The question of whether there is alien intelligence beyond our stars will always cloud our thoughts. It's such an important mystery that debunking it or confirming it is guaranteed to shift our entire existence into living according to that. As we sit waiting for this, we can only resort to the outer limits of our imagination to see what it would be like. And movies have done a great job at materializing this.
However, not all movies are like E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Arrival, