Line #219 DuelingWorks/FilmSciFi


1	[[header:[[center:[-'''DuelingWorks -- DuelingWorks/{{Film}}'''\
2	[[DuelingWorks/FilmAnimated Animation]] \| [[DuelingWorks/FilmComedy Comedy]] \| [[DuelingWorks/FilmDrama Drama]] \| [[DuelingWorks/FilmHorror Horror]] \| [[DuelingWorks/FilmPeriodPieces Period Pieces]] \| '''Sci-Fi''' \| [[DuelingWorks/FilmSpyFiction Spy Fiction]] \| [[DuelingWorks/FilmSuperhero Superhero]] \| [[DuelingWorks/FilmWar War]] \| [[DuelingWorks/FilmCrossGenre Cross-Genre]]-]]]]]
3
4	* Initiators / Followers
5	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Description
6	** '''Implementation:''' Implementation
7	----
8	* ''Film/DestinationMoon'' (1950) / ''Film/RocketshipXM'' (1950)
9	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' ''Destination Moon'' was scientifically accurate, featured a script by Creator/RobertAHeinlein, and kicked off the "space adventure" genre of film. ''X-M'' featured [[SpaceIsNoisy sound in space]] and [[SpaceFriction rockets stopping when the engines cut out]].
10	** '''Implementation:''' ''X-M'' was a case of TheMockbuster; ''Destination Moon'' was famously advertised as "Two years in the making!", and ''X-M'' took advantage of its production troubles, rushing out and showing in theaters a full month before ''Destination Moon'' arrived.
11	----
12	* ''Film/{{Godzilla\|1954}}'' (1954) / ''Film/{{Gamera}}'' (1965)
13	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' {{Kaiju}} smash cities and battle other Kaiju.
14	** '''Implementation:''' The ''Godzilla'' series started in the lead in the "Showa" era with more and better films, but the "Heisei" series for both were a marked change. Despite having only a trilogy, ''Gamera'' had the better and more successful films overall when it went into a more realistic, DarkerAndEdgier direction. It dropped it with its own attempt at a third series, leading to a repeat of the Showa status-quo for the Millennium. Mashups between specific films include ''Film/InvasionOfAstroMonster'' and ''Film/GiantMonsterGamera'' (both 1965), ''Film/EbirahHorrorOfTheDeep'' and ''Film/GameraVsBarugon'' (both 1966), ''Film/SonOfGodzilla'' and ''Film/GameraVsGyaos'' (both 1967), ''Film/DestroyAllMonsters'' and ''Film/GameraVsViras'' (both 1968), ''Film/AllMonstersAttack'' and ''Film/GameraVsGuiron'' (both 1969), ''Film/GameraVsZigra'' and ''Film/GodzillaVsHedorah'' (both 1971), ''Film/GodzillaVsDestoroyah'' and ''Film/GameraGuardianOfTheUniverse'' (both 1995), and ''Film/Godzilla2000'' and ''Film/Gamera3AwakeningOfIrys'' (both 1999).
15	----
16	* ''Film/PlanetOfTheApes1968'' / ''Film/TwoThousandOneASpaceOdyssey'' (1968)
17	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' 1968 released films centering around astronauts on bizarre journeys shrouded in a sense of mystery, and both feature heavily made-up "monkey people" in important roles as well.
18	** '''Implementation:''' Both are adaptations, one of a novel, the other of a short story, with direct involvement from [[Creator/ArthurCClarke the author]] - who would then make [[Literature/TheSpaceOdysseySeries a book series out of it]].
19	----
20	* ''{{Film/Tentacles}}'' (1977) / ''Film/OrcaTheKillerWhale'' (1977)
21	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Blatant, scientifically dubious ''{{Film/Jaws}}'' ripoffs with bizarrely elite casts.
22	** '''Implementation:''' ''Tentacles'' is a borderline-incompetent Italian production; the British-made ''Orca'' is professionally made but has a plot oddly similar to ''Film/JawsTheRevenge,'' which came out a decade later.
23	----
24	* ''Film/StarTrekTheMotionPicture'' (1979) / ''Film/TheBlackHole'' (1979)
25	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Sci-fi films released within two weeks of another in December 1979, which were both mass-market effects extravaganzas, while also clearly attempting for a more cerebral ''Film/TwoThousandOneASpaceOdyssey''-like approach (Paramount was behind ''Star Trek'' and Disney was behind ''The Black Hole''.
