Movies are a great form of entertainment. They can take you on a journey and allow you to experience things that you would never be able to in the real world. One great example of this is the movie “The Maze Runner.”
This movie takes place in a vast, open landscape, unlike anything most people have seen before. So it’s no wonder that so many people love movies like “The Maze Runner.” Not only do they provide a unique visual experience, but they can also transport you to another world entirely.
If you’re looking for an exciting and engaging movie to watch, be sure to stick to the last of this post.
We have listed down the 18 best movies like “The Maze Runner” for you. So, what are you waiting for? Scroll down and read more about some of the best action, adventure, and sci-fi movies of all time.
Battle Royale (2000)
It is a Japanese action movie that got released in 2000. The film’s story is about the country’s future into two classes: the wealthy and the poor. The government has decided to take drastic measures to restore order. So they have created a program called “Battle Royale” which involves selecting a group of students and forcing them to fight to the death.
The movie was a massive success in Japan, and it quickly became a cult classic. It got praised for its intense action scenes and dark, disturbing story. The director Kinji Fukasaku with a cast including Takeshi Kitano, Tatsuya Fujiwara, and Aki Maeda, delivers a powerful and unforgettable film. If you are a fan of maze runner, you should watch “Battle Royale.”
The Hunger Games (2012)
“The Hunger Games” is a 2012 action movie based on the best-selling novel of the same name. The movie follows the story of Katniss Everdeen, who has to compete in a televised death match called “The Hunger Games.”
“The Hunger Games” was a huge success, and it spawned two sequels: Catching Fire and Mockingjay – Part 1. The film received applause for its exciting action sequences and strong performances. The movie has become a pop-culture phenomenon, and it has inspired countless people worldwide.
The cast includes Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth, director Gary Ross’s best action movies ever made.
Days of Heaven (1978)
“Days of Heaven” is a 1978 romantic drama movie directed by Terrence Malick. The film’s story follows Bill and Abby, two lovers trying to escape the law. They travel to Texas and find work on a farm.
The movie shows the location in Texas, and it features some of the most beautiful cinematography. The cast includes Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, and Sam Shepard. The movie got nominated for two Academy Awards, and it is no doubt a great movie ever made.
The Host (2013)
“The Host” adds a more romantic slant to the dystopian future seen in films like “The Maze Runner.” The film depicts a world where a parasitic alien race has taken over the human race. The only people who can resist the aliens are those infected with a virus.
“The Host” tells the story of one such resistance fighter named Melanie and her fight against the aliens. The story hit the spot and pulled off the tale of a young protagonist looking to defy the odds.
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015)
The film is the continuity of the previous movie in “The Maze Runner” series; It is based on the second novel in “The Maze Runner” series. The film shows a dystopian world where a virus has turned most of the population into zombies. A group of teenagers is in a safe place called “The Glade,” and they are trying to find a way to escape.
The movie was a success, and it spawned a sequel, “Maze Runner: The Death Cure,” released in January 2018.
The cast includes Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, and Thomas Brodie-Sangster. Wes Ball directed the movie, and it is one of the best action movies ever made. “The Maze Runner” movie series has a different fan base altogether.
Divergent (2014)
The “Divergent” trilogy ranks among the top movies like “The Maze Runner” with the same dystopian aim. “Divergent” shows a future world where the population gets divided. The movie shows the population into five factions based on their personality traits. Tris Prior is a teenager who doesn’t fit into any factions, but she has to choose one.
The movies were very successful; the cast included Shailene Woodley, Theo James, and Ansel Elgort, and director Neil Burger and Robert Schwentke did an incredible job.
Cube (1997)
“Cube’s” plot is quite similar to that of “The Maze Runner.” In both movies, a group of people finds themselves in a maze-like environment. The group has no idea how they got there or how to escape.
The film received a lot of praise for its suspenseful story and fantastic acting. The movie did well, and it spawned two sequels, “Cube 2: Hypercube” and “Cube Zero.” The cast includes Nicole de Boer, Maurice Dean Wint, and David Hewlett. Director Vincenzo Natali has done a tremendous job making the movie look and feel claustrophobic.
Labyrinth (1986)
This popular fantasy film urges its young audience to be cautious about what they wish for. I’m always impressed by the cinematography and camera work in this film. We’re talking about a made-for-cinema fantasy picture that came out before films used CGI technology.
The film is about Sarah’s young girl who wishes her baby brother away and gets him back in a goblin-filled labyrinth. The film cast includes David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, and the movie got nominated for two Academy Awards.
While it’s not as action-packed as some of the other movies on this list, “Labyrinth” is a must-see for anyone who enjoys fantasy films.
Inception (2010)
Director Christopher Nolan did an excellent job in creating this mind-bending action film. The cast features Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, and Tom Hardy.
The story is about Dom Cobb, a professional thief who can enter people’s dreams and steal their secrets. He receives a chance to clear his name by planting an idea into the mind of a CEO. However, the process is not as easy as it seems.
