The 50 Best Alien Movies Ever, Ranked

Most reasonable people would acknowledge that life exists beyond our planet, but things get iffier when you ask someone if they believe aliens have visited Earth. Our own belief is that aliens with the advanced technology needed to even reach our planet would most likely know better than to do so. Other opinions vary, featuring all manner of alien life and first contact situations, and filmmakers have been imagining such scenarios for decades on the big screen.

Curating a list of the best alien movies means looking beyond the obvious and beyond Hollywood, but it also necessitates some clear parameters. They should be live-action feature films about aliens that visit the Earth and/or Earthlings who encounter alien life forms off-planet. The aliens should be tangible beings, not simple spores as in "The Andromeda Strain" or metaphysical conceits as in "Solaris," meaning we can see and hear them or their creations.

Three aliens arrive on Earth in preparation for a full-scale invasion, and they take over human bodies. They're here to study us before the war begins, but they discover some truths about people they didn't expect. The aliens at the center of the film are capable of "taking" an emotion from those around them, and this conceit makes for some engaging and intriguing story turns as humankind nears a possible annihilation. Philosophical ideas run throughout, but the film also features entertaining sci-fi beats and some truly spectacular action sequences. 

• Starring: Masami Nagasawa, Ryûhei Matsuda, Hiroki Hasegawa
• Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
• Year: 2017
• Runtime: 129 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%

Scientists follow intergalactic instructions regarding the combining of alien and human DNA. The result is a murderous creature capable of morphing into a saucy blonde to seduce and destroy human males. Look, sometimes you want classy, thought-provoking sci-fi, and other times you're happy seeing Natasha Henstridge mate, kill, and elude government agents played by Alfred Molina and Forest Whitaker. This B-movie hit scratches the latter itch, delivering thrilling set-pieces and the return of H.R. Giger to the world of alien design.

• Starring: Natasha Henstridge, Michael Madsen, Ben Kingsley
• Director: Roger Donaldson
• Year: 1995
• Runtime: 108 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 42%

The motley crew of galaxy guardians finds their greatest adventure yet when a celestial being named Ego reveals himself to be Star-Lord's father. Picking just one of the films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as its best "alien" movie might seem daunting, but it really isn't. Aliens run amok throughout the franchise, but James Gunn's sequel to his own film delivers the best interactions between the species. Star-Lord is human and our connective tissue to the film's world, and his journey with alien friends and a celestial dad finds thrills, humor, and emotional peaks through to the very end.

• Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista
• Director: James Gunn
• Year: 2017
• Runtime: 135 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%

An alien scientist unable to stave off his planet's impending destruction sends his infant son to Earth as his only chance of survival. The baby grows up to become a man — a superman if you will. No matter which side of the Marvel-DC debate you land on, you'd be hard-pressed to discount Richard Donner's late '70s gem as one of the most accomplished superhero films. Christopher Reeve embodies Superman as the best of us, a pure soul, someone whose desire to help others can sometimes put his own needs on the back burner, and he makes us better in the process.

• Starring: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman
• Director: Richard Donner
• Year: 1978
• Runtime: 143 minutes
• Rating: PG
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

Astronauts discover three humanoid figures inside a derelict spacecraft and make the mistake of bringing them back to Earth. Uh oh! They're space vampires, and soon the trio has kicked off an apocalyptic plague. Give Tobe Hooper a real budget, and the result is the glorious B-movie thrills of "Lifeforce." While many people think of it simply as the movie with the constantly naked lady vampire, there's a lot more fun to be had here, starting with a game cast, some gnarly practical effects, and a wonderfully chaotic third act that sees London descend into a panic-filled hell.

• Starring: Steve Railsback, Mathilda May, Patrick Stewart
• Director: Tobe Hooper
• Year: 1985
• Runtime: 100 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 57%

A mute alien tries to fit in on Earth while avoiding intergalactic bounty hunters, but the assimilation process for newcomers isn't always as welcoming as the Statue of Liberty might suggest. Science fiction has always been a home to allegory and metaphor, and this warmly funny comedy goes full tilt on the idea of an "illegal alien" trying to fit in with Americans. The alien's inability to speak mirrors the challenge of learning new languages, and Joe Morton's performance makes the most of it by focusing on expression and intent.

