Movies like The Thinning imagine a doomsday scenario that pits generation against generation, and class against class, revealing the simmering social tensions that lie just under the surface.
Starring notorious Youtuber Logan Paul, and released via Youtube’s video subscription service, the film draws strong parallels with the Hunger Games, featuring a similarly creative central premise.
If you enjoy movies like The Thinning, then you’re in the right place. What follows is an informed list of thrilling young adult dramas that really pack a punch.
Top 10 Young Adult Movies like The Thinning
1. Expelled (2014)
Featuring a vibrant cast of internet celebrities, Expelled is a tale of young love and high school hijinx. When Felix O’Neil (Cameron Dallas) is expelled from school, he must use his wit, ingenuity, and help from his buddies, to hide the fact from his parents.
Written and directed by Alex Goyette, the movie combines intrigue and drama with goofy characters and dialogue. Joining the list of movies like The Thinning, the film was published to an ‘on demand’ audience, listing on Netflix after its limited release.
2. The 5th wave (2016)
The 5th Wave is an apocalypse movie, or as we in 2020 like to call – reality TV…
Directed by J Blakeson and starring a young cast of Chloë Grace Moretz and Nick Robinson, the 5th Wave depicts a doomsday scenario where the earth is under threat from a malevolent alien race. Gluttons for punishment, suffering is creatively inflicted via five successive waves of disasters, including earthquakes and disease.
While its thrilling narrative will excite all audiences, this thriller has a particular resonance for younger film-goers. So if you love movies like The Thinning, then add The 5th Wave to your playlist.
3. Escape Room (2018)
When six participants are invited to take part in an escape room to win a $10,000 prize, it quickly becomes apparent that health and safety regulations have been thrown out the window. Navigating a series of punishing obstacles, the strangers must quickly unite if they want to make it out alive.
Directed by Adam Robitel and written by Bragi F. Schut and Maria Melnik, this darkly rendered psychological horror shows the survival efforts of the participants, who must use their wits to escape.
For its twisted plot line and performances from a group of up-and-comers, fans of movies like The Thinning will enjoy this title.
4. Swimming for Gold (2020)
When Claire Carpenter is sent to Australia to coach a boys swimming team, she finds herself face to face with long-time rival Mikayla Michaels.
Told that the camp will close if the team loses the next competition, Claire must overcome her fears, and extinguish old rivalries, to rediscover her passion.
This 2020 release was directed by Hayley MacFarlane, and stars Peyton List in the central role. With young heart-throbs aplenty, this film should be added to your ‘up next’ list if you enjoy movies like The Thinning.
5. Fallen (2016)
A girl finds herself in a corrective boarding school after she was blamed for a young boy’s death. At her new school, she becomes enamored with a fellow student, who she later discovers is an angel.
Combining high school romance with fantasy, this film is part of a wave of post-Twilight Saga movies aimed at a young adult audience.
Directed by Scott Hicks, and featuring passionate performances from Jeremy Irvine and Addison Timlin, fans of movies like The Thinning will love this teenage drama.
6. The Darkest Minds (2018)
When a group of young kids obtain superpowers under mysterious circumstances, government forces will stop at nothing to rein them in.
Alexandra Bracken’s 2012 young adult novel of the same name, the film combines drama and romance amid a dystopian future.
Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson, the film wasn’t such a huge hit at the box office, but has developed something of a cult following, with a potential sequel being discussed. For those who enjoy movies like The Thinning, this is a great one to follow up with!
7. Avalon High (2010)
A Disney Channel original, Avalon High follows a teenage girl who moves to a new high school, and discovers herself embroiled in the reincarnation of King Arthur.
This creative premise is backed up by some standout performances from its young cast, comprising Britt Robertson and Gregg Sulkin.
The film is a delight for fans of the teenage fantasy genre, and is a must-watch for those who enjoy movies like The Thinning.
8. The Maze Runner (2014)
This dystopian science fiction film follows the trials of sixteen-year-old Thomas (Dylan O’Brien), who awakens in a rusty elevator with no memory of who he is, only to learn he’s been forced to compete to find his way out of an intricate, ever-changing maze,
Achieving a strong critical reception, The Maze Runner is a standout in the genre, and was a dazzling directorial debut from Wes Ball. With its strong performances and excellent storytelling, the film has spawned two further sequels.
This is a must-watch for anyone looking to immerse themselves in movies like The Thinning!
9. The Purge: Election Year (2016)
This dystopian horror film is the third installment in the Purge franchise, which imagines an event where citizens can exorcise all of their pent-up rage one night each year.
Written and directed by James DeMonaco, this film focuses on the events surrounding a fictionalized 2040 presidential election.
With plenty of cathartic violence enacted amid circumscribed anarchy, this creative work was a huge hit when it was released, and joins our list of movies like The Thinning.
10. Hunger Games (2012)
Becoming something of a byword for anarchy and lawlessness, our final entry really hit the spot when it released in 2012, and has since become a highly successful series.
Depicting a post-apocalyptic future where a boy and a girl from each district are annually chosen to compete in a televised fight to the death, the film features a kick-ass central performance from Jennifer Lawrence, as well as some unique and creative directing from Gary Ross.
With its strong lead character forging ahead in a dystopian universe, this is perfect for those who appreciate movies like The Thinning.