Few filmmakers have managed to carve a niche as distinct and daring as Alex Garland. From the chilling intensity of 28 Days Later to the philosophical intrigue of Ex Machina, Garland has consistently delivered stories that blend science fiction, psychological depth, and social commentary. Whether he’s writing, directing, or both, his films challenge audiences to think deeply while keeping them on the edge of their seats. In this article, we dive into the top 10 movies from Alex Garland’s impressive filmography — from cult classics to cerebral thrillers — that showcase his unique vision and storytelling brilliance.
1. Ex Machina – A Mind-Bending Sci-Fi Masterpiece
IMdb rating: 8.0/10
Ex Machina is one of those movies that sticks with you. It’s smart. Quiet. And kind of spooky in a way that gets under your skin.
Alex Garland wrote it. Then, for the first time ever, he directed it too. And man, did he knock it out of the park. This wasn’t some big-budget blockbuster. Just a small team, a tight story, and a whole lot of brains behind it.
The film follows Caleb—a young programmer who wins a chance to visit Nathan, a genius tech boss who lives alone in a wild, futuristic house tucked deep in the mountains. Sounds cool, right? But things get weird fast. Caleb isn’t there for fun. He’s got a job: test a robot named Ava and find out if she can really think like a human. Spoiler: nothing goes as planned.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: Because it makes you think . Like, really think. What does it mean to be alive? Can machines feel? Should we trust them? These questions stick with you long after the credits roll. Alicia Vikander plays Ava—and let me tell you, her performance is haunting. She doesn’t scream or shout. She just is . And that’s what makes her so scary good.
This movie won an Oscar—Best Visual Effects!—which is huge for a low-budget flick. Critics called it sharp, bold, and full of tension. Fans agreed. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a big thumbs-up. And even though it didn’t make millions, $36 million worldwide ain’t bad for a small film with big ideas.
Fun Fact: Most of the movie was shot in a real hotel in Norway. The views? Unreal. Snowy peaks. Big skies. Trees for days. It mixes nature with high-tech design in a way that feels fresh and eerie all at once.
Streaming Availability: You can catch Ex Machina on Max (HBO) or Amazon Prime Video, depending where you live. If you dig stories that mess with your head, this one’s yours.
And hey, if you want sci-fi that doesn’t just blow stuff up—but asks hard questions while giving you chills—this is your film. Don’t sleep on it. Watch it soon. And maybe don’t look at your phone the same way afterward.
2. Annihilation – A Beautiful and Creepy Adventure into the Unknown
IMdb rating: 6.8/10
Annihilation is not your average sci-fi flick. It’s weird. Beautiful. And kind of scary in a way that sneaks up on you.
Alex Garland made this one too—same guy who gave us Ex Machina . He wrote the script and called the shots. Based it on a book by Jeff VanderMeer, sure—but he changed enough to make it his own wild ride. You don’t just watch this movie—you fall into it.
The story starts with Lena, played by Natalie Portman. She’s a biologist. A soldier. A woman with ghosts. She joins a team of women scientists heading into a place called “The Shimmer.” No one knows exactly what it is. One thing’s for sure—it’s growing. And whatever’s inside? It’s not normal.
Inside, trees glow. Animals change. Time bends. The world feels wrong, but also kind of beautiful. Then things get darker. Scarier. That scene with the bear? I still think about it. Not because it jumps out at you—but because it moans . And that’s worse.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: Because it makes you feel something big. Like wonder. Like fear. Like awe. This isn’t just monsters and lights. It’s about change. About who we are when no one’s watching. About how nature doesn’t care if you’re ready—it’ll change you anyway.
Critics loved it. Said it was bold. Different. Visually stunning. Fans split a bit—some said it was too strange. But those who stuck with it? They get it. It didn’t break box offices—made around $43 million worldwide—but it left footprints in people’s minds.
Fun Fact: Alex Garland only read the book once. Said he wanted the movie to be like a dream of the book—not a copy. Makes sense. The whole thing floats like fog. Thick. Mysterious. Haunting.
Streaming Availability: You can catch Annihilation on Paramount+ or Netflix—depends where you live. Either way, track it down.
If you dig stories that don’t give you easy answers—if you like your movies smart, strange, and full of fire—this one’s yours.
Go in quiet. Stay curious. Don’t blink.
3. 28 Days Later – The Zombie Movie That Changed Everything
IMdb rating: 7.5/10
28 Days Later came before all the zombie shows and video games took over. It hit screens back in 2002, and man, did it change things.
