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Movies like

Life

Loved the vibe? Here are ten films that hit similar notes—with match scores, reasons to watch, and where to stream in the US.

Life poster

Why people love it

Life (2017) stuck because it commits to its horror premise without apologizing—viewers remember set pieces and momentum as much as plot. Daniel Espinosa's control of tone keeps the ride coherent. The horror and science fiction blend is the engine: it lets the film shift registers without feeling like two different movies stitched together.

horrorscience-fictionmysterydivisive

Runtime 1h 44m · ★ 6.4

Your 10 recommendations

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  1. 96match

    1.The Thing (1982)

    8.1 · Horror · Mystery · Science Fiction · 1h 49m

    Why you'll love it

    The Thing (1982) is the natural next step after Life: same horror DNA, different perspective. The dark streak and science-fiction elevate it well above a simple genre exercise.

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  2. 94match

    2.Event Horizon (1997)

    6.6 · Horror · Science Fiction · Mystery · 1h 36m

    Why you'll love it

    Fans of Life who respond to its horror will find Event Horizon (1997) immediately familiar. Both films share a science-fiction sensibility without ever feeling like carbon copies of each other.

    Watch on

    • Paramount Plus Essential
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Plex(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
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  3. 92match

    3.The Thing (2011)

    6.2 · Horror · Science Fiction · Mystery · 1h 43m

    Why you'll love it

    There's a reason Life fans keep landing on The Thing (2011) — the horror is unmistakably related even when the plots diverge. Both films operate on the same emotional frequency, especially in their third acts.

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    • Amazon Video(Rent)
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  4. 90match

    4.Lifeforce (1985)

    6.3 · Horror · Science Fiction · Action · 1h 42m

    Why you'll love it

    Lifeforce draws from the same horror well as Life, channeling science-fiction in ways that feel unmistakably related. The 1985 film makes a natural companion watch — similar in spirit but distinctly its own.

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    • Amazon Video(Rent)
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    • Amazon Video(Buy)
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    + Save for later
  5. 88match

    5.Alien (1979)

    8.2 · Horror · Science Fiction · 1h 57m

    Why you'll love it

    Alien (1979) captures the horror appeal of Life without simply imitating it. The science-fiction streak running through both films is what puts Alien at the top of any "if you liked…" shortlist.

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    • Amazon Video(Rent)
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  6. 86match

    6.Prometheus (2012)

    6.6 · Science Fiction · Mystery · 2h 4m

    Why you'll love it

    The science-fiction appeal of Life — that tense edge, the mystery — translates cleanly into Prometheus (2012). Different setting, same essential satisfaction.

    Watch on

    • HBO Max
    • HBO Max Amazon Channel
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
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    • YouTube(Rent)
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  7. 84match

    7.2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

    8.1 · Science Fiction · Mystery · Adventure · 2h 29m

    Why you'll love it

    The filmmakers behind 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) clearly understood what makes science-fiction work — the same quality that keeps Life rewatchable. Expect the same tense rhythm, executed with a fresh angle.

    Watch on

    • HBO Max
    • HBO Max Amazon Channel
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Spectrum On Demand(Rent)
    + Save for later
  8. 82match

    8.Gattaca (1997)

    7.6 · Thriller · Science Fiction · Mystery · 1h 47m

    Why you'll love it

    Gattaca (1997) is the kind of film Life fans discover and immediately send to their group chat. The science-fiction overlap is real, but it's the tense emotional pull that seals the recommendation.

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    • Amazon Video(Rent)
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  9. 80match

    9.Alien: Romulus (2024)

    7.2 · Horror · Science Fiction · 1h 59m

    Why you'll love it

    Alien: Romulus shares Life's gift for horror — the 2024 film delivers science-fiction without overstaying its welcome. Consider it required viewing once you've finished rewatching your first pick.

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    • Amazon Prime Video
    • fuboTV
    • Amazon Prime Video with Ads
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    + Save for later
  10. 78match

    10.Solaris (1972)

    7.8 · Drama · Science Fiction · Mystery · 2h 47m

    Why you'll love it

    Much of what makes Life compelling — the science-fiction, the mystery — shows up in Solaris (1972) 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
    • Criterion Channel
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    + Save for later

FAQ

What should I watch after Life?
Try The Thing, Event Horizon, The Thing—each shares DNA with Life while changing the setting enough to feel fresh.
What genre is Life?
Life (2017) is best described as Horror, Science Fiction, Mystery. Stores and algorithms use different labels, but that mix is what fans actually recognize on a rewatch.
Is Life worth revisiting?
Viewer scores sit around 6.4/10 on TMDB—high enough that replays are common for people who like this horror lane.

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