50 Movies About Aliens You Need To Watch Now

Otherworldly beings might finally have humankind's attention after recent federal reports were released by the Pentagon validating unidentified flying objects in United States airspace stretching back decades. Extraterrestrials have sparked our imaginations for ages as we ponder the existence of life among the stars. The idea that we aren't alone in the universe is entirely feasible, which makes one wonder — what would alien beings be like? Would they be friendly or hostile? In appearance, would they be humanoid-like figures, or could they be far more monstrous?

These sorts of questions have been probed extensively in the film industry. Sometimes, the only way to wonder what could be is to present it to the masses as entertaining cinema. Often, the presence of aliens stokes viewers' anxiety due to frequently being depicted as invaders or conquerors. Harrowing tales of surviving alien hostilities certainly make some of the most thrilling and engaging stories. Of course, it's not all bad. Extraterrestrials have also been friendly pacifists on the big screen, charming their way into our hearts. There are countless options for enjoying cinematic tales of aliens among us, and we're here to show you 50 of the best.

While we don't intend to include a litany of films and their sequels on this list, "Aliens" is too good to pass up. As a sequel, it's actually one of the best follow-up films in the industry. Helmed by James Cameron, the film picks up where "Alien" left off. The survivor of the first film, Ellen Ripley, is lured back to the rock where her crew encountered the first alien with the promise of destroying any remnants of the creature and is accompanied by a unit of Colonial Marines.

The film dramatically lives up to its title. Ellen and the Marines find themselves up against swarms of Xenomorphs as they wade into the heart of an alien nest. While the film retains some horror elements of its predecessor, it also blends into the action arena as the humans truly fight for survival with all the weaponry at their disposal. "Aliens" ups the ante in all of the best ways.

Anyone looking to see aliens on film can't go wrong with George Lucas's original epic "Star Wars." Now known as "Star Wars: A New Hope," this film tells the legendary story of Luke Skywalker discovering his roots and utilizing his rebellious spirit to combat an evil Galactic Empire. Of course, the alien species depicted throughout the film are some of these most colorful-looking creatures in cinema, but some pretty frightening-looking extraterrestrials show up in later films. Technically, the humans in this film are also aliens, as everyone in the story hails from the distant galaxy spoken of in the introductory text.

The famous cantina of Mos Eisley will put some of the wildest species of a galaxy far, far away on full display. Coming from an age where CGI was largely non-existent, practical effects and make-up were the tools of the artists who created lively scenes such as this. If you haven't seen this film yet, it's time. Do yourself the service of beginning your "Star Wars" journey now.

This horror story is an obvious spin on the tale of Superman. Despite being one of Earth's greatest heroes, Superman is an alien through and through, as he hails from the planet Krypton. "Brightburn" asks a different question — what if Superman in all of his power wasn't so benevolent? 

Just like the story of Superman, an alien ship crashes on a remote farm where a young couple finds an infant inside of the small ship, who they name Brandon. About 12 years later, he begins manifesting superhuman abilities equivalent to Superman. Unfortunately, Brandon has been the subject of torment from bullies at school. With his newfound abilities of flight, superhuman strength, and heat vision, he begins stalking and killing people in town.

We all know Superman is nearly invincible. Imagine what he could do if he were evil. With "Brightburn" you don't have to imagine, just simply watch the chaos gradually unfold as this alien realizes his true powers.

This 1977 film by director Steven Spielberg thrives off the stories of real-life UFO accounts and the anxieties that are ever-present among the population of the unknown. "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" depicts a few characters witnessing harrowing events of UFO activity. Eventually, seemingly supernatural occurrences persist, such as frightening visions, toys moving on their own, and unexplained electrical blackouts. 

While the government does what it does best by covering up any signs that extraterrestrials are attempting to make contact, others who experienced undeniable circumstances aren't convinced. One such individual named Roy Neary, an electrician, witnesses an alien craft up close and personal. "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" was admitted to the National Film Registry in 2007 after that organization deemed the movie as culturally significant, per the Chicago Tribune.

The film received universal critical acclaim from film reviewers and was a wide financial success earning more than fives times its budget in the worldwide gross.

