100+ Movies like The Thing
Harbinger Down
"Harbinger Down" closely parallels "The Thing" in its core premise and plot structure. Both films involve the discovery of an extraterrestrial organism frozen in ice - a Soviet moon lander in "Harbinger Down" and an alien spacecraft in "The Thing". The organisms possess the ability to assimilate and mimic other life forms, leading to paranoia and mistrust among the isolated groups of characters as they struggle to identify who has been infected. The plots follow the characters' attempts to survive and contain the threat, with the alien entity systematically assimilating and killing off members of the group. Key story beats include the initial discovery, the realization of the organism's mimicry abilities, the escalating tension and violence as characters are infected, and the final confrontation with the alien force. Both films build an atmosphere of claustrophobic horror and mistrust as the characters are trapped in isolated, frozen environments with a deadly, shape-shifting threat.
Deep Freeze
Both "The Thing" and "Deep Freeze" are horror films set in Antarctica involving a team of researchers who encounter a deadly, shape-shifting alien creature. In both movies, the alien infiltrates the base by assimilating and imitating the researchers, leading to paranoia and mistrust as the characters struggle to identify who has been infected. The plots follow the characters' attempts to survive and escape the alien threat, with the creature picking them off one by one. The isolated Antarctic setting and the theme of an unstoppable, monstrous force add to the suspense and horror in both films.
Alien Hunter
Both "The Thing" and "Alien Hunter" involve the discovery of an alien entity frozen in Antarctic ice that poses a grave threat to humanity. In both films, a team of researchers and scientists investigate the alien presence, only for it to escape and wreak havoc. The alien entity has the ability to infect and assimilate humans, leading to paranoia and mistrust among the characters as they struggle to identify who has been infected. The plots follow the characters' desperate attempts to contain the alien threat and prevent a global pandemic, with the government ultimately resorting to extreme measures like nuclear strikes to eliminate the risk. Themes of isolation, survival, and the dangers of unchecked scientific exploration are central to both stories.
Sputnik
Both "The Thing" and "Sputnik" revolve around an extraterrestrial lifeform that infiltrates and assimilates human hosts. In "The Thing", an alien creature discovered in Antarctica can perfectly imitate its victims, leading to paranoia and mistrust among the research team as they struggle to identify who has been assimilated. Similarly in "Sputnik", a cosmonaut returns from space with an alien parasite living inside him, which feeds on human hosts and can control its host's body. Both films explore themes of body horror, the unknown threat of alien lifeforms, and the desperate attempts of the protagonists to contain and eliminate the extraterrestrial threat before it spreads further. The plots follow the characters' struggles to survive against a shape-shifting, assimilating alien force that blurs the lines between human and monster.
Whiteout
Both "The Thing" and "Whiteout" are suspenseful horror/thriller films set in the harsh, isolated environment of Antarctica. They involve the discovery of something mysterious and dangerous from the past - an alien spacecraft and body in "The Thing", and an old Russian cargo plane with a locked box in "Whiteout". This leads to a tense situation where the characters must investigate and deal with a deadly threat, not knowing who they can trust as the threat spreads and people are killed or assimilated. The plots revolve around the characters trying to survive, uncover the truth, and stop the threat from escaping the isolated Antarctic setting. Both films build suspense through the paranoia of not knowing who is human and who has been compromised, with the protagonists having to make difficult choices to protect themselves and prevent a larger disaster.
AVP: Alien vs. Predator
Both "The Thing" and "AVP: Alien vs. Predator" involve a team of researchers/explorers investigating an ancient alien presence discovered buried deep beneath the Antarctic ice. In both films, the alien entities are awakened and begin assimilating/impregnating the human characters, leading to a tense survival scenario where the remaining humans must fight against the alien threat while also being unsure of who among them has been compromised. The plots follow the characters' desperate attempts to contain the alien outbreak and escape the isolated Antarctic setting, with many characters being killed off one by one. The films share themes of paranoia, mistrust, and the horror of being hunted by an insidious, shape-shifting alien force.
Alien Rising
Both "Alien Rising" and "The Thing" involve the discovery of an alien life form that can assimilate and imitate other life forms. In "The Thing", an alien spacecraft and body are found buried in Antarctic ice, while in "Alien Rising", an unidentified spacecraft is found orbiting Neptune. The alien in "The Thing" can absorb and replicate other organisms, while the smaller alien in "Alien Rising" controls a larger alien through telepathy. Both movies feature a group of researchers/investigators who become isolated and must determine who among them has been assimilated by the alien. There is a sense of paranoia and mistrust as the characters struggle to identify the alien threat in their midst. Ultimately, the protagonists must confront and defeat the alien force to escape the isolated location. The movies explore themes of identity, survival, and the dangers of unchecked scientific experimentation.
Ice Planet
Both "The Thing" and "Ice Planet" involve an extraterrestrial threat that arrives on Earth or a human outpost. In "The Thing", an alien spacecraft and body are discovered in Antarctica, while in "Ice Planet", a vast alien spacecraft attacks human colonies. The plots revolve around the human characters trying to survive and understand the alien threat. Both feature isolated groups of humans trapped in remote locations - an Antarctic research station in "The Thing" and a stranded research vessel on an ice planet in "Ice Planet". The alien entities in both films have the ability to assimilate and imitate humans, creating tension as the characters must determine who among them has been infected or replaced. The stories build suspense and horror as the alien threat infiltrates the human groups, leading to paranoia and conflict. Ultimately, the protagonists must use their wits and resources to defeat the alien menace and attempt to escape or survive.
Jason X
Both "The Thing" and "Jason X" involve a deadly, shape-shifting entity that assimilates and imitates its victims. In "The Thing", an alien lifeform infiltrates an Antarctic research station, while in "Jason X", the unstoppable killer Jason Voorhees is revived in the future and begins assimilating the crew of a spaceship. The protagonists in both films must determine who has been assimilated and eliminate the threat before it spreads further. The movies follow a similar structure of suspense and paranoia as the characters are picked off one by one, with the entity's true nature and abilities gradually revealed. Ultimately, the survivors must find a way to escape the isolated, confined setting while battling the shape-shifting menace.
Alien Abduction
Both "The Thing" and "Alien Abduction" involve an extraterrestrial entity that can assimilate and imitate humans. In "The Thing", an alien lifeform is discovered in Antarctica that can absorb and replicate other organisms. In "Alien Abduction", the protagonists are abducted by aliens who can create clones of humans to infiltrate society. The movies follow the characters' struggles to identify who has been assimilated/replaced and survive the alien threat. Key plot points include the aliens infiltrating the isolated groups, characters being replaced and turning on others, and the protagonists' desperate attempts to escape the alien infestation. Both films create an atmosphere of paranoia and mistrust as the characters cannot discern who is human and who is an alien impostor.