Pacific Rim Uprising and the Like

Posted on March 19, 2018

by Joseph C

As a self-proclaimed fan of Science Fiction, Robots, and awesome fight scenes, the film “Pacific Rim” was right up my alley. Released in 2013, it is an action-packed Sci-Fi slugfest where mankind struggles to save itself from invading alien monsters by building large robotic fighting machines. Originally, I didn’t expect much from this film, but I was pleasantly surprised when I finally gave it a chance. As you would expect from the description, there is plenty of action and amazing special effects, but there is also a fun, interesting story being told and you care what happens to these humans who pilot the huge Mech units (known as Jaegers in the film).

Pacific Rim Uprising,” the sequel to this film comes out March 23, 2018, and I am very excited to go to the movie theater and immerse myself in the non-stop action. While waiting the 5 years it took to produce this follow-up film, I availed myself of many other worthy Science Fiction/Fantasy books and movies that involve robots, monsters and mankind’s struggle available in our Library system. I have listed a few of these suggestions below. As the leader of the Jaegers in “Pacific Rim” said:

Today, at the edge of our hope, at the end of our time, we have chosen not only to believe in ourselves, but in each other. Today we face the monsters that are at our door, today we are canceling the apocalypse!

Enjoy the film!


Movies for Fans of the Film “Pacific Rim Uprising”

Pacific Rim - 2013 movie directed by Guillermo del Toro

Pacific Rim” – 2013 Movie

Starring Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam and Rinko Kikuchi

Directed by Guillermo del Toro

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13

When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes-a washed up former pilot and an untested trainee, who are teamed to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind’s last hope against the mounting apocalypse.


The World's End - 2013 movie directed by Edgar Wright

The Worlds End” – 2013 Movie

Starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Martin Freeman

Directed by Edgar Wright

Action | Comedy | Sci-Fi

Rated R

Twenty years after attempting an epic pub crawl, five childhood friends reunite when one of them becomes hell bent on doing it again. They are convinced by mate Gary King, who drags his reluctant pals to their hometown to once again attempt to reach the fabled pub called The World’s End. As they attempt to reconcile the past and present, they realize the real struggle is for the future, not just theirs but humankind’s. Reaching the pub is the least of their worries.


The Edge of Tomorrow - 2014 movie directed by Doug Liman

The Edge of Tomorrow” – 2014 Movie

Starring Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt and Bill Paxton

Directed by Doug Liman

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13

In a near future, an alien race has hit the Earth in an unbeatable assault. Major William Cage has never seen a day of combat, but is dropped into a suicide mission and killed within minutes. Cage now finds himself thrown into a time loop-forcing him to live out the same day over and over, fighting and dying each time. With each “life”, Cage learns more fighting skills, so that when he and warrior Rita Vrataski take the fight to the aliens, they are one step closer to defeating the enemy.


Godzilla - 2014 movie directed by Gareth Edwards

Godzilla” – 2014 Movie

Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen and Bryan Cranston

Directed by Gareth Edwards

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13

From visionary new director Gareth Edwards comes a powerful story of human courage and reconciliation in the face of titanic forces of nature, when the awe-inspiring Godzilla rises to restore balance as humanity stands defenseless.


Real Steal - 2011 movie directed by Shawn Levy

Real Steel” – 2011 Movie

Starring Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly and Dakota Goyo

Directed by Shawn Levy

Action | Drama | Family

Rated PG-13

Charlie Kenton is a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring. Now nothing but a small-time promoter, Charlie earns just enough money piecing together low-end bots from scrap metal to get from one underground boxing venue to the next. When Charlie hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son Max to build and train a championship contender.


Cloverfield - 2008 movie directed by Matt Reeves

Cloverfield” – 2008 Movie

Starring Mike Vogel, Jessica Lucas and Lizzy Caplan

Directed by Matt Reeves

Action | Horror | Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13

New York is suddenly under attack from a Godzilla-like monster who stomps through midtown, destroying everything and everybody in sight.


Power Rangers - 2017 movie directed by Dean Israelite

Power Rangers” – 2017 Movie

Starring Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott and RJ Cyler

Directed by Dean Israelite

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13

It follows five ordinary teens who must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove, and the world, is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so, they will have to overcome their real-life issues and before it’s too late, band together as the Power Rangers.


Books for Fans of the Movie “Pacific Rim Uprising”

Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein

Starship Troopers” by Robert A. Heinlein

With Earth embroiled in a vast interplanetary war with the “Bugs,” a young recruit in the Federal Reserves relates his experiences training in boot camp and as a junior officer in the Terran Mobile Infantry.

Also available in eAudio.


The Devourers by Indra Das

The Devourers” by Indra Das

A dreamlike novel about a young historian and a persuasive and beguiling stranger coming together in modern-day Kolkata, India to transcribe an ancient journal. A collection of paper, parchment, and skins, the journal tells of bloodshed, kidnapping, magic and shapeshifting, set against the harsh landscapes of the 17th-Century Mughal Empire. It reveals the story of hunters and prey, lovers and the beloved, and, in the end, the choice to be transformed, or be quarry.


Hunter by Mercedes Lackey

Hunter” by Mercedes Lackey

A teenage girl leaves home to join the legendary Hunters, who protect the people from the terrifying monsters that have overrun their world.

Also available in eBook and eAudio.


The Forever War by Joe Haldeman

The Forever War” by Joe Haldeman

Winner of the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award: He went off to war, but the Earth he came back to wasn’t the one he left behind Man has taken to the stars. Deep in space, humans discover the fearsome Taurans after a transport ship is destroyed. To combat the threat, humanity sends in the United Nations Exploratory Force—a highly trained unit built for revenge. Conscripted into the service, physics student William Mandella fights for his planet against the alien force light years away. However, because of the relative passage of time when one travels at incredibly high speed, the Earth he returns to after his two-year experience has progressed decades and is foreign to him in disturbing ways. Based in part on the author’s experiences in Vietnam, “The Forever War” is regarded as one of the greatest military science fiction novels ever written, perfectly capturing the alienation that servicemen and women experience even now upon returning home.


Looking for reading, listening and viewing suggestions beyond what’s featured in this blog post? 

We can help! 

Go to Toledolibrary.org/give3get and fill out a short form. 

That’s all it takes to receive personalized recommendations from our knowledgeable staff.

Did you like this blog post? Keep up to date with all of our posts by subscribing to the Library’s newsletters!

Keep your reading list updated with our book lists. Our staff love to read and they’ll give you the scoop on new tv-series inspired titles, hobbies, educational resources, pop culture, current events, and more!

Looking for more great titles? Get personalized recommendations from our librarians with this simple form.