M. Knight Shyamalan is famous for shrouding his films in mystery. His take on an alien invasion begins subtly enough by cultivating the atmosphere of an eerie plot unfolding as strange crop circles begin appearing in Graham Hess' cornfield. The movie juxtaposes Hess' grief over the tragic death of his wife with his need to come to terms with the otherworldly invasion and protect his family. The film is at its best when Shyamalan deploys creepy imagery of slender humanoid-like beings stalking the farm. The mystery widens when news reports begin emerging of the creatures appearing in other parts of the world.

Partially due to the success of Shyamalan's film "The Sixth Sense," "Signs" was highly anticipated by moviegoers. The film was a box office success and has solidified itself as a fixture among the company of movies based on extraterrestrial themes. Just be sure to have your tinfoil hats prepared as you embark on this harrowing journey with the Hess family.

"The Last Starfighter" is an '80s sci-fi film that is among the first to make extensive use of CGI technology –- an animation tool still in its infancy at that point. The film follows teenager Alex Rogan, who worries that his life will never amount to anything. He finds solitude in playing an arcade game called "Starfighter," where players must actively defend a base from encroaching alien armies. Alex obtains the high score which summons an alien known as Centauri who explains that the game was a test to find someone who can aid in their fight in a real-life conflict with other alien races. Alex is shocked by what he witnesses and must make an important decision.

The film joined other '80s sci-fi films like "Back to the Future" and "Tron" in placing its characters in extraordinary fish out of water sci-fi settings. "The Last Starfighter" was a critical success and remains a highlight of classic '80s cinema.

If you'd like a bit more levity and a dash of black comedy in your alien invasion stories, look no further than Tim Burton's '90s film "Mars Attacks!" This film plays off the fears and tropes of alien invaders seen from a 1950s sci-fi perspective. Complete with an armada of flying saucer-like spaceship, the little green men are horrifying to look at with bulbous, brainy heads, sunken faces, and wide soul-piercing eyes. Humanity puts up a pitiful display of vanity amid an obvious threat to the planet, making the scenario even more laughable. The president is eager to be seen with an alien ambassador while news anchors attempt to get their next big break.

The cast is enormous in terms of A-listers. Big names include Jack Nicholson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Glenn Close, Danny DeVito, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Michael J. Fox, Martin Short, Natalie Portman, and Jack Black. Of course, most of the cast dies at the hands of the homunculi-like invaders, so a watch is worth it for the many imaginative death sequences alone.

The 1982 film "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan" tugged at the hearts of Trekkies far and wide. The film marks the emergence of a tactically superior villain in Khan, an individual who is ruthless and seeks the Genesis Device from the USS Enterprise. This artifact has the capability of aiding in the construction of worlds. This alien's bloodlust knows no bounds as he attempts to destroy Captain Kirk and his crew to meet his own ends. Ultimately, the film results in the heroic death of a famous "Star Trek" character that ultimately left fans reeling.

"Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan" left a mark on the legacy of the franchise. The narrative was semi-retold in J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek: Into Darkness," where the Enterprise once again encounters Khan but in an alternate timeline. Some of the events — and consequences – of the storyline are changed due to the altered timeline, but one thing is clear: "The Wrath of Khan" was a true inspiration for Abrams and crew.

Taking place in the J.J. Abrams led "Cloverfield" franchise of films, "10 Cloverfield Lane" sets itself apart by telling the story of an isolated kidnapping victim being held in an underground bunker by a fanatical doomsday prepper — although he may not be as delusional as one might've thought. 

Howard is keeping Michelle and her friend Emmett locked in his bunker while claiming the air above is toxic. Understandably, Michelle believes that Howard is delusional and likely dangerous, so she plots an escape. While not everything is as Howard indicated above ground, one thing is for sure — scary alien space crafts are patrolling the land and unleashing vicious beasts fully intending to kill those on the ground. Follow-up film "The Cloverfield Paradox" will reveal exactly why the aliens have suddenly come to attack Earth, though "10 Cloverfield Lane" works just as well without that bit of information.

If you're looking for an alien-centric narrative that doesn't take itself too seriously and offers plenty of laughs along the way, "Galaxy Quest" is a great choice. The film's basic premise is that the cast of an old '80s sci-fi space-travelling television series, which contains some clear references to the "Star Trek" universe, is seen by actual aliens. These aliens, however, take the show at face value and enlist the cast to aid them in a very real interstellar conflict. It's now time that these actors embrace the true roles they were apparently born to play. 