26	** '''Implementation:''' ''Star Trek: TMP'' was a big-screen revival of ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'', which had been off the air for ten years, while ''The Black Hole'' was an original story.
27	----
28	* ''Franchise/StarWars'': ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' (1980) / ''Film/{{Flash Gordon\|1980}}'' (1980)
29	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Cinematic throwbacks to the pulpy space opera serials of the early 20th Century. Whether it be through their influence or as a direct adaptation.
30	** '''Implementation:''' Notably the creator of the ''Star Wars'' franchise Creator/GeorgeLucas at one time before making ''Star Wars'' did try to secure the rights to make a ''Franchise/FlashGordon'' movie, but was unsuccessful in being able to attain them.
31	----
32	* ''Film/ETTheExtraTerrestrial'' (1982) / ''Film/TheThing1982''
33	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' 1982 sci-fi films that center around human and alien encounter that came out less than a month apart.
34	** '''Implementation:''' Whilst the former is a family friendly adventure film that shows the alien being as friendly, the latter is a horror film that is a much darker take on an alien encounter.
35	----
36	* ''Film/BladeRunner'' (1982) / ''Film/{{Tron}}'' (1982)
37	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' 1982 high-concept sci-fi films dealing with the idea of artificial intelligence, its relation to their creator, and the metaphysics of consciousness organic or created. Both presented in stunningly realized words created with state of the art special effects.
38	** '''Implementation:''' The artificial intelligence emerges in ''Blade Runner'' in the form of bioengineered androids called replicants while in ''TRON'' it is portrayed with anthropomorphized computer programs existing in cyberspace, both of which were made to serve humans.
39	----
40	* ''Film/{{Tron}}'' (1982) / ''Film/WarGames'' (1983)
41	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Sci-fi films using computer games as a means of personifying computer systems.
42	** '''Implementation:''' ''Tron'' is a sci-fi adventure film about a video game developer who's suddenly sucked into the world of a super-computer. ''[=WarGames=]'' is a Cold War allegory about a teenaged hacker who unknowingly hacks into NORAD's super-computer and makes it think World War III is impending.
43	----
44	* ''Film/{{Runaway}}'' (1984) / ''Film/TheTerminator'' (1984)
45	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Both films, released within a month of one another in late 1984, dealt with robotics gone amuck, but to varying degrees. One had robots as household appliances trying to run and the other had robots in the future trying to wipe out the future human leader of LaResistance.
46	** '''Implementation:''' ''Terminator'' was a B-movie, with non-HouseholdNames and written/directed by [[Creator/JamesCameron an unknown]]. ''Runaway'' starred Creator/TomSelleck (of ''Series/MagnumPI'' fame) and [[{{Music/KISS}} Gene Simmons]], and was written ''and'' directed by accomplished sci-fi author Creator/MichaelCrichton.
47	----
48	* ''Literature/NineteenEightyFour'' (1984) / ''Film/{{Brazil}}'' (1985)
49	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' {{Dystopia}}n films depicting one everyman struggling against a futuristic government bureaucracy.
50	** '''Implementation:''' Both are quite similar in theme, but very different in execution. ''Literature/NineteenEightyFour'' is a fairly straight adaptation of Orwell's bleak novel, while ''Film/{{Brazil}}'' uses a far more irreverent and satirical take on the same tropes (and lacks a "Big Brother" figure).
51	----
52	* ''Film/TheAbyss'' (1989) / ''Film/DeepStarSix'' (1989) & ''Film/{{Leviathan 1989}}''
53	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Submarine-based sci-fi thrillers that received wide theatrical releases in 1989. They all feature people trapped in confined spaces, ridiculous aquatic gear, monsters, and tons of water.
54	** '''Implementation:''' ''Film/TheAbyss'' was the originator; there was an assumption by other studios that Creator/JamesCameron's big new project would be ''Film/{{Aliens}}'' [[RecycledInSpace underwater]] and they acted accordingly. (There were three other knockoffs that mostly saw exposure on video.) ''Film/DeepStarSix'' was rushed to reach theaters first.
