14 Movies Like Nope For The Alien Sci-Fi Fan In You

The thematically most ambitious and highly anticipated film by Jordan Peele, Nope has quickly become a fan-favourite for its brilliant blend of classic westerns and mind-bending psychological thrillers. If you are in search of movies like Nope, we have curated a list of awesome films that fit the bill. Peele’s recent blockbuster film Nope has garnered a lot of attention from viewers and readers alike. Not only like the rest of Jordan Peele’s films, this is refreshing and uniquely represented, but the movie is a true ode to Cinema. The movie emphasises the allure of the spectacle and references various classic film sequences. From title cards to silent film techniques, Nope is filled with cinematic easter eggs. Peele takes a moment to highlight the contributions of the Black Community to the innovations of cinema.

So Here’s Why These 14 Movies are like Nope

1. Get Out (2017)

The first film in this list is Jordan Peele and Daniel Kaluuya’s previous horror/thriller collaboration called Get Out. The film delivers a social commentary on race relations in America while highlighting the deep-rooted fears Black people hold amongst the White communities. Nominated for 4 Academy Awards, Get Out won the Best Original screenplay.

Daniel’s breakout role in Get Out has to be one of the most intense and impressive performances I’ve seen in recent years. Mind-bending sequences and brilliant plot construction. Get out displays both heart-warming and chilling elements beyond imagination. If you’re searching for movies like Nope and haven’t seen Get Out, then without a doubt, it should be on the top of your watchlist.

2. Don’t look Up (2021)

Don’t Look Up is a Political Satire and Comedy film with a highly acclaimed cast, including Meryl Streep, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jennifer Lawrence, Timothee Chalamet. The story follows two low-level astronomers from Michigan as they discover a comet that will directly hit and destroy Earth.

The two scientists struggle to convince everyone about the threat while the rich and politically powerful use it as a strategy for personal gains. Don’t Look Up is humorously eye-opening about climate change, capitalism, celebrity culture, and human’s inability to collectively act to end problems. The media-driven conscience of humanity in Don’t Look Up should be perfect for movies similar to Nope.

3. Us (2019)

Another one of Peele’s great American horror films is the 2019 Us. Jordan Peele also wrote the film with actors Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke at the centre. The film is quite cynical compared to Nope or Get Out as it follows the winding story of a woman called Adelaide (Lupita). She meets her doppelgänger at her beachfront home as a young girl.

Now an adult, Adelaide is reluctant to go to the same beachfront home. But, unfortunately, her traumatic fear comes true when a group of menacing doppelgängers attacks her family. Us is a nail-biting psychological thriller full of suspense and twists. As a fan of films like Nope, you will surely be engrossed in the horrors of Us.

4. Independence Day (1996)

The 90s popular Sci-fi film Independence Day follows an alien invasion in the United States shortly before American Independence Day- July 4th. The government prepares for a fight with the technologically advanced aliens. The film became a summer blockbuster, with $816 million worldwide grossing. At that point, it was the second-highest of all time!

While their Academy award-winning visual effects may feel outdated, the general viewers were impressed by the storyline and engaging performances of Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum. Independence Day is a patriotic drive plot packed with action, exploring unprecedented threats and possibilities of Area 51. Independence Day is an excellent fit for you if you have 90s nostalgia and want to see films similar to Nope.

5. Arrival (2016)

Arrival is a creation of the brilliant director Denis Villeneuve and is considered one of the best science-fiction movies of all time. Arrival perfects everything any Sci-fi movie hopes to deliver. The movie is based on a short story called ‘Story of Your Life‘ by Ted Chiang, which primarily deals with searching for the reason the alien crafts have arrived and what they want from Earth.

Arrival incorporates skilful non-linear elements of story-telling with a soundtrack and visuals that speak a deeper truth of human communication and how bound by time our memories tend to be. Amy Adams’ performance is quite stunning here. If you want to watch more movies like Nope, I’m sure you’ll love Arrival. Check it out.

6. Cowboys and Aliens (2011)

The plot of Nope is quite unconventional, but it’s not the first to mix Western tropes with science fiction. The primarily forgotten Cowboys & Aliens merges the spaghetti Westerns with thrilling sci-fi alien adventure. Cowboys & Aliens based itself on the 2006 novel by Scott Mitchell of the same name.

The plot is relatively straightforward, an outlaw with amnesia (Craig), a wealthy cattleman (Ford), and a mysterious traveller (Wilde) team up to save a group of townspeople abducted by aliens. Although Cowboys & Aliens was more or less a flop, if you were intrigued by the premise of sci-fi movies like Nope, I’d recommend watching it anyway. Good actors, great action and a similar concept will make it worth your while.

7. Dark Skies (2013)

Peele is known for adding eye-catching horror elements to his movies. And sure, Nope has a few such terrifying sequences; but are you looking for alien invasion movies that turn into absolute horror? Dark Skies is the one. The film was released in 2013, and the story is set in the near future. It follows a group of people trying to survive during a spine-chilling alien invasion.

