People know and love the idea of extraterrestrial entities. If they didn't, there wouldn't be such a vast library of alien-related media to pull from. Movies that revolve around alien invasions or friendlier alien visits are often equally praised for their innovative and imaginative storytelling. There are no limits to an abstract concept that allows an audience's imagination to run wild.

Aliens are often depicted as beings of flesh and blood, but that's not always the case. Some of them are artificial intelligences, while others have transcended the need for physical bodies. Movie extraterrestrials have been around for decades and fans love these alien films for their visuals, concepts, and themes. Whether the movie focuses on a character's abduction, humans on a comedic adventure, or a viciously carnivorous beast, there are several beloved alien films available to watch.

Updated on February 2, 2024, by Ajay Aravind: Humanity has been fascinated with stories of otherworldly beings for thousands of years, but the extraterrestrial cinema concept originated less than a century ago. That said, there have been thousands of alien-themed films released since, many of which have a permanent place in the annals of pop culture. As such, we've updated this list with a few more iconic movies about aliens.

20 Avatar Remains The Highest-Grossing Film Of All Time

With Avatar, James Cameron's arduous task of bringing nine-foot blue aliens to the screen came to fruition. The film has been criticized for its obvious characterization, but this alien film has received worldwide acclaim and no one can deny the impressive cinematography. Jake Sully's trek into Pandora's glowing jungle was only the start of several breathtaking visuals in the film.

The motion capture technology used on the actors provided the CG aliens with expressions that had never been seen before. Avatar is currently the highest-grossing film of all time, with its sequel Avatar: The Way of Water coming in at third-highest. In fact, the sheer influence Avatar had on the field of modern cinematography can't be understated. That said, the second Avatar movie felt like a vague copycat of its predecessor, especially since it brought the same villain back — albeit in a different form.

19 The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy Doubles As A Zany Dark Comedy

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a zany dark comedy where humans are unquestionably inferior to extraterrestrial beings. When Arthur Dent goes to a pub with his friend, Ford Prefect, the latter tells Arthur that he's not human, and that a species of aliens called Vogons will destroy the earth. The two friends leave the planet and board a ship that's stolen by a strange crew of individuals.

The crew adventure through the cosmos, looking for the meaning of life and going through various alien encounters. That said, many viewers found that the movie didn't make a hard enough attempt to replicate the comedic flair of the original. Although The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books are considered superior to the adaptation, fans still enjoy the movie's attempt at bringing Douglas Adams' hilariously droll novel to life.

18 Signs Contains One Of The Most Chilling Scenes In An Alien Film

M. Night Shyamalan's Signs has always met mixed reviews, but the simplicity of an alien invasion on Earth remains its most remarkable aspect. When the Hess family discovers crop circles in their cornfield, they initially dismiss them. Soon enough, however, similar signs appear all over the world, turning what was a local controversy into a global maelstrom.

Graham Hess and his brother Merrill attempt to catch a glimpse of the being that stalks their home, but their attempts prove fruitless. When Merrill, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, views online footage, it results in one of the most chilling scenes in an alien film. While Signs may not be Shyamalan's best (or even most famous) work, viewers still recoil from some of the movie's most unnerving scenes.

17 E.T. Is An Alien Movie With Both Style And Substance

Steven Spielberg does the family-in-a-crisis story with both style and substance. In his beloved 1982 film E.T., Elliot and his family unintentionally encounter a friendly alien they call E.T. After the siblings take in E.T., they attempt to maintain his cover while helping him find a way home. When government officials discover E.T., they step in and try to study the little alien. However, they have to get through E.T.'s human friends first.

This alien film is a heartwarming nostalgic feature that will leave a lasting impression on viewers of any age. E.T. earned numerous awards and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Even Steven Spielberg considers E.T. to be "one of the few movies [he's] made that [he] can actually look back at again and again.”

