10 Best Alien Movies

10 Best Alien Movies

As big-budget alien film “Battle: Los Angeles” invades theaters this weekend, let’s take a look at the ten best alien movies of all time. Not up for creature features? See what else is coming to a theater near you.

Alien

This 1979 film won an Academy Award for visual effects, and with this infamous scene, it’s no surprise. It was among the first films of this genre to cast a female lead as action hero. It worked.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

This 1977 film was an other-worldly hit for its acclaimed director. It was even deemed culturally significant and selected for preservation by this organization.  Though it shared the stage with another popular film, it did win an Oscar for Best Cinematography.

District 9

Nominated for four Academy Awards and produced by a director who knows a thing or two about creating other worlds, this 2009 film couldn’t escape controversy.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

This crowd pleaser had it all: a classic catchphrase, award-winning director, and a product tie-in that left M&M’s blushing. Oh, and adorable kids, including this future star.  It’s no wonder that the 1982 film won four Academy Awards and the Golden Globe for Best Picture.

Fire in the Sky

The only alien-related film on this list based on a true story, (really?) the 1993 film featured this actor from E.T., and told of an alien abduction that actually had witnesses to the event.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

This 1978 remake of the 1956 classic upped the special effects and was critically well-received. A 2007 variation on the theme of alien epidemics starred this Oscar-winning actress.

Men in Black

This Oscar-winner for Best Makeup came out in 1997, and it was the first of a series of films starring this actor that became summer blockbusters. The title refers to this conspiracy theory.  

Predator

This 1987 film had a cult following so big that a blockbuster sequel was released in 2004. The original film featured a future California governor and a future Minnesota governor, respectively. Coincidence? 

The Day the Earth Stood Still

This 1951 classic about seemingly-benign visiting aliens starred this future Oscar-winner. The film’s unique score featured instruments never heard before in a Hollywood film, including this one.

War of the Worlds

This 1953 adaptation of a well-known author’s acclaimed novel won an Oscar for Special Effects. Tim Burton famously spoofed the film with this 1996 cult hit/miss.

source