Alex Garland wrote it—this was one of his first big scripts. He didn’t direct, that was Danny Boyle, but Garland built the world. The rage. The fear. The silence. And yeah, those fast zombies that still give me the chills.
The story kicks off with Jim waking up in a hospital bed in London. Seems normal. Then he walks outside. No cars. No people. Just empty streets and a sky full of gray. Something’s wrong. Big time. Turns out, a virus called “Rage” tore through the city, turning folks into wild-eyed, super-fast freaks that don’t care about anything but blood.
Jim finds a few others who survived. Together, they try to find safety in a world gone mad. It’s not just about running and hiding—it’s about what happens when everything falls apart. Who you trust. What you’re willing to do.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: Because it scared smart. Not just jump scares and fake noise—this one got under your skin. It made you feel the quiet before the storm. Made you care about the people caught in it. And those zombies? Fast as hell. That changed everything.
Made around $85 million worldwide—on a small budget! Critics called it fresh. Gritty. One of the best horror films of the 2000s. Fans say it brought zombies back from the dead—and gave them a caffeine boost.
Fun Fact: They filmed those empty London streets for real. Early mornings. Cops blocked traffic. No CGI. Just real silence. Felt like the end of the world.
Streaming Availability: You can catch 28 Days Later on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or Max—depends where you are. If you like your horror raw, real, and full of heartbeats, this one’s yours.
And hey, if you’ve only seen slow zombies before—get ready. These ones won’t wait. They won’t stop. And they won’t forget you’re there
4. Sunshine – A Thrilling Journey to Save the Sun
IMdb rating: 7.2/10
Sunshine is not just another space movie. It’s a journey into fire, fear, and what it means to be human when the sun itself is dying.
Alex Garland wrote it. Danny Boyle directed it—same team behind 28 Days Later . Together, they made something bold, beautiful, and kind of terrifying. The year was 2007. The mission? Save the sun before Earth freezes forever.
The story follows a crew of astronauts on a ship called Icarus II . Their job? Drop a giant bomb into the sun and restart it. Sounds wild, right? But that’s just the start. Things go wrong fast. A signal from the lost first ship draws them in. And once they get close? Nothing feels safe anymore.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: Because it’s more than sci-fi. It’s about choices. Fear. Hope burned down to its core. Some scenes are quiet—just stars, silence, and breath. Others? Full-on panic. Fire. Madness. And through it all, the sun burns bright—so bright it hurts to look.
Critics loved the visuals. Said the story had weight. Didn’t make big bucks at the box office—only around $34 million—but fans remember it. Talk about it. Share it like a secret everyone should know.
Fun Fact: The actors trained with real scientists and even met astronauts. They wanted the moves, the talk, the feel to be real. And it shows. Also, the ship’s name—Icarus —comes from Greek myth. You know, the kid who flew too close to the sun? Yeah. That’s not a random pick.
Streaming Availability: You can find Sunshine on Hulu, Max, or Amazon Prime Video—depends where you live. If you dig space stories that scare, thrill, and make you think, this one’s for you.
It’s not just about saving Earth. It’s about what we carry. What we lose. And how far we’ll go before we burn out.
5. Civil War – A Powerful Look at a Divided Future
IMdb rating: 7.2/10
Civil War is Alex Garland’s latest punch to the gut. Released in 2024, he wrote it. Directed it. Made it burn slow and deep. This isn’t Ex Machina . Not Annihilation . No sci-fi here—just real war, real pain, and a broken America.
The story takes place not too far from now. The U.S. has cracked apart. A second civil war rages. Cities burn. Roads are dangerous. And in the middle of it all? Journalists. Brave. Tired. Carrying cameras like weapons.
Kirsten Dunst plays Lee—a photojournalist who’s seen too much but keeps going. She joins a team heading straight into the fire, chasing one last shot at truth. Their mission: reach Washington before rebel forces do. Along the way, they see what war does to people. To land. To hope.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: Because it doesn’t play games. It’s not flashy battles or hero speeches. It’s about fear. About truth. About how fast the world can fall apart—and how some still try to hold onto something real.
This film hits hard. Quiet one moment. Loud the next. You don’t just watch it—you feel it. Garland said himself, this isn’t about politics. It’s about conflict. And how we hold onto truth when everything else is gone.
Critics loved it. Said the acting was raw. The visuals sharp. The message heavy. It did well at the box office—over $110 million worldwide—not bad for a movie that makes you think more than it entertains.
Fun Fact: Those battle scenes? Big. Real. But Garland didn’t want them to be the focus. He wanted you to care about the people. And yeah—he nailed that.
