2005's V for Vendetta has been both praised and dismissed. On one hand, it is a solid dystopian political thriller based on DC/Vertigo Comics. On the other hand, it can sometimes seem pretentious with its "adolescent" political message and lackluster dialogue.
Yet, there are still many fans of the film who are probably looking for other similar movies that can be just as intriguing, entertaining, and easy to fall in love with. That's why the biggest fans of V for Vendetta should check out these films as they have some common themes in them.
The Hunger Games Franchise (2012-2015)
Beginning in 2012, The Hunger Games were a cultural phenomenon and will probably stay in history as one of the most influential young adult franchises. The books were amazing, but Jennifer Lawrence was really the one who did justice to the main character in the film adaptation.
The story is set in a dystopian future where the United States has become a country known as Panem with twelve poor districts and the wealthy Capitol. Every year, two teenage contestants are chosen from each district to participate in the Hunger Games, a televised survival event with only one live winner in the end. Katniss Everdeen volunteers to go instead of her sister, but her acts of defiance slowly turn into a rebellion.
Minority Report (2002)
Minority Report is a somewhat forgotten sci-fi film starring Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, and others. Directed by Steven Spielberg, it combined elements of thriller, tech noir, science fiction, and whodunit. It also explored such themes as free will versus determinism, preventive government in protecting its citizenry, and the potential legality of an infallible prosecutor.
The film is set in 2054 where a specialized police department called PreCrime arrests criminals based on foreknowledge provided by psychics called "precogs." PreCrime Captain John Anderton has separated from his wife and become a drug addict after the disappearance of his son. For some reason, the Precogs generate a new prediction where Anderton will murder a man he doesn't know named Leo Crow in 36 hours.
Watchmen (2009)
2009's Watchmen, directed by Zack Snyder, is considered one of the best comic book adaptations of all time, but there's more to it. Even at the time of its release, it polarized both fans and critics resulting in a mediocre commercial success. Yet, years later, it has become a cult film.
Set in the alternate dystopian year of 1985 at the height of the Cold War, it follows a group of mostly retired American superheroes investigating the murder of one of their own. They eventually discover that there is an elaborate conspiracy that can be deadly both for them and the whole world.
District 9 (2009)
District 9 is a sci-fi action film partially presented in a mockumentary style using news footage, interviews, and surveillance camera videos. It was a massive critical and commercial success earning multiple award nominations.
Set in the alternative year of 1982, it shows an alien spaceship appearing over Johannesburg, South Africa. The South African government discovers a group of insectoid aliens on the ship and decides to confine them to an internment camp called District 9.
Children of Men (2006)
Despite its commercial failure, Children of Men is one of the most critically acclaimed dystopian films with three Academy Award nominations and regular inclusions in top film lists.
The story takes place in 2027 when two decades of human infertility led the world to become a horrific place with society on the brink of collapse. Asylum seekers getting into the UK are subjected to refoulement by the government. The main character, Theo Faron, is a civil servant who must help a refugee escape the chaos.
Twelve Monkeys (1995)
Twelve Monkeys stars Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis and is a remake of a short film named La Jetee. The film was a critical and commercial success earning Pitt a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor and a nomination at the Academy Awards.
In 1996, a deadly virus wipes out almost all of humanity with survivors living underground. It is believed that the virus was released by a group known as the Army of Twelve Monkeys. In 2035, a prisoner named James Cole is selected, trained, and sent back in time to find the original virus and help scientists develop a cure.
Sin City Duology (2005-2014)
Sin City is a cultural phenomenon remembered to this day with its sequel being less successful and acclaimed. Based on Frank Miller's graphic novel of the same name, it was directed by Miller and Robert Rodriguez and stars Jessica Alba, Benicio del Toro, Bruce Willis, Elijah Wood, Mickey Rourke, and others.
The film is based on the first, third, and fourth books in the original comic series with the intro and outro of the film based on a short story from the sixth book. All the storylines are set in a dark and miserable town caught up in violence and corruption called Basin City.
Mad Max Series (1979-2015)
Mad Max was a breakout role for Mel Gibson, but modern audiences know the franchise by its latest installment, Mad Max: Fury Road starring Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy in title roles. Fury Road became a critical success despite underperforming at the box office and is considered one of the best action films of all time.
Set in a post-apocalyptic future where resources like petrol and water are scarce, it follows Max Rockatansky who joins Imperator Furiosa to flee from cult leader Immortan Joe and his army.
Blade Runner Duology (1982-2017)
Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 are both visually stunning films with a cast consisting of Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, Rutger Hauer, Ana de Armas, Jared Leto, Dave Bautista, and others. The films were both critically acclaimed and have a massive fan following.
The story takes place in a dystopian future Los Angeles where synthetic humans known as replicants are bio-engineered by the Tyrell Corporation to work at space colonies. In the first film, a fugitive group of replicants escapes back to Earth and a cop has to hunt them down. In the second film, set thirty years after the original, a replicant cop uncovers a secret that may destabilize society.
The Matrix Trilogy (1999-2003)
The Matrix trilogy is one of the most important in the sci-fi genre. Starring Keanu Reeves in its titular role, it became influential for action filmmaking and introduced various symbols into pop culture.
Set in a dystopian future, it depicts humanity being unknowingly trapped inside a simulated reality created by machines called the Matrix. Computer programmer Thomas Anderson, known under his hacker alias "Neo," uncovers the truth and is drawn into a rebellion against the machines.