This humorous adventure has a little bit of fun at the expense of the "Star Trek" franchise and ultimately offers a sort of loving homage to that franchise and its committed fanbase. "Galaxy Quest" is a must-see for "Star Trek" fans — as long as they're willing to go into the film with an open mind.

"Man of Steel" makes the list because the Big Blue Boy Scout is an alien after all, and Zack Snyder embraces Superman's heritage in this film. 

Superman hails from the planet Krypton, a race on the brink of destruction. As an infant, he was sent to Earth by his parents in order to avoid dying with his people. His alien DNA grants him superhuman abilities in the light of the Earth's Sun. As a young Clark Kent, he struggles to find acceptance in world that seems cold and fearful of the unknown. As he ages, however, he embraces his identity and must help save the Earth from some fellow Kryptonians who wish to rebuild Krypton after committing mass genocide. The approach of Zod and his Kryptonian comrades is seemingly ripped straight out of an old alien sci-fi film as he manipulates the airwaves and is seen circling the earth in orbit in his mysterious ship.

Ultimately, Superman rises to the occasion and the film is steeped in CGI effects and action sequences as these titans clash. This film also kicked off the DC Extended Universe, making it a great entry into that franchise.

This post-apocalyptic horror film will make your palms sweat and your heart flutter. "A Quiet Place" was directed by John Krasinski, who also plays the lead, while also featuring Emily Blunt as his wife Evelyn, Millicent Simmonds as their deaf daughter Regan, and Noah Jupe as their son, Marcus. 

In this post-apocalyptic landscape, Earth is desolate as most of humankind has been killed off. The culprit? Invading aliens. These aliens are vicious animalistic predators, but they can only track their prey through sound. Without sound, they are blind. However, their hearing is exceptionally keen, and even the slightest noise can draw an attack. Meanwhile, the Abbotts are simply attempting to survive by living a life of sign language and quiet solitude.

This harrowing tale will grip you and maybe even cause you to grit your teeth, chew your fingernails, or wipe the sweat off your brow — whatever sensation you experience from anxious anticipation. While aliens may drive the narrative, "A Quiet Place" focuses on family and the lengths one will go to protect the one they love.

In "Edge of Tomorrow," Tom Cruise plays William Cage, who happens to be something of a coward. Aliens, called Mimics, land in Europe five years prior to the film's events. They've now conquered most of the continent. The world's countries have joined forces to form an alliance known as the United Defense Force (UDF) to combat the threat. William is ordered to take part in a UDF invasion of France, and he tries to get out of it. He has no combat experience and is nervously thrown into the battlefield, where he is quickly killed after being covered by the blood of a Mimic. He reawakens a day prior and realizes he is caught in a time loop.

Being granted countless lives and opportunities to progress further along in his quest to defeat the Mimics is the narrative that might resonate so well with gamers. Beyond that, "Edge of Tomorrow" is a thrilling adventure with plenty of twists and turns along the way.

This 2008 film is actually a semi-remake of the 1951 film with the same title. "The Day the Earth Stood Still" follows the arrival of a highly-advanced alien race. As a spacecraft lands and an alien emerges, security forces inadvertently shoot the alien, wounding him. The alien is named Klaatu, played here by Keanu Reeves, and explains to the government leaders that he was sent to evaluate civilization and its care of Earth. Unfortunately, he is forced into interrogation but is able to escape. Realizing that humans are destructive and selfish, he determines that humankind must be eliminated to save the planet. Jennifer Connelly plays Helen Benson, an astrobiologist consulted for the contact with extraterrestrials tries to convince Klaatu that humanity is worth preserving.

It's a film steeped in philosophical themes and ideas that makes one ponder the true nature of humanity and how society would truly react if it were to encounter a seemingly peaceful alien race.

Amy Adams stars in this 2016 film about alien contact. In "Arrival," Adams portrays Louise Banks, an expert linguist tapped by the government to help make contact with an alien species that has landed. The massive monolith-like ships are hovering over multiple locations across earth. As Louise and her crew of scientists and military personnel head into the alien ship, they find a shadowy multi-limbed creature that they call a heptapod. The alien begins communicating through visual symbols, and it's up to Louise and her associates to determine what the creature is trying to say. Their time is running short, however, as tensions across the world are mounting over the landings and nations are preparing for a preemptive strike out of fear.

