50 Movies Like The 5th Wave (2016) You Need to Watch Next
Updated August 2026
View The 5th Wave details →If you loved The 5th Wave (2016) by J Blakeson, here are 50 movies that share its content DNA. iRankMovies measures real similarity using cosine similarity across eight weighted dimensions — genre (50%), tone (12%), pace (10%), structure (8%), era (7%), theme (6%), audience (4%) and narrative perspective (3%) — not just the rating. The closest matches according to our analysis are After Earth, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, Tron. Every title is ranked by how closely it matches and backed by the iRank Score, a composite of IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic and TMDb across 12,000+ analysed titles.
The Best Movies Similar to The 5th Wave
Selected for their real similarity in content, these are the movies that share the most with The 5th Wave in terms of theme, narrative tone, and cinematic style. Every recommendation goes beyond genre — we evaluate the type of conflict, pacing, dramatic context, and the experience they create for viewers.
After Earth
2013 · M. Night Shyamalan
One thousand years after cataclysmic events forced humanity's escape from Earth, Nova Prime has become mankind's new home. Legendary General Cypher Raige returns from an extended tour of duty to his e
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
1985 · George Miller
Mad Max becomes a pawn in a decadent oasis of a technological society, and when exiled, becomes the deliverer of a colony of children.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Tron
1982 · Steven Lisberger
When brilliant video game maker Flynn hacks the mainframe of his ex-employer, he is beamed inside an astonishing digital world and becomes part of the very game he is designing. In his mission through
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
2024 · Wes Ball
Several generations following Caesar's reign, apes – now the dominant species – live harmoniously while humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his emp
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Ready Player One
2018 · Steven Spielberg
When the creator of a popular video game system dies, a virtual contest is created to compete for his fortune.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
2013 · Francis Lawrence
After surviving the Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta struggle with the consequences of their victory as unrest spreads across Panem. Forced back into the spotlight, they become symbols of hope and resi
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Divergent
2014 · Neil Burger
In a world divided into factions based on personality types, Tris learns that she's been classified as Divergent and won't fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysteri
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2
2015 · Francis Lawrence
As the war between the Capitol and the districts reaches its peak, Katniss Everdeen embarks on a perilous mission to liberate Panem and confront President Snow. Joined by a team of trusted allies, she
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
TRON: Legacy
2010 · Joseph Kosinski
Sam Flynn, the tech-savvy and daring son of Kevin Flynn, investigates his father's disappearance and is pulled into The Grid. With the help of a mysterious program named Quorra, Sam quests to stop evi
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Independence Day
1996 · Roland Emmerich
Strange phenomena surface around the globe. The skies ignite. Terror races through the world's major cities. As these extraordinary events unfold, it becomes increasingly clear that a force of incredi
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
John Carter
2012 · Andrew Stanton
John Carter is a war-weary, former military captain who's inexplicably transported to the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars) and reluctantly becomes embroiled in an epic conflict. It's a w
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Independence Day: Resurgence
2016 · Roland Emmerich
We always knew they were coming back. Using recovered alien technology, the nations of Earth have collaborated on an immense defense program to protect the planet. But nothing can prepare us for the a
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
2001 · Hironobu Sakaguchi
Led by a strange dream, scientist Aki Ross struggles to collect the eight spirits in the hope of creating a force powerful enough to protect the planet. With the aid of the Deep Eyes Squadron and her
In common: Action · Adventure
Pacific Rim
2013 · Guillermo del Toro
Using massive piloted robots to combat the alien threat, earth's survivors take the fight to the invading alien force lurking in the depths of the Pacific Ocean. Nearly defenseless in the face of the
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Riddick
2013 · David Twohy
Betrayed by his own kind and left for dead on a desolate planet, Riddick fights for survival against alien predators and becomes more powerful and dangerous than ever before. Soon bounty hunters from
In common: Action · Science Fiction
They Live
1988 · John Carpenter
A lone drifter stumbles upon a unique pair of sunglasses that reveal aliens are systematically gaining control of the Earth by masquerading as humans and lulling the public into submission.
In common: Action · Science Fiction
Transformers
2007 · Michael Bay
Young teenager Sam Witwicky becomes involved in the ancient struggle between two extraterrestrial factions of transforming robots – the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons. Sam holds the clue to
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
2009 · Michael Bay
Sam Witwicky leaves the Autobots behind for a normal life. But when his mind is filled with cryptic symbols, the Decepticons target him and he is dragged back into the Transformers' war.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Transformers: Age of Extinction
2014 · Michael Bay
As humanity picks up the pieces after the battle of Chicago, a shadowy group reveals itself in an attempt to control the direction of history…while an ancient, powerful new menace sets Earth in its cr
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
2023 · Steven Caple Jr.
When a new threat capable of destroying the entire planet emerges, Optimus Prime and the Autobots must team up with a powerful faction known as the Maximals. With the fate of humanity hanging in the b
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Edge of Tomorrow
2014 · Doug Liman
Major Bill Cage is an officer who has never seen a day of combat when he is unceremoniously demoted and dropped into combat. Cage is killed within minutes, managing to take an alpha alien down with hi
In common: Action · Science Fiction
War of the Worlds
2005 · Steven Spielberg
Ray Ferrier is a divorced dockworker and less-than-perfect father. Soon after his ex-wife and her new husband drop off his teenage son and young daughter for a rare weekend visit, a strange and powerf
In common: Adventure · Science Fiction
Dune
1984 · David Lynch
In the year 10,191, the most precious substance in the universe is the spice Melange. The spice extends life. The spice expands consciousness. The spice is vital to space travel. The spice exists on
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Alien Resurrection
1997 · Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Two hundred years after Lt. Ripley died, a group of scientists clone her, hoping to breed the ultimate weapon. But the new Ripley is full of surprises … as are the new aliens. Ripley must team with a
In common: Action · Science Fiction
Allegiant
2016 · Robert Schwentke
Beatrice Prior and Tobias Eaton venture into the world outside of the fence and are taken into protective custody by a mysterious agency known as the Bureau of Genetic Welfare.