The aliens are not from space, but instead from a place called ‘the Dark’. The film uses many classic horror elements and creates a suspenseful thrill that will give faint-hearted people nightmares. Watch Dark Skies if you enjoy horror movies like Nope.

8. Cloverfield (2008)

After a giant monster attacks New York City, a group of friends desperately try to rescue their friend Beth who is trapped in her apartment. Cloverfield’s cinematography is similar to The Blair Witch Project; the hand-held camera gives the film a documentary-like realism.

Cloverfield is an interesting take on sci-fi horror, well-directed with great acting and a fascinating plot. This is a great monster flick to watch on the weekend, filled with thrilling action and scary moments; you won’t be disappointed with this if you are looking for similar movies to Nope.

9. Signs (2002)

Signs is a sci-fi horror by the iconic director M. Night Shyamalan. The story focuses on Graham Hess, a former Episcopal priest named (Mel Gibson) who uncovers a number of crop circles in his cornfield, a phenomenon he suspects could be a result of alien life.

The family realises that there is a creature of some kind that lurks around their house, making them slowly realise that they are not alone. Joaquin Phoenix steals the show with his wit and humour. You should check it out if you’re a big fan of M. Night Shyamalan and have just watched sci-fi films like Nope.

10. Fire in the Sky (1993)

Fire in the Sky is an American biopic sci-fi mystery film based on The Walton Experience by Travis Walton. The story features an extra-terrestrial abduction. The film explores alien abduction and the human fascination with what they would want from us. Being an old film, Fire in the Sky manages to do well without the availability of CGI.

The fact that Travis claimed this to be an actual occurrence with him makes the story even scarier than it already is. The movie isn’t perfect, it lacks the engaging charm of modern sci-fi action, but there are many dialogues that I truly enjoyed. So if you like the concept of aliens on Earth in films like Nope, check out Fire in the Sky.

11. The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

The remake of the 1951 movie of the same name, The Day the Earth Stood Still, stars Keanu Reeves as Klaatu and Jennifer Connelly as Dr Helen Benson. This Sci-fi Drama is about an alien humanoid visitor, Klaatu and a giant Robot counterpart who visit Earth to determine whether destructive human civilisation deserves to live.

While many think Keanu’s portrayal of the character felt cold, dedicated fans defend his choices to be true to the nature of intelligent foreign life. The movie’s message of peace and desire is portrayed decently. Though a fairly unpopular movie, it is a good choice if you want to watch movies like Nope.

If you’re interested, you can also check out the original The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) after watching this one.

12. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

No Space/Alien movie list is complete without a Speilberg film. Steven Speilberg is an iconic writer and director. He has created numerous classics like E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Schindler’s List (1993), and Jaws (1975). His 1977 Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a true Science fiction classic. The movie best describes a story about humans researching to make contact with a UFO. At the same time, a man is obsessed with explaining the strangeness he witnessed.

Arguably Close Encounters of the Third Kind is one of the greatest alien films. It is a spectacle of special effects, stories, and acting. The ending is stunning, an absolute marvel of cinema for a time without CGI. Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a movie you will remember for years, especially if you’re the kind of person who relishes questions rather than answers. I highly recommend you watch this film if you like films like Nope.

13. Jurassic Park (1993)

While we’re on the topic of Iconic Spielberg movies, the 1993 Jurassic Park has to be on this list. Now, as you may have guessed, this movie isn’t about aliens but dinosaurs coming back to life. The similar underlying theme of a ‘monster’ threatening the survival of humanity is why you will like it. In the premise, an entrepreneur opens a wildlife park containing cloned Dinosaurs, but security issues cause the predatory creatures to escape.

There have been many Jurassic Park movie sequels in recent years, and while they are great, none can match the charm of the first one. The action sequences are pioneering for the genre. The cast is terrific, and I don’t think anyone can take their eyes off Jeff Goldblum. Movies like Nope also mirror the Godzilla and King Kong films, but in my opinion, you should watch Jurassic Park if you haven’t already.

14. A Quiet Place (2018)

The post-apocalyptic horror film A Quiet Place was directed by the actor John Krasinski (best known for his role as Jim in the show The Office). The movie follows a family of a Husband, a pregnant wife and young children as they struggle for survival in a world where most people have been killed by blind but highly noise-sensitive creatures. Due to this, the family are forced to communicate via sign language to keep the creatures at bay.

A Quiet Place creates a unique and enhanced horror atmosphere through the silence. John directs himself and his real-life wife, Emily, both of whom deliver incredible performances. The brilliant theatrical suspense of the movie is sure to keep you on the edge of your seats. A Quiet Place is an excellent movie to watch if you are thrilled by horror movies like Nope.