t-miss effort from perhaps the greatest satirist of all time. After all, Brooks did bring us Blazing Saddles as well, remember?
1 Star Trek (2009)
Paramount Pictures
JJ Abrams co-wrote and directed the critically acclaimed Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. But years earlier, he brought us another successful franchise reboot. Star Trek is the 11th film in the Trekkie franchise. It follows James T. Kirk (Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) aboard the USS Enterprise as they combat a Romulan from their future who threatens the United Federation of Planets. The story takes place in an alternate reality because of time travel — also a behind-the-scenes attempt to free the film and the franchise from established continuity constraints while simultaneously preserving original story elements. Don’t miss it, while we keep tabs on yet another Star Trek film that’s in the works, with the same cast returning!
