12 Movies Like The Expanse You Need to Watch
Find 12 smart sci-fi, thriller, horror, and mystery picks with the same tense, character-driven feel that fans of The Expanse will enjoy.
If you’re hunting for movies like The Expanse, you probably want the same mix of smart sci-fi, tense worldbuilding, and characters who feel stranded inside a bigger mystery. This list leans into that mood with titles such as Sense8, Humans, Helix, Ascension, Extant, Night Sky, and Residue, each bringing its own twist on drama, thriller, horror, or mystery. Some focus on survival and conspiracy, while others explore identity, artificial intelligence, or the uneasy edge of deep space. You’ll also find the original The Expanse here, so it’s easy to compare the shows that share its style and the ones that take the same energy in new directions. Whether you want something sprawling, eerie, or character-driven, this page makes it simple to choose your next watch.
-
01
Sense8
drama · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
One gunshot, one death, one moment out of time that irrevocably links eight minds in disparate parts of the world, putting them in each other's lives, each other's secrets, and in terrible danger. Ordinary people suddenly reborn as "Sensates."
Directed by Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, James McTeigue, Tom Tykwer, Dan GlassCast Bae Doona, Jamie Clayton, Tina Desai, Tuppence Middleton, Max RiemeltNetflix -
02
Humans
drama · sci-fi
In a parallel present where the latest must-have gadget for any busy family is a 'Synth' - a highly-developed robotic servant that's so similar to a real human it's transforming the way we live.
Directed by Lewis Arnold, Samuel Donovan, China Moo-Young, Daniel Nettheim, Mark BrozelCast Katherine Parkinson, Gemma Chan, Lucy Carless, Tom Goodman-Hill, Colin MorganAmazon Prime VideoPeacock PremiumFreevee -
03
Helix
drama · horror · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
Helix is an intense thriller about a team of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control who travel to a high-tech research facility in the Arctic to investigate a possible disease outbreak, only to find themselves pulled into a terrifying life-and-death struggle that holds the key to mankind's salvation...or total annihilation.
Directed by Steven A. Adelson, Jeremiah S. Chechik, Brad Turner, Duane Clark, Mike RohlCast Billy Campbell, Kyra Zagorsky, Mark Ghanimé, Jordan Hayes, Neil NapierHulu -
04
Ascension
drama · sci-fi
In 1963, the U.S. government launched a covert space mission sending hundreds of men, women and children on a century-long voyage aboard the starship Ascension to populate a new world. Nearly 50 years into the journey, as they approach the point of no return, a mysterious murder of a young woman causes the ship’s population to question the true nature of their mission.
Directed by Mairzee Almas, Nick Copus, Robert Lieberman, Vincenzo Natali, Stephen WilliamsCast Tricia Helfer, Gil Bellows, Brian Van Holt, Andrea Roth, Brandon P BellFreevee -
05
Extant
drama · sci-fi · thriller
An astronaut returns home from a year long solo mission in space. She tries to reconnect with her husband and son in their everyday life. Her experiences in space and home lead to events that ultimately will change the course of human history.
Directed by Dan Lerner, Christine Moore, Kevin Dowling, Adam Kane, Adam ArkinCast Halle Berry, Pierce Gagnon, Grace Gummer, Tyler Hilton, Goran VisnjicParamount Plus -
06
Night Sky
adventure · drama · fantasy · mystery · sci-fi
Irene and Franklin York, a retired couple, have a secret: a Chamber buried in their backyard that miraculously leads to a strange, deserted planet. When an enigmatic young man arrives, the Yorks quiet existence is upended and the mysterious Chamber they thought they knew so well turns out to be much more than they could have ever imagined.
Directed by Philip Martin, Juan José Campanella, Shari Springer Berman, Sara Colangelo, Jessica LowreyCast Sissy Spacek, J.K. Simmons, Chai Hansen, Kiah McKirnan, Adam BartleyAmazon Prime VideoFreevee -
07
Residue
drama · horror · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
The government cover-up of the causes behind a massive explosion in a futuristic UK metropolis spur photo journalist Jennifer Preston on to search for the truth and in the process blow open a paranormal phenomenon haunting the city.
Directed by Alex Garcia LopezCast Natalia Tena, Iwan Rheon, Jamie Draven, Danny Webb, Franz DramehFreevee -
08
Okkupert
drama · thriller
In the near future, Norway is occupied by Russia on behalf of the European Union, due to the fact that the newly elected environmental friendly Norwegian government has stopped the all important oil- and gas-production in the North Sea.
Directed by Erik Skjoldbjærg, Camilla Strøm Henriksen, Gunnar Vikene, Jens Lien, John Andreas AndersenCast Henrik Mestad, Ane Dahl Torp, Eldar Skar, Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Selome EmnetuAmazon Prime VideoFreevee -
09
The Anomaly
action · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
A former soldier is taken captive and awakens in the back of a van where he learns that he only has less than 10 minutes to figure out how he got there.
Directed by Noel ClarkeCast Noel Clarke, Ian Somerhalder, Brian Cox, Alexis Knapp, Luke HemsworthStarz -
10
The Signal
drama · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
A missing astronaut sets her family on a frantic hunt for answers. But the more they uncover, the greater the threat becomes to them — and the world.
Directed by Sebastian Hilger, Philipp LeinemannCast Florian David Fitz, Peri Baumeister, Yuna Bennett, Hadi Khanjanpour, Sheeba ChaddhaNetflix -
11
The Martian
adventure · drama · sci-fi
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.
Directed by Ridley ScottCast Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael PeñaAmazon Prime Video -
12
Glitch
comedy · drama · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
A young woman joins forces with a UFO enthusiast to investigate her boyfriend’s sudden disappearance and stumbles into a wild conspiracy.
Directed by Deok NohCast Jeon Yeo-been, Jung Da-bin, Lee Dong-hwi, Kim Han-na, Im Jin-ahNetflix
Wrapping Up
This roundup is built for readers who want the same rich atmosphere, layered tension, and speculative ideas that made The Expanse stand out. From haunting experiments to near-future questions about humanity, each pick offers a different way to scratch that itch. If you want to keep your watchlist ready, bookmark this page and check back whenever you’re in the mood for something new. We update it regularly, so it stays useful as fresh recommendations arrive and old favorites keep finding new fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these movies similar to The Expanse?
These picks were matched by tone, themes, and story style using a similarity model trained on plot synopses, genres, and cast — not just shared genre tags — so the connection runs deeper than a simple category match.
Related Guides
Last updated: September 4, 2026