• Starring: Joe Morton, Steve James, David Strathairn
• Director: John Sayles
• Year: 1984
• Runtime: 108 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%

A couple heads to a creepy castle after car trouble leaves them stranded, but they're not prepared for what awaits them within. That, of course, being a mad scientist, free love, song and dance numbers, and the truth about the faraway planet of Transsexual. The alien aspect of Jim Sharman's madcap musical extravaganza is often overlooked in favor of its numerous other elements, but it's there, I promise. Of course, this is a film in which specific plot beats are far less important than the overall effect of watching it, whether at home alone or in a theater in one of its thousands of midnight showings around the world. Surrender to its charms, and you'll be more than satisfied.

• Starring: Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick
• Director: Jim Sharman
• Year: 1975
• Runtime: 95 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%

An alien unleashes a slug-like creature on Earth, and decades later the slimy creatures have multiplied and begun turning people into murderous zombies. Only a group of plucky college kids and a cranky detective stand in their way. Aliens, zombies, ax-wielding psychopaths, anxious co-eds, and a nicotine-addicted cop constantly on the lookout for thrills make for a potent combination. The resulting film is a blast for genre fans. Tom Atkins' grumpy, guilt-ridden detective is a supporting player here, but he's the standout all the same thanks to some memorable one-liners.

• Starring: Tom Atkins, Jason Lively, Steve Marshall
• Director: Fred Dekker
• Year: 1986
• Runtime: 85 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%

Two friends in 1950s New Mexico begin to suspect something bizarre is buzzing their small town after hearing strange sounds on the radio. Andrew Patterson's debut feature feels reminiscent of Darren Aronofsky's "Pi" or Shane Carruth's "Primer." They don't share story beats, but all three mark the clear arrival of intelligent, creative filmmakers telling fascinating science fiction tales on a minuscule budget. The film, while engagingly cinematic, also carries the atmosphere of an old-fashioned radio drama the likes of which Orson Welles narrated. Its power to transport just might make a believer out of you.

• Starring: Sierra McCormick, Jake Horowitz, Gail Cronauer
• Director: Andrew Patterson
• Year: 2019
• Runtime: 90 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

Alex (Lance Guest) is a bored high-schooler living in a dead-end town. One of the few joys in his life is a video game called "Starfighter." He defeats the game one night and soon finds himself recruited into an ongoing intergalactic war. Everyone hopes for something more and a chance to do something that matters, and "The Last Starfighter" plays on that universal theme beautifully with an adventure pitting an everyday teen against alien marauders. It also partners him with a wholly different alien named Grig (Dan O'Herlihy) who serves as a reminder about judging people for what they do, not who they are, and the result is a fun, satisfying adventure for all ages.

• Starring: Lance Guest, Catherine Mary Stewart, Robert Preston
• Director: Nick Castle
• Year: 1984
• Runtime: 100 minutes
• Rating: PG
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 76%

An L.A. detective partners with an odd F.B.I. agent in trying to solve a strange string of violent crimes. So far, so normal, but the agent is hiding a secret. Jack Sholder's fun, fast-moving buddy cop movie introduces viewers to an alien slug that loves drugs, flashy cars, and heavy metal music, and things only get weirder from there. The film does a great job balancing those genre oddities while also telling an engaging tale of begrudging friendship. Add it to the B-movie half of this list, and play it loud.

• Starring: Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Nouri, Claudia Christian
• Director: Jack Sholder
• Year: 1987
• Runtime: 96 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 73%

An alien probe threatens the Federation's safety as it awaits communication from a particular species on Earth that has gone extinct. What's to be done aside from sending the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise back in time to the mid-1980s to retrieve a pair of humpback whales? All of the "Star Trek" films feature Earthlings interacting with aliens. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) alone counts on that front. But this fantastic franchise entry takes a more interesting tack. The Vulcan is a true alien in 1986, and the film finds both entertainment and conflict in introducing him to present-day humans.

• Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley
• Director: Leonard Nimoy
• Year: 1986
• Runtime: 118 minutes
• Rating: PG
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%

A disturbed young man unleashes a torrent of violence based on a single belief: Aliens are here and planning to conquer the Earth. He kidnaps an executive and tortures him in pursuit of what he believes to be true, but what if he's wrong? "Save the Green Planet" is the blackest of comedies, as its laughs come with a side of grim cruelty and grisly violence, but it's also devastatingly affecting. Our protagonist's life has been filled with violence, and a picture soon forms of a man in distress shaped by the whims of others. Has that made him the hero or the villain?

• Starring: Shin Ha-kyun, Baek Yun-shik, Hwang Jung-min
• Director: Jang Joon-hwan
• Year: 2003
• Runtime: 116 minutes
• Rating: n/a
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

Aliens have arrived in New Zealand, and they're after one thing — meat for their intergalactic fast-food restaurant chain. A plucky group of government employees is all that stands in their way. Peter Jackson has long since left the indie genre world behind for Hollywood blockbusters, but his first feature remains a wild and weird reminder of where he started. Creative and copious splatter fills the screen alongside energetic camerawork, fun action beats, and a wonderfully inappropriate sense of humor.

• Starring: Peter Jackson, Terry Potter, Pete O'Herne
• Director: Peter Jackson
• Year: 1987
• Runtime: 92 minutes
• Rating: unrated
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%

Five friends trying to recapture the magic of their youth attempt an epic pub crawl, but their night is interrupted by an alien invasion. The final film in Edgar Wright's "Cornetto" trilogy ups the ante with its blisteringly choreographed action scenes while delivering a blend of sci-fi and comedy that has some surprising emotional beats. The alien presence is limited to a disembodied voice, but the film has some wild fun with the alien-built androids that are replacing humans. Wright also finds a smartly entertaining twist with the aliens' intentions.

• Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Rosamund Pike
• Director: Edgar Wright
• Year: 2013
• Runtime: 109 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%

Every once in a while a film comes along that's such a breath of fresh air one is forced to ask, "How did this even happen?" Hollywood — particularly the modern franchise-obsessed incarnation of the business — can feel like the opposite of a creative environment so much of the time. Then something like "No One Will Save You" sneaks through the cracks and reminds us that great stuff that serves as both outstanding art and exquisite entertainment is possible, even in today's system. What director Brian Duffield accomplished with this lean, inventive alien invasion flick is nothing shy of remarkable.

The film is mostly dialogue free and centers on Brynn (Kaitlyn Dever) whose quiet, peaceful life in her childhood home is interrupted by invaders from another planet. What unfolds is a tense, unique, and wholly engaging experience. Despite the fact that Hollywood has been using aliens as fodder for science fiction films pretty much ever since cinema became a popular form of entertainment for the masses, Duffield found a way to break new ground in this well-trodden genre.

Dever's truly outstanding performance here anchors the proceedings, but everything from the creature to design to the less is more approach makes this movie sing. "No One Will Save" is not just one of the best sci-fi movies of 2023, it instantly earned its place as one of the best alien movies ever made. (Ryan Scott)

A working-class father of two sees his weekend with the kids cut short when an alien invasion strikes Earth. H.G. Wells' 1898 novel has been adapted for the screen numerous times, but Steven Spielberg tells the story through the POV of the family at its heart while delivering one thrilling set-piece after the next. Large-scale spectacle and harrowing sequences of suspense share the screen with an average Joe's unwavering efforts to protect his children. Add in a not-so-subtle commentary on America's response to 9/11, and you have a film that manages more than mere blockbuster beats.

• Starring: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Tim Robbins
• Director: Steven Spielberg
• Year: 2005
• Runtime: 116 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%

The world is at war with alien invaders called "mimics," and it's not looking good for humankind. One man trying to avoid the fight is instead drawn into it when he finds himself reliving a pivotal day of battle over and over. We've seen lots of "Groundhog Day" riffs over the years, but few have gone as big as "Edge of Tomorrow." Tom Cruise takes the lead but avoids the expected heroics with some early cowardice, which instead lets a light shine on the film's true BAMF, played by Emily Blunt. Highly entertaining set-pieces, surprising laughs, and sharp visual effects make "Edge of Tomorrow" one of the last decade's best blockbusters.