Ultimately, the film is centered around Louise's past, present, and future. The extraterrestrial's mysterious capabilities lie within their communication. This film, directed by Denis Villeneuve, earned positive reviews from film critics and is worth watching for anyone seeking an extraterrestrial thriller.

This Steven Spielberg film adapts the famous 1898 novel by H.G. Wells of the same name. The premise of "War of the Worlds" is that extraterrestrials have built weapons of war to invade and planted them underground long before their arrival on Earth. A lightning storm marks the appearance of the actual aliens who pilot tripod machines that emerge from underground. Tom Cruise stars as a crane operator attempting to connect with his children that he has been separated from through divorce. When the alien invasion begins, he must flee and attempt to keep his children safe as they navigate the countryside looking for shelter.

The film is harrowing and bleak, often showing the desperation of people struggling to avoid an inevitable and catastrophic end. The alien's technology practically makes them invincible to the weapons of Earth, contributing all the more to the doom and gloom that permeates the film — although those familiar with the novel know how it ends. Regardless, it's a thrilling and horrific film about aliens that will have you on the edge of your seat.

As a sequel to Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film "2001: A Space Odyssey," "2010: The Year We Make Contact" continues nine years after the failed Discovery mission to Jupiter. A joint operation between the Soviet Union and the United States is put into action to find the Discovery and determine what caused HAL 9000 to malfunction. Of course, the alien monolith remains nearby the Discover, which is still adrift in Jupiter's orbit. The crew begins witnessing strange energy bursts, and they uncover some unsavory truths regarding the orders HAL received from the National Security Council.

The film is purely a science-fiction adventure set in an alternate 2010 reality. Of course, the making of this film and its predecessor pre-dated the collapse of the Soviet Union. Therefore, the movie still recognizes the Soviet Union well into the future. It also highlights the tensions between the Soviet Union and the West in what seems like an extension of the Cold War into the future.

While this Robert Zemeckis film doesn't really show any extensive footage of aliens, the movie's narrative revolves around finding a way to communicate with extraterrestrial life. In 1997's "Contact," Dr. Ellie Arroway, played by Jodie Foster, works in an observatory in Puerto Rico and discovers a patterned sequence of radio emissions that lends credence to the idea that there is intelligent life among the stars. There's much to uncover within the signal, and Arroway must contend with skeptics and bureaucrats who attempt to undermine her discovery.

The film is based on a novel written by the famous astrophysicist Carl Sagan in 1985. The film received positive reviews from critics who expressed that "Contact" ultimately was a celebration of science and discovery. The film did alright at the box office and joins several other classics, such as "Arrival" whose dominant theme is first contact with alien life from distant worlds.

Once again, Steven Spielberg had his hands involved with another film of extraterrestrial nature. Spielberg executive produced the 1987 film "Batteries Not Included," while the directing duties went to Matthew Robbins. The movie follows Frank and Faye Riley, apartment building managers who are being bullied by thugs hired by a new developer looking to take over the property. When the building is terrorized by vandals, the couple's tenants start questioning their safety and whether they should leave. Soon, however, two little extraterrestrial robotic ships appear and start fixing all of the damage. The tenants begin referring to them as the Fix-Its.

This endearing film doesn't aim for screams or thought-provoking themes. Instead, it's a heart-warming film mixed with themes of friendship, grief, and renewal. Beyond that, it's hard not to completely adore the tiny infant Fix-Its — likely while wishing the helpful little alien crew actually existed.

Ron Howard directed "Cocoon," a 1985 film about senior citizens who discover an alien race living next door to their retirement home. These aliens come from the planet Antarea and have returned to earth after several thousand years to collect a few members of their race who were left behind and preserved in cocoons. The aliens disguise themselves as humans and are renting a home with a swimming pool which they've charged with an energy that renews life in the hopes of helping their comrades in the cocoons regain health for the trip home. A few senior citizens discover the pool and ask if they can use it. Walter, the alien leader, allows them to do so as long as they keep it a secret and don't harm the cocoons. They quickly start feeling young again, leading the rest of the retirement home to suspect something.

