Top 20 Movies About Aliens

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - April 19th 2025, 19:00 GMT+2

Cropped Mars Attack — 20. Mars Attacks! (1996)

Before *Rick and Morty* made sci-fi comedy cool again, *Mars Attacks!* was out here being gloriously weird in the '90s. Directed by Tim Burton and packed with more stars than a UFO convention – Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, and even Tom Jones (yes, really) – this campy alien invasion film is a chaotic love letter to 1950s B-movies. The Martians are green, mean, and hilariously cruel, armed with ray guns and a fondness for vaporizing world leaders. It’s not subtle, but it’s a blast – literally. The effects are kitschy, the tone is bonkers, and it knows exactly what it is: a satirical space romp that doesn’t take itself seriously. And neither should you. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped Galaxy Quest — 19. Galaxy Quest (1999)

*Galaxy Quest* is what happens when you mash up *Star Trek*, fandom culture, and meta-humor – and it’s beautiful. Tim Allen leads the washed-up cast of a cult sci-fi show who are mistaken for real space heroes by an alien race that doesn’t get the concept of fiction. Alan Rickman (forever a legend), Sigourney Weaver (yes, sci-fi royalty), and Tony Shalhoub round out the quirky crew as they fumble their way through an actual interstellar crisis. It's a hilarious, heartwarming tribute to geeks everywhere, and surprisingly heartfelt underneath the parody. If you've ever debated Klingon grammar on Reddit, this one's for you. | © DreamWorks Pictures

Cropped edge of tomorrow — 18. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

Imagine *Groundhog Day* got swallowed by an alien war epic, and you’ve got *Edge of Tomorrow*. Tom Cruise stars as a military PR guy turned reluctant soldier who keeps dying over and over again – thanks to some time-loop alien tech – and honestly, it's the most fun you’ll have watching someone get blown up repeatedly. Emily Blunt absolutely owns as the tough-as-nails “Full Metal Bitch,” making yoga swords look like a legit workout routine. The film delivers high-octane action, clever plot mechanics, and just enough dry humor to keep you rooting for Cruise’s character, even if he starts out kind of insufferable. It’s sci-fi with brains, brawn, and a badass heroine. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped District 9 — 17. District 9 (2009)

Forget shiny UFOs and sexy aliens – *District 9* drops extraterrestrials into the gritty slums of Johannesburg in a film that’s part mockumentary, part political allegory, and all kinds of intense. Directed by Neill Blomkamp and produced by Peter Jackson (yes, *that* Peter Jackson), it stars Sharlto Copley as a bumbling bureaucrat who ends up infected by alien tech and becomes the very thing he’s trying to evict. It’s gross, gripping, and shockingly emotional for a movie with bug-eyed shrimp people. Beneath the sci-fi spectacle lies a sharp commentary on xenophobia and apartheid, proving that alien movies can be both explosive and thought-provoking. | © TriStar Pictures

Cropped E T The Extra Terrestrial — 16. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

You can’t talk alien movies without *E.T.*, Steven Spielberg’s tearjerking, Reese’s Pieces-powered masterpiece. When a wrinkly little alien gets stranded on Earth, a young boy named Elliott – played by Henry Thomas – befriends him in the most heart-melting cross-species bromance of all time. A young Drew Barrymore charms her way into hearts, and the scene with the flying bicycle still hits like a sugar rush. It’s whimsical, emotional, and packed with that classic ‘80s Spielberg magic. E.T. may have a glowing finger, but it’s the film that really lights you up inside. Phone home? More like pass tissues. | © Universal Pictures

Cropped Men In Black — 15. Men in Black (1997)

*Men in Black* is the ultimate alien movie for anyone who suspects their boss might be from another planet. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are the coolest, most unbothered government agents in the galaxy, policing secret extraterrestrial activity on Earth with nothing but sarcasm, sunglasses, and memory-wiping flashies. Smith brings his signature charisma, while Jones perfects the role of the grumpy straight man. From talking worms to a galaxy on a cat's collar, this movie takes absurdity and makes it sleek. And honestly, we’re still waiting for the neuralyzer to hit Amazon. | © Columbia Pictures

Cropped The Abyss — 14. The Abyss (1989)

James Cameron loves two things: deep water and intense human drama. *The Abyss* gives you both, plus some mysterious underwater aliens who just want us to be nicer to each other (aww). Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio dive – literally – into a high-pressure, claustrophobic situation with Cold War tensions, giant sea creatures, and enough emotional breakdowns to make you need a floatie. It’s part sci-fi, part submarine thriller, with a side of glowing jellyfish aesthetics. And yes, this is the movie where Ed Harris almost drowned during filming, which somehow makes the whole thing even more legendary. | © 20th Century Fox

