Top 20 Movies Like What Happened to Monday | Similar-List

In 2017, "What Happened to Monday" captivated audiences with its thrilling and dystopian storyline, centered on seven identical sisters navigating a society with a strict one-child policy. If you enjoyed the suspense and action of this film, you'd be thrilled to explore more movies with similar themes. Here are 20 movies like What Happened to Monday that delve into dystopian futures, oppressive regimes, and the fight for individual freedom and identity.

Top 20 Movies Like What Happened to Monday

1. The Island (2005)

Directed by Michael Bay, "The Island" is a science fiction thriller set in a dystopian future where inhabitants live in a controlled, isolated environment, believing they are the last survivors on Earth. The protagonists, Lincoln Six Echo and Jordan Two Delta discover that they are clones created for organ donation. Their escape from the facility leads them to confront the grim realities of their existence and the society that exploits them.

"The Island" and "What Happened to Monday" explore themes of identity, human rights, and survival in a dystopian future. While "The Island" focuses on the ethical implications of cloning and the quest for freedom, "What Happened to Monday" centers on the struggle against a totalitarian regime enforcing strict population control. Both films share a tense, action-driven narrative examining the lengths individuals will go to reclaim their autonomy.

2. Children of Men (2006)

Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, "Children of Men" is set in a dystopian world where human infertility has led to societal collapse. The story follows Theo, a disillusioned bureaucrat tasked with protecting a miraculously pregnant woman and ensuring her safety amidst the chaos. The film combines intense action with a poignant exploration of hope and redemption.

"Children of Men" and "What Happened to Monday" present bleak futures where societal collapse and authoritarian control are central themes. While "Children of Men" focuses on the fragility of hope in a world on the brink of extinction, "What Happened to Monday" deals with the consequences of oppressive population control. Both films highlight the resilience of individuals fighting against overwhelming odds to protect what they believe in.

3. Equilibrium (2002)

Directed by Kurt Wimmer, "Equilibrium" is set in a future society where emotions are suppressed through mandatory medication to maintain order and prevent war. The protagonist, a top enforcer of this regime, begins questioning the system and his role after discovering his emotions' true nature. The film combines dystopian themes with martial arts and action sequences.

"Equilibrium" and "What Happened to Monday" explore authoritarian regimes that suppress individuality and freedom. While "Equilibrium" focuses on controlling emotions to maintain societal order, "What Happened to Monday" examines the extreme measures to manage population growth. Both films feature protagonists who resist oppressive systems, highlighting the struggle for personal freedom and autonomy.

4. The Purge (2013)

Directed by James DeMonaco, "The Purge" is set in a future America where all crime, including murder, is legal for one night each year. The film follows a family attempting to protect themselves from intruders during this chaotic period. It explores themes of violence, morality, and the social implications of a lawless society.

"The Purge" and "What Happened to Monday" depict dystopian worlds where government policies drastically affect individuals. While "The Purge" focuses on a single night of legalized violence and its impact on society, "What Happened to Monday" deals with a more systematic approach to controlling the population. Both films address themes of survival and resistance against oppressive regimes.

5. V for Vendetta (2005)

Directed by James McTeigue, "V for Vendetta" is set in a totalitarian future Britain and follows a masked vigilante, V, who seeks to overthrow the oppressive government. The film explores themes of rebellion, identity, and the power of ideas in the face of tyranny as V inspires the populace to rise against their authoritarian rulers.

"V for Vendetta" and "What Happened to Monday" portray societies under oppressive control and the resistance against them. While "V for Vendetta" focuses on a revolution led by a single individual seeking to dismantle a totalitarian regime, "What Happened to Monday" examines the consequences of population control through a more personal, family-centered narrative. Both films highlight the courage of individuals fighting for freedom and justice.

6. Gattaca (1997)

Directed by Andrew Niccol, "Gattaca" is set in a future where genetic engineering determines an individual's social status and opportunities. The story follows Vincent, who defies the genetic caste system to pursue his dreams of space travel despite being deemed genetically inferior. The film explores themes of identity, ambition, and the ethical implications of genetic manipulation.

"Gattaca" and "What Happened to Monday" address themes of societal control and the impact of oppressive systems on individual lives. While "Gattaca" focuses on genetic discrimination and personal ambition, "What Happened to Monday" deals with the consequences of enforced population control. Both films feature protagonists who challenge societal norms in their quest for self-fulfillment and freedom.

7. The Hunger Games (2012)

Directed by Gary Ross, "The Hunger Games" is set in a dystopian future where the totalitarian government, known as the Capitol, forces children from various districts to participate in a televised death match. Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister's place in the games, fighting for survival and challenging the oppressive regime.