55	----
56	* ''Film/{{Jurassic Park\|1993}}'' (1993) / ''Film/{{Carnosaur}}'' (1993)
57	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' The latter is basically [[TheMockbuster a low-budget clone]] of the former, with less philosophy and capitalism and more gore and mad scientists, by Creator/RogerCorman, the master of movies [[BMovie several grades lower than B]].
58	** '''Implementation:''' This example is mostly notable for the fact that the imitator actually got into theaters first, due to a massively quick shooting schedule. Also, Harry Adam Knight, author of the deliberately trashy novel ''Carnosaur'' was based on, has gleefully pointed out that one scene in ''Jurassic Park'' occurs in ''his'' book, but not Creator/MichaelCrichton's.
59	----
60	* ''Film/JohnnyMnemonic'' (1995) / ''Film/{{The Net\|1995}}'' (1995) & ''Film/{{Virtuosity}}'' (1995) & ''Film/{{Hackers}}'' (1995) & ''Film/StrangeDays'' (1995)
61	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' All are sci-fi action/thrillers released within 1995, that formed a large wave of films centering around the interconnected ideas of advancing technology, computers, cyberspace, hacking, etc.
62	** '''Implementation:'''
63	----
64	* ''Film/{{Virtuosity}}'' (1995) / ''Film/VirtualCombat'' (1995)
65	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' A cop has to pursue a virtual bad guy with whom he previously faced off in virtual reality after the villain downloads himself into a physical body to plunge the world into chaos. In both cases, the bad guy uses his experience with the protagonist as an advantage.
66	** '''Implementation:''' ''Virtuosity'' has an AllStarCast and a higher budget, ''Virtual Combat'' has a BMovie cast and was released [[DirectToVideo straight to video]].
67	----
68	* ''Film/IndependenceDay'' (1996) / ''Film/TheArrival'' (1996)
69	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' AlienInvasion movies released in the summer of 1996.
70	** '''Implementation:''' Aside from involving an alien invasion, they are ''nothing'' alike. ''Film/IndependenceDay'' was the big-studio action movie with a big budget, big stars, and big promotion. ''The Arrival'' was intended to be more of a thoughtful thriller, with only one brand-name star (Creator/CharlieSheen).
71	----
72	* ''Film/IndependenceDay'' (1996) / ''Film/MarsAttacks'' (1996)
73	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Another competitor to ''Independence Day''.
74	** '''Implementation:''' Both movies involve big budgets and big stars, and both are remembered fondly -- but where ''Independence Day'' plays its DisasterMovie tropes straight, ''Mars Attacks!'' is a ''very'' BlackComedy.
75	----
76	* ''Film/AlienResurrection'' (1997) / ''Film/DeepRising'' (1998)
77	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' A [[RagtagBunchOfMisfits rag-tag bunch]] of pirates/mercenaries, joined by the protagonist(s) and a number of original crew members (including the human villain, who decides later on that now would be the perfect time to [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder back-stab the survivors]]) try to escape from the bowels of [[GhostShip a ship]] that's hopelessly infested with a group of extremely lethal predators after the former crew [[EverybodysDeadDave has departed/vanished]]. Both prominently feature an extended underwater action set-piece at some point.
78	** '''Implementation:''' ''Deep Rising'' came out in January 1998, ''Alien: Resurrection'' in November 1997. The latter had been in gestation far longer than that, but early script versions differ significantly from the movie that ultimately ended up in theatres. ''Alien: Resurrection'' was helmed by French director Creator/JeanPierreJeunet, ''Deep Rising'' by Creator/StephenSommers.
79	----
80	* ''Film/DarkCity'' (1998) & ''Film/TheMatrix'' (1999) / ''Film/TheThirteenthFloor'' (1999) & ''[[Film/EXistenZ eXistenZ]]'' (1999)
81	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Each film centered around reality not being really real and [[LotusEaterMachine just a simulation]] in the future, albeit for different reasons and created by different sources.
82	** '''Implementation:''' Of course, ''The Matrix'' was a huge blockbuster, while ''Thirteenth Floor'' was viewed as a copy. It's really not, as the two movies have almost nothing in common. The same applies to ''[[Film/EXistenZ eXistenZ]]'', but with a generous helping of BodyHorror.
