Skip to main content
Games Radar Newsarama Total Film Edge Retro Gamer
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The smarter take on movies
UK EditionUK US EditionUS CA EditionCanada AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
Subscribe now
Don't miss these
The 30 best sci-fi movies of all time: pictures of Alien, Arrival, Terminator, Brazil and 2001.
Sci-Fi Movies The 30 best sci-fi movies of all time
Timothy Olyphant as Kirsh in Alien: Earth
Horror Shows Alien: Earth Easter eggs – Every cameo and reference in the new series
Best alien movies of all time: Sigourney Weaver as Ripley wearing a spacesuit in the film, Alien.
Sci-Fi Movies The 10 best alien movies of all time
Rachel McAdams in Send Help
Horror Movies Doctor Strange's Rachel McAdams gets stranded on an island with the worst boss ever in the first trailer for Spider-Man director's new horror-thriller
Elle Fanning in Predator: Badlands
Sci-Fi Movies Dan Trachtenberg says he wanted Predator: Badlands' connection to Alien to be "more elegant" than past universe movies, but that doesn't mean it won't "grow into a bigger thing"
Optimus Prime in Transformers One, as voiced by Chris Hemsworth.
Amazon Prime Video The 25 best movies on Amazon Prime to watch right now
James Franco in Oz the Great and Powerful
Movies The 32 box office hits you've probably forgotten about
Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Fantasy Movies People are reappraising just how weird Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is "Like a Muppet movie if Charlie and his mom are the only humans"
The best horror comedies
Action Movies The 15 best horror comedies that will have you laughing from behind your sofa
Tom Holland in the Uncharted movie
Movies The 32 greatest movies for Uncharted fans to watch
Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein in Frankenstein
Movies The 25 best movies on Netflix to watch this week
Rumi in KPop Demon Hunters
Fantasy Movies The 10 best fantasy movies on Netflix to watch right now
Emma Stone as Michelle in Bugonia
Comedy Movies Poor Things director's new movie Bugonia is a madcap sci-fi dark comedy that features Emma Stone's best performance
Speak No Evil
Horror Movies The 25 best Shudder movies, ranked
The Conjuring: Last Rites
Horror Movies The DCU doesn't need to look to Marvel for pointers on building a cinematic universe – horror movies like The Conjuring have always done it best
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best Netflix Shows
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies

9 Weirdest Alternate Movie Universes

Features
By Dan Goodswen published 27 October 2009

Strange lands we'd love to get lost in...

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

9 (2009)

9 (2009)

The Universe: Post-apocalyptic 1930s

Inhabited By: Soul-bearing ‘stitchpunk’ rag dolls, the Fabrication machine, the cat-beast, the winged creature and all manner of machinery intent on destroying life on Earth.

Travel Agent Spin: Tired of the relative safety of your mundane existence? Why not take an adventure holiday in the exciting, white-knuckle apocalyptic aftermath of yesteryear.

Work up a sweat fleeing from hideously barbaric machine overlords, or cower in fear among the ruins of mid-20 th century civilisation, the choice is yours!

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
The Wizard of Oz (1939)

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

The Universe: Oz

Inhabited By: Munchkins, witches, omniscient leaders, tin men, scarecrows, anthropomorphic lions, flying monkeys.

Travel Agent Spin: Bored of the sepia tones of middle-American life? Why not whisk yourself, and your family pet, away to the Technicolor majesty of Oz, only minutes away by tornado!

Once there you’ll be able to take a walking cruise down the Yellow Brick Road, and meet colourful characters of all shapes and sizes along the way – now with free shoes for every guest!

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
Super Mario Bros. (1993)

Super Mario Bros. (1993)

The Universe: Dino-world

Inhabited By: Humanoid species evolved from different dinosaurs rather than apes - have managed to create the exact same languages, cities (Dino-hattan) and clothing customs as humans.

Travel Agent Spin: If the fast paced rat race is getting you down, then maybe it’s time to literally get down to Dino-world – exactly like the world you know, but with more dinosaurs!

Also, for the business savvy traveler, a trip could serve as an opportune time to purchase real-estate ahead of the forthcoming merger of our worlds!

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
The Mist (2007)

The Mist (2007)

The Universe: Un-named, foggy dimension.

