For science fiction lovers out there, Ready Player One is a more recent film released in 2018 based on Ernest Cline’s novel sharing the same name. If you want to explore more movies like Ready Player One then you’re in for a treat, as these are the top recommendations.
The movie really hones in on the sci-fi genre as it takes the characters into a virtual world thanks to a device known as OASIS. Most of us dream of escaping the real world and being transported into a video game, and Ready Player One really highlights this idea. But when OASIS is up for sale for whoever finds all the Easter Eggs, a boy and his group of friends set out to complete the quest before an evil corporation can get their hands on it first.
6. Wreck-It Ralph, Prime Video (2012)
While it might not have been the first title to come to mind when you think about movies like Ready Player One, it’s hard to argue Wreck-It Ralph is quite similar. The 2012 animated comedy movie features the iconic video games that many of us grew up with.
Starring voice actors like John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, and Jane Lynch, the story follows the titular character Ralph, an eponymous arcade game villain who rebels against his role as the “bad guy” and dreams of becoming a hero. For viewers who enjoy the aspect of diving into virtual reality and video games, then this is a family-friendly movie that’ll blow you away.
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5. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Hulu (2017)
Some video games are dangerous though, and many of us would choose to stay in the safety of our home rather than trapeze across enemy-infested territory. Jumanji is like that, with twists and turns and danger lurking.
So when a group of friends quite literally get sucked up into the game of Jumanji, they have to work together to beat the game in hopes of getting back home, and into their own bodies. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is one of the best movies like Ready Player One, and stars big names like Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan.
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4. Ender’s Game, Netflix (2013)
Maybe you don’t need to see people getting transported to video games to fall in love with a movie. Ender’s Game would be a great pick if you enjoy futuristic technology and watching gifted kids save the world. The 2013 movie is an adaptation of a 1985 book by Gavin Hood and follows a world where a military academy takes gifted children into their teachings to train.
With the world preparing for an alien invasion, a race that is determined to wipe out humanity completely, the kids are one of the many weapons the world needs to save it. Starring Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, and Viola Davis, this is one of the best movies like Ready Player One.
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3. Scott Pilgrim vs The World, Max (2010)
Considered to be one of the classic movies in the genre, Scott Pilgrim vs The World is one of the best movies like Ready Player One. While it’s not set in the future, it does recreate reality into a video game, which is an interesting spin, while creating the perfect setting for hilarious dialogue and actions.
The 2010 romantic action comedy stars Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, and many more. The film follows Scott who is a slacker musician trying to win a competition to get a record deal while also battling the seven evil exes of his newest girlfriend Ramona Flowers. The evil exes and Scott fight in a video game style, going through a variety of styles like Street Fighter.
2. Tron, Prime Video (1982)
For the ultimate reality escape, Tron is the best movie recommendation and one of the best movies like Ready Player One. Starring Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, David Warner, and Cindy Morgan, the movie follows Kevin Flynn, a computer programmer and video game developer who is transported into the software world and interacts with programs in his attempt to escape.
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1. The Matrix, Netflix (1999)
If you’re a fan of the science fiction genre, the Matrix is a popular title. It’s one of the most well-known, beloved, and culturally significant movies of our time, and is one of the best movies like Ready Player One.
The 1999 film stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Hugo Weaving. It’s set in a dystopian world where humanity is unknowingly trapped in a simulated reality that intelligent machines have created to distract humans while they use their bodies for energy. When Neo uncovers the truth, he joins a rebellion group to go against the machines.