10 Best Movies Like Netflix’s Don’t Look Up

Adam McKay’s Don’t Look Up is a satirical doomsday movie filled with an impressive and star-studded cast, and it’s become one of the top streaming movies on Netflix. Despite mixed reviews, Don’t Look Up already has enormous Oscar buzz, making it a worthy contender for the upcoming award season.

Ironically, the film’s premise is an allegory of climate change and the mixed public and political reaction. Don’t Look Up has a bit of everything to deliver its premise, with some comedy, apocalyptic aspects, and political satire. People can enjoy other films that feature some of these elements from Don’t Look Up.

Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World (2012)

Stream On HBO Max

With the world expected to end from an asteroid collision, chaos ensues. In particular, Dodge is alone after his wife leaves him. With little time left, he hopes to befriend his neighbor, Penny, and ventures onto an exciting road trip. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World stars Steve Carell and Keira Knightley.

While most apocalyptic movies touch on an alarming topic of the world ending, Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World is much like Don’t Look Up with more dark comedy aspects to the story and premise. Even the film highlights the disorderly public response to the situation. Of course, this comedy doomsday adds a touch of romance between the leading characters. It is not a perfect film, but it has the charm and heartwarming tone that people will enjoy.

This Is The End (2013)

Stream On Starz

In This Is the End, some of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities, playing over-the-top versions of themselves, attend James Franco’s party. However, a series of biblical catastrophes indicate the apocalypse. Soon, six friends try to survive the frenzy, but it only grows worse.

Like Don’t Look Up, This Is the End puts a different, more comedic spin on a doomsday film. Furthermore, it exaggerates the situation as actual Hollywood actors portray a fictional version of themselves. Of course, it delivers on the humor and dynamic chemistry between the cast. Therefore, people who loved Don’t Look Up will find This Is the End fun and captivating, even one of the best apocalyptic movies ever made.

Idiocracy (2006)

Rent On AppleTV, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, YouTube TV, Redbox

Idiocracy follows a private who hibernates as part of a military experiment. However, the scientist involved forgets about him, and he eventually wakes up in 2505. Little did he expect such changes in the future.

Although Idiocracy is not a doomsday film like Don’t Look Up, it does have several distinct aspects that are eerily similar to McKay’s comedy. This sci-fi comedy showcases a unique spin on a devolved universe. It also presents the exaggerated response of the public and plays into the political satire, much like President Orlean in Don’t Look Up. Therefore, Idiocracy might be a goofy film, but it will surely bring some great laughs for people’s viewing.

Armageddon (1998)

Stream on Hulu

In Armageddon, meteor showers hit Earth, but it is a warning of a cataclysmic event. With an asteroid on course to collide with Earth and cause a “global killer,” Harry Stamper and his team of drillers accept the dire mission to save the planet.

Although a less-than-stellar ’90s sci-fi movie, Armageddon follows a similar doomsday premise of Don’t Look Up, even with a cosmic object being a major threat. However, it has a different tone from the satire and comedy seen in Don’t Look Up by showing a more solemn attitude to the situation. Armageddon has a different perspective of a doomsday event, and people will find it entertaining even if the story can be nonsensical.

Network (1976)

Rent On AppleTV, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, YouTube TV, Redbox

Network follows a veteran anchorman who has a meltdown on public television. Soon, producer Diana Christensen realizes that coverage outbursts bring in high ratings, so she plans to broadcast similar programming.

Like Don’t Look Up, Network showcases the satirical public perception during news coverage. Although Network, one of the best journalist movies, does not center upon a doomsday, it does showcase the problems of media exaggerating and sensationalizing topics, which hits too close to home. Therefore, Don’t Look Up emulates much of the satirical nature of Network, which makes it a perfect pick for people to watch at home.

Greenland (2020)

Stream On HBO Max

In Greenland, a comet is expected to hit Earth, resulting in human extinction. An architect, John Garrity, wants to get his estranged wife and diabetic son to safety after being selected for an emergency shelter. However, the journey won’t be easy.

Like Don’t Look Up, Greenland follows a doomsday storyline of a comet hitting Earth, but it does not play with the comedic style. Instead, it feels more like a thriller, showcasing the obstacles of a family’s survival and the best and worst in humans. Even though the atmosphere is grounded compared to Don’t Look Up, Greenland is an intense and entertaining disaster film that people will have chills while watching.

Dr. Strangelove (1964)

Rent On AppleTV, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, YouTube TV, Redbox

Dr. Strangelove occurs during the crucial period of the Cold War. The one making the call is the U.S. Air Force General, Jack Ripper, but his madness may put more Americans at risk.

Stanley Kubrick’s black comedy is not a doomsday film like Don’t Look Up, but the events focus on the Cold War. In many ways, Dr. Strangelove echoes the messages and problems of society hinted at in Don’t Look Up, especially ones fitting of its time. Much of the energy of Jack Ripper emulates the controversial leadership of President Orlean in Don’t Look Up, even presenting the public reaction of it.

The World’s End (2013)

Stream On Cinemax Go

As the final film of the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, The World’s End follows a group of five friends who reunite at a pub to redo a pub crawl. However, they also happen to be in the middle of an alien invasion.

The World’s End is also an apocalyptic comedy like Don’t Look Up. Of course, this comedy film has an unusual “end of the world” premise as it takes place in a bar, but it showcases a fun adventure among friends surviving an alien invasion. Of course, the story is sharp and funny, which makes it another selection for people to watch for a similar feel like Don’t Look Up.

Wag The Dog (1997)

Stream On Hoopla

In Wag the Dog, the incumbent United States president ends up in a controversy, which will impact the upcoming election. Soon, a spin doctor and a Hollywood producer work together to improve his public image by counterfeiting the war with Albania.

Wag the Dog emulates the political satire of Don’t Look Up. In particular, President Orlean becomes involved with scandals, much like the president in Wag the Dog. Furthermore, Wag the Dog delves into controlling the narrative of significant events, showcasing much of the issues presented in Don’t Look Up. Therefore, Wag the Dog has the humor and wits to entertain people while reflecting on the relevance.

Deep Impact (1998)

Rent On AppleTV, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, YouTube TV, Redbox

In Deep Impact, President Beck reveals that a comet is heading straight to Earth, causing mass panic. They attempt to stop the comet from hitting Earth with one astronaut accepting the mission, but will they succeed?

Surprisingly, Deep Impact parallels almost the entire plot of Don’t Look Up, such as the public frenzy, attempts to deter a comet, and a president keeping quiet about the situation. However, Deep Impact is the antithesis of Don’t Look Up when it comes to its tone. Indeed, this disaster film focuses on the gravitas of the potential doomsday event, so it showcases a different take of Don’t Look Up‘s story under a contrasting ambiance.

About The Author

Fariba Rezwan
(165 Articles Published)

Based in South Florida, Fariba Rezwan is a list writer for CBR and Screen Rant. Though working on her graduate degree at the University of Florida, her science education does not take away her love of movies and TV shows. She is a huge geek and considers herself a huge fan of many fandoms, including Star Wars, Marvel, Game of Thrones, Supernatural, and many more. Expect to see her watch movies on the first day they come out. While she will watch any film, she especially likes superheroes, mysteries, sci-fi, and thrillers. However, since she is in her early 20s, she also takes the time to educate herself about cinema by watching classics and well-received films. While she aspires to become a physician one day, she also hopes to try out screenwriting during her spare time.

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