16 Men In Black Regularly Verges On Surreal Comedy Territory

Men in Black is a movie about aliens that verges on surreal comedy. The film follows two agents who work for a secret organization that keeps extraterrestrial beings on Earth in line. Men in Black plays off the common UFO conspiracy theories that say the men in black are real people who have been monitoring the existence of intergalactic aliens and wiping witnesses' memories.

In the film, Agents K and J must investigate a case involving a murderous alien and arrest him before he causes further chaos. Men in Black successfully balances the darker elements of extraterrestrial beings and the unknown with humor. While a few critics found the movie a bit too campy for their refined tastes, audiences around the world still have a lot of fun rewatching this fantastically funny alien movie.

15 Galaxy Quest Is A Blatant Parody Of Science Fiction Movies

Galaxy Quest is a blatant parody of science fiction movies, notably Star Trek, as well as fandom culture, but it's also a love letter to these films. Galaxy Quest follows the former cast of a fictional television series who attend a convention. However, the actors initially seem frustrated and resentful of their current situation.

After an episode of the in-universe TV series is received by an existing extraterrestrial species, the aliens think the actors are a real space crew. Galaxy Quest concludes with the actors sharing their appreciation for their jobs, lives, and fans. This delightful alien film pays homage to the sci-fi genre and its fans, explaining why it's still relevant so many years after it was released.

14 Annihilation Is A Brilliant Alien Film Without Any Aliens Present

Alex Garland's Annihilation is a movie about aliens where the latter aren't even seen. It chronicles an all-female crew of experts going into "The Shimmer," an area exposed to extraterrestrial fallout from a meteor landing. The group goes through various trials to locate missing people and investigate what's happening in the zone.

From hallucinogenic disorientation to mutated animals, The Shimmer causes the crew to lose their grip on reality and their lives. Only one member of the crew survives, but she emerges completely changed. The film is a suspenseful journey filled with questions and disturbing, terrifying visuals that are sure to keep fans engaged. On the other hand, many viewers have criticized Annihilation as overly complicated, an understandable argument given the movie's hyperreal atmosphere.

13 The Fifth Element Is Both Aesthetic And Packed With Interesting Themes

In The Fifth Element, Bruce Willis portrays a hero named Korben who saves Earth in a futuristic New York City by expressing his love for an ancient being. The Fifth Element contains an eclectic cast of characters, from strange aliens to equally quixotic celestial beings. The film is full of interesting themes, but the idea that Leeloo is the fifth element — life itself — and can overpower the dark forces of evil is a significant concept.

The Fifth Element's plot is mildly hokey and borderline bizarre, but its stylistic approach to the story, from the production design to the characters, is top-notch. Despite critical backlash when it was released, The Fifth Element has since grown into a cult classic that merits multiple watches. Nothing suits the sci-fi genre as much as weirdness, and this movie has weirdness in spades.

12 Alien Is Arguably The Most Iconic Extraterrestrial Horror Movie

Alien and its franchise are highly regarded as some of the greatest science fiction films of all time. The sci-fi horror film introduced audiences to terrifying aliens that shocked viewers and cast members alike. Onboard the Nostromo, Ellen Ripley and her crew wake up ahead of schedule to investigate a distress call on an alien moon. However, they are consequently attacked and hunted by the hostile species that live there.

Alien follows the usual horror formula, only deviating when the movie focuses on the horrifying Xenomorphs. Nevertheless, the film is a must-watch for its incredible visual effects, which it won the Academy Award for. There are few things more terrifying than watching a larval monster burst its way through a victim's chest, a scene that has since been immortalized in pop culture. On the other hand, the less said about the Alien spin-offs, the better.

11 Nope Manages To Build The Suspense To Breaking Point

Jordan Peele's Nope was the director's highly anticipated movie about aliens, and many fans had theorized the title as an acronym for "Not of Planet Earth." Despite the fandom's mistaken assumptions, Nope eventually subverted their expectations. The story brought up the possibility that perhaps UFOs (now commonly known as UAPs) are not simply extraterrestrial spacecraft but could be aliens themselves.