• Starring: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton
• Director: Doug Liman
• Year: 2014
• Runtime: 113 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

Humankind has successfully rounded up all of Earth's giant monsters and moved them to the conveniently named Monster Island. The peace can't last, though, as aliens free the creatures and use mind control to make them attack world capitals. This late '60s gem understands that we watch giant monster movies for the giant monsters, and it shows us the beasts in both their downtime and at war. We get lots of city-stomping, but the back half ups the ante pitting all of the monsters against a new alien visitor in the form of the three-headed King Ghidorah. This is the kind of movie lazy Saturday afternoons were made for. 

• Starring: Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan
• Director: Ishirô Honda
• Year: 1968
• Runtime: 88 minutes
• Rating: G
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%

An amnesiac awakens to discover there are strange things afoot in the city he apparently calls home. It's always nighttime, he's the prime suspect in a series of grisly murders, and he's being hunted by aliens in trenchcoats. Love 'em or hate 'em, Alex Proyas films can never be accused of skimping on dense plots, memorable characters, and eye-catching visuals. "Dark CIty" is a stylish puzzle-box of a film that is heavy on foreboding and atmosphere that keeps its protagonist and viewers on their toes throughout. Pair it with Proyas' "Knowing" for another interesting take on the "alien" film.

• Starring: Rufus Sewell, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly
• Director: Alex Proyas
• Year: 1998
• Runtime: 101 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 76%

A meteor crash brings a colorful entity to Earth, and the more people it consumes the bigger it gets. Remakes get a bad rap, but the first of three to make this list improves upon its predecessor by delivering big fun and some unforgettable practical effects along the way. Co-writer Frank Darabont helps craft a story pitting small-town characters against a big, gelatinous monster and military thugs. The result is even bigger B-movie fun with special effects that bring the alien creature to glorious life.

• Starring: Kevin Dillon, Shawnee Smith, Jeffrey DeMunn
• Director: Chuck Russell
• Year: 1988
• Runtime: 95 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 62%

René Laloux's animation triumph "Fantastic Planet" is a singular work of inventive science fiction that utilizes the animated medium to immerse the audience in the faraway planet of Ygam where humans (known as Oms) are relegated to serving as the pets or playthings of gigantic blue beings known as Draags with their own cultural practices that differ from our own. An art film at its core, "Fantastic Planet" seldom feels derivative of any science-fiction work that came before, if only because everything about it is so visually gotdang weird. The main story centers on an Om named Terr, who has been treated like a pet his whole life, who finally escapes the clutches of his owner — a gigantic Draag child — and meets a radical resistance group of Oms who are fighting back against their captors. By using a form of stop-motion cut-out animation, "Fantastic Planet" constantly feels otherworldly but the themes of pushing back against oppression and putting an end to violence will forever be universal. (BJ Colangelo)

Special effects and creature puppet maestros The Chiodo Brothers have brought countless horror movie monsters to life, but their sole film written, directed, and produced by the trio, "Killer Klowns from Outer Space," doubles as one of the best alien movies ever made. The Chiodo Brothers have called the horror flick a love letter to their childhoods and growing up watching the atomic monster movies of yesteryear. The film has become a cult classic and a merchandising juggernaut because twisting circus clowns into grotesque aliens with cotton candy ray guns and acid-filled cream pies feels like something pulled out of a child's imagination ... and no other alien film has had a theme song go nearly as hard. The reality is that we don't know what aliens look like, so who's to say they aren't clowns with shiny red noses and creepy eyes? "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" lets aliens be terrifying, bonkers, and a lot of fun, but most importantly — bucks tradition of what how alien films "should" be. (BJ Colangelo)

Giant, marauding bugs are the prime threat to the survival of the human species, and the only hope we have rests with Earth's military — no matter how many poor grunts get slaughtered along the way. Ten years after Paul Verhoeven gave the world "Robocop," he returned with another masterclass in satirical sci-fi action filmmaking. Using Robert Heinlein's bestselling novel as a starting point, the film tells an epic tale about war, fascism, and how you can't have one without the other. It's a gory, ridiculous, and over-the-top delight.

