My Favourite Films About Aliens of All-Time Ranked

Not many creatures attract audiences to theatres like aliens. Since the 1970’s, the genre has produced unforgettable movies. Whether it’s extra-terrestrial alien creatures, spaceship disasters or quiet survivors, the genre has created several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about aliens that deserve to be celebrated.

1. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

“E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” is a classic film about aliens my mother always considered special. I remember a mother which appreciated a legendary film about lives of cute aliens causing disaster. During her childhood, my mother grew up watching a classic film about dark aliens that are misunderstood in an American neighbourhood. Fond of E.T., she always spoke fondly of an adorable creature that shaped her identity. She would always praise a classic film that depicted aliens in a friendly manner as compassionate creatures. Nearly 50 years after its release, Steven Spielberg’s iconic film has stood the test of time as the greatest movie ever made about aliens. With the most compassionate film of his career, Spielberg used innovative special effects to capture the big friendship between a boy and alien causing despair. Spielberg has always had an aptitude for making movies about aliens that have close contact with humanity, and “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which E.T. bids tearful farewell to Elliot as he leaves Earth causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Henry Thomas, who portrayed a bold child forming a lasting friendship with aliens. Ultimately, what makes “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” my favourite alien film of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about aliens that are often targeted to a specific audience, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about friendship which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 40 years after the release of a science-fiction blockbuster about extra-terrestrial aliens developing friendships with children that are powerful, it’s a phenomenal reminder of a genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies which audiences consider special.

2. Alien

Aliens are creepy creatures which always scared me. With their frightening eyes, painful claws and creepy bodies, aliens always terrified me. I would often be afraid to sleep alone at night in the fear I would be attacked by dark aliens that were a shocking sight. My lifelong fear of aliens first began when I watched “Alien”. Released in 1979, Ridley Scott’s science-fiction classic captured aliens evoking terror. With the most visually stunning film of his career, Scott captured aliens that cause passengers on a spaceship to face fear. Scott has always had an aptitude for creating suspense through silence, and “Alien” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the opening scene of the film in which the camera examines the corridors of a spaceship in silence hinting at danger causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a great role by Sigourney Weaver, who embodied a strong feminist heroine battling aliens on a doomed spaceship. Ultimately, what makes “Alien” a classic is its message. The film delivers a bold message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. As powerful as aliens in space, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has produced great movies which audiences embrace.

3. Arrival

Alien invasions are frightening disasters that always fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I developed a strong bond with a teacher that had lifelong fear of alien invasions causing damage. He would fear the day that the Earth would be invaded by aliens with a price to pay. As someone treasuring a teacher that was terrified by the arrival of aliens, I adored “Arrival”. Released in 2016, Denis Villeneuve’s movie offered an awe-inspiring depiction of an alien invasion. Villeneuve has always had an aptitude for tackling thoughtful science-fiction themes in his movies, and his strengths as a filmmaker are clearly evident in “Arrival”. Villeneuve used silence to capture humans reacting to an alien invasion causing violence. For instance, the scene in which Louise Banks first meets the aliens on the spaceship causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Amy Adams, who embodies a linguist gifted with abilities to communicate with aliens. Ultimately, what makes “Arrival” an alien classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about importance of communication which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Dr. Louise Banks’ desire to resolve an alien invasion, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has produced unforgettable movies that are worthy of celebration.

4. Contact

Extra-terrestrial contact is a subject matter that always fascinated my grandfather. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a grandfather that was fascinated with alien contact causing damage. He would often seek to discover how aliens could get into contact with humans on Earth. As someone treasuring a grandfather that was fascinated with extra-terrestrial contact, I adored “Contact”. Released in 1997, Robert Zemeckis’ movie depicted a woman attempting to communicate with aliens invading Earth. With the most scientific film of his career, Zemeckis used innovative techniques to capture astronomers seeking to investigate alien invasions causing despair. For instance, the scene in which Ellie is excited to discover radio signals of extra-terrestrial contact causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Jodie Foster, who portrayed an astronomer confronting alien disaster. Ultimately, what makes “Contact” a sci-fi classic is its message. The film delivers a strong message about communication which resonates with everyone. A captivating portrait of astronomers seeking to make alien contact, it’s a bold reminder about a genre making great movies with impact.