83	----
84	* ''Film/TheMatrix'' (1999) / ''Franchise/StarWars: Film/ThePhantomMenace'' (1999)
85	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Campbell-ian mythological sci-fi adventure films released within two months of each other in 1999. Both were the start of a trilogy, centered around the discovery of a prophesized Chosen One, and feature the heroes going up against a machine army.
86	** '''Implementation:'''
87	----
88	* ''Film/PitchBlack'' (2000) / ''Film/{{Supernova}}'' (2000)
89	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Space movies featuring a RagtagBunchOfMisfits-type crew that must survive a hostile environment and an AxCrazy serial killer. Most of the crew are killed.
90	** '''Implementation:''' ''PB'' was made in Australia and on a budget that the Aussies considered huge, but in America was only middlin'. It featured Creator/VinDiesel and Creator/ClaudiaBlack (who was shooting her first scenes in a [[SarcasmMode little-known]] [[Series/{{Farscape}} space show with Muppets at the same time]]). ''Supernova'', meanwhile, had a ''huge'' budget and bigger stars like Creator/JamesSpader.
91	----
92	* ''Film/MissionToMars'' (2000) / ''Film/RedPlanet'' (2000) & ''Film/GhostsOfMars'' (2001)
93	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Movies about going to Mars!
94	** '''Implementation:''' ''[=M2M=]'' was ''[[Film/TwoThousandOneASpaceOdyssey 2001]]''-lite, but the other two were BMovie fare.
95	----
96	* ''Franchise/StarWars'': ''Film/AttackOfTheClones'' (2002) / ''Film/StarTrekNemesis'' (2002)
97	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' 2002 released sci-fi action films from the two big franchises with Star in the title that are often touted as being rivals of some kind. In terms of story both films deal with a new political player taking power, and the heroes are initially unsure if they can be trusted. (Count Dooku and Shinzon) However, after assassination attempts and investigation, they come into full conflict with them. Notably, the idea of cloning is a major plot element in both films as well.
98	** '''Implementation:''' Both were parts of the second 'incarnation' of the franchises, namely the prequels and ''[[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration The Next Generation]]''.
99	----
100	* ''Film/TheMatrixReloaded'' & ''Film/TheMatrixRevolutions'' (2003) / ''Film/Terminator3RiseOfTheMachines'' (2003)
101	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' 2003 released sequels to preceding popular sci-fi action films that center around a Christ-like Chosen One having to embrace his destiny to help humanity defeat an oppressive network of machines that rise up and take power.
102	** '''Implementation:''' Given that the ''Matrix'' sequels were filmed at the same time and are so highly linked in terms of story, it only makes sense to group them together here. Interestingly enough though ''Terminator 3'' was released on a date between the two of them.
103	----
104	* ''Film/VForVendetta'' (2006) / ''Film/ChildrenOfMen'' (2006)
105	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' 2006 films set in a dystopian England, with society on the brink of collapse.
106	** '''Implementation:''' ''V for Vendetta'' is based on the best-selling graphic novel by Creator/AlanMoore.
107	----
108	* ''Film/RepoTheGeneticOpera'' (2008) / ''Film/RepoMen'' (2010)
109	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Films about artificial organs and assassins who repossess them if the transplantee fails to make a payment.
110	** '''Implementation:''' The main difference is that ''Genetic Opera'' is a musical while ''Repo Men'' is an action film.
111	----
112	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Delgo}}'' (2008) / ''Film/{{Avatar}}'' (2009)
113	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' [=CGI=] sci-fi passion-projects about two ethnic groups of separate species fighting each other and how two of the separate species attempt to stop the fighting and fall in love in the process.
114	** '''Implementation:''' While both have been in production for years, ''Delgo'' did come out first. A lawsuit was even prompted by the makers of ''Delgo'' against ''Avatar''.
115	----
116	* ''Film/District9'' (2009) / ''Film/{{Avatar}}'' (2009)
117	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' [=CGI=] sci-fi films exploring themes of FantasticRacism and settler colonialism between alien SerkisFolk and human antagonists. In ''Avatar'', humans are the invading aliens to the beautiful world of Pandora against the [[NobleSavage gentle, beautiful and in-touch with nature Na'vi]]. In ''District 9'', the aliens (a race of [[UglyCute ugly but still endearing]] InsectoidAliens) are InvadingRefugees exploited and forced into ghettos by the South African government.