Nope focuses on the hilarious dynamic between the brother and sister duo, OJ and Em, as well as their confrontations with the grotesque creature. Nope successfully shows how the alien affects people and animals, building narrative suspense to breaking point. Although there's no doubt that Get Out and Us are in a whole different league, Nope manages to convey several profound ideas that will be talked about for years to come.

10 Predator Relies On Suspense And Tension To Carry The Story

One of the most iconic movies about aliens, Predator is an extremely unnerving experience — tension and suspense are the two pillars that carry the story. This alien film proves that even the most advanced and experienced human soldiers and weapons specialists pale in comparison with a singular Yautja, as this extraterrestrial species is now known.

Predator is filled with quotable lines, thrilling action, and a series of hide-and-seek moments that get increasingly riskier for the protagonist. This alien movie can also be deeply disturbing, since it forces the audience to witness the fears experienced by each character before their gruesome deaths. There have been several related films in this franchise, but the only movie worth calling Predator's successor is 2022's Prey. Fans can't wait to see if there's going to be a sequel starring Amber Midthunder.

9 Under The Skin Is One Of The Most Difficult Alien Movies To Watch

Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin is an alien film like no other. In fact, the extraterrestrial entity isn't even revealed until the climactic moments. The story follows an unnamed being with Scarlett Johansson's appearance, who turns out to be an alien living in disguise. This particular individual receives assistance from a mysterious bike rider, but is otherwise left to figure things out by "herself."

The alien spends her time scouring the city of Glasgow for young men, who each follow her to a different location. What happens to these men is anybody's guess, but Under the Skin doesn't make for easy digestion. Earthly concepts like biology, time, and reality have no discernible meaning in the story. And yet, fans of the movie still can't get enough of Johansson's emotionless performance, arguably one of the actor's best.

8 Edge Of Tomorrow Blends The Alien And Time Travel Subgenres

The time travel and alien film subgenres have met on occasion, but none of their products have had the same cinematic impact as Edge of Tomorrow. With outstanding performances from Emily Blunt and Tom Cruise, this movie takes viewers on a journey through a mental rollercoaster from start to finish. And although the aliens are effectively a plot device, their unique designs are certainly intriguing.

The action scenes are also jam-packed, leaving viewers sitting on the very edge of their seats. Most importantly, however, Edge of Tomorrow compresses tons of character development into its 113-minute runtime, which is more than can be said for similar sci-fi action movies. Fans of Edge of Tomorrow might be happy to know that there might just be a sequel coming out.

7 Arrival Reframes The Perception Of Time Through Language

Denis Villeneuve's Arrival is loosely adapted from Story of Your Life, a novella by Ted Chiang that won the prestigious Nebula Award in 2000. This alien film follows the novella's storyline almost exactly, buoyed by exceptional performances from Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner. Despite being nominated for 8 Academy Awards, however, Arrival won just one: Best Sound Editing.

Arrival features a group of visiting aliens who mean no harm, but they're unable to communicate with humans due to staggering linguistic differences. Without giving too much away, the story is centered on reframing the perception of time through language. Even the most ardent fans of the movie have had to watch it a few times to comprehend all the nuances, making Arrival a fun but challenging watch.

6 Evolution Is An Alien Film And A Hilarious Satire Of Capitalism

Evolution is an alien film as well as a hilarious satire of capitalism, a combination that somehow works in its favor. Starring powerhouses like Julianne Moore, David Duchovny, and Orlando Jones, this extraterrestrial extravaganza offers as much fun as it does critical thinking. A mysterious entity seeds itself on Earth, generating an alien biosphere at a rate millions of times faster than any terrestrial organism could even dream of evolving.