Inhabited By: Razor-lined giant tentacles, giant flying insects, giant spiders with acid webbing, a giant mantis thing.

Travel Agent Spin: Not for the feint of heart! Do you seek danger? Peril? Thrills and indeed spills? Then look no further than an expedition into the unknown bounds of The Mist, where pulse-pounding excitement awaits.

The vast reaches of the world are all but discovered, but should you have the steely nerve and brass cajones to enter The Mist, a whole world of adventure is open for you to discover! Please note: No insurance cover possible.

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
Donnie Darko (2001)

Donnie Darko (2001)

The Universe: Tangent Universe

Inhabited By: Parallel versions of everyone you know, dead people from the future dressed in giant rabbit costumes.

Travel Agent Spin: For the cerebral traveller looking to expand his or her horizons, brush up on theories of quantum mechanics, wormholes and the philosophy of time travel, look no further.

Serious academics, followers of cult fashions and liars need only apply - all pretenders will only find themselves lost in a parallel universe of confusion, frustration and futility. Massive discounts available!

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (2005)

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (2005)

The Universe: Narnia

Inhabited By: Talking woodland creatures, fawns, centaurs, evil witches and flying lions.

Travel Agent Spin: Why spend hours aboard stuffy airliners when a world of adventure is accessible through your antique household furniture? A winter coat is a must, as is a steely-reserve and a revolutionary spirit!

The religiously-sensitive may find the experience somewhat biblical in practice, but focus instead on the talking animals and the chance to join in an epic struggle of good vs. evil, and you’ll have a blast!

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

The Universe: Toon Town

Inhabited By: Cartoons – including a wacky rabbit, his bestiality-committing bombshell wife Jessica, baby Herman and a whole host of faces from the golden age of animation.

Travel Agent Spin: If you’re feeling less than animated why not put a little colour back in your cheeks with a trip to fabulous Toon Town, home of all your favourite cartoon characters.

With fiendishly attractive women, terrifically annoying animals and film-noir subplots, Toon Town has something for everyone – be sure to visit the gift shop for all your essential Acme products!

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
Alice In Wonderland (1951)

Alice In Wonderland (1951)

The Universe: Wonderland

Inhabited By: Another land filled with talking wildlife, Wonderland also features talking plantlife and talking inanimate objects.

Travel Agent Spin: This year, forgo the annual trip to Disneyland, and instead inject your life with a sense of Wonder… a hedonistic retreat of drug and drink fuelled adventures, this mind-bending destination is a must-see!

Featuring all-inclusive potions and acid-laced cake, along with daily tea-parties and life-sized chess, Wonderland is a trip alright, one that you’ll want to enjoy again and again!

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
Back To The Future, Pt. II (1989)

Back To The Future, Pt. II (1989)

The Universe: Biff-world - alternate future reality

Inhabited By: Your worst enemy, now rich beyond your wildest nightmares and in ownership of pretty much everything.

Travel Agent Spin: Travel aboard our one-of-a-kind custom transport to a world of confusing time-travel paradoxes, and illicit gambling empires run by your homicidal nemesis.

All travellers will be given access to the latest hoverboards, along with complimentary self-tying trainers and self-drying jackets. Each tour will be guided by a delusional scientist type who doesn’t get enough work.

9 is released in cinemas this Friday.

Page 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
Dan Goodswen
Read more
The 30 best sci-fi movies of all time: pictures of Alien, Arrival, Terminator, Brazil and 2001.
The 30 best sci-fi movies of all time
 
 
Timothy Olyphant as Kirsh in Alien: Earth
Alien: Earth Easter eggs – Every cameo and reference in the new series
 
 
Best alien movies of all time: Sigourney Weaver as Ripley wearing a spacesuit in the film, Alien.
The 10 best alien movies of all time
 
 
Rachel McAdams in Send Help
Doctor Strange's Rachel McAdams gets stranded on an island with the worst boss ever in the first trailer for Spider-Man director's new horror-thriller
 
 
Elle Fanning in Predator: Badlands
Dan Trachtenberg says he wanted Predator: Badlands' connection to Alien to be "more elegant" than past universe movies, but that doesn't mean it won't "grow into a bigger thing"
 