“Inception” received terrific reviews for its mind-boggling story and stunning visuals and is still one of the most mind-bending movies ever.
The Giver (2014)
“The Giver” came in theatres in 2014 and is based on the novel of the same name by Lois Lowry. The movie shows a society with no war, pain, or fear, but this society is not perfect; however, there is a dark secret hidden from its citizens.
The cast includes Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Brenton Thwaites.
“The Giver” did an outstanding job in bringing the book to life. The movie received good applaud for its solid performances and thought-provoking story. Movies like “The Maze Runner” and “The Giver” are a hell of a mind-bender.
I Am Number Four (2011)
Will it be possible for you to live a life where you are always on the run? Of course, you will always have to look back because someone is trying to kill you? This film is about just that life.
Number Four is the fourth of nine aliens sent to Earth to avoid being killed by the Mogadorians, an alien race that destroyed their planet. The movie stars Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, and Dianna Agron. Director D.J. Caruso creates a sense of paranoia and urgency that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.
The movie was a box office success, and it spawned two sequels, “I Am Number Four: The Lost Files” and “I Are Number Four: Beyond the Shadows.”
The Village (2004)
The film “The Village” depicts a rural village found in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but forests from all sides. The village has a strict set of rules that everyone must obey, including not leaving the village.
The cast includes Joaquin Phoenix, Sigourney Weaver, and Adrien Brody. M. Night Shyamalan directed the movie, and it was a box office flop.
“The Village” is an excellent movie. It’s Shyamalan’s best work, in my opinion, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of suspenseful thrillers.
Dark City (1998)
Director Alex Proyas’ “Dark City” is a neo-noir sci-fi film released in 1998. The movie stars Rufus Sewell, William Hurt, and Kiefer Sutherland.
The film is about John Murdoch, an amnesiac man being hunted by the police because he suspected murder. However, Murdoch soon discovers that he is not the only one with unusual powers, and he must fight to survive.
“Dark City” received praises for its excellent visuals, moody atmosphere, and strong performances. The movie was a box office flop.
Despite this, I believe that “Dark City” is an underrated gem, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of science fiction films.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)
“The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones” is a 2013 American supernatural teen action film based on the first book in the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. It was directed by Harald Zwart and stars Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Robert Sheehan, Kevin Zegers, Jemima West, and Aidan Turner.
The film follows Clary Fray, a teenager who discovers she is a Shadowhunter, one of a group of humans who hunt demons. When her mother Jocelyn is kidnapped, Clary joins forces with the Shadowhunters to find her. Along the way, Clary discovers that she has unique abilities of her own.
“The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones” received mixed reviews from critics, but was a box office success, grossing over $90 million worldwide.
Mortal Engines (2018)
“Mortal Engines” is a 2018 post-apocalyptic steampunk adventure film directed by Christian Rivers and written by Peter Jackson, Philippa Boyens, and Fran Walsh. The film stars Hugo Weaving, Robert Sheehan, Jihae, Ronan Raftery, Leila George, and Stephen Lang.
The film is set in a future where the world has been devastated by a cataclysmic event, and cities now move on wheels and tracks to avoid being crushed by the enormous traction engines that now roam the earth.
“Mortal Engines” was released to mixed reviews from critics, but was a box office flop, grossing only $36 million against its $100 million budget.
Ender’s Game (2013)
“Ender’s Game” is a 2013 American military science fiction action film based on the book of the same name by Orson Scott Card. The film was directed by Gavin Hood, and stars Asa Butterfield, Hailee Steinfeld, Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis, and Harrison Ford.
The film is set in the future, where the human race is threatened by an alien race called the Formics. The International Fleet recruits Ender Wiggin, a prodigy, to train in Battle School in order to fight the Formics.
“Ender’s Game” was a box office disappointment, grossing only $61 million against its $110 million budget. However, the film was generally well-received by critics, who praised its visual effects and acting.
The 5th Wave (2016)
“The 5th Wave” is a 2016 American science fiction action film directed by J Blakeson and written by Susannah Grant, Akiva Goldsman, and Jeff Pinkner. The film stars Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, Ron Livingston, Maggie Siff, Liev Schreiber, and Maria Bello.
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Rick Yancey, and follows Cassie Sullivan, a teenage girl who must survive in a world after four waves of alien attacks have left most of the human race dead.
“The 5th Wave” received mixed reviews from critics, but was a box office success, grossing over $109 million worldwide.
In Time (2011)
“In Time” is a 2011 science fiction film directed by Andrew Niccol and starring Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy, Olivia Wilde, and Alex Pettyfer.
The film is set in a future where people can purchase immortality by uploading their consciousness into a virtual world. However, the protagonist, Will Salas (Timberlake), finds that the world he has been living in is not as perfect as it seems.
“In Time” was a box office flop, grossing only $36 million against its $50 million budget. However, the film was generally well-received by critics, who praised its visual effects and acting.
So these are the movies we believe to be the greatest and most comparable films like “The Maze Runner.” But, of course, these films are all excellent in their own right, and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for an excellent movie to watch.
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