100+ Movies like Arrival
Ice Planet
Both "Arrival" and "Ice Planet" involve humanity encountering extraterrestrial intelligence and spacecraft. In "Arrival", linguist Louise Banks is recruited to decipher the language of alien heptapods who have arrived on Earth in mysterious spacecraft. In "Ice Planet", the crew of the research vessel Magellan encounters a vast alien spacecraft and ends up stranded on an ice planet, where they discover an alien intelligence and artifacts containing information about human civilization. A key similarity is the idea of the alien language or artifacts containing knowledge that fundamentally alters human perception of time and reality. In "Arrival", learning the heptapod language allows Louise to experience visions of the future. In "Ice Planet", a crystalline organism contains encoded information about extinct human languages, and the ice planet itself seems to exist outside of normal space-time. Both films explore themes of communication, the nature of intelligence, and humanity's place in the cosmos. They also involve a sense of mystery and discovery as the human characters unravel the purpose behind the alien visitations. Ultimately, the aliens in both films seem to have arrived to help or guide humanity in some way, though their motives are not fully revealed.
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Both "Arrival" and "The Day the Earth Stood Still" involve extraterrestrial beings arriving on Earth, leading to widespread panic and military intervention. In both films, a linguist/scientist (Louise Banks in "Arrival", Helen Benson in "The Day the Earth Stood Still") is recruited to communicate with the aliens and understand their intentions. The aliens' true purpose is to help humanity, but their actions are initially misinterpreted as hostile, leading to conflict. The aliens possess advanced technology and abilities, including a means to disable human technology. Ultimately, the linguist/scientist is able to bridge the communication gap and prevent further escalation, realizing the aliens' benevolent goal is to save humanity from self-destruction. Both films explore themes of communication barriers, the human tendency towards violence, and the need for global cooperation in the face of existential threats.
Lunopolis
Both "Arrival" and "Lunopolis" involve encounters with mysterious extraterrestrial or advanced beings that possess knowledge and technology far beyond human understanding. In "Arrival", linguist Louise Banks makes contact with heptapod aliens who have arrived in spacecraft, while in "Lunopolis", a group of filmmakers uncover evidence of a secret lunar civilization with time travel capabilities. A key similarity is the revelation that the aliens/advanced beings have come to share their language or technology as a means to help humanity transcend their limited perception of time and reality. Learning the heptapod language in "Arrival" allows Banks to experience visions of the future, while in "Lunopolis", the lunar civilization's time travel technology has the potential to alter the timeline. Both films explore themes of communication barriers, the nature of time, and humanity's place in the larger cosmos.
Epoch
Both "Arrival" and "Epoch" involve the appearance of mysterious extraterrestrial objects on Earth that trigger global panic and military intervention. In both films, a team of scientists is assembled to study and communicate with the alien artifacts. The artifacts are revealed to be highly advanced technologies that can manipulate space, time, and even life itself. The scientists make breakthroughs in understanding the artifacts' language and purpose, which is to help humanity evolve and survive future threats. However, misunderstandings and conflicts arise between nations, leading to near-catastrophic events before the artifacts depart, leaving humanity with new knowledge and abilities gained from the encounter.
The Midnight Sky
Both "Arrival" and "The Midnight Sky" explore humanity's first contact with extraterrestrial intelligence and the challenges of communication across vast differences. In "Arrival", linguist Louise Banks decodes the language of alien visitors, gaining the ability to perceive time non-linearly, while in "The Midnight Sky", Augustine Lofthouse attempts to warn a returning spacecraft about Earth's apocalyptic state. Both films center on a parent-child relationship, with Banks experiencing visions of her future daughter, and Lofthouse contacting his estranged daughter Sully, a crew member on the spacecraft. The movies parallel the transformative impact of making contact with the cosmic unknown, and the personal sacrifices and choices the protagonists face in service of a greater purpose for humanity's survival and evolution.
Knowing
Both "Arrival" and "Knowing" involve a mysterious message or language from an extraterrestrial source that contains information about future events. In "Arrival", linguist Louise Banks decodes the language of the heptapod aliens, which allows her to experience visions of the future, including her future daughter's life and death. In "Knowing", a young girl named Lucinda transcribes a series of numbers guided by whispering voices, which turn out to be dates and coordinates of major disasters, as well as a future extinction-level event. The movies explore the concept of predestination and whether the future is set or can be changed. The protagonists, Louise and John, grapple with the implications of knowing the future, including tragic events involving their children. Both films culminate in a cataclysmic event that the extraterrestrial forces have foreseen and prepared for, with the aliens in "Arrival" offering their language as a tool to help humanity, and the beings in "Knowing" leading children to safety on interstellar arks before a solar flare destroys Earth.
