Movies like
Loved the vibe? Here are ten films that hit similar notes—with match scores, reasons to watch, and where to stream in the US.
John Carter (2012) stuck because it commits to its action premise without apologizing—viewers remember set pieces and momentum as much as plot. Andrew Stanton's control of tone keeps the ride coherent. The action and adventure blend is the engine: it lets the film shift registers without feeling like two different movies stitched together.
Runtime 2h 12m · ★ 6.4
Mood
Streaming (US)
Era
Showing 10 of 10 picks
★ 7.9 · Action · Science Fiction · Adventure · 2h 1m
Why you'll love it
Guardians of the Galaxy shares John Carter's gift for action — the 2014 film delivers adventure without overstaying its welcome. Consider it required viewing once you've finished rewatching your first pick.
Watch on
Disney Plus
Amazon Video(Rent)
Apple TV Store(Rent)
Google Play Movies(Rent)
YouTube(Rent)
Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)
★ 6.6 · Action · Adventure · Science Fiction · 2h 23m
Why you'll love it
Much of what makes John Carter compelling — the action, the adventure — shows up in Man of Steel (2013) in a slightly different form. Both films understand that tense storytelling works best when it trusts the audience.
Watch on
HBO Max
HBO Max Amazon Channel
Cinemax Amazon Channel
Cinemax Apple TV ChannelAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)
★ 6.9 · Action · Adventure · Science Fiction · 2h 20m
Why you'll love it
The action energy of John Carter is alive in Divergent (2014), filtered through a different story but the same emotional register. It earns its place on this list with a tense payoff that rivals the original pick.
Watch on
MovieSphere+ Amazon ChannelAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)
Plex(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)
★ 7.2 · Action · Science Fiction · Adventure · 2h 2m
Why you'll love it
Alita: Battle Angel (2019) operates in the same action as John Carter, but with its own distinct voice and pacing. The tense payoff will feel satisfyingly familiar without retreading the same ground.
Watch on
fuboTV
YouTube TVAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)
★ 6.6 · Adventure · Science Fiction · Action · 2h 17m
Why you'll love it
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017) belongs to the same conversation as John Carter — both anchor their action in adventure emotion that doesn't let go. The tense undercurrent connects them more than any plot summary would suggest.
Watch on
HBO MaxHBO Max Amazon ChannelCinemax Amazon ChannelCinemax Apple TV ChannelAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)
★ 6.6 · Science Fiction · Action · Adventure · 1h 54m
Why you'll love it
If John Carter's action stayed with you, Ender's Game (2013) delivers the same sensation through an entirely different story. The adventure through-line is the real common thread between them.
Watch on
MovieSphere+ Amazon ChannelAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)
★ 6.3 · Action · Adventure · Science Fiction · 2h 6m
Why you'll love it
Where John Carter excels in action, The Host (2013) doubles down on adventure to comparable effect. The tonal similarities run deep enough that watching both back-to-back feels intentional.
Watch on
Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Shout! Factory Amazon ChannelAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)
★ 6.3 · Science Fiction · Adventure · Action · 1h 36m
Why you'll love it
The Time Machine (2002) is the natural next step after John Carter: same action DNA, different perspective. The tense streak and adventure elevate it well above a simple genre exercise.
Watch on
fuboTV
MGM+ Amazon Channel
Paramount Plus Premium
Paramount Plus Essential
Paramount+ Amazon Channel
MGM Plus
Philo
Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
★ 7.7 · Action · Science Fiction · Adventure · 1h 47m
Why you'll love it
Fans of John Carter who respond to its action will find Predator: Badlands (2025) immediately familiar. Both films share a adventure sensibility without ever feeling like carbon copies of each other.
Watch on
HuluAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)
★ 7.1 · Action · Adventure · Science Fiction · 1h 38m
Why you'll love it
There's a reason John Carter fans keep landing on Stargate: Continuum (2008) — the action is unmistakably related even when the plots diverge. Both films operate on the same emotional frequency, especially in their third acts.
Watch on
fuboTVMGM+ Amazon Channel
MGM Plus Roku Premium ChannelMGM PlusPhiloAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)Browse every "movies like" page on the site—including ones still waiting to be indexed.