• Starring: Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer, Denise Richards
• Director: Paul Verhoeven
• Year: 1997
• Runtime: 129 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 66%

A meteor crashes with an alien egg aboard, and its parasitic contents are soon transferred to a local man named Grant Grant (Michael Rooker). It's not long before his slug-like spawn are slithering around town infecting more people. We can never have enough creature features utilizing practical effects, and James Gunn helps fill that need with this terrifically funny and wonderfully gooey genre mashup. The cast is perfect, ensuring stellar comedic delivery and a sincere approach to the monstrous mayhem unfolding around them.

• Starring: Nathan Fillion, Michael Rooker, Elizabeth Banks
• Director: James Gunn
• Year: 2006
• Runtime: 96 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%

A man goes missing from a logging site, and his friends share a wild story by way of explanation — they all claim he was abducted by aliens. Things only get stranger when he's found five days later. The most interesting element here is that the film is based on a true story that saw all of the men stick to the same outlandish version of events. It's a fascinating watch on that merit alone, but it's made most memorable and nightmarish by some truly unsettling sequences detailing what the abducted man claims happened aboard the alien spacecraft.

• Starring: D.B. Sweeney, Robert Patrick, Craig Sheffer
• Director: Robert Lieberman
• Year: 1993
• Runtime: 107 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 42%

A biologist whose husband has gone missing is drawn into a secret mission that might be connected to his disappearance. No spoilers, but it involves aliens, Florida, and some very ornery animals. Alex Garland's wonderfully trippy and atmospheric tale finds time for the expected thrills, but it has more thought-provoking ideas on its agenda. Grief and emotion are at the forefront here in a story that refuses to spoon-feed viewers a pat, closed-ended film and instead goes looking for more challenging destinations.

• Starring: Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Oscar Isaac
• Director: Alex Garland
• Year: 2018
• Runtime: 115 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%

Alien spacecraft surround Earth and begin obliterating national landmarks and cities. A brave group of soldiers, scientists, and computer experts come together to defeat the enemy. Roland Emmerich has far better films on his resume, and the script is undeniably dumb at times, but there's no denying the pure pop entertainment and spectacle of this disaster epic. Aerial dogfights in alien ships, massive explosions, and some punchy one-liners make for a good time, and you can't knock a movie that has the guts to make the U.S. president a hero.

• Starring: Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum
• Director: Roland Emmerich
• Year: 1996
• Runtime: 145 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 67%

Alien creatures land in South London, expecting to make an easy meal of the populace, but some local youths have a different idea. Epic alien invasion movies have their place, but there's something to be said for pitting the intergalactic threat against a scrappy band of teenagers more used to breaking the law than disrupting alien plans. This is the kind of film for young audiences that Amblin used to make — think "Gremlins" or "Small Soldiers" — that allows kids to see themselves as the heroes in a crazy adventure. It's a good time for all ages.

• Starring: John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Nick Frost
• Director: Joe Cornish
• Year: 2011
• Runtime: 88 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

A secret organization exists whose sole purpose is to protect Earth from alien threats, whether they be marauding monsters or miniature beings at war with bugs. A cop is the group's latest recruit, and he and his grizzled partner are the only hope humankind has left. This blockbuster kicked off a franchise with its combination of big laughs, wild alien creations, and thrilling action sequences, and it succeeds at utilizing both sharp CG visuals and fantastic practical creations from the mind of Rick Baker. All that and a hit title song from Will Smith make "Men in Black" a terrifically entertaining ride.

