The best alien movies of all time challenge audience expectations about extraterrestrial life. These are the movies where the aliens’ role and creature design prompts introspective thoughts or makes compelling comments about crucial moments in human history. Whether the story focuses on horror, drama, or sci-fi elements, the greatest alien movies also provide insights into humanity’s evolution and technological advancements.
From friendly alien movies to ones where the extraterrestrials are horrific villains, these films make their home on the fringes of science, which is part of what makes them so memorable. Some of the best alien movies of all time are also celebrated for their cinematic achievements relative to the era they were produced.
Indeed, while modern and cutting-edge CGI techniques dominate this subgenre of sci-fi today, many of Hollywood’s best interpretations of alien life hail from the 20th century. For those interested in the very limits of human imagination in film, the greatest alien sci-fi movies were made to satisfy this curiosity.
Midnight Special (2016)
A kid with a glowing hand looks on in Midnight Special
A gripping, enigmatic, and genre-crossing sci-fi alien movie, Midnight Special follows Roy and his supernaturally gifted son Alton, who is pursued by both the government and a religious cult due to his mysterious abilities. The movie’s strength lies in its ability to build tension while slowly revealing the true nature of Alton’s powers.
With its atmospheric cinematography and subdued performances, Midnight Special shines as a character-driven narrative. As it explores themes of faith, parenthood, and the unknown, Midnight Special is a modern ode to the inspiring and family-friendly ’80s sci-fi films that captured humanity’s yearning to contact whoever’s out there.
District 9 (2009)
District 9 alien being arrested by people with guns
District 9 is a thought-provoking and socially relevant fiction film set in a dystopian alternate reality. It’s known for cleverly adopting the look and style of a news documentary. This allows District 9 to poignantly tell the story of an alien race, derogatorily referred to as Prawns, who are stranded in a slum-like refugee camp in Johannesburg, South Africa.
District 9 allegorically tackles South Africa’s history with apartheid, shedding light on issues of discrimination, segregation, and the abuse of power. Through protagonist Wikus Van De Merwe, the film explores themes of empathy and transformation as he undergoes a remarkable change in perspective.
The Borg Queen caresses Jean Luc Picard in Star Trek: First Contact
Featuring the film debut of the Borg, Star Trek: First Contact follows Captain Jean-Luc Picard’s crew as they battle the cybernetic collective, which threatens to alter Earth’s history. In the movie, the Borg attempt to prevent a pivotal event for the future of the Federation so that they can easily conquer Earth in the present.
The film combines thrilling action with philosophical themes about the price of progress and the spirit of community. It showcases the iconic starship USS Enterprise and expands the enduring appeal of the Star Trek franchise. The Borg are a unique entity to the Star Trek franchise, and they offer a departure from the usual aliens of the series.
Cloverfield (2008)
Three people look up in fear in Cloverfield
This found-footage sci-fi thriller is where the Cloverfield shared universe began. The story unfolds through the lens of a handheld camera wielded by a group of friends during a chaotic and terrifying night. The film effectively captures the chaos, fear, and uncertainty of the situation, creating an immersive and suspenseful experience.
As the group navigates the city’s wreckage, their primary goal becomes rescuing one of their friends amidst the chaos caused by a colossal and mysterious creature. Cloverfield stands out for its innovative storytelling approach. To this day, it remains the most clever combination of found-footage horror, alien, and kaiju themes.
Solaris (1972)
A man looks sad while standing in an alien field in Solaris
Although it’s one of the most complicated sci-fi movies ever, Solaris is a masterclass in making hard sci-fi accessible and relatable. The movie follows psychologist Kris Kelvin, who must assess the operations of a space station near the oceanic planet of Solaris. Later, Kelvin and the station’s crew determine that the waters on the titular planet’s seas are sentient.
Most importantly, whatever sentient life is on Solaris communicates to humans by manipulating neutrinos and creating physical manifestations of people from the memories of the cosmonauts. Solaris’ aliens challenge preconceived notions of the fabric of reality, a headier proposition than the usual extraterrestrials.
The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951)
Gort exits the saucer in The Day the Earth Stood Still
Alien invasion movies were all the rage in the 1950s. Spurred on by fears of nuclear war, the decade’s science fiction was decidedly apocalyptic. However, The Day the Earth Stood Still offers a more hopeful view, and concerns an alien visitor who comes to Earth to warn humanity that they are on the wrong path.
With glorious Golden Age cinematography and classic production design, The Day the Earth Stood Still helped set the stage for the entire ’50s sci-fi revolution. Klaatu is nothing like the evil aliens of other sci-fi films, and his benevolence is in stark contrast to the violence of humanity as a whole. The early ’50s gem promotes peace and not war.
Arrival (2016)
Amy Adams gazes slightly upward with intent focus in a scene from Arrival
Arrival follows linguist Dr. Louise Banks, who is tasked with communicating with mysterious extraterrestrial visitors called Heptapods. As she deciphers their intricate, non-linear language, she inadvertently stumbles upon a way to break humanity’s linear perception of time.
Rooted in linguistics and global political tension, Arrival challenges preconceived notions about the power of communication, with a clever twist that combines first-contact tropes with time travel principles. Arrival is also a visually striking and intellectually stimulating film that not only pays homage to classic sci-fi but also pulls the alien subgenre in a worthwhile direction.
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Tom Cruise runs across a battlefield in Edge of Tomorrow
Edge of Tomorrow is a thrilling sci-fi action film about Major William “Bill” Cage, a military officer who finds himself caught in a time loop during a war against alien invaders. Each time he dies in battle, he wakes up to relive the same day, eventually gaining combat skills under the guidance of renowned military veteran Rita Vrataski.
Along the way, Cage unravels the connection between the time loop and the alien Mimic invaders — and discovers surprising things about himself. Edge of Tomorrow expertly blends action, humor, intricate time-travel elements, and war movie tropes, creating a gripping narrative that explores sacrifice and resilience amid warfare.
Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Lilo, Stitch, and Nani surfing in Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Disney is a company known for their ability to tug at the heartstrings, and Lilo & Stich is no exception. A precocious young girl adopts an escaped alien convict that poses as her pet dog. Though it takes a page from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Lilo & Stitch has plenty of Disney magic to keep it original.
The most appealing part of the early Aughts animated film is Stitch himself, and the fish-out-of-water humor he creates is wildly entertaining. Stitch is ultimately a misunderstood character, which is why he makes such a perfect companion for Lilo. Alien movies are rarely so heartwarming.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
The ship on Close Encounters of the Third Kind
A landmark science fiction film that explores the wonder and mystery of human contact with extraterrestrial beings, Close Encounters of the Third Kind follows Roy Neary, an ordinary man who experiences a life-altering close encounter with a UFO. Roy becomes obsessed with understanding the encounter, joining forces with other individuals who share similar experiences to find out more.
The film beautifully combines awe-inspiring visuals and a haunting musical score as it delves into themes of community and curiosity versus the unknown. Close Encounters of the Third Kind remains a timeless and thought-provoking sci-fi classic that is filled with fantasy and mystery.