Photo: Buena Vista Pictures
For as long as as people have been around we have been fascinated by what exactly is in the skies. And I’m obviously not talking about planes or birds, I’m talking about the possibility of aliens. And that is why aliens fill up our pop culture: from books, to TV shows to movies, aliens are everywhere. Hell, a little unknown city in New Mexico was put on the map thanks to an “alien crashing” you may have heard of. So taking all these into consideration we thought we would go the extra mile and rank the greatest movies about aliens. Not an easy task, folks. Not at all.
At only 24 movies, we had to choose only the best, so sorry 1951’s The Day the Earth Stood Still, you didn’t make the cut. Also, Our apologies to 1988’s Mac and Me. Well, that was a horrible movie, that’s why it didn’t make the list. But that movie does have the most hilarious scene ever filmed.
So take a look at our ranking below. From Independence Day to Signs to Contact and others, these are the 24 greatest movies about aliens ever.
Now believe: 8 Convincing Facts About The Phoenix Lights (That Will Make You Believe In Aliens)
Best Alien Movies Ever
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24. "The Fourth Kind" (2009)
Yes, most of the reviews took a dump on this movie. But regardless, it's still one of the scariest movies I've ever seen. This alien mockumentary sticks with you for quite some time, especially when you try to go to sleep after watching it.
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23. "Battle Los Angeles" (2011)
Another movie that wasn't received well by the critics, but it still has to get kudos for it's gritty scenes and great graphics. Plus it showed everyone what it would look like if aliens ever attacked LA. Which they will. Sooner than later.
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22. "Dark Skies" (2013)
Photo: Dimension Films
Just like "The Fourth Kind," the critics weren't kind to this film but it's still an eerie film all about alien abductions that needs to be checked out -- if only for the scene of a bunch of birds crashing against a window. Some creepy stuff here, kids.
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21. "The Faculty" (1998)
I don't care what anyone says: this is a criminally underrated film. I mean, teachers at a high school are taken over by some alien life-form. That is what we all feared growing up.
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20. "Starship Troopers" (1997)
While the military VS. aliens film didn't get positive reviews, it's picked over the years as become a cult classic. This film features plenty of gore and scenes that will scare the hell out of you. And now it's made it on our list. So that's a success, right?
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19. "StarMan" (1984)
Photo: Columbia Pictures
One of the few films on this list that doesn't involve an alien trying to kill everybody. Jeff Bridges plays a humanoid alien who arrives on earth -- a role that earned Bridges a Best Actor nomination.
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18. "Edge of Tomorrow" (2014)
Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures
This Tom Cruise movie was quite the surprised as it turned out to be a great movie that focused on Cruise's character in a time loop all while trying to figure out how to defeat the alien race that has taken over earth. Oh, and Emily Blunt is in it. And she's nice to look at.
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17. "Men in Black" (1997)
This won't be the last time we see Will Smith on this list. "Men in Black" holds up fairly well. It also has its own ride at Universal Studios. And that means it's successful, right?
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16. "Contact" (1997)
One of those aliens films that have gotten lost in the shuffle, but we are here to put it in the spotlight. "Contact" is quite a beautiful film about mankind's first interaction with aliens. The theme of religion of God is also quite heavy in this 1997 film.
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15. "The Abyss" (1989)
James Cameron, the man behind Avatar, The Terminator and other big box office hits takes on aliens deep undersea that terrorizes a rescue team. The film went on to reel in four Oscar noms. Not one of Cameron's most memorable works, but a film that is worth of a spot on our list.
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14. "Predator" (1987)
What do you get when you toss Arnold Schwarzenegger and Apollo Creed in guerrilla territory while they fight off a terrifying alien predator? A fan-freaking-tastic movie, that's what.
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13. "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1978)
Photo: United Artists
Let's forget about the horrible 2007 remake starring Nicole Kidman and let's focus on this Donald Sutherland classic (itself a remake off the 1956 version). This movie is still one of the scariest films ever made. This film also may convince you that there is probably some alien duplicates out there -- mainly in the White House.
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12. "Signs" (2002)
Photo: Buena Vista Pictures
Sure, it's an M. Night Shyamalan film, but it's still quite thrilling. Not to mention that it deals with a family trying not to break apart and lose their faith as water-hating aliens literally come to their front door.
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11. "The Thing" (1982)
There is no other way to put it: this film is scary as hell. But when an alien parasite is killing researchers one by one it's bound to be scary. And when director John Carpenter is behind the camera you just know it's a film that is going to be film with some gross and bizarre scenes.
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10. "Super 8" (2011)
Photo: Paramount Pictures
JJ Abrams tried his hand at making his very own Steve Spielberg-type film and it worked out extremely well. Although it didn't hurt that Spielberg was on board as a producer. The film focuses on a bunch of curious kids who capture something they were never supposed to see.
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9. "War of the Worlds" (2005)
Photo: Paramount Pictures
Steven Spielberg took the H.G. Wells classic novel, reeled in Tom Cruise and the results was one fun movie filled with incredible effects. OK, so the second half isn't as great, but the first half is amazing enough to forgive all that.
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8. "The Fifth Element" (1997)
Photo: Gaumont Buena Vista
A bizarre film that is still one of Milla Jovovich's most memorable roles. The Fifth Element has gone more and more popularity as the years have gone by. If you haven't seen it, just prepare yourself for tons of over the top scenes and insane graphics. And oh, a Chris Tucker performance you're either going to hate or love.
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7. "Aliens" (1986)
Should this be higher on the list? Perhaps, but it's not simply because there are classics ahead of it. But we can't take nothing away from this amazing sequel. And it's just as terrifying as the original. And this is the last "Alien" sequel that was any good. Sorry, "Alien" lovers.
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6. "District 9" (2009)
Even though this film was a success and it was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, it still doesn't get enough credit. Not only does this deal with aliens and humans trying to coexist, but themes like xenophobia, and social segregation.
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5. "Arrival" (2016)
Photo: Paramount Pictures
The most recent film on our list, "Arrival" was a massive success, reeling in eight Academy Awards. A brilliant, slow-burn of a movie with quite the uplifting message. This one will go down as a classic, folks.
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4. "Independence Day" (1996)
It's been more than 20 years since this classic was released and you still know every damn line. Plus, this also includes the best movie president ever hands down. You can't argue with how awesome this movie is.
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3. "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977)
Photo: Columbia Pictures
We're on the top three, and in the third slot is another movie with Steven Spielberg's hand prints all over it. This film went out to be a huge success, with eight Oscar nominations. There are a lot of themes at work in this classic, with many suggesting the aliens represent God.
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2. "Alien" (1979)
Photo: 20th Century Fox
"In space no one can hear you scream." That tagline alone was enough to scare the hell out of people, not to mention it had one of the most brilliant movie trailers ever. The film is a classic -- there is no other way to put it. It still remains not of the greatest films ever made, not just alien-related films. And it would have been number one if not for..
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1. "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Photo: Universal Pictures
...E.T. That's right, folks, how could this not be number one? It's only one of the greatest films ever made, and it was the highest grossing film of all-time for a decade. The sweet friendship between the young boy and the alien is enough to bring any kid or adult to freaking tears. But let's just not remember that a video game based off the movie is widely considered the worst game ever made. So there's that. You can't win them all.