Cropped The Day the Earth Stood Still — 13. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

Before aliens were blowing up the White House, they were landing calmly in parks and politely asking us to stop being so war-happy. *The Day the Earth Stood Still* is a black-and-white classic that proves sci-fi doesn’t need CGI to pack a punch. Michael Rennie plays Klaatu, an alien who shows up with a giant robot named Gort and a serious warning: stop your violent nonsense, Earthlings, or face planetary consequences. It’s thoughtful, tense, and surprisingly relevant decades later. Plus, "Klaatu barada nikto" is the original alien catchphrase – and yes, it still sounds cool. | © 20th Century Fox

They live msn — 12. They Live (1988)

Put on the sunglasses, see the truth: *They Live* is the most punk-rock alien movie ever made. Directed by horror legend John Carpenter, this cult classic stars pro wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper as a drifter who stumbles upon a pair of shades that reveal aliens hiding in plain sight, controlling humanity through ads and TV. Subtle? Absolutely not. Entertaining? Oh, 100%. The film’s now-iconic alleyway fistfight between Piper and Keith David is still one of the most gloriously over-the-top brawls in movie history. Come for the aliens, stay for the anti-capitalist commentary and ‘80s vibes. | © Universal Pictures

Cropped Contact — 11. Contact (1997)

*Contact* is what happens when you take aliens seriously – like, science seriously. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and based on Carl Sagan’s novel, this film stars Jodie Foster as a SETI scientist who gets the call of a lifetime... from space. Matthew McConaughey shows up as a spiritual counterweight in this brainy, heartfelt story that dares to ask, “What if first contact isn’t about lasers and explosions but faith, science, and humanity’s place in the universe?” Foster gives one of her most grounded, moving performances, and the final act will leave you staring at the stars with big existential feelings. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped Close Encounters of the Third Kind — 10. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Steven Spielberg’s second entry on this list proves the man really had a hotline to the mothership. *Close Encounters of the Third Kind* isn’t your typical alien flick – it’s slower, more mysterious, and honestly kind of beautiful. Richard Dreyfuss plays a regular guy whose UFO sighting sends him spiraling into mashed-potato-sculpting obsession (been there). The aliens don’t show up with guns – they come with synthy musical tones and a light show that would put Coachella to shame. This movie treats extraterrestrial contact like a spiritual awakening, not a shootout. It’s weird, wondrous, and way more profound than you'd expect from a movie where people talk to spaceships via keyboard. | © Columbia Pictures

Cropped Predator — 9. Predator (1987)

If *Alien* is the horror side of sci-fi, then *Predator* is its beefy, jungle-thriller cousin. Arnold Schwarzenegger leads a squad of walking muscles through a Central American jungle, only to be picked off one-by-one by an alien with dreadlocks, infrared vision, and a serious taste for trophies. It’s the most testosterone-drenched game of hide-and-seek ever put on screen. Carl Weathers and Jesse Ventura bulk up the cast, and the one-liners? Pure gold. (“If it bleeds, we can kill it.” Iconic.) The Predator itself became an instant legend, and the movie still holds up as a perfect mashup of action, suspense, and intergalactic hunting season. | © 20th Century Fox

Cropped Lilo Stitch — 8. Lilo & Stitch (2002)

Don't let the cuddly exterior fool you – *Lilo & Stitch* is an alien invasion movie wrapped in a Hawaiian shirt and dipped in heartfelt feels. Stitch, aka Experiment 626, is a genetically engineered chaos machine who crash-lands on Earth and gets adopted by a lonely little girl named Lilo. What follows is part sci-fi comedy, part emotional gut punch about family, grief, and the meaning of “ohana” (which means nobody gets left behind, obviously). Daveigh Chase voices Lilo with so much heart, and Chris Sanders gives Stitch his raspy, mischievous charm. It’s funny, weird, adorable – and surprisingly deep for a movie with laser-blasting space chases and Elvis impersonations. | © Walt Disney Pictures

Cropped Nope — 7. Nope (2022)

Jordan Peele redefines the alien genre again – this time with a cowboy hat and a cloud that doesn’t move. *Nope* is a sci-fi/horror/western hybrid that manages to be both wildly original and steeped in classic UFO mythology. Daniel Kaluuya gives a masterclass in subtle, stoic cool, while Keke Palmer absolutely steals scenes with her electric energy. There’s spectacle, social commentary, and one very disturbing chimpanzee flashback (you’ve been warned). The “alien” itself? Let’s just say it’s not your average saucer, and the way Peele builds the mystery is nothing short of genius. It’s a “nope” you’ll say with awe. | © Universal Pictures