 
Optimus Prime in Transformers One, as voiced by Chris Hemsworth.
The 25 best movies on Amazon Prime to watch right now
 
 
Latest in Movies
Dek in Predator: Badlands
Predator: Badlands is great, but I'd kind of hoped some of those wild fan theories were true – and now I'm wishing that the marketing hadn't been so oddly mysterious
 
 
Dwayne Johnson in Tooth Fairy
Dwayne Johnson says his string of early career flops was because he shied away from a challenge: "I don't think I was ready for anything other than easy, light, family films"
 
 
Gremlins 2
Gremlins 3 release date, cast, plot speculation, and everything else you need to know about the upcoming sequel
 
 
Joel Edgerton in Train Dreams
I was emotionally disembowled by Train Dreams, an extraordinary movie about the ordinary life of a 20th-century logger
 
 
World of Warcraft
The emotional story of World of Warcraft gamer Ibelin is being turned into a movie with Adolescence, The Long Walk, and The Last of Us stars attached
 
 
Zach Cregger and Julia Garner behind the scenes in Weapons
Weapons director Zach Cregger's next movie has reportedly been "stalled" due to Netflix not wanting to release it in theaters
 
 
Latest in Features
A dragon flies above adventurers in a forested background
I've been playing D&D for years, but I think this starter set is the best it's ever had
 
 
Looking at a radio and a typewriter while holding a walkie-talkie in Radiolight
Radiolight channels Twin Peaks and Alan Wake for a late night walk in the woods, and I'm amazed a solo developer crammed so much atmosphere into this secret horror game
 
 
Name Of The Will demo screenshot of a close-up face of a masked cultist
Survival horror meets Squid Game in this chilling Steam demo that I've not been able to stop thinking about
 
 
The On The Radar hub header image for The Outer Worlds 2, showing a moon-head character with a hat blasting a ray gun
On the Radar with The Outer Worlds 2 – going beyond our verdict with a deep dive on one of 2025's greatest RPGs
 
 
Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein in Frankenstein
All the main differences between Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein and the original novel that you need to know
 
 
Cropped Marvel Snap key art showing Wolverine, America Chavez, and Venom.
I couldn't hack Marvel Rivals, but Marvel Snap taught me more about PvP etiquette in 6 months than any game has before it
 
 
  1. A distant flare illuminates the sky in Arc Raiders
    1
    Arc Raiders review: "The most memorable multiplayer experiences I've had all year – this shooter is tense but wonderfully approachable"
  2. 2
    Battlefield Redsec review: "Ticks all the right boxes for a battle royale, but it's not especially unique"
  3. 3
    The Séance of Blake Manor review: "Like horror Clue come to life, this supernatural mystery against the clock is incredibly immersive"
  4. 4
    Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment review: "Zelda is a fantastic lead in this action-packed Tears of the Kingdom prequel, but boring missions hold the magic back"
  5. 5
    Carimara: Beneath the Forlorn Limbs review: "Playing as a goblin thing to crack a gothic fairy tale mystery with magical cards has quickly become one of my favorite gaming short stories"
  1. Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi in Predator: Badlands
    1
    Predator: Badlands review: "Die-hard fans may be disappointed, but as a blockbuster action-adventure, Badlands kills it"
  2. 2
    Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc review "Storytelling just as compelling as the chainsaws, devils, and visually excessive fight scenes"
  3. 3
    Tron: Ares review: "Misses out by swapping the Grid for the real world"
  4. 4
    One Battle After Another review: "One of the best studio movies in years and an instant classic"
  5. 5
    The Conjuring: Last Rites review: "Not bold or memorable enough for the Warrens' final chapter"
  1. Rhea Seehorn as Carol Sturka, looking scared, in Pluribus.
    1
    Pluribus season 1 review: "Easily one of the year's best dramas"
  2. 2
    The Witcher season 4 review: "The Henry Cavill-less fourth season is the best yet"
  3. 3
    IT: Welcome to Derry review: "A supremely confident step back into the history of Stephen King's cursed town and killer clown"
  4. 4
    Splinter Cell: Deathwatch review: "A pale imitation of the long-dormant stealth franchise"
  5. 5
    Marvel Zombies review: "A fun expansion of the What If episode with delightful MCU Easter eggs and truly gross R-rated kills"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...