118	** '''Implementation:''' Both films released within months of each other and share very similar themes. ''District 9'' goes for a {{Mockumentary}} angle; the found footage with the racist interviewees [[PoesLaw were real South Africans giving their opinions to the disguised film crew on Nigerian immigrants]].
119	----
120	* ''Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen'' (2009) / ''Film/TerminatorSalvation'' (2009)
121	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Both movies are sequels to established sci-fi robot franchises; however, ''Terminator Salvation'' departs from the ''{{Franchise/Terminator}}'' series' usual formula by mostly concerning itself with giant and/or vehicle-like "non-cyborg" sentient robots, making it closely resemble the ''Transformers'' movies.
122	** '''Implementation:''' With ''Transformers'', the core fanbase was already [[{{Pun}} steeled]] to expect a Bay film. On the other hand, ''Salvation'' did help establish Sam Worthington (Film/{{Avatar}}) as an EpicMovie actor just as he was about to quit to take a long vacation in the desert, so make of what you will of that.
123	----
124	* ''Film/{{Inception}}'' (2010) / ''Film/TheAdjustmentBureau'' (2011) & ''Film/{{Limitless}}'' (2011) & ''Film/SourceCode'' (2011)
125	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Action movies with strong philosophical[=/=]MindScrew elements.
126	** '''Implementation:''' ''Film/{{Inception}}'' was released in 2010 and all of the imitators were previewed/released within the next year.
127	----
128	* ''Film/{{Melancholia}}'' (2011) / ''Film/AnotherEarth'' (2011)
129	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Surreal independent sci-fi art films about a young woman dealing with depression while a mysterious planet appears in the sky and approaches Earth.
130	** '''Implementation:''' ''Melancholia'' is the darker film (it's by Creator/LarsVonTrier) with more focus on special effects as the two planets approach, while ''Another Earth'' is mostly a simpler human drama with the sci-fi more in the background.
131	----
132	* ''Film/BattleLosAngeles'' (2011) / ''Film/{{Skyline}}'' (2010)
133	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Aliens attack UsefulNotes/LosAngeles.
134	** '''Implementation:''' ''Battle Los Angeles'' began production first and focuses solely on the military fighting aliens. ''Skyline'' began production after (but got released first) and focuses on the military and regular people fighting aliens.
135	----
136	* ''Film/{{Skyline}}'' (2010) / ''Film/TheDarkestHour'' (2011)
137	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Independently-produced films about {{alien invasion}}s in major cities.
138	** '''Implementation:''' ''Skyline'' is set in UsefulNotes/LosAngeles, while ''The Darkest Hour'' is set in UsefulNotes/{{Moscow}} and was produced by Creator/TimurBekmambetov (of ''Film/NightWatch'' and ''Film/{{Wanted}}'' fame).
139	----
140	* ''Film/{{Limitless}}'' (2011) / ''Film/{{Lucy}}'' (2014)
141	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Sci-fi thrillers where the respective protagonists take {{Fantastic Drug}}s to access NinetyPercentOfYourBrain.
142	** '''Implementation:''' ''Limitless'' stars Creator/BradleyCooper as a struggling writer who takes an experimental pill and becomes a wildly successful RenaissanceMan. ''Lucy'' stars Creator/ScarlettJohansson as a drug mule who accidentally ingests a GeniusSerum that allows her to gradually access 100% of her brain gaining a SuperpowerLottery ({{Telekinesis}}, {{Technopathy}}, '''''TimeTravel''''').
143	----
144	* ''Film/CowboysAndAliens'' (2011) / ''Film/AttackTheBlock'' (2011)
145	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' 2011 [[JustForFun/XMeetsY Genre mash-ups]] where aliens invade during an American western and a mugging in London, respectively.
146	** '''Implementation:''' Both opened on the same day and both have fanboy-fave directors involved (Creator/JonFavreau directing ''Cowboys and Aliens'' and Creator/EdgarWright producing ''Attack the Block''), but ''Cowboys and Aliens'' had a Comic Con presence and an AllStarCast.
147	----
148	* ''Film/{{Oblivion\|2013}}'' (2013) / ''Film/AfterEarth'' (2013)
149	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' 2013 movies set on post-diaspora and [[AfterTheEnd -apocalypse]] Earths starring A-list actors (respectively, Creator/TomCruise and Creator/WillSmith). ''Oblivion'' opens a couple months earlier.