Streaming Availability: You can catch Civil War on VOD platforms like Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV right now. Soon, it’ll land on bigger streaming services too.
If you like stories that make your chest tight—if you care about truth in a world full of lies—this one’s yours. It’s not easy. But it’s real. And sometimes, real is what matters most.
6. Dredd – A Gritty, Action-Packed Future
IMdb rating: 7.1/10
Dredd is not your average action flick. It’s loud. Dark. And full of fists, guns, and slow-motion madness. Came out in 2012, but it still hits like a fresh storm.
Alex Garland wrote the script—same guy who gave us Ex Machina and Annihilation . He didn’t officially direct, but some say his fingerprints are all over it. Like he whispered behind the camera when things needed more grit. More punch.
The story? Mega-City One. A huge, broken place where crime runs wild and cops are judges, juries, and jailers. Enter Judge Dredd. Cold. Tough. Always on duty. Played by Karl Urban under a helmet he never takes off—not once. That’s how deep they went for the comic book truth.
He teams up with Anderson, a rookie with psychic skills, to take down Ma-Ma. Big boss. Meaner than most. They walk into her tower block, and boom—no turning back. Trapped. Surrounded. Outnumbered. And that’s just the start.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: Because it doesn’t stop. Once you’re in, you’re running with Dredd through fire and bullets. There’s this drug called Slo-Mo that slows time to a crawl. Makes every punch, every bullet, look like poetry in slow motion. Wild visuals. Wilder fights.
Didn’t blow up at the box office—made around $41 million worldwide—but fans found it. Loved it. Made it cult gold. Critics said it was bold. Gritty. True to the comics. People still talk about it like it deserved more.
Fun Fact: Karl Urban never took off the helmet. Not once. That was the rule. He had to act with just his voice and eyes. And man, did he nail it.
Streaming Availability: You can catch Dredd on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, or Paramount+. If you dig your action raw, real, and full of thunder—you’ll want this one.
It’s not just cops and robbers. It’s war in a tower. One floor at a time. One shot at a time. And Dredd? He doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t blink. Doesn’t quit.
7. Men – A Strange and Creepy Tale About Grief and Fear
IMdb rating: 6.5/10
Men is not your usual movie. It’s strange. Deep. And kind of stuck in your head long after it ends. Alex Garland wrote it. Directed it too. And yeah, he went full weird on this one.
If you’ve seen Ex Machina or Annihilation , you know Garland likes to hit hard with ideas. This time? He digs into grief, guilt, and what pain does to a person. But he doesn’t do it the easy way. Nope. He wraps it in mystery, fear, and more than a little creepiness.
The story follows Harper—played by Jessie Mei Li—a woman trying to heal after something dark. She heads to a quiet countryside village hoping for peace. That’s the plan, anyway. But things twist fast. The men in the town? They all look… alike. Or close to it. And they act off. Unnerving. Like shadows that move when you blink.
At first, it feels like a slow burn. Then the fire spreads. Tension builds. Things get real. Real weird. And that ending? Man. You won’t forget it. Not ever.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: Because it’s bold. Different. A mix of horror, drama, and symbolism that doesn’t talk down to you. It’s scary, sure—but not with jumps or screams. More like a chill under your skin. A feeling you can’t shake.
Didn’t make much money—only about $11 million worldwide—but folks still talked. Some loved it. Said it was brave. Others said it was too wild to follow. Either way, it made noise.
Fun Fact: Rory Kinnear plays every male character in the village. Farmer. Priest. Drunk guy at the bar. All him. Same face. Different vibes. It’s spooky as hell once you notice.
Streaming Availability: You can catch Men on Showtime, Paramount+, or Amazon Prime Video—depends where you are. If you dig movies that mess with your head, that make you feel before they scare you—this one’s yours.
And hey, if you like films that don’t give answers—just questions and feelings—you’ll want to watch this. I did. Twice. Still thinking about it. Still wondering.
8. Never Let Me Go – A Beautiful and Heartbreaking Story
IMdb rating: 7.1/10
Never Let Me Go is not a loud movie. It’s quiet. Still. But it hits deep. Came out in 2010. Alex Garland wrote the script—same guy who gave us Ex Machina and Annihilation . He didn’t direct this one, but his words carry the whole thing like a soft voice that still cuts through the silence.
It’s based on a book by Kazuo Ishiguro. A sad one. A real one. And Garland turned it into something you can feel in your chest.
