7 Movies Like Firestarter You Must See

Image Credit: Ken Woroner/Universal Pictures

Based on the eponymous novel by Stephen King, ‘Firestarter’ is a science fiction horror movie directed by Keith Thomas. The narrative revolves around a father-daughter duo, Andy and Charlie. The latter is gifted with the power of manipulating fire, which causes her and Andy to become targets of a secret agency known as “The Shop.” The agency hires a bounty hunter John Rainbird so they can use Charlie’s powers for their wicked schemes.

What makes the storyline intriguing is the character of Charlie, a young kid who has the kind of powers that can either turn her into a superhero or a supervillain. If you enjoy watching movies involving superpowers, you might want to give the listed movies a try. You can watch most of these films like ‘Firestarter’ on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu.

7. Spontaneous Combustion (1990)

Helmed by Tobe Hooper, ‘Spontaneous Combustion’ is a science fiction horror film that revolves around Sam, who has the power of pyrokinesis, much like Charlie in ‘Firestarter.’ Years after discovering that his parents were an integral part of an atomic bomb experiment, Sam realizes that he has the superpower to control fire as well as electricity. However, every time he uses his powers, his body suffers the consequences. Apart from the fact that Sam’s abilities are quite similar to Charlie’s, a strong link between this movie and the Zac-Efron and Ryan Kiera Armstrong-starrer is the involvement of the protagonists’ parents in a secret experiment.

6. The Darkest Minds (2018)

Image Credit: Daniel McFadden/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Based on the eponymous novel by Alexandra Bracken, ‘The Darkest Minds’ is a superhero movie helmed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson. The storyline is set in the future, where a virus kills many children and leaves the few survivors with superpowers. Declared as a threat to others, the young survivors are imprisoned in a camp. However, a 16-year-old girl named Ruby manages to escape and joins a team of teenagers to fight against the authorities. Much like ‘Firestarter,’ the characters in ‘The Darkest Minds’ are relentlessly pursued by an agency that wishes to gain control over them and their abilities.

5. Carrie (2013)

Much like ‘Firestarter,’ the Chloë Grace Moretz-starrer ‘Carrie’ is also based on the eponymous novel by Stephen King. Directed by Kimberly Peirce, the narrative follows the titular character, a socially awkward teenager who is overly protected by her religious mother. Unfortunately, she is ridiculed by her peers. After a prank at the senior prom goes too far, Carrie can’t help but unleash her wrath using her telekinetic powers. The theme of a parent protecting their child with superpowers is what connects the film to the Keith Thomas directorial. Moreover, both movies have elements of horror and thriller.

4. Hanna (2011)

The Joe Wright directorial ‘Hanna’ is an action thriller movie that follows the titular character, who is raised in the secluded wilderness of northern Finland by her father. Trained to be a skillful assassin, Hanna is sent on a mission across Europe while an intelligence agent, Marissa Wiegler, and her team are in pursuit of her in an attempt to stop her in her tracks. Although the film doesn’t have the superpower element like ‘Firestarter,’ it includes the close bond between a father and daughter. Moreover, in both films, powerful agencies are looking to hunt down a young character with extraordinary skills.

3. Freaks (2018)

Directed and written by the duo of Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, ‘Freaks’ is a science fiction thriller movie. The narrative revolves around a 7-year-old girl named Chloe, who is kept in isolation by her father. Curious about the outside world, she sneaks out and meets an old man named Alan, who claims to be her maternal grandfather.

Soon, Chloe learns about her telepathic ability and the real reason her father keeps her locked away. In addition, she finds out that her mother is probably alive and is kept hostage by the authorities for experimental purposes. Similar to ‘Firestarters,’ ‘Freaks’ also involves a young girl with superhuman abilities for which she is coveted by authorities. Moreover, Chloe and her father’s bond may remind some of you of Andy and Charlie.

2. Looper (2012)

Directed by Rian Johnson, ‘Looper‘ features Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt, and Jeff Daniels. Set in the future, the narrative of the science fiction action movie revolves around Joe, who is a contract killer AKA a looper. As mobs send their victims into the past, it is a looper’s job to kill them and dispose of their bodies. To make things more interesting, a portion of the population has also developed the power of telekinesis, allowing them to perform certain tricks.

One day, Joe’s future self appears as his next target. Startled by this, the latter hesitates and gives the former enough time to make an escape. Later, Joe learns that the Old Joe is in pursuit of a young boy with strong telekinetic powers, who would become a supervillain in the future if not dealt with. Therefore, both ‘Looper’ and ‘Firestarter’ include central characters with special abilities while authorities try to contain their superpowers.

1. Logan (2017)

The tenth movie in the ‘X-Men‘ film series and part of the Wolverine trilogy, ‘Logan’ is a superhero movie directed by James Mangold. The storyline follows Logan AKA Wolverine and a young mutant named Laura. The former comes out of retirement in order to keep the latter safe from the attacks of an evil corporation and escort her to a safe place. Apart from the presence of a young girl with superhuman abilities, what makes ‘Wolverine’ and ‘Firestarters’ similar is that they are protected by a fatherly figure as they are being pursued by organizations with sinister motives.

Read More: Best Superheroes Movies/Series on Netflix

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