Ape vs. Monster
Both "Ape vs. Monster" and "Arrival" involve an extraterrestrial arrival on Earth that sparks a global crisis and investigation. In "Arrival", linguist Louise Banks is recruited to decipher the aliens' language and communicate with them, while in "Ape vs. Monster", Dr. Linda Murphy investigates a crashed alien capsule and its mutated occupant, a chimpanzee named Abraham. The movies explore themes of communication, understanding the unknown, and the potential for conflict or cooperation between humans and alien entities. There are parallels in the government agencies and military involvement in responding to the alien presence. Ultimately, the protagonists gain insight into the aliens' intentions and work to prevent violence and establish peaceful coexistence, though the specific means differ between the cerebral language barrier in "Arrival" and the physical threat of the mutated creatures in "Ape vs. Monster".
Meet Dave
Both "Arrival" and "Meet Dave" involve extraterrestrial beings visiting Earth, with humans attempting to communicate and understand their intentions. The aliens in both films use advanced technology and possess superior knowledge, but struggle to comprehend human emotions and culture. A key similarity is the aliens' desire to learn from humans, with the heptapods in "Arrival" needing humanity's help in the future, and the aliens in "Meet Dave" realizing humans are more advanced than they thought. Both films explore themes of communication barriers, cultural differences, and the transformative power of understanding and empathy between vastly different beings. The protagonists in each movie serve as bridges between humans and aliens, facilitating mutual understanding and preventing conflict.
Independence Day: Resurgence
Both "Independence Day: Resurgence" and "Arrival" involve an alien invasion of Earth, with extraterrestrial spacecraft arriving and hovering over various locations around the globe. In both cases, governments and military forces mobilize to study and respond to the alien presence. The movies explore humanity's attempts to communicate with the aliens and understand their language and intentions. A key theme is the ambiguity around whether the aliens pose a threat as a "weapon" or if their purpose is ultimately benevolent, to offer a "tool" to help humanity. The plots revolve around the efforts of linguists and scientists to decipher the complex alien languages and messages, which reveal that the aliens have arrived to establish communication and cooperation with humans for a greater purpose in the future. The stories build toward major revelations about the aliens' motivations and humanity's destiny being intertwined with the extraterrestrial visitors.
The Cloverfield Paradox
Both "Arrival" and "The Cloverfield Paradox" involve extraterrestrial encounters that disrupt the normal flow of space and time. In "Arrival", linguist Louise Banks learns an alien language that allows her to perceive time in a non-linear way, giving her visions of the future. Similarly, in "The Cloverfield Paradox", the crew of the Cloverfield Station accidentally activates the "Cloverfield Paradox" which transports them to a parallel universe with strange phenomena. The movies explore how these cosmic events challenge human understanding of reality and the nature of existence. They also depict humanity's struggle to communicate and cooperate in the face of world-altering crises, with characters making difficult choices that impact the future.
Alien Rising
Both "Arrival" and "Alien Rising" involve the appearance of extraterrestrial spacecraft and the investigation of their alien occupants by government agencies and scientists. In both films, a female protagonist (Louise Banks in "Arrival", Lisa in "Alien Rising") plays a central role in communicating with the aliens and uncovering their true intentions. The aliens' language and telepathic abilities are key elements that allow the protagonists to gain deeper understanding. There are also corrupt military figures (Colonel Weber in "Arrival", Colonel Cencula in "Alien Rising") who seek to weaponize the alien technology for nefarious purposes. Ultimately, the protagonists facilitate peaceful contact with the aliens and thwart the malicious plans of the corrupt officials.
2012
Both "Arrival" and "2012" involve catastrophic global events that threaten humanity's existence. In "Arrival", extraterrestrial spacecraft arrive on Earth, causing widespread panic and requiring international cooperation to communicate with the aliens and understand their purpose. Similarly, in "2012", the Earth's core begins heating up due to neutrino particles, leading to cataclysmic natural disasters that necessitate a global effort to build arks and evacuate a select group of people to ensure humanity's survival. The movies explore themes of humanity's response to existential threats, the challenges of international cooperation, and the sacrifices individuals must make for the greater good. Both films culminate in a pivotal moment where key characters take actions that avert global catastrophe and secure humanity's future.
Proximity
Both "Arrival" and "Proximity" involve extraterrestrial encounters and the study of alien languages and communication. In "Arrival", linguist Louise Banks is recruited to decipher the language of mysterious alien visitors, while in "Proximity", characters Isaac and Sara discover they have been implanted with alien trackers and are drawn into contact with aliens studying humanity. The movies explore themes of humanity's relationship with alien intelligence, the challenges of cross-cultural communication, and the potential for alien languages to expand human perception and understanding of the universe. Both films build toward climactic events where cooperation with the aliens is achieved through the protagonists' efforts to bridge the communication gap.
