8 Movies like 'Alita: Battle Angel' to Watch While We're Waiting for Its Sequel

"Alita: Battle Angel" is a well-loved cyborg film that touches on humans and machines. Fans who enjoyed its release would likely be interested in other movies like "Alita: Battle Angel," including some that premiered in the '80s.

In 2019, "Alita: Battle Angel" hit cinemas and made waves in the film industry. Adapted from the manga "Battle Angel Alita," the movie focused on a cyborg, the titular character, who was found disassembled in a junkyard.

When taken by Dr. Dyson Ido and attached to the cyborg body he created for his diseased daughter, Alita gets another chance at life. She must navigate the Iron City in her new body while facing many challenges.

Since "Alita: Battle Angel" was released, many film watchers became interested in cyborg movies. Fortunately, there are many movies like "Alita: Battle Angel."

'Ghost in the Shell'

In a fictional and futuristic world, machine police officer Major Mika Killian is the first of her kind. She is an orphan, turned into a cyborg, and trained to become the perfect soldier. Thanks to the Hanka Robotics Corporation, her human brain can function with a mechanical body.

As part of an anti-terrorist division, she tracks down the Kuze, a terrorist and hacker. However, working on the case made her discover the secrets of Hanka Robotics and the experiment that is herself.

The 2017 film "Ghost in the Shell" stars Scarlett Johansson as Major Mika, Pilou Asbaek, Takeshi Kitano, Juliette Binoche, Michael Pitt, and Chin Han.

'Akira'

Tetsuo and Shotaro Kaneda never thought they would grapple with conspiracies about the government in a Neo-Tokyo, rebuilt from the war. However, things change for the worse after Tetsuo is injured in an accident and brought to a secret government facility.

He soon develops telekinetic abilities, the same power Akira used to destroy Tokyo in 1988. When Testuo's power becomes uncontrollable and is used for evil, Kaneda must do everything to help stop him.

Set in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, 1988's "Akira" is voiced by Japanese actors and actresses Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama, Tessho Genda, and Hiroshi Otake.

'Chappie'

Set in Johannesburg, the police department seeks help from the Tetravaal Company to have robots lower the crime rate. When Robot 22, an artificial intelligence police, is stolen and reprogrammed by criminals, he gains awareness of criminal activities.

Now renamed Chappie, the criminals need to train him to grow. Although a robot, Chappie develops the ability to have a personality, emotions, and thoughts. As such, he becomes more self-aware and questions his identity and morality.

The 2015 film "Chappie" features a stellar cast that includes Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver, Ninja, and Yo-Landi Visser, among many others.

'Blade Runner 2049'

Set in a dystopian future, Officer K is on a mission to hunt and take out the bioengineered humans known as Replicants. The artificially made creatures look like humans but are much more robust and brighter. However, Replicants lack emotional intelligence and empathy, setting them apart from humans.

While investigating, Officer K learns a secret that makes him question his identity and the line drawn between humans and machines. "Blade Runner 2049" premiered in 2017 and is a sequel to the "Blade Runner" film released in 1982.

"Blade Runner 2049" stars Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Dave Batista, Robin Wright, and Mark Arnold. The film also received several accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Achievement in Cinematography and Best Achievement in Visual Effects.

'RoboCop'

After a severe injury while on duty, Officer Alex Murphy is turned into a RoboCop, designed to combat crime in the dystopian Detroit. While in the line of duty, he slowly remembers his past life in fragments, making him investigate those who transformed him.

"RoboCop" premiered in 1987 and starred Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Dan O'Herlihy, Ronny Cox, Kurtwood Smith, and Miguel Ferrer, among others.

'Elysium'

Only the wealthy elite can live on a manufactured space station called Elysium in a fictional future. Meanwhile, the middle class and below must survive on the overcrowded Earth. Among them is Max, a working-class man going above and beyond to relocate to Elysium.

His greater purpose is to use the station's technology to cure a possibly fatal disease while bringing equality to the world. However, doing so means conquering many challenges, including a ruthless government agent trying to maintain the status quo of Elysium.

"Elysium" features a fantastic cast, including Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Alice Braga, Diego Luna, Wagner Moura, and William Fichtner.

'Ready Player One'

Although a virtual reality, the Oasis is a place where many people go to escape the harsh reality of a futuristic world. Things become interesting when the Oasis' creator launches a quest for those interested that will guarantee immense wealth and power in the virtual universe.

Wade Watts is among those interested in finding the Easter egg through many challenges. In doing so, he and his friends compete against influential figures in the Oasis and navigate through blockers every now and then.

"Ready Player One" premiered in 2018 and stars Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Lena Waithe, TJ Miller, and Simon Pegg. The film received a nomination for an Oscar for Best Achievement in Visual Effects.

'Ex Machina'

When a young programmer, Caleb, is invited to administer a test on the world's first artificial intelligence human named Ava, he learns that she has emotions, intelligence, and an ability to manipulate.

"Ex Machina" premiered in 2014 and touches on the blurry distinction between treating machines and humans. It stars Alicia Vikander as Ava, Domhnall Gleeson as Caleb, Oscar Isaac, Sonoya Mizuno, Corey Johnson, and Claire Selby.

Fans of "Alita: Battle Angel" would be glad to know that a sequel, "Alita: Battle Angel 2," is in development. The film's director, James Cameron, revealed he was working on a sequel alongside other movies, including "Avatar's" succeeding films.

Apart from working in Austin, Texas, for the movie, he did not reveal many details. However, it is possible that there could be a "Battle Angel" franchise should the sequel do well.