Cropped Invasion of the Body Snatchers — 6. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

There are alien invasions, and then there’s *Invasion of the Body Snatchers –* a paranoia-soaked nightmare disguised as a ‘50s sci-fi B-movie. Kevin McCarthy stars as a doctor who realizes his neighbors are being replaced by emotionless pod people, and no one believes him because, of course, it’s the '50s. The film plays like a masterclass in slow-building dread, and its low-budget style only makes it creepier. Is it about aliens, or is it secretly about McCarthyism, conformity, or just your average Tuesday? Either way, the final shot will stay with you. Classic, clever, and still chilling after all these years. | © Allied Artists Pictures

Cropped Fantastic Planet — 5. Fantastic Planet (1973)

If Salvador Dalí made an alien movie after a really long nap, it might look something like *Fantastic Planet*. This French-Czech animated fever dream drops us onto a bizarre world where giant blue aliens called Draags keep humans – sorry, *Oms –* as pets. It’s psychedelic, it’s philosophical, and it’s definitely not your typical popcorn flick. Directed by René Laloux and boasting a trippy score that sounds like your subconscious during REM sleep, this cult classic is basically a surreal allegory for oppression and resistance, all wrapped up in paper-cut animation. No stars you’ll recognize – unless you’re deep into 1970s Euro-cinema – but trust us, the weirdness is the star here. | © Argos Films

Cropped Under the Skin — 4. Under the Skin (2013)

Scarlett Johansson driving a van around Scotland, seducing men into an inky alien void? Yep, that's *Under the Skin*, and yes, it’s every bit as haunting as it sounds. Jonathan Glazer’s eerie, minimalist masterpiece flips the alien invasion trope on its head – this time, *we’re* the ones being harvested. Johansson plays her role with cold, otherworldly poise, and the film’s blend of real, unscripted encounters with unsuspecting civilians adds a surreal, almost documentary-like layer. It’s hypnotic, disturbing, and oddly sad. If aliens watched this movie, they might decide to leave us alone out of pity – or confusion. | © A24

Cropped The Thing — 3. The Thing (1982)

Snow, science, and shape-shifting paranoia – John Carpenter’s *The Thing* is the ultimate alien horror cocktail. Kurt Russell leads a scruffy crew of Antarctic researchers who encounter a creature that doesn’t just kill – it *becomes* you. Practical effects legend Rob Bottin went absolutely feral on the gore, turning alien transformations into full-blown nightmares. Wilford Brimley, Keith David, and a flamethrower make up the rest of this deeply suspicious, cabin-fevered ensemble. It's gross. It's genius. It's the reason you now side-eye your coworkers during flu season. And the ending? Ambiguity never felt so chilling. | © Universal Pictures

Cropped Arrival — 2. Arrival (2016)

Not every alien movie needs a laser gun or a screaming crowd – sometimes all it takes is a linguist and a few squid-like visitors with perfect penmanship. *Arrival* is Denis Villeneuve’s haunting, cerebral take on first contact, starring Amy Adams in an Oscar-worthy turn as a woman tasked with decoding an alien language that might just change her understanding of time and loss. Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker support, but it’s Adams who quietly carries the emotional weight of the story. Beautiful, mysterious, and unexpectedly tear-jerking, this film proves that communication can be more powerful than conflict. Also, the aliens are called Heptapods, which feels like a cool band name. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped Alien — 1. Alien (1979)

And here it is. The mother of all alien movies. Ridley Scott’s *Alien* isn’t just a sci-fi horror classic – it’s the blueprint. It gave us Sigourney Weaver’s iconic Ellen Ripley, the Xenomorph (the most terrifying dental exam in cinema), and that unforgettable chestburster scene that probably ruined spaghetti for an entire generation. The cast includes John Hurt, Ian Holm, and Tom Skerritt, all doing their best to survive in the cold, industrial nightmare that is the Nostromo. H.R. Giger’s creature design still feels like a nightmare from the future, and Jerry Goldsmith’s eerie score pulls it all together like a space-bound scream. In space, no one can hear you fangirl – but we’re doing it anyway. | © 20th Century Fox

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Aliens have crash-landed into every corner of cinema – sometimes terrifying, sometimes hilarious, and occasionally... heartbreakingly adorable. In this definitive guide to the top 20 best movies about aliens, we’re spotlighting films that put extraterrestrials front and center – not just as background world-building, but as core to the plot, the action, and the emotional stakes.

You won’t find Star Wars or Star Trek on this list – not because we don’t love them (we do, we really do), but because those universes are more about galactic politics, space operas, and lightsaber diplomacy than aliens specifically. We’re also sticking to one film per franchise, so this lineup stays fresh, varied, and truly out of this world.