• Starring: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Linda Fiorentino
• Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
• Year: 1997
• Runtime: 98 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

With his third feature as a director, Jordan Peele entered into Spielberg summer blockbuster mode but still kept a dark, nasty edge. "Nope" follow OJ (Daniel Kaluuya) and his sister Em (Keke Palmer) as they grow convinced that something is hovering in the skies above their ranch. Peele, as is his nature, plays his cards close to the vest for most of the film, dropping evocative, strange scenes that create a sense of mounting dread. We think we have it figured out, though: there's a UFO lurking around, which means it must be a ship piloted by aliens. But that's not entirely the case. Instead, the alien is the "ship" itself, a otherworldly creature that can change its shape (when it's not sucking people up and devouring them). Exciting, scary, and unconventional, "Nope" is another reminder that no one is doing it like Jordan Peele right now. (Chris Evangelista) 

Space seeds grow into pods with tendrils, and soon alien replicas of unfortunate humans crawl out from within. A small group of friends catches on to the unfolding invasion, but their numbers soon dwindle as the newcomers grow. Jack Finney's classic novel has reached the screen numerous times (both officially and unofficially), but Philip Kaufman's late '70s version remains the best by a wide margin. Unsettling visual effects, a strong cast, and a terrifically crafted take on paranoia and conspiracy make it an all-timer. The ending alone takes your breath away, and you owe it to yourself to double feature it with John Carpenter's "The Thing."

• Starring: Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Veronica Cartwright
• Director: Philip Kaufman
• Year: 1978
• Runtime: 115 minutes
• Rating: PG
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

A widower, his two children, and his younger brother begin to notice strange events unfolding around their remote farmhouse, and they soon learn the cause. Aliens have invaded Earth, and the family is forced to confront the threat alone after being cut off from the outside world. M. Night Shyamalan makes an alien invasion personal with a story about family, fate, and faith in the face of the unknown. The performances from the adults and the children alike are fantastic, the scares are genuine, and not even some hokey contrivances can dampen the film's emotionally thrilling effect.

• Starring: Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin
• Director: M. Night Shyamalan
• Year: 2002
• Runtime: 106 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 74%

The "Predator" franchise has had its moments but, largely, the series has been chasing the original 1987 classic with every sequel. There have been some highs along the way, such as 2010's criminally underrated "Predators," but no movie truly matched the very highest of highs that launched this series in the first place. That is until director Dan Trachtenberg came along to totally reinvent the wheel with 2022's "Prey." A prequel set hundreds of years ago pitting a Comanche warrior against one of the deadliest hunters in the galaxy, it proved to be just what this franchise needed.

What makes "Prey" great is that it is completely divorced of just about everything that came before. It's a movie that could stand very well on its own two feet for a viewer who has zero knowledge of the franchise. At the same time, for those who are familiar with "Predator" lore, it adds so much to the universe without beating the uninitiated over the head. It's what all reboots claim they want to do yet what so few manage to accomplish.

Beyond that, Trachtenberg simply executes everything to perfection here. From casting the perfect lead in Amber Midthunder to nailing the creature design, not to mention crafting some truly incredible action sequences, this is everything one could want from a "Predator" movie. The only bad thing is that "Prey" went straight to Hulu and most of us never had the chance to see it on the big screen. (Ryan Scott)

A rescue mission in Central America hits a snag when an alien on the hunt comes looking for human trophies. Civilians and soldiers alike are no match for the skilled predator, but it's never met prey like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Director John McTiernan kicked off an epic three-film run (which includes "Die Hard" and "The Hunt for Red October") with this exhilarating action sci-fi effort, and none of its five "sequels" have come close to capturing its magic. Eye-catching special effects, a brilliantly designed alien (courtesy of Stan Winston), and Schwarzenegger in his prime make for a fantastic action film with set-pieces that still thrill.

• Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura
• Director: John McTiernan
• Year: 1987
• Runtime: 107 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%

An alien being takes the form of a human female and begins luring men to an inky doom, but her time among us leads to an unexpected awakening. While most of the films here follow humans who cross paths with an alien, this adaptation of Michel Faber's novel instead puts viewers in the alien's shoes. We watch the being lead men to their deaths, but we also see "her" learning and becoming curious. It's an incredibly haunting journey, leading to an intense and ambiguous finale that captures a nihilistically honest view of the human condition.

• Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy McWilliams, Adam Pearson
• Director: Jonathan Glazer
• Year: 2013
• Runtime: 108 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%

An alien hides among us to fund a mission to send water back to his home planet, but the perils of Earth threaten his efforts. And by perils, I mean women, alcohol, and human greed. Walter Tevis' novel comes to the screen as a bleakly pessimistic tale about the distance between ambition and truth, and it's no surprise that its artsy intentions failed to resonate with audiences at the time. Still, the methodical pacing and sharp observations are aided by David Bowie's otherworldly yet melancholic performance as the alien.

