50 Movies Like The Fifth Element (1997) You Need to Watch Next
Updated August 2026
View The Fifth Element details →Luc Besson's 1997 science-fiction adventure unfolds in the year 2257, when a taxi driver is unwittingly handed the task of saving a young woman who forms part of a key to humanity's survival. Besson wraps the premise in a boldly designed, hyper-colorful future, mixing propulsive action with a streak of offbeat humor and operatic excess. It suits viewers who enjoy science fiction that prizes imaginative world-building and playful style over strict plausibility. If you want a fast, visually inventive adventure that leans into spectacle and personality rather than solemnity, this remains a distinctive ride. Those seeking grounded, hard science fiction may find its exuberance too much.
If you loved The Fifth Element (1997) by Luc Besson, 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 The Matrix Resurrections, Total Recall, Dune. 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 Fifth Element
Selected for their real similarity in content, these are the movies that share the most with The Fifth Element 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.
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
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
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
The Creator
2023 · Gareth Edwards
Amid a future war between the human race and the forces of artificial intelligence, a hardened ex-special forces agent grieving the disappearance of his wife, is recruited to hunt down and kill the Cr
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Babylon A.D.
2008 · Mathieu Kassovitz
A veteran-turned-mercenary is hired to take a young woman with a secret from post-apocalyptic Eastern Europe to New York City.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Oblivion
2013 · Joseph Kosinski
Jack Harper is one of the last few drone repairmen stationed on Earth. Part of a massive operation to extract vital resources after decades of war with a terrifying threat known as the Scavs, Jack’s m
In common: Action · Adventure
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
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
Dune
2021 · Denis Villeneuve
Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his
In common: Adventure · Science Fiction
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
2015 · J.J. Abrams
Thirty years after defeating the Galactic Empire, Han Solo and his allies face a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren and his army of Stormtroopers.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
1999 · George Lucas
Anakin Skywalker, a young slave strong with the Force, is discovered on Tatooine. Meanwhile, the evil Sith have returned, enacting their plot for revenge against the Jedi.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
2019 · J.J. Abrams
The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once again as the journey of Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron continues. With the power and knowledge of generations behind them, the final battle begins.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
2002 · George Lucas
Following an assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala, Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi investigate a mysterious plot into the heart of the Separatist movement and the beginning
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Guardians of the Galaxy
2014 · James Gunn
Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Solo: A Star Wars Story
2018 · Ron Howard
Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Stargate
1994 · Roland Emmerich
An interstellar teleportation device, found in Egypt, leads to a planet with humans resembling ancient Egyptians who worship the god Ra.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Star Trek Beyond
2016 · Justin Lin
The USS Enterprise crew explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a mysterious new enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire
2023 · Zack Snyder
When the ruthless forces of the Motherworld threaten a quiet farming village on a distant moon, a mysterious outsider becomes its best hope for survival.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver
2024 · Zack Snyder
The rebels gear up for battle against the ruthless forces of the Motherworld as unbreakable bonds are forged, heroes emerge — and legends are made.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Star Wars
1977 · George Lucas
Princess Leia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker and dashing captain Han Solo team together with the
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
2017 · Rian Johnson
Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to do battle with the First Order.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
2005 · George Lucas
When the sinister Sith unveil a thousand-year-old plot to rule the galaxy, the Republic crumbles and from its ashes rises the evil Galactic Empire. Jedi hero Anakin Skywalker must choose a side.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Ender's Game
2013 · Gavin Hood
Based on the classic novel by Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game is the story of the Earth's most gifted children training to defend their homeplanet in the space wars of the future.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Alita: Battle Angel
2019 · Robert Rodriguez
When Alita awakens with no memory of who she is in a future world she does not recognize, she is taken in by Ido, a compassionate doctor who realizes that somewhere in this abandoned cyborg shell is t
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Ghost in the Shell
2017 · Rupert Sanders
In the near future, Major is the first of her kind: a human saved from a terrible crash, then cyber-enhanced to be a perfect soldier devoted to stopping the world's most dangerous criminals.
In common: Action · Science Fiction
Serenity
2005 · Joss Whedon
When the renegade crew of Serenity agrees to hide a fugitive on their ship, they find themselves in an action-packed battle between the relentless military might of a totalitarian regime who will dest
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
Minority Report
2002 · Steven Spielberg
John Anderton is a top 'Precrime' cop in the late-21st century, when technology can predict crimes before they're committed. But Anderton becomes the quarry when another investigator targets him for a
In common: Action · Science Fiction
RoboCop
1987 · Paul Verhoeven
In a violent, near-apocalyptic Detroit, evil corporation Omni Consumer Products wins a contract from the city government to privatize the police force. To test their crime-eradicating cyborgs, the com
In common: Action · Science Fiction
The Matrix
1999 · Lana Wachowski
Set in the 22nd century, The Matrix tells the story of a computer hacker who joins a group of underground insurgents fighting the vast and powerful computers who now rule the earth.
In common: Action · Science Fiction
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
Judge Dredd
1995 · Danny Cannon
In a dystopian future, Dredd, the most famous judge (a cop with instant field judiciary powers) is convicted for a crime he did not commit while his murderous counterpart escapes.
In common: Action · Science Fiction
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
2016 · Gareth Edwards
A rogue band of resistance fighters unite for a mission to steal the Death Star plans and bring a new hope to the galaxy.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
The Matrix Revolutions
2003 · Lilly Wachowski
The human city of Zion defends itself against the massive invasion of the machines as Neo fights to end the war at another front while also opposing the rogue Agent Smith.
In common: Adventure · Action
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · Irvin Kershner
The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to capture L
In common: Adventure · Action · Science Fiction
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
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
The 5th Wave
2016 · J Blakeson
16-year-old Cassie Sullivan tries to survive in a world devastated by the waves of an alien invasion that has already decimated the population and knocked mankind back to the Stone Age.
In common: Action · Adventure · Science Fiction
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
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
Return of the Jedi
1983 · Richard Marquand
Luke Skywalker leads a mission to rescue his friend Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt, the Emperor prepares to crush the Rebellion with a more powerful Death Star, and the Rebel fleet mount
In common: Adventure · Action · 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
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
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