150	** '''Implementation:''' ''Oblivion'' has the hero finding a long-lost LaResistance (or are they?) on Earth after it was destroyed by aliens; ''After Earth'' has the heroes crashing onto the [[GaiasVengeance specifically human-hostile and -free]] planet (apparently one of many), which has been "quarantined" for so long the hero's son doesn't know its name. Both films' heroes are shown with shiny white spacecraft and neat, clean suits exploring the [[SceneryGorn ruins]]/[[SceneryPorn wilderness]]. The two movies even appear to have [[https://piximus.net/media/20454/almost-identical-movies-that-were-released-at-the-same-time-3.jpg very similar teaser posters]], featuring a solitary human figure surveying a post-apocalyptic landscape with a waterfall at top centre.
151	----
152	* ''Film/{{Snowpiercer}}'' (2013) / ''Film/HighRise'' (2015)
153	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' [[CrapsackWorld Humanity goes to pieces]] in an [[ClosedCircle airtight tube]] as seen from the POV pf a pair of Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse characters.
154	** '''Implementation:''' Captain America fights his way from the squalid rear of a CoolTrain to the front seat of power to get answers; Loki observes the residents of his tower from his place of privilege near the top, and in both cases the men at the very top/front have their own agendas.
155	----
156	* ''Film/{{Transcendence}}'' (2014) / ''Film/{{Lucy}}'' (2014)
157	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' 2014 sci-fi thrillers about a human who through scientific means has their mind expanded and essentially gain the powers of a god.
158	** '''Implementation:''' Both films feature Creator/MorganFreeman as a scientist in a major supporting role.
159	----
160	* ''Film/{{Under The Skin}}'' (2013) / ''Film/{{Lucy}}'' (2014)
161	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Sci-fi thrillers in which Creator/ScarlettJohansson is an aloof and brutally effective woman who turns out to be much more than she seems.
162	** '''Implementation:''' In ''Under The Skin'' Johanssen is an alien performing unorthodox experiments on human beings, and when her skin is peeled off in the film's final moments she is revealed as an oily black being; in ''Lucy'', a near-magical drug causes Johanssen to rapidly mutate into a super-being who manifests gooey black tentacles.
163	----
164	* ''Film/{{Guardians of the Galaxy\|2014}}'' (2014) / ''Film/JupiterAscending'' (2015)
165	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' {{Genre Throwback}}s to the extravagant, gleefully {{camp}} {{Space Opera}}s of old.
166	** '''Implementation:''' ''Guardians of the Galaxy'' is based on the Marvel Comics, while ''Jupiter Ascending'' is an original film.
167	----
168	* ''Film/LazerTeam'' (2015) / ''Film/{{Pixels}}'' (2015)
169	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Four idiots are brought together to fight aliens in order to save the Earth.
170	** '''Implementation:''' One was a crowdfunded independent release by [[Creator/RoosterTeeth a web video company]]. The other a major studio release that tried to get promotion from a web video company, namely the ''LetsPlay/{{Yogscast}}'' - doing so even if [[LetsPlay/{{Turpster}} Mark "Turps" Turpin]] declined (as a result, Yogscast, their fans, and even some of their detractors, don't hold the film in high regard).
171	----
172	* ''Film/JupiterAscending'' (2015) / ''Franchise/StarWars'': ''Film/TheForceAwakens'' (2015)
173	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Grand-scale throwbacks to the space operas of old centering around a young woman who starts out as a nobody who finds herself drawn into a galactic conflict against a corrupt/authoritarian regime where she is proved to be a key part of. Her closest allies turn up in the form of disgraced ex-soldiers, one her age who becomes something of a love-interest and an older mentor-type figure.
174	** '''Implementation:''' This is the second time that a Wachowski film came out the same year as the opening chapter of a new ''Star Wars'' trilogy. The first being the previously listed ''The Matrix'' being released closely to ''The Phantom Menace''.
175	----
176	* ''Film/{{Chappie}}'' (2015) / ''Film/ExMachina'' (2015)
177	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' 2015 released sci-fi films centering around the creation of a machine with artificial intelligence, and attempts to explore some of that concept's nature.