Alien Hunter
Both "Arrival" and "Alien Hunter" involve the arrival of an extraterrestrial presence on Earth and humanity's attempts to communicate with and understand the alien beings. In both films, a linguist/cryptologist (Louise Banks in "Arrival", Julian Rome in "Alien Hunter") is recruited to decipher the aliens' language and signals. The movies explore themes of communication barriers, the risks of misunderstanding, and the potential for conflict arising from fear and mistrust between humans and the alien visitors. However, while "Arrival" focuses on peaceful communication and cooperation, "Alien Hunter" takes a more ominous turn with the accidental release of a deadly alien virus that threatens all life on Earth, leading to a tense race against time to prevent a global pandemic.
The Tomorrow War
Both "Arrival" and "The Tomorrow War" involve humanity facing an existential threat from an alien force, requiring cooperation and understanding to overcome. In "Arrival", linguist Louise Banks must decipher the aliens' language to facilitate communication and prevent conflict, while in "The Tomorrow War", soldiers from the future warn of an alien invasion that nearly wipes out humanity. The movies explore themes of time perception, with Banks gaining the ability to experience premonitions through the alien language, and Dan Forester traveling to the future to obtain a toxin to kill the aliens in the past. Both films emphasize the importance of making difficult choices for the greater good, with Banks sacrificing her future family life and Dan abandoning his daughter to save humanity. Ultimately, the movies convey messages about unity, understanding, and the power of language and knowledge to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Terminus
Both "Arrival" and "Terminus" involve the appearance of mysterious extraterrestrial objects that spark global panic and government intervention. The protagonists in each film - Louise Banks in "Arrival" and David Chamberlain in "Terminus" - become obsessed with studying and understanding these objects, which seem to hold the key to profound revelations about time, language, and the nature of existence. They face opposition from skeptical government agents and military forces who view the objects as potential threats. Ultimately, the objects impart a transformative understanding of time and reality to the protagonists, allowing them to transcend linear perceptions and glimpse the future. This knowledge comes at a personal cost but offers hope for humanity's evolution and survival in the face of global conflict and potential annihilation.
Alien Abduction
Both "Arrival" and "Alien Abduction" involve extraterrestrial beings making contact with humans on Earth. In both films, a group of people are abducted or encounter the aliens, leading to a struggle to understand their language and intentions. The aliens' language is depicted as complex and non-linear, altering the humans' perception of time and reality. The films explore themes of communication barriers, the nature of consciousness, and humanity's response to the unknown. However, "Arrival" takes a more cerebral and philosophical approach, while "Alien Abduction" has a more horror/thriller tone with elements of body horror and government conspiracy.
Project Ithaca
Both "Arrival" and "Project Ithaca" involve humans making contact with extraterrestrial beings and attempting to communicate with them. In "Arrival", linguist Louise Banks is recruited to decipher the language of the heptapod aliens, while in "Project Ithaca", the human-alien hybrid Sera can interface with the alien technology and understand their language. The movies explore the concept of non-linear perception of time, with Banks gaining the ability to experience premonitions of the future through learning the heptapod language, and Sera being able to interact with the past and future through the alien device. Both films deal with the themes of communication, sacrifice, and the greater purpose behind the alien visitations, as the heptapods in "Arrival" reveal they have come to help humanity in the future, and Sera in "Project Ithaca" sacrifices herself to free the abducted humans and open the door for a larger alien fleet to arrive.
Lucy
Both "Arrival" and "Lucy" explore the concept of humans gaining a higher level of consciousness and perception through exposure to an external force - in "Arrival" it's learning the alien language, while in "Lucy" it's ingesting a powerful synthetic drug. The protagonists, Louise Banks and Lucy, undergo a profound transformation that allows them to transcend linear human perception of time and reality. They gain abilities like telepathy, precognition, and an understanding of the true nature of existence. The movies parallel each other in depicting humanity's potential to evolve beyond our current limitations when exposed to a catalyst that unlocks the full capacity of the mind and consciousness. Ultimately, the protagonists sacrifice their human form to become part of a higher plane of existence and share their newfound knowledge with the rest of humanity.
Mr. Nobody
Both "Arrival" and "Mr. Nobody" explore the concept of non-linear time perception and how it affects the characters' lives and choices. In "Arrival", learning the heptapods' language allows Louise to experience premonitions of future events, including her daughter's life and death. Similarly, in "Mr. Nobody", Nemo can remember different possible futures for himself from the moment of conception, tracing various potential outcomes of his life choices. The movies parallel each other in depicting how the ability to perceive time non-linearly impacts the characters' understanding of their pasts, presents, and futures, and the choices they make based on that knowledge. Both films examine existential themes of free will, determinism, and the nature of reality through the lens of unconventional time perception.