This film is a fun adventure featuring peaceful aliens peaceful who are just trying to recover what they've lost. The same goes for the elderly residents who ultimately receive the gift of renewed health. "Cocoon" is a classic and a must-see.

This 2017 horror film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, and Ryan Reynolds as astronauts aboard the International Space Station. They receive samples from a probe returning from Mars that could contain extraterrestrial life. The research crew successfully revives a single-celled organism which then begins growing exponentially. The crew names the organism Calvin, and they soon learn that it can use each of its cells for multiple purposes, such as building muscle mass or creating photosensory tissue. While experimenting on the creature, Calvin attacks the crew and escapes into the ship. The hostile critter begins stalking the researchers and killing them one-by-one. Of course, the devastation that ensues aboard the ISS ensures that communication is severed with Earth. 

"Life" is pretty standard in its use of horror clichés to explore the potentially catastrophic risks of approaching the unknown. While it devolves into a horrifying fight for survival, it remains a compelling portrayal of an alien entity.

"The Faculty" adopts the tension of an untrustworthy environment, similar to "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and "The Thing" before it, as aliens invade disguised as humans. The film is set in an American high school and follows several students who find that the teachers and staff are actually being controlled by alien creatures that have entered their bodies through their ears. Horrifically, this is made all too apparent when they witness school faculty forcing the parasitic lifeform into the school nurse's ear. The rest of the film follows the students as they attempt to outwit the alien race and maybe even find a way to stop it.

While some of the CGI effects haven't exactly aged well, "The Faculty" still stands as a hallmark among '90s teen horror films. The cast includes many Hollywood mainstays early in their careers, such as Jordana Brewster, Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood, Salma Hayek, Famke Janssen, and Jon Stewart.

"Evolution" is a knee-slapping comedy that rips David Duchovny out of his overly-serious "X-Files" role and places him in the middle of a humorous plot. Duchovny appears as Ira Kane, a college professor who discovers alien lifeforms emerging from a crashed meteorite and are rapidly evolving. The ensemble film also features the comedic genius of actors like Orlando Jones, Seann William Scott, Ty Burrell, Julianne Moore, and Dan Aykroyd. 

"Evolution" is directed by Ivan Reitman, previously of "Ghostbusters" fame. Instead of busting ghosts, however, this crew of misfits sets out to squash a burgeoning alien threat in a wild film that never takes itself too seriously. Additionally, it leans even further into the comedy genre than the "Ghostbusters" films. The film ultimately garnered a mixed reception from critics, some of which felt the comedy fell flat. However, there is plenty for anyone looking for aliens and comedy to enjoy in "Evolution."

"Ender's Game" is based on Orson Scott Card's 1985 novel of the same name. It stars Asa Butterfield in the titular role of Ender Wiggin. As a highly intelligent child, he is sent to a military academy where he trains to combat an alien invasion by playing a simulator game. In that game, he strategizes the movement of a real fleet of starships, which he will one day command, to vanquish the alien threat. The majority of the film follows Ender's training progress as he approaches a final harrowing test. What results is a clashing of moralistic ideals that leads to overwhelming feelings of betrayal and regret. 

"Ender's Game" offers a unique perception on the theme of hostile alien invaders, at least as far as humanity is concerned. Is humanity playing a truly peaceful and defending role against potential aggression in the film? Or are they aggressors themselves? This is one film you'll have to watch to decide for yourself.

This 1986 sci-fi adventure film follows the adventures of a 12-year-old boy named David Freeman. The film begins in 1978, but as David is walking to pick up his younger brother, he falls unconscious and reawakens in 1986. He hasn't aged at all but finds his parents and brother have aged eight years. A NASA research facility takes in the boy to run some tests in an effort to explain his disappearance. What they find is that his mind is interlaced with alien communications. 

They are able to deduce that he was abducted and whisked away to an alien planet for the span of just a few hours. However, time dilation caused the short time to be the equivalent of eight years on Earth. Soon, David begins receiving communication from the alien spaceship and he sets out to learn more about the alien race who abducted him. 

"Flight of the Navigator" is an all-time '80s sci-fi classic. This is one alien film to watch with the whole family.