178	** '''Implementation:''' One was a major studio release, the other an independent film. Both directors had sci-fi experience, but ''Chappie'' was Creator/NeillBlomkamp's third movie and ''Ex Machina'' the directorial debut of Creator/AlexGarland.
179	----
180	* ''Film/StarTrekBeyond'' (2016) / ''Franchise/StarWars'': ''Film/RogueOne'' (2016)
181	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' The two most iconic space opera franchises face-off in 2016.
182	** '''Implementation:''' ''Star Trek'' was in the third installment of a ContinuityReboot. ''Star Wars'' was in its second movie under Disney, and one that actually harkened back to the original movies by being a direct prequel to ''Film/ANewHope''.
183	----
184	* ''Film/RogueOne'' (2016) / ''Film/{{Passengers\|2016}}'' (2016)
185	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' SpaceOpera movies featuring ''very'' strong female leads, debuting late 2016. Both movies are rather harder science fictions than usual (or at least ''Rogue One'' is harder than most of the rest of the ''Franchise/StarWars'' franchise).
186	** '''Implementation:''' ''Rogue''[='s=] Jyn Erso has to be strong in the face of an evil empire, ''Passengers''[='=] Aurora Lane has to be strong in the face of [[spoiler: learning her companion doomed her to an "early" death simply because he was lonely.]]
187	----
188	* ''Film/StarTrekBeyond'' (2016) / ''Film/IndependenceDayResurgence'' (2016)
189	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Sequels in high-profile science fiction franchises, released in anniversary years for their respective series (the 50th anniversary of ''Franchise/StarTrek'', and the 20th anniversary of ''Film/IndependenceDay'').
190	** '''Implementation:''' Both films have the protagonists facing off against swarms of aliens in small, highly agile ships, who initially inflict a devastating defeat on the good guys.
191	----
192	* ''Film/AlienCovenant'' (2017) / ''Film/Life2017''
193	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' SciFiHorror films where a space crew investigates an unexplored planet, takes a hostile lifeform on board, and are subsequently killed off one by one while trying to prevent the creature from getting to Earth.
194	** '''Implementation:''' ''Alien: Covenant'' is the latest installment in the LongRunner franchise ''Franchise/{{Alien}}'' (and from the looks of it, essentially a soft reboot of the first ''Film/{{Alien}}''), while ''Life'' is based on an original script.
195	----
196	* ''Film/ValerianAndTheCityOfAThousandPlanets'' (2017) / ''Film/{{Ghost in the Shell\|2017}}'' (2017)
197	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Comic book movies featuring incredible ActionGirl[=s=] (who happen to be [[spoiler: OlderThanTheyLook: ''Valerian''[='s=] partner Lauraline is from Medieval Europe, ''Ghost''[='s=] Major is in her late-thirties at least but her cyborg body is in its' early/mid-twenties]]).
198	** '''Implementation:''' ''Valerian'' is based on [[ComicBook/{{Valerian}} a French-Belgian comic]], ''Ghost'' is based on [[Manga/GhostInTheShell a Manga]] with a bit of {{Race Lift}}ing.
199	----
200	* ''Film/{{Ghost in the Shell\|2017}}'' (2017) / ''Film/BladeRunner2049'' (2017)
201	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Cyberpunk movies about a cop uncovering a global conspiracy involving a Main/MegaCorp. The protagonists also grapple with ideas about illusory memories, the blurred line between biological and artificial lifeforms, and the metaphysics of consciousness organic or created.
202	** '''Implementation:''' The former is based on [[Manga/GhostInTheShell a Manga]], while latter is a sequel to a [[Film/BladeRunner 1982 movie]], which in turn is loosely based on [[Literature/DoAndroidsDreamOfElectricSheep a book]].
203	----
204	* ''Film/ValerianAndTheCityOfAThousandPlanets'' (2017) / ''Franchise/StarWars'': ''Film/TheLastJedi'' (2017)
205	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Battle of 2017 space operas.
206	** '''Implementation:''' Even if there was only an English translation of the ''Comicbook/{{Valerian}}'' comic in 1981, when there were already two ''Franchise/StarWars'' movies, its fans and creator were impressed at how many similarities the original trilogy wound up having.
