Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in an alternate world or parallel universe? Science fiction has explored this concept for decades, creating entire worlds and stories that explore the possibilities. From time travel to portals between universes, here are some of the best Parallel Universe sci-fi movies you don’t want to miss.
Dive into some of the most iconic parallel universe sci-fi movies you need to watch and re-watch!
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Parallel universe sci-fi movies (2010 – now)
The Discovery (2017)
Duration: 1h54m, Rating: TV-MA, Score: 6.8/10 (IMDB)
Writer & Director: Charlie McDowell, Starring: Rooney Mara, Robert Redford, Jason Segel
The Discovery is a haunting exploration of the afterlife and how it affects us in the present. It follows a scientist who makes a revolutionary breakthrough and sends shockwaves through the world. It’s an exciting journey that blurs the lines between life and death as we explore alternate universes of possibility.
Interstellar (2014)
Duration: 2h49m, Rating: PG-13, Score: 8.6/10 (IMDB)
Director: Christopher Nolan, Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Mackenzie Foy
The story of Interstellar follows a group of astronauts who travel through a wormhole to explore alternate universes and discover the fate of humanity. The visuals are stunning, and it’s hard not to get lost in the idea that there may be other alternate worlds out there waiting to be explored.
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Duration: 1h53m, Rating: PG-13, Score: 7.9/10 (IMDB)
Writer & Director: Doug Liman, Starring: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt
In Edge of Tomorrow, a soldier is sent on a suicide mission and finds himself in an endless time loop. He must use this power to discover the secret of an alien invasion and save humanity. It’s a thrilling journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat until its explosive finale.
Coherence (2013)
Duration: 1h28m, Rating: TV-MA, Score: 7.3/10 (IMDB)
Writer & Director: James Ward Byrkit, Starring: Emily Baldoni, Maury Sterling
Coherence is a mind-bending thriller about eight friends who find themselves in an alternate universe when their power goes out during a dinner party. The story unfolds as they explore the boundaries between reality and alternate realities, and its conclusion will leave you scratching your head.
Cloud Atlas (2012)
Duration: 2h44m, Rating: R, Score: 7.5/10 (IMDB)
Writers & Directors: Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski, Starring: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry
Cloud Atlas follows a group of characters who are living different lives in different times and places. They are tied together by a web of fate, and their actions ripple through alternate universes. It’s an ambitious, visually stunning exploration of how our choices affect not just our own lives but countless others as well.
Looper (2012)
Duration: 1h59m, Rating: R, Score: 7.4/10 (IMDB)
Writer & Director: Rian Johnson, Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt
In Looper, a young hitman is tasked with killing people sent to him from the future. When he comes face-to-face with his older self, he discovers there’s a lot more at stake than he thought. It’s an interesting look at how our decisions can ripple through alternate universes and affect our own lives.
Another Earth (2011)
Duration: 1h32m, Rating: PG-13, Score: 6.9/10 (IMDB)
Writer: Mike Cahill & Brit Marling, Director: Mike Cahill, Starring: Brit Marling, William Mapother
Another Earth takes a surreal look at alternate universes when a duplicate planet appears in the sky. A young woman discovers that the alternate Earth is a reflection of her own life and she must decide which version of herself she wants to become. It’s a thought-provoking look at the power of choice in our own lives.
The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
Duration: 1h46m, Rating: PG-13, Score: 7.0/10 (IMDB)
Writers: George Nolfi, Philip K. Dick, Director: George Nolfi, Starring: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, John Slattery
The Adjustment Bureau follows a young man who discovers a mysterious organization that is manipulating the events of his life. He must battle the forces of fate in order to discover the truth and take control of his own destiny. It’s a captivating look at alternate universes and how they can shape our lives if we’re brave enough to challenge them.
Source Code (2011)
Duration: 1h36m, Rating: PG-13, Score: 7.5/10 (IMDB)
Writer: Ben Ripley, Director: Duncan Jones, Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga
Source Code follows a soldier who is transported into an alternate universe in order to prevent a terrorist attack. He must relive the same eight minutes in order to find out who is responsible and stop them. It’s a mind-bending, gripping ride that will keep you on your toes until its thrilling conclusion.
Inception (2010)
Duration: 2h28m, Rating: PG-13, Score: 8.8/10 (IMDB)
Writer & Director: Christopher Nolan, Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page
Inception takes a thrilling look at dream manipulation and parallel universes. A team of thieves use technology to enter the subconscious of their victims and manipulate them into doing what they want. It’s a pulse-pounding journey that will keep you guessing until its stunning conclusion.
Parallel universe sci-fi movies (1997 – 2009)
Mr. Nobody (2009)
Duration: 2h35m, Rating: R, Score: 7.9/10 (IMDB)
Writer & Director: Jaco Van Dormael, Starring: Jared Leto, Sarah Polley
Mr. Nobody follows the story of a man who is the last mortal on Earth in a world where everyone else has achieved immortality. He must travel between alternate universes in order to find the woman that he loves and save her from a terrible fate. It’s an ambitious, thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be alive and how our choices affect our lives.
The Butterfly Effect (2004)
Duration: 1h53m, Rating: R, Score: 7.7/10 (IMDB)
Writer & Director: Eric Bress, Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart, Elden Henson
The Butterfly Effect shows the power of decisions and how they can ripple through alternate universes. A man discovers he has the ability to time travel and uses it to alter his own life and the lives of those around him. It’s an intense, thought-provoking exploration of how our choices can have unforeseen consequences in a parallel universe.
Donnie Darko (2001)
Duration: 1h53m, Rating: R, Score: 8.1/10 (IMDB)
Writer & Director: Richard Kelly, Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell
Donnie Darko is a psychological thriller about time travel and alternate universes. A troubled teenage boy travels through time and space, trying to unravel the mysteries of his life and prevent a catastrophic fate from befalling the world. It’s an eerie exploration of what could happen in a parallel universe and how our choices can shape our destiny.
The Matrix (1999)
Duration: 2h16m, Rating: R, Score: 8.7/10 (IMDB)
Director: Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski, Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
This classic sci-fi movie follows Neo, a computer programmer who is trying to discover the truth behind an alternate reality created by machines. It’s an action-packed, thrilling journey as he discovers that all humans are living in a simulated world and that his chosen destiny is to fight back against the machines.
Sliding Doors (1998)
Duration: 1h37m, Rating: PG-13, Score: 6.8/10 (IMDB)
Writer & Director: Peter Howitt, Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, John Hannah
Sliding Doors is a romantic comedy with a twist—it explores two alternate universes. In one reality, the main character misses her train and finds love. In another, she makes it on time and is forced to confront a life without that same romance. It’s an amusing look at parallel universes and how our decisions can shape them.
The Fifth Element (1997)
Duration: 2h6m, Rating: PG-13, Score: 7.6/10 (IMDB)
Writers: Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen, Director: Luc Besson, Starring: Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman
The Fifth Element is a thrilling sci-fi adventure about the power of four elements to save the world. When an alien force threatens to take over the universe, it’s up to a taxi driver and his female companion from another world—the fifth element—to save humanity. It’s a wild ride that will have you questioning the boundaries of parallel universes.
Parallel Universe movies in cinema
These movies represent some of the best examples of parallel universe cinema of the late years. They offer different perspectives on alternate realities and how they can be affected by our choices, both greatly or small.
Whether it’s the power of decisions to ripple across time and space or the consequences of a single choice in an alternate universe, these parallel universe movies provide gripping viewing. Dive into the unknown, and explore how our choices can have unforeseen consequences in a parallel universe. Enjoy your journey and let’s hope more great movies about alternate realities are released soon!