5. Independence Day

Teamwork is one of those skills that has never come naturally to me. As far as I remember, I have found it challenging to work within groups. I recall memories of bad group projects in school. I’ll never forget a group project in which peers treated me without respect. As someone that has often struggled working in groups in an effective way, I adored “Independence Day”. Released in 1996, Roland Emmerich’s movie captured teams of scientists confronting an alien invasion. Emmerich has always had an aptitude for playing movies about doomsday disaster, and “Independence Day” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Emmerich used breathtaking montages capturing teams of scientists working together to confront an alien invasion. For instance, the scene in which Captain Hiller survives a vicious attack from an alien causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. Ultimately, what makes “Independence Day” an alien classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about the importance of teamwork which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of astronomers working together to fight alien disaster, it’s a spectacular reminder of a genre that has produced movies which audiences treasure.

6. A Quiet Place

Movies about survival have always resonated with me. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of surviving a bombing in Saudi Arabia. I felt grateful for my family’s survival of a terrorist attack. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured hardships families face seeking to survive disaster as powerfully as “A Quiet Place”. Released in 2018, John Krasinski’s movie depicted families seeking to survive alien invasions. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “A Quiet Place” stand out is its use of silence. Krasinski effectively uses silence to capture families seeking to survive alien violence. Assisted by Emily Blunt who is amazing in the lead role, Krasinski created a strong alien survival movie. A powerful portrait of families living in a world without sound, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made commemorated movies which are profound.

7. Superman

Superman is a soaring alien superhero that I’ve always loved dearly. Since his creation in the 1930’s, Superman has appeared in memorable movies. A superhero that’s inspiring, Superman has built a legacy that’s lasting. In 1978, Richard Donner honoured the superhero with a plan in his movie “Superman”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Superman” stand out is its positive depiction of aliens. Donner used captivating special effects to honour a soaring superhero with alien origins that are intriguing. Assisted by Christopher Reeve who is extraordinary in the lead role, Donner created a compelling comic-book movie about an alien hero. As strong as Superman’s desire to soar, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has always manufactured memorable movies which audiences adore.

8. The Shape of Water

Guillermo Del Toro is a filmmaker that often excels making movies about aliens evoking terror. Del Toro has built an image of being a director that thrives at creating aliens causing damage. Del Toro’s strength for creating films that capture beauty of aliens is evident in his movie “The Shape of Water”. Released in 2017, Del Toro’s movie captured the romance between a mute woman and alien. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Shape of Water” stand out is its depiction of disability. Del Toro used stunning sign language capturing the bond between a mute woman and alien. Assisted by Sally Hawkins who is amazing in the lead role, Del Toro created a remarkable alien romance. A spectacular portrait of mute women whose lives deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a genre that has never lost abilities to captivate.

9. Edge of Tomorrow

Time travel is a tricky concept that’s challenging to execute in movies. In order for any film about time travel to be successful, it needs to strike a balance between being entertaining and logical. It’s a complicated balance most movies are rarely able to achieve. However, in 2014 Doug Liman pulled it off successfully in his movie “Edge of Tomorrow”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Edge of Tomorrow” stand out is its depiction of time travel. Liman uses captivating montages capturing time travel alien invasions which are engaging. Assisted by Tom Cruise who is amazing in the lead role, Liman created a time travel movie involving aliens that’s compelling. As strong as Major Cage’s desire to relive the same day again, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made memorable movies which always entertain.

10. Avatar: The Way of Water

Few movies ever made about aliens have raised the bar as high as “Avatar: The Way of Water”. Since its release in 2021, James Cameron’s movie has become an alien classic. I may be in the minority but I’ve never been a huge fan of the movie. Cameron uses motion-capture to capture avatars facing danger. Assisted by Kate Winslet who is amazing in the lead role, Cameron created a groundbreaking alien movie. However, the film’s spectacle leaves little room for storytelling. We’re barely given reasons to care for avatars. Nevertheless, it’s still a strong addition to the alien genre. As strong as Jake Sully’s desire to protect his planet, it’s a bold reminder of a genre making great movies about aliens facing a threat that are hard to forget which I will forever treasure for inspiring my love of writing movie reviews on the internet.