For more than a century, alien contact and invasion films have ignited our passions, mixing wonder with horror and trepidation. From an isolated guest-provoking emotional resonance to an all-out extraterrestrial attack, these films condition us to consider the universe—and ourselves. Here’s a ranked exploration of some of the most memorable alien tales ever put on screen.
1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Steven Spielberg’s tearful sci-fi classic remapped the alien encounter genre. Instead of an aggressive intruder, E.T. is a peaceful outsider who bonds with an isolated boy. With its legendary score by John Williams and sentimental tale, it has been a film landmark for generations.
2. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Another Spielberg classic, the film examines how everyday individuals react to out-of-this-world contact. It’s filled with wonder, intrigue, and one of the greatest uses of music as a form of communication in cinematic history.
3. Arrival (2016)
Denis Villeneuve gives us a smart, haunting take on first contact. Amy Adams stars as a linguist against the clock—and worldwide panic—to decipher alien language and reveal a greater truth. It’s emotionally resonant and intellectually daring, with a twist that recontextualizes the entire story.
4. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
A science fiction classic, this Cold War-era film is about Klaatu, an alien who is human-like but not here to conquer, but to warn us. At its measured pace and introspective themes, it’s a reminder that sci-fi stories can carry very human morals.
5. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
A paranoia parable, the film captured Cold War hysteria with its tale of a man driven out by emotionless clones. Its dark tone and social commentary are still valid today.
6. War of the Worlds (2005)
Spielberg brings H.G. Wells’ classic novel into the 21st century, as a father (Tom Cruise) tries to rescue his children from an unanticipated Martian invasion. It’s a horror, visceral survival story with tense set pieces and psychological depth.
7. Independence Day (1996)
Equal spectacle and crowd-pleaser, this blockbuster is the quintessential ’90s alien invasion film. Whether the wisecracks of Will Smith or the indelible incineration of the White House, it’s popcorn fare at its finest.
8. Predator (1987)
This sci-fi-action hybrid filmed in the jungle boasts one of the greatest alien hunters to ever walk onto film. With tension, gritty action, and just the right amount of one-liners, Predator continues to hold sway.
9. Cloverfield (2008)
Told entirely in found footage, this hyperactive monster movie drops viewers in the middle of an alien occupation of New York. The first-person narration gives it a raw, jangly urgency.
10. Avatar (2009)
The invasion subgenre gets a twist with James Cameron’s lushly detailed, visually stunning epic. With its green-minded politics and record-breaking effects, Avatar flips the invasion genre on its head.
11. Signs (2002)
M. Night Shyamalan offers a low-key thriller around a besieged family. The film raises suspense to fine art, turning crop circles and home invasions into a deeply personal story of loss, faith, and fear.
12. Men in Black (1997)
This fashionable science-fiction comedy demonstrates that Earth is already overrun with aliens, most of whom are surprisingly mundane. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones enjoy an effortless chemistry, and the film’s blend of fantasy and humor makes it a classic.
13. Super 8 (2011)
J.J. Abrams name-checks Spielberg in this nostalgia-soaked, sentimental story of children in a small town uncovering a government secret. Half monster thriller, half coming-of-age, Super 8 captures the wonder and terror of discovering something bigger than our world.
14. Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956)
This B-movie cult classic provided the template for the flying saucer age of science fiction. With Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion special effects, it’s an old-fashioned, action-adventure relic of 1950s space panic.
15. Quatermass 2 (1957)
One of the more obscure entries, this Hammer Studios British production cashes in on invasion and government conspiracy scares. A tense, slow-burning thriller with building unease and a razor-sharp script.
16. Superman II (1980)
Not really a classically styled alien invasion film, but its sequel has three super-powered Kryptonians wreaking havoc on Earth. Their battle for domination with Superman is an exciting combination of comic book action and sci-fi spectacle.
From peaceful meetings to end-of-world invasions, these movies delve into what occurs when the unknown collides with our reality—whether in awe, terror, or a touch of both. Whatever the number of times we envision aliens coming, there’s always space for another good tale about what could be when they do.