Similar movies?

'Scanners' is one of my favorite movies, but I like a lot of David Cronenberg's work. As far as movies with a similar theme, I'm actually watching the sequels as I'm typing this. I'm on the second part and it's taken me some time to get through it since I started a couple of days ago. It's not anywhere near the level of complexity in the original with all of the rich characters, great soundtrack and Cronenberg's visual style.

It has Cronenberg listed under writers but, it specifically states "(characters)" which I believe means he didn't actually have anything to do with the story or script. It's a decent enough flick, but it kind of seems like a rehash of the original storyline in that there's a scientist who studies 'Scanners' involved and then there's someone who's looking to recruit a 'Scanner' for their abilities and so on. But it seems like a decent enough flick.

If you like the style/mood/atmosphere and intelligently written storyline but not specifically the subject matter, I would suggest you check out some other movies by Cronenberg, specifically 'Videodrome', which is even more of a favorite for me than 'Scanners'. 'The Brood', 'The Fly' (1986) & 'The Dead Zone' are okay to watch one time, but do not really hold the same repeat viewing value for me that 'Scanners' and 'Videodrome' do.

In fact, if I had to rate MY personal list of Cronenberg films, it would probably look something like this...

1) Videodrome (Beyond Awesome and I can watch forever and never get sick of it)

2) Scanners (Again, verrry Beyond Awesome and I can watch repeatedly without getting bored, but only every couple to six months or longer)

3) Naked Lunch (It's a great movie, I have seen more than a handful of times)

4) eXistenZ (Seen about a handful of times)

Tied for 5th) The Dead Zone, The Fly (Saw once or twice when I was younger and can't say it really made an impression)

Tied for Last Place) The Brood, They Came From Within aka Shivers (Watched once)
Dead Ringers, Rabid (Have not watched yet, but it's on my list...)

I know there are other Cronenberg movies, however, these are the only ones that had any interest to me. I did see 'Cosmopolis' and I can say this, if Cronenberg continues to make the subpar movies as he has since the year 2000 it will be a waste of a great science fiction writer.

Skipper Clipper Rules!!!
http://www.skipperclipper.com/

I always relate Firestarter with this film and see it as a proper sequel tbh.

I also highly recommend Dark City, The 13th Floor, and Fight Club.

The Fury (1978)

I came here because several posted said The Power from 1968 was an obvious influence.

Yep, if you want to see a movie about psychokinesis and exploding bodies, Brian De Palma's The Fury might be what you're looking for. It's a more adventurous take on the same subject than Carrie which De Palma directed couple of years earlier.