Movies Like The Darkest Minds To Keep YA Sci-Fi Alive

If you’re a fan of young adult sci-fi movies, we’d say that you’re pretty spoiled for choice these days. It’s a genre that’s seen a lot of interest, with shows like ‘Stranger Things’ undoubtedly boosting its popularity. The series’ success has actually helped films like ‘The Darkest Minds’ - which was produced by the show’s Shawn Levy - to gain a cult following ever since.

If stuff like this matches sounds intriguing, there are definitely some excellent movies that should fill the void. Whether you want to put together a film night or simply need something to watch, movies like ‘The Darkest Minds’ to keep YA sci-fi alive should have you more than covered.

Matilda is as good now as it was in the 1990s

There’s usually a recurring theme in movies where characters have special powers, which is that these people are often mistreated or punished because of their gifts. It’s something you see clear as day in the fantasy comedy movie ‘Matilda,’ where a young girl develops psychokinetic abilities. There’s been a musical and another movie since the 1996 original, but it’s the first film that so many love. With stellar performances, incredible heart, and a great feeling of justice in the climax, it’s a good one to watch if you love seeing someone with powers come out on top.

Midnight Special shows the length a father will go to for his child

Never underestimate the bond between a parent and their child. Michael Shannon and Jaeden Martell showcase that well in the sci-fi thriller ‘Midnight Special,’ where Martell plays a child with special powers. With government agents trying to hunt him down and a cult looking to exploit his abilities, Jaeden’s character is put through quite the ordeal. Fortunately, he has a father who refuses to let anything happen to his son, leading to the pair becoming fugitives. Though the movie wasn’t a hit at the box office, it earned plenty of support from critics, so this film is definitely one worth making time for. 

Chronicle takes on the found footage structure and does the genre justice

Found footage movies can usually be hit or miss. Thankfully, the superhero thriller film ‘Chronicle’ definitely falls into the former category, pulling in a lot of money at the box office and receiving plenty of positive reviews. It follows a group of seniors who all gain telekinetic powers, prompting them to go down different paths. When one of them ends up using his abilities for increasingly evil deeds, things take a dark turn, culminating in quite the climax. It’s a good exploration of the influence such powers can have on different people depending on their circumstances and the way they view the world.

What Happened to Monday offers an unusual premise with plenty of action

In a world where only one child is allowed per family, what do you do when you give birth to septuplets? That’s a question posed by the dystopian sci-fi thriller ‘What Happened to Monday,’ which sees Noomi Rapace portray seven identical sisters trying to keep their true identity under wraps. Each one is named after a day of the week, which corresponds to when they’re allowed to leave the house. Unsurprisingly, their secret doesn’t stay hidden forever, leading to a ton of action, drama, and suspense. It’s a pretty compelling movie, one that really demonstrates Rapace’s acting abilities and offers a take on something that is rarely covered in movies.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is yet another Tim Burton classic

If you’re all about watching kids and teens with supernatural powers, another good film worth sitting down with is the fantasy movie ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.’ Packed full of notable names, including Asa Butterfield, Judi Dench, Samuel L. Jackson, and Eva Green, it focuses on a school where all the students have an unusual power. With Tim Burton responsible for directing, you can expect something wacky and unusual that fits the story perfectly. You’re also in for a visual treat with the bright colors and costumes juxtaposing some of the darkness in the narrative. It’s just a shame there’s been no sign of a sequel since the movie’s release in 2015.

The Incredibles offers something a bit more lighthearted to watch

If you want something a bit more lighthearted that still offers a great story, why not watch the Pixar animated movie ‘The Incredibles’? Just like ‘The Darkest Minds,’ it’s a film where those with superpowers have to keep their gifts hidden from the world. However, the animated nature of the movie - plus the prevalence of jokes - keeps the tone fairly light from start to finish. There’s still a lot of compelling action, moments of suspense, and great storytelling throughout, though, to keep things exciting. Hard to believe ‘The Incredibles’ turns 20 in 2024, but at least it still stands up all these years later.

Movies like ‘The Darkest Minds’ to keep YA sci-fi alive goes to show the wide range we have out there to enjoy, with each adding something incredible to the genre so many of us know and love.