In common: Action · Adventure
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials
2015 · Wes Ball
Thomas and his fellow Gladers face their greatest challenge yet: searching for clues about the mysterious and powerful organization known as WCKD. Their journey takes them to the Scorch, a desolate la
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
The Hunger Games
2012 · Gary Ross
In a dystopian society where the Capitol forces each district to send two young tributes to fight to the death in a televised spectacle, a girl volunteers to take her sister’s place, setting the stage
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Starship Troopers
1997 · Paul Verhoeven
Set in the future, the story follows a young soldier named Johnny Rico and his exploits in the Mobile Infantry. Rico's military career progresses from recruit to non-commissioned officer and finally t
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
I Am Number Four
2011 · D.J. Caruso
A teenage fugitive with an incredible secret races to stay one step ahead of the mysterious forces seeking destroy him in this sci-fi action thriller. With three dead and one on the run, the race to f
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
2017 · Luc Besson
In the 28th century, Valerian and Laureline are special operatives charged with keeping order throughout the human territories. On assignment from the Minister of Defense, the two undertake a mission
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
The Matrix Resurrections
2021 · Lana Wachowski
Plagued by strange memories, Neo's life takes an unexpected turn when he finds himself back inside the Matrix.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
2023 · Francis Lawrence
64 years before he becomes the tyrannical president of Panem, Coriolanus Snow sees a chance for a change in fortunes when he mentors Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute from District 12.
In common: Action · Science Fiction
Total Recall
1990 · Paul Verhoeven
Construction worker Douglas Quaid's obsession with the planet Mars leads him to visit Rekall, a virtual vacation company that manufactures memories. When something goes wrong during Quaid's memory imp
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Star Trek Into Darkness
2013 · J.J. Abrams
When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
AVP: Alien vs. Predator
2004 · Paul W. S. Anderson
When scientists discover something near Antarctica that appears to be a buried Pyramid, they send a research team out to investigate. Little do they know that they are about to step into a hunting gro
In common: Action · Adventure
Predator
1987 · John McTiernan
A team of elite commandos on a secret mission in a Central American jungle come to find themselves hunted by an extraterrestrial warrior.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
The Tomorrow War
2021 · Chris McKay
The world is stunned when a group of time travelers arrive from the year 2051 to deliver an urgent message: Thirty years in the future, mankind is losing a global war against a deadly alien species. T
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Green Lantern
2011 · Martin Campbell
For centuries, a small but powerful force of warriors called the Green Lantern Corps has sworn to keep intergalactic order. Each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants him superpowers. But when a new
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Superman Returns
2006 · Bryan Singer
Superman returns to discover his 5-year absence has allowed Lex Luthor to walk free, and that those he was closest to felt abandoned and have moved on. Luthor plots his ultimate revenge that could see
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Battle: Los Angeles
2011 · Jonathan Liebesman
When once distant UFOs become a terrifying threat and an alien invasion force begins attacking Earths major costal and riverside cities, a U.S Marine staff sergeant and his team are sent into battle o
In common: Action · Science Fiction
Outlander
2008 · Howard McCain
During the reign of the Vikings, a man from another world crash-lands on Earth, bringing with him an alien predator. The man must fuse his advanced technology with the weaponry of the vikings to fight
In common: Action · Science Fiction
Mortal Engines
2018 · Christian Rivers
Many thousands of years in the future, Earth’s cities roam the globe on huge wheels, devouring each other in a struggle for ever diminishing resources. On one of these massive traction cities, the old
In common: Adventure · Science Fiction
Captain Marvel
2019 · Ryan Fleck
The story follows Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races. Set in the 1990s, Captain Marvel
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Eternals
2021 · Chloé Zhao
The Eternals are a team of ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. When an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows, they are forced to reunite against
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
1982 · Steven Spielberg
An alien is left behind on Earth and saved by the 10-year-old Elliott who decides to keep him hidden in his home. While a task force hunts for the extra-terrestrial, Elliott, his brother, and his litt
In common: Adventure · Science Fiction
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
2008 · Steven Spielberg
Set during the Cold War, the Soviets—led by sword-wielding Irina Spalko—are in search of a crystal skull which has supernatural powers related to a mystical Lost City of Gold. Indy is coerced to head
In common: Action · Adventure
Predator: Badlands
2025 · Dan Trachtenberg
Cast out from his clan, a young Predator finds an unlikely ally in a damaged android and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Jurassic World Rebirth
2025 · Gareth Edwards
Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, covert operations expert Zora Bennett is contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure genetic material from the world's t
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Avatar
2009 · James Cameron
In the 22nd century, a paraplegic Marine is dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission, but becomes torn between following orders and protecting an alien civilization.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Avatar: The Way of Water
2022 · James Cameron
Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, learn the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other sa
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
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2008 · Michelle MacLaren
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After the party of heroes defeated the Demon King, they restored peace to the land and returned to lives of solitude. Generations pass, and the elven mage Frieren comes face to face with humanity’s m
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In a war-torn world of elemental magic, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.
