War Machine: Several sequels and an entire franchise in the works
The director has big plans!
The action flick "War Machine" is currently on everyone's lips and dominates number 1 in the Netflix charts. It should therefore come as no surprise that the franchise is to be expanded further. However, director Patrick Hughes has much more in mind than just a second part.
In an interview with ScreenRant, he revealed that he already has concepts for eight more sequels in mind. Quote:
"It's impossible not to, as a writer, to think about. I fell in love with the character of 81, and the universe of sort of everything he's going through. So look, if that call comes in, then yes, I'm ready to pull the trigger."
A sequel has not yet been officially confirmed by Netflix. But the success proves Hughes right. The character of "Reacher" star Alan Ritchson in particular could be developed further. The character is currently only known by the number "81" – his real name and origin remain a well-kept secret.
Should Netflix actually give the green light, we could be in for one of the most extensive action series in streaming history. At the center of "War Machine" is soldier 81, played by Ritchson, whose unit is suddenly attacked and literally torn apart by a massive combat robot.
Adrenaline, steel and alien invasions: The best movie tips for fans of War Machine
Since its release on March 6, 2026, the Netflix success "War Machine" has been thrilling audiences around the world. Action star Alan Ritchson plays the stoic soldier "81", who suddenly has to defend himself against a technologically far superior machine from outer space during Ranger training.
Director Patrick Hughes has landed a real hit with this mix of hard-hitting military thriller and science fiction and is already hinting that he has ideas for numerous sequels up his sleeve. If you want to bridge the waiting time for a possible sequel, the following recommendations are the perfect way to keep you busy.
Edge of Tomorrow: The gold standard of exoskeleton action
An absolute must for every fan of mechanical battle suits is the blockbuster "Edge of Tomorrow". In this movie, Tom Cruise fights in a time loop against an alien invasion and has to relive the same day of a bloody battle over and over again.
The tactile and dirty action and the use of heavy exoskeletons are very reminiscent of the aesthetic established by Patrick Hughes in War Machine. The story also offers an exciting mix of tactical warfare and a gripping science fiction mystery.
World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles: Dirty infantry battles
If you particularly liked the intensity of the ground battles and the feeling of a besieged unit in "War Machine", you should watch "World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles". The movie follows a squad of marines through a destroyed Los Angeles as they try to repel an unknown alien superior force. The staging is extremely realistic and is almost reminiscent of a war documentary. The uncertainty about the origin of the enemies perfectly reflects the confusion of the Ranger recruits from the Netflix adventure.
Battleship: a monumental spectacle on the high seas
Instead of infantry tactics in the forest, "Battleship" relies on massive firepower on the open ocean. When an international naval exercise is interrupted by the landing of mechanical alien ships, a technological game of cat-and-mouse begins. This movie delivers exactly the monumental spectacle you expect from big action productions. The alien, rotating fighting machines of the invaders exude a similarly menacing character as the robot opponent that Alan Ritchson has to face in the finale of War Machine.
Outside the Wire: The moral limits of warfare
Another recommendation directly from Netflix is the science fiction thriller "Outside the Wire". In this vision of the near future, a drone pilot is sent into a dangerous war zone together with an android officer.
The film focuses on the exciting moral question of how much artificial intelligence a modern battlefield can tolerate and at what point machines take control. The dynamic between humans and technology creates precisely the tension that could play a central role in the upcoming sequels to War Machine.
District 9: social criticism and mechanical destruction
Neill Blomkamp's masterpiece "District 9" offers a philosophical depth that goes far beyond pure action without losing any of its impact. The story is about aliens who are stuck on Earth as refugees and interned in slums.
The film's finale is particularly impressive thanks to the use of a biomechanical battle suit, which delivers exactly what fans love about modern robot action in terms of destructive power and intensity. Anyone who found the mysterious background and secret experiments in "War Machine" exciting will appreciate the political conspiracy in this work.
Spectral: Tactical action against the unknown
An often overlooked insider tip on Netflix is the film "Spectral", which combines military action with mystery elements. In it, an elite unit fights invisible, ghostly creatures in an Eastern European city that cannot be defeated with conventional weapons. The soldiers must develop new technologies and adapt their tactics under time pressure in order to have a chance of survival. The dark atmosphere and the focus on technical understanding make this film the ideal complement to the story of Soldat 81.