"The Hunger Games" and "What Happened to Monday" explore dystopian societies with oppressive governments enforcing harsh policies. While "The Hunger Games" focuses on a televised spectacle of violence and the resistance against it, "What Happened to Monday" deals with strict population control measures. Both films feature protagonists who defy authoritarian systems in their struggle for survival and justice.

8. The Road (2009)

Directed by John Hillcoat, "The Road" is a post-apocalyptic drama that follows a father and his young son navigating a desolate, lawless world following a global catastrophe. Their journey is marked by encounters with other survivors and the constant threat of violence, highlighting the themes of hope, survival, and the bond between parent and child.

"The Road" and "What Happened to Monday" depict dystopian settings with themes of survival and resistance. While "The Road" focuses on a father-son relationship in a post-apocalyptic world, "What Happened to Monday" centers on a family's fight against a regime enforcing population control. Both films explore the lengths individuals will go to protect their loved ones in dire circumstances.

9. Snowpiercer (2013)

Directed by Bong Joon-ho, "Snowpiercer" is set on a train carrying the last remnants of humanity after a failed climate-change experiment has frozen the Earth. The film follows Curtis as he leads a rebellion against the train's oppressive class system. It combines action with social commentary on class struggle and survival.

"Snowpiercer" and "What Happened to Monday" both feature dystopian environments where harsh societal structures are oppressive. While "Snowpiercer" focuses on class struggle within a confined space, "What Happened to Monday" deals with a broader societal control overpopulation. Both films highlight the fight against systemic oppression and the struggle for freedom.

10. In Time (2011)

Directed by Andrew Niccol, "In Time" is set in a future where time is the currency, and people stop aging at 25 but must continually earn or steal time to stay alive. The story follows Will Salas as he becomes embroiled in a fight against the wealthy elite who control time. The film explores themes of inequality, survival, and rebellion.

"In Time" and "What Happened to Monday" depict futures where oppressive systems control individuals. While "In Time" focuses on the commodification of time and class struggle, "What Happened to Monday" examines strict population control measures. Both films feature protagonists who challenge systems designed to maintain societal control and inequality.

11. Ready Player One (2018)

Directed by Steven Spielberg, "Ready Player One" is set in a dystopian future where people escape their grim reality by immersing themselves in a virtual world called the OASIS. The story follows Wade Watts as he searches for an Easter egg within the OASIS to grant him control of the virtual world. The film explores escapism, identity, and resistance against corporate control.

"Ready Player One" and "What Happened to Monday" address the theme of escape from oppressive realities through different lenses. While "Ready Player One" focuses on virtual reality and corporate control, "What Happened to Monday" deals with population control in a physical, dystopian setting. Both films explore the struggle for freedom and personal agency in the face of overwhelming systemic control.

12. Brazil (1985)

"Brazil" is a dystopian satire directed by Terry Gilliam set in a bureaucratic, totalitarian society. After a clerical error, an ordinary man, Sam Lowry, becomes entangled in a conspiracy. The film is a surreal critique of modernity, bureaucracy, and authoritarianism.

"Brazil" and "What Happened to Monday" depict dystopian societies with oppressive governments. While "Brazil" uses surrealism to critique bureaucratic control and conformity, "What Happened to Monday" presents a more straightforward narrative of population control and resistance. Both films explore the individual's struggle against dehumanizing systems and the quest for personal freedom.

13. Logan's Run (1976)

Directed by Michael Anderson, "Logan's Run" is set in a futuristic society where people are euthanized at 30 to maintain population control and resource balance. The story follows Logan 5, a Sandman tasked with capturing those trying to escape their fate, who eventually becomes a fugitive. The film explores youth, mortality, and rebellion against societal norms.

"Logan's Run" and "What Happened to Monday" examine dystopian societies with strict population control measures. While "Logan's Run" focuses on the enforced euthanasia of individuals reaching a certain age, "What Happened to Monday" addresses the one-child policy and its consequences. Both films highlight the protagonists' journey to challenge and escape from oppressive systems that dictate their lives.

14. Elysium (2013)

Directed by Neill Blomkamp, "Elysium" is set in a future where the wealthy live on a luxurious space station, Elysium. At the same time, the rest of humanity struggles on a polluted, overpopulated Earth. The protagonist, Max, seeks to breach the divide between the two worlds to access advanced medical technology. The film addresses themes of class disparity, healthcare, and social justice.

"Elysium" and "What Happened to Monday" depict futures with stark social divisions and oppressive regimes. While "Elysium" focuses on the disparity between the wealthy elite and the impoverished masses, "What Happened to Monday" deals with population control measures affecting ordinary citizens. Both films explore the fight against inequality and the quest for a better life.

15. Minority Report (2002)

Directed by Steven Spielberg, "Minority Report" is set in a future where a specialized police department, Precrime, prevents crimes before they occur using precognitive beings. The story follows Chief John Anderton, who becomes a fugitive after being accused of a future murder. The film explores free will, privacy, and the moral implications of predictive policing.

