Christopher Nolan's Interstellar is space opera with a heart — wormholes and black holes wrapped around a father-daughter love story. Hans Zimmer's organ score still gives us chills. If you've just finished watching and need more of that cosmic awe, here are 10 films streaming in the UK that deliver similar experiences.
What Made Interstellar Special?
- Real science — Kip Thorne consulted on the physics
- Emotional stakes — the mission is personal
- Visual spectacle — Gargantua remains stunning
- Time as a theme — how it separates us, how love transcends it
- Scale — the vastness of space, humanity's smallness
We're looking for films with similar ambition.
The Picks
1. Arrival (2016)
Where to watch in the UK: Netflix, Prime Video
Linguist Louise Banks tries to communicate with aliens who've arrived on Earth. Denis Villeneuve's film is cerebral, emotional, and features one of the best sci-fi twists ever.
Why you'll love it: Same blend of hard sci-fi and human emotion. The reveal changes how you see the entire film.
2. Gravity (2013)
Where to watch in the UK: Netflix
Two astronauts stranded after their shuttle is destroyed must find a way home. Alfonso Cuarón's survival thriller is 91 minutes of pure tension.
Why you'll love it: The space visuals are stunning. The isolation is palpable.
3. The Martian (2015)
Where to watch in the UK: Disney+, Prime Video
An astronaut stranded on Mars must survive until rescue. Ridley Scott's adaptation is optimistic, funny, and scientifically grounded.
Why you'll love it: Similar NASA-authentic feel. Less melancholy, more problem-solving joy.
4. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Where to watch in the UK: Prime Video (rent)
Kubrick's monolith mystery. Humanity's evolution, AI gone wrong, and a psychedelic final act that defies explanation.
Why you'll love it: The grandfather of ambitious space cinema. Interstellar's DNA is here.
5. Contact (1997)
Where to watch in the UK: Prime Video
A scientist receives a message from space and builds a machine to travel to its source. Jodie Foster anchors a film about faith, science, and cosmic wonder.
Why you'll love it: Same questions about humanity's place in the universe. Similar emotional core.
6. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Where to watch in the UK: Prime Video (rent)
A blade runner uncovers a secret that could destabilise society. Denis Villeneuve's sequel is visually stunning and philosophically rich.
Why you'll love it: Same deliberate pacing. Roger Deakins' cinematography is on par with Interstellar's visuals.
7. Moon (2009)
Where to watch in the UK: Prime Video
Sam Rockwell is alone on a lunar mining base. Then things get complicated. Duncan Jones' debut is intimate, intelligent sci-fi.
Why you'll love it: Smaller scale but equally thought-provoking. Excellent isolation atmosphere.
8. Ad Astra (2019)
Where to watch in the UK: Disney+
An astronaut travels to Neptune to find his missing father. James Gray's film is space-travel-as-therapy — meditative and visually gorgeous.
Why you'll love it: Father-child relationship at the centre. Stunning planetary imagery.
9. Dune: Part Two (2024)
Where to watch in the UK: Rent/Buy (Prime Video, Apple TV)
Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi epic continues. Paul Atreides leads the Fremen. The scale is enormous, the world-building is meticulous.
Why you'll love it: Same visual ambition. Different kind of sci-fi but equally immersive.
10. Solaris (1972)
Where to watch in the UK: Prime Video (rent), MUBI
A psychologist investigates a space station where the crew is experiencing strange phenomena. Tarkovsky's meditative sci-fi is slow but profound.
Why you'll love it: Memory, grief, love — similar themes to Interstellar, different approach.
Honourable Mentions
- Sunshine (2007) — Astronauts reignite the dying sun. Streaming on Disney+.
- First Man (2018) — Damien Chazelle's Neil Armstrong biopic. Prime Video.
- Apollo 13 (1995) — True story of a failed moon mission. Prime Video.
- Ex Machina (2015) — AI thriller. Channel 4 (free).
UK Streaming Quick Reference
| Film | Netflix UK | Prime Video | Disney+ | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrival | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Gravity | ✓ | — | — | — |
| The Martian | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| 2001 | — | Rent | — | — |
| Contact | — | ✓ | — | — |
| Blade Runner 2049 | — | Rent | — | — |
| Moon | — | ✓ | — | — |
| Ad Astra | — | — | ✓ | — |
| Dune: Part Two | — | Rent | — | — |
| Solaris | — | Rent | — | MUBI |
Availability checked March 2026
By Mood
Want more cosmic awe? → 2001, Contact, Arrival
Want survival tension? → Gravity, The Martian, Moon
Want father-child themes? → Ad Astra, Contact
Want visual spectacle? → Blade Runner 2049, Dune: Part Two
Want something cerebral? → Solaris, Arrival
FAQ
Is Interstellar itself streaming in the UK? Yes — typically on Netflix or Prime Video depending on current rights.
Which is closest to Interstellar's feel? Arrival — same director's thoughtfulness meets emotional sci-fi.
Which is the most visually stunning? Blade Runner 2049 or Dune: Part Two.
Any good for someone who found Interstellar too slow? The Martian or Gravity — faster-paced, still satisfying.
Looking for more personalised recommendations? Try our recommendation engine to find your next space epic.