• Starring: David Bowie, Rip Torn, Candy Clark
• Director: Nicolas Roeg
• Year: 1976
• Runtime: 118 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%

An underwater mission uncovers the unexpected when an alien craft is discovered on the ocean floor. With a storm crashing above and pressures building below, a small crew finds the fate of the world resting on their very wet shoulders. Many of the best genre films have a powerful human story at their heart, and this beautiful and thrilling epic is a great example of that. The still-simmering love between a divorced couple holds the key to humankind's future, and James Cameron embraces that emotion amid the trappings of an action sci-fi film. Suspense, heart, and awe follow in a film that pushed its cast and crew to their limits.

• Starring: Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn
• Director: James Cameron
• Year: 1989
• Runtime: 139 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%

The cast of a "Star Trek" knock-off find themselves called into action when aliens who've seen their adventures and think they're real recruit them in a fight against a menacing intergalactic threat. There's no denying that this is a silly comedy, but it's arguably one of the smartest silly comedies you're likely to see. The film riffs on our pop culture awareness of "Star Trek" in big and small ways through its characters, story beats, and expectations. Although the laughs are big and frequent, the film still offers up exciting action sequences and sci-fi shenanigans.

• Starring: Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman
• Director: Dean Parisot
• Year: 1999
• Runtime: 104 minutes
• Rating: PG
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

A construction worker discovers an alien conspiracy that's furthering the class divide, and he decides to stand up against the odds — despite being all out of bubble gum. The last of John Carpenter's three alien films to make the list is the least traditional of the bunch, as it stars a professional wrestler, features an unforgettable fight scene, and is a very clear condemnation of GOP policies in the 1980s. It's also a highly entertaining slice of action sci-fi that sees a cheer-worthy hero blasting his way through some ugly aliens.

• Starring: Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster
• Director: John Carpenter
• Year: 1988
• Runtime: 93 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%

Alien refugees who arrived on Earth in 1982 have been kept in what amounts to government slums in the years since, but one extraterrestrial is planning an escape back home. A film that's both specific to South Africa's history of apartheid and equally applicable to xenophobic attitudes the world over, "District 9" brings its subtext to the forefront while delivering action and fantastic visual effects. Racism and classism are layered onto its tale of humankind's inherent fear of "the other," resulting in a movie that entertains even as it condemns a history we too frequently feel doomed to repeat.

• Starring: Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, Nathalie Boltt
• Director: Neill Blomkamp
• Year: 2009
• Runtime: 111 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

An alien craft lands in Washington, D.C., and its occupant is immediately shot. He reveals his purpose is to help Earthlings by guiding them towards peace, and unsurprisingly, he is later shot again. There's nothing subtle about this still relevant cautionary tale. The visitor tries to understand humankind while promoting peace, and the response is as expected as it is depressing. As cynical as it is about humanity, there's an appealing lack of derision towards the alien's powerful robot friend, something that would change in the decades that followed as we became more distrustful of the machines we built.

• Starring: Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe
• Director: Robert Wise
• Year: 1951
• Runtime: 92 minutes
• Rating: G
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%

An alien visitor crash lands on Earth and takes the form of a woman's recently deceased husband. With government agents in pursuit, she finds the chance to say goodbye while attempting to get the being to safety. John Carpenter looked skyward two years after his "The Thing" floundered at the box office in 1982 in direct competition with "E.T.," but this time he did so with an eye towards warmth, compassion, and empathy. The result is an affecting love story infused with wonder, suspense, and two truly affecting performances.

• Starring: Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith
• Director: John Carpenter
• Year: 1984
• Runtime: 115 minutes
• Rating: PG
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%

Twelve large spacecraft appear at different locations around the globe, and humankind goes into a tizzy. Are they a threat? Do they come in peace? A linguist working to communicate with them might know the answer. As in "Annihilation," Denis Villeneuve's precise but affecting adaptation of Ted Chiang's short story is as interested in ideas and conversations as it is in visual effects and sci-fi wonder. The result is a smartly told tale weaving grief, understanding, and the importance of communication into something truly special.