The story follows three kids—Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth—who grow up at a strange school in the English countryside. At first, it feels normal. Boring even. But slowly, things change. You start to see cracks in the world they live in. And when they learn the truth about their lives? That’s when the weight drops.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: Because it makes you feel. Makes you think. Makes you hold onto love a little tighter. It’s not fast. No big action. Just people. Real pain. Real love. Real endings. Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, and Keira Knightley give everything to their roles. You believe them. You hurt with them.
Critics loved it. Said it was beautiful. Sad. Important. Didn’t make much money—only around $9.5 million worldwide—but it stuck with folks who saw it. Some cried. Some sat quiet for hours after. I did both.
Fun Fact: The actors lived together before filming started. Like roommates. They cooked. Talked. Built memories. And yeah—it shows. You don’t just watch these friends. You feel them.
Streaming Availability: You can catch Never Let Me Go on Hulu, Max, or Amazon Prime Video. If you like stories that pull you in slow and deep, this one’s yours.
And if you’ve ever wondered what it means to love someone knowing you’ll lose them… this film will meet you there. Not with noise. Not with flash. But with heart. Real heart.
9. The Beach – A Dream Vacation That Turns into a Nightmare
IMdb rating: 6.6/10
The Beach is one of those movies that starts with sun and ends with shadows. It came out in 2000. Stars Leonardo DiCaprio—yeah, that guy. And guess what? The story comes from a book written by Alex Garland. Same man who gave us Ex Machina and Annihilation . This was one of his first stories to hit the big screen.
No, he didn’t write the movie script—but he built the world it came from. And you can feel that in every scene. Like there’s more under the surface than just sand and surf.
The story follows Richard—a young traveler looking for something real. He lands in Thailand, hears about this hidden island paradise, and like any dreamer would—he goes chasing it. White sand. Crystal water. No tourists. Sounds perfect, right?
But once he gets there? Things shift. Paradise has rules. Secrets too. The people who live there aren’t just having fun in the sun—they’re holding onto something they don’t want the world to see. What starts as escape becomes something darker. Something wild.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: Because it feels like a dream that slowly turns into a warning. It’s not just adventure—it’s about what happens when we try to build our own kind of heaven. How far we’ll go. What we’ll hide. And how even the best places can break.
Leonardo DiCaprio carries it like a man searching for answers he might not want. The shots of Thailand? Unreal. You’ll want to pack your bag just to see the place. But trust me—it won’t look the same after watching.
Made over $144 million worldwide. Big numbers for a film that made people talk. Critics split—some loved the visuals, others said it went too far. But hey, that’s Garland for you. Always making you think.
Fun Fact: That beach? Real place in Thailand. After the movie came out, folks started showing up in droves. Too many. Had to shut it down for a while to let the land heal. Shows how strong a story can pull people in.
Streaming Availability: You can catch The Beach on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney+—depends where you are. If you dig tales of escape gone wrong—if you like your paradise with a little poison mixed in—this one’s yours.
And if you’ve ever chased a dream only to find it had teeth… you’ll get it.
10. Warfare – A Real-Life War Story That Feels Like You’re There
IMdb rating: 7.4/10
Warfare is a powerful war movie that came out in 2025. It was co-directed and co-written by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, a former Navy SEAL who actually lived through the events shown in the film. This movie is different from others because it’s based on real memories from Mendoza and his team during the Iraq War.
The story takes place in 2006, during a dangerous mission in Ramadi, Iraq. A group of Navy SEALs is on a surveillance mission that suddenly goes wrong. The movie shows everything in real time, making you feel like you’re right there with the soldiers. There’s no background music or big speeches—just the raw, intense experience of being in combat.
Warfare is a must-watch because it gives a realistic look at what war is really like. It’s not about heroes or villains; it’s about real people facing terrifying situations. The film has been praised for its authenticity and emotional impact. Critics have called it one of the most realistic war movies ever made.
The movie earned over $32 million worldwide, which is impressive for a serious war film. It received high ratings from both critics and audiences, with many people saying it’s a film that stays with you long after it’s over.
Fun fact: The actor D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai plays Ray Mendoza in the movie, portraying the real-life experiences of the co-director himself!
You can watch Warfare by purchasing or renting it digitally on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home. It’s expected to be available for streaming on Max around mid-August 2025.
If you’re interested in movies that show the true challenges of war and the strength of human spirit, Warfare is a film you shouldn’t miss.
Alex Garland’s movies aren’t just fun to watch — they make you think, feel, and sometimes even question reality. From the deep emotions of Never Let Me Go to the thrilling action of Dredd, and the mind-bending story of Ex Machina, his work always leaves a mark. Whether you love sci-fi, drama, horror, or war stories, there’s something in this list for everyone.