"Minority Report" and "What Happened to Monday" explore control, surveillance, and individual freedom within oppressive systems. While "Minority Report" focuses on the ethical dilemmas of preemptive justice, "What Happened to Monday" examines population control and the struggle for identity and survival. Both films feature protagonists who challenge the systems that seek to control their lives.

16. The Maze Runner (2014)

Directed by Wes Ball, "The Maze Runner" is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a group of teenagers is trapped in a maze with no memory of their previous lives. The protagonist, Thomas, joins forces with others to uncover the truth behind their predicament and find a way out. The film explores survival, identity, and resistance against a mysterious organization.

"The Maze Runner" and "What Happened to Monday" depict dystopian scenarios where characters must navigate complex challenges to uncover the truth and survive. While "The Maze Runner" focuses on a group of teenagers in a controlled environment, "What Happened to Monday" centers on septuplets navigating a society with strict population control. Both films highlight the resilience and ingenuity of individuals facing oppressive circumstances.

17. Divergent (2014)

Directed by Neil Burger, "Divergent" is set in a future society divided into factions based on human virtues. The story follows Tris Prior, who discovers she is a Divergent who does not fit neatly into any faction. As she uncovers a conspiracy to eliminate Divergents, Tris must navigate her identity and fight against the oppressive system. The film explores themes of individuality, conformity, and resistance.

"Divergent" and "What Happened to Monday" examine societies enforcing strict control over individuals' lives and identities. While "Divergent" focuses on a faction-based system that dictates behavior and societal roles, "What Happened to Monday" addresses population control and the struggle for survival. Both films feature protagonists who resist conformity and fight for their right to self-determination.

18. Aeon Flux (2005)

Directed by Karyn Kusama, "Aeon Flux" is set in a dystopian future where humanity lives in a walled city after a global disease has decimated the population. The story follows Aeon Flux, a rebel assassin, as she uncovers secrets about the ruling regime and the true nature of the society. The film combines action with themes of rebellion, identity, and the quest for truth.

"Aeon Flux" and "What Happened to Monday" depict dystopian worlds where individuals fight against oppressive regimes. While "Aeon Flux" focuses on a rebel's mission to uncover the truth and overthrow the government, "What Happened to Monday" centers on siblings navigating strict population control policies. Both films highlight the struggle for freedom and the uncovering of hidden truths in oppressive societies.

These films, like "What Happened to Monday," explore themes of dystopian futures, oppressive regimes, and the fight for individual freedom and identity. Each movie presents a unique take on individuals' challenges in controlling societies, offering a mix of action, drama, and thought-provoking narratives.

19. The Giver (2014)

"The Giver" is set in a seemingly perfect, colorless world where everyone follows strict rules to maintain peace and harmony. In this society, emotions are suppressed, and memories of the past are eradicated to prevent conflict. The story follows Jonas, a young boy chosen to inherit the role of the Receiver of Memory. As he receives memories from The Giver, he begins to see the world in a different light, experiencing emotions, colors, and the complexities of human existence. Jonas soon realizes the dark truths behind his society's facade and faces a difficult choice: to continue living in ignorance or to share his newfound knowledge with others.

"The Giver" and "What Happened to Monday" explore dystopian futures where societal control is paramount and individuality is suppressed. While "What Happened to Monday" deals with population control through a one-child policy, "The Giver" focuses on emotional and cognitive control to maintain order. Both films feature protagonists who awaken to the harsh realities of their worlds and choose to rebel against the system to restore truth and freedom. Both movies' struggle for individuality and the courage to challenge the status quo are central themes, making them thought-provoking explorations of controlled societies.

20. Equals (2015)

Directed by Drake Doremus, "Equals" is set in a dystopian future where emotions have been eradicated to prevent societal conflict. In this sterile and emotionless world, citizens live harmoniously but at the cost of their humanity. The story follows Silas and Nia, two individuals who begin to experience emotions and fall in love, a dangerous condition known as "Switched-On Syndrome." As they navigate their forbidden feelings, they must hide their relationship from the authorities, who seek to eliminate those who exhibit emotions. Their growing love forces them to question the purpose of their existence and the price of living without emotions.

"Equals" and "What Happened to Monday" depict worlds where human behavior is strictly controlled to maintain order. In "Equals," the suppression of emotions ensures peace, while in "What Happened to Monday," population control is enforced to manage resources. Both films feature protagonists who defy societal norms and uncover deeper truths about their existence. The themes of love, identity, and rebellion against oppressive regimes are central to both narratives. The characters' emotional journey in "Equals" parallels the siblings' physical and emotional struggles in "What Happened to Monday," highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of control and suppression.