• Starring: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker
• Director: Denis Villeneuve
• Year: 2016
• Runtime: 116 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

A monolith crafted by unseen beings inspires humankind's prehistoric ancestors to use tools for the first time. Eons later, scientists discover a similar monolith buried beneath the moon's surface. While the pacing of Stanley Kubrick's sci-fi classic leaves some viewers cold, most see it as a seminal film for the genre due as much to the authenticity of its technical details as to its embrace of ambiguity. We never see the aliens responsible for the monoliths, but it's clear they were built by a species well beyond our own. Kubrick and co-writer Arthur C. Clarke kick up the suspense with the inclusion of a rogue A.I. unit, but the core mystery revolves around the monolith and its creators' intentions.

• Starring: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester
• Director: Stanley Kubrick
• Year: 1968
• Runtime: 139 minutes
• Rating: G
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

A scientist searching for alien communications is surprised to receive one detailing instructions for building an enormous machine. Things only grow more fantastical once the creation is activated. Carl Sagan's novel gets a smartly thrilling adaptation from Robert Zemeckis, and while the expectedly cool visual effects are present, it's the humanity at the film's core that makes it great. Faith is the central concept here, whether it be in a diety, yourself, or the things you believe to be true, and it makes a warmly interconnected pairing with a story about first contact between humans and an alien civilization.

• Starring: Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Skerritt
• Director: Robert Zemeckis
• Year: 1997
• Runtime: 150 minutes
• Rating: PG
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 67%

A stranded alien befriends a boy in need, and together, they set out on an adventure to reunite the candy-loving visitor with his own family. A few of the films on this list might elicit tears from viewers, but none guarantee it like Steven Spielberg's 1982 blockbuster. There's an honesty in the film's approach to a kid from a broken home connecting with another "lost child," and Spielberg embraces the human interactions with the same energy and emotion with which he engages E.T. We laugh, we cry, we fear, and we cheer as the children help the alien because it's the right thing to do. There's a reason "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" has the highest Rotten Tomato score on this list.

• Starring: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Dee Wallace
• Director: Steven Spielberg
• Year: 1982
• Runtime: 115 minutes
• Rating: PG
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%

A research team working at an isolated outpost in Antarctica discovers an alien craft frozen in the ice. Unfortunately for them, one of its occupants thawed out first. You knew John Carpenter's horror sci-fi masterpiece was going to make the list, and if it were ranked instead of alphabetical, it might even have landed the top spot. Suspense is the name of the game here as the alien takes human form, but Carpenter doesn't neglect the visceral, as he and makeup fx master Rob Bottin unleash practical effects oozing with creativity and slime en route to one of the genre's great endings.

• Starring: Kurt Russell, Keith David, Wilford Brimley
• Director: John Carpenter
• Year: 1982
• Runtime: 108 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%

A man's encounter with an alien craft sends him on a whirlwind journey. As he attempts to understand what exactly the visitors are doing here, he discovers that he is not the only one on that path. Steven Spielberg's film is a study in contrasts: The intimacy of a couple in distress is paired with an inter-species meeting destined to change human history, and a smartly clinical approach to first contact is also a heartfelt look at the personal things that move us — but it's all wonderful. Sweeping visuals, engaging performances, and an iconic theme from John Williams all combine for a film that amplifies and applauds the human spirit.

• Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon
• Director: Steven Spielberg
• Year: 1977
• Runtime: 135 minutes
• Rating: PG
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

The small crew of a commercial spacecraft finds their ship infiltrated by a previously undiscovered alien species. It's not long before the creature begins hunting them down one by one. The "Alien" franchise is a rarity in that every entry succeeds at being something different (without a dud in the bunch, and yes, that includes "Alien 3"). While later films ramped up the action, drama, and science fiction, Ridley Scott's original is almost a sci-fi slasher that crafts suspense, scares, and violent kills on its way to a final confrontation. H.R. Giger's creature design remains unparalleled despite the numerous imitators that followed.

• Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright
• Director: Ridley Scott
• Year: 1979
• Runtime: 117 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%