The fact the whole plot comes down to Head & Shoulders shampoo makes no sense to anyone who hasn't watched Evolution, and that is also precisely why this film should not be missed. This is one of those movies about aliens whose low Rotten Tomatoes score shouldn't hinder potential viewers. Evolution may not be technically brilliant, but the audience is still going to cheer the heroes on.

5 The Thing Is Gruesome, Nightmarish, And Extremely Fascinating

Although technically a remake of The Thing From Another World (1951), John Carpenter's alien body horror feature The Thing is unquestionably one of the greatest movies ever made. The practical effects used to depict the extraterrestrial "infection" are legendary, having acquired cult status along with the film itself. Viewers who loved how creepy Alien was in 1979 only had to wait three more years to have the pants scared off them.

Much like the shark in Jaws, the titular Thing simultaneously infuriates and terrifies its human victims. For their part, the main characters are trapped in an Antarctic snowstorm, so help is most certainly not on the way. Second, they're not warriors; they're scientists, meaning they must rely exclusively on their intelligence. The Thing ends with a magnificent quandary, one that remains in discussion to this day.

4 District 9 Uses Refugee Aliens As Allegories For The Human Condition

Filmmakers often use allegorical symbols to represent the human condition, but director Neil Blomkamp is one of the first to use alien "immigrants" as a stand-in for the refugee crisis. District 9 begins in Johannesburg, South Africa, when a mysterious flying saucer manifests in the air. Instead of an invasion, the travelers are weakened and starving aliens.

Every member of this species is subsequently sent to the titular District 9, an internment camp. History has never been kind to humans stuck in the same situation, and the aliens face the exact same problems as real-life refugees do. District 9 explores profound concepts like bigotry, prejudice, racism, and exploitation, while asking one important question — can the people of Earth only come together without having someone else to hate?

3 Mars Attacks! Is An Extremely Bizarre Movie Without A Clear Motive

Based on the eponymous trading card series from 1962, Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! is one of the most bizarre alien movies in history. Although the Martians are real and pose an extremely dangerous threat, the film's depiction of events can only be described as morbidly hilarious. Universal cinematic frameworks like plot and narrative consistency have no place in Mars Attacks!

The Martians' weapons instantly vaporize humans, leaving nothing but glowing skeletons in their wake. The people of Earth fight back, but the only thing that can defeat the invaders is the last thing anyone could have imagined. The film has no clear motive, except that each scene is stranger than the next. Some critics loved Mars Attacks!, while others called it pithy trash. Audiences reacted the same way. Overall, this is one alien movie that needs watching before any conclusion can be made.

2 A Quiet Place Proves That The Smallest Sound Can Be Terrifying

Sound is unquestionably one of the most important aspects of filmmaking — the release of 1927's The Jazz Singer changed everything for cinema. While John Krasinski's A Quiet Place technically has sound, everyone speaks in hushed whispers and walks on sand-covered paths to disguise their presence. Sound is a curse in this new world, one that nearly goes extinct after a cryptic alien species lands on the planet.

A Quiet Place revolves around the power of family, indirectly showing these carnivorous invaders that humans can't be taken down as long as they have someone to protect. The monumental success of the movie has already given way to a potentially thriving franchise, comprising an already-released sequel, an upcoming sequel, and a spin-off.

1 2001: A Space Odyssey Is One Of The Most Influential Movies Of All Time

Critics didn't enjoy 2001: A Space Odyssey when it was first released in 1968. And yet, this movie is arguably one of the most essential elements of 20th century pop culture. The aliens in 2001 aren't literal, but transcendental beings without shape or form. As such, they never really appear during the movie. 2001 is deeply philosophical, raising questions about the future of humanity and humankind's potential to evolve beyond their physical bodies.

Given that there are very few lines spoken throughout the film, viewers must make sense of the movie through its elaborate use of film language. Director Stanley Kubrick won the Oscar for Best Special Visual Effects — and anyone who's watched the movie would know why. 2001 has since influenced a wide range of filmmakers and artists, both for its narrative scope and for its sublime exposition.