207	----
208	* ''Film/PacificRimUprising'' (2018) / ''Film/{{Rampage\|2018}}'' (2018)
209	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' American-made {{Kaiju}} movies.
210	** '''Implementation:''' ''Uprising'' is the sequel to ''Film/PacificRim'', ''Rampage'' is an adaptation of [[VideoGame/{{Rampage}} the video game series of the same name]]. The former is largely comprised of unknown and up-and-coming actors, while the latter has an AllStarCast including the likes of Wrestling/DwayneJohnson, Creator/NaomieHarris, and Creator/JeffreyDeanMorgan.
211	----
212	* ''Film/SeeYouYesterday'' (2019) / ''Don't Let Go'' (2019)
213	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Time-bending thrillers with black leads in which our main character attempts to alter the past to save the life of a recently murdered family member.
214	** '''Implementation:''' ''See You Yesterday'' is a Creator/{{Netflix}} original produced by Creator/SpikeLee in which a young science prodigy creates a time machine and, with her friend, attempts to save her brother from being murdered in the past by [[KillerCop a police officer]]. ''Don't Let Go'' is a theatrical film produced by [[Creator/BlumhouseProductions Jason Blum]] and starring Creator/DavidOyelowo, in which he plays a homicide detective who learns he can communicate with his murdered daughter in the past through his phone and attempts to help her change her fate. (Additionally, an episode of ''Series/TheTwilightZone2019'' from the same year also featured a similar premise, in which a mother taking her son to college must use time travel to save him from becoming a victim of police brutality).
215	----
216	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Lightyear}}'' (2022) / ''[[Film/SixtyFive 65]]'' (2023)
217	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Two hard science fiction films in which the lead crash-lands on an uncharted planet after travelling in time due to the speed of their space flights.
218	** '''Implementation:''' The former is animated and features a human stranded in the far future on his own planet. Meanwhile, ''65'' has the lead–an ancient alien from a technologically-advanced race played by Creator/AdamDriver, who crash-lands in Earth in the Cretaceous period.
219	----
220	* ''The Challenge'' (2023) / ''Film/{{ISS}}'' (2024)
221	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Two films released less than a year apart, mostly set in outer space and involving the [[SpaceStation International Space Station]] and Russian cosmonauts.
222	** '''Implementation:''' ''The Challenge'' (''Вызов'') is a Russian film that follows a female surgeon who has to perform an operation on a cosmonaut too ill to return to Earth, and is the first major motion picture to actually be mostly shot in space. In ''I.S.S.'' (shot in studios on Earth), WorldWarIII has erupted on Earth and U.S. and Russian astronauts receive orders from the ground: take control of the station by any means necessary.
223	----
224	* ''Film/RebelMoon'' (2023-2024) / ''Film/DunePartTwo'' (2024)
225	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' {{Epic\|Movie}} {{Space Opera}} films in [[MovieMultipack several parts]] about LaResistance against a galaxy-wide [[TheEmpire empire]].
226	** '''Implementation:''' ''Dune: Part Two'' is the second part of the adaptation of Creator/FrankHerbert's ''Literature/{{Dune}}'' by Creator/DenisVilleneuve after the [[Film/Dune2021 2021 film]] and had a wide theatrical release. Creator/ZackSnyder's ''Rebel Moon'' is an original IP developed at Creator/{{Netflix}} primarily for streaming. The Snyder films will have a director's cut, while Villeneuve's won't (since he's not fond of the idea of director's cuts)
227	----
228	* ''Film/GodzillaXKongTheNewEmpire'' (2024) / ''Film/KingdomOfThePlanetOfTheApes'' (2024)
229	** '''Capsule Pitch Description:''' Two films in long running sci-fi series where the main antagonist is the king of a society of apes.
230	** '''Implementation:''' ''Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes'' is the tenth entry in the ''Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes'' film series and the fourth film in the [[Film/PlanetOfTheApesCherninSeries Chernin Entertainment-produced reboot series]]. ''Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire'' is the fifth film and seventh installment of the Franchise/MonsterVerse franchise. It is also the 13th film in the ''Franchise/KingKong'' franchise and the 38th film in the ''Franchise/{{Godzilla}}'' franchise, as well as the fifth American-made ''Godzilla'' film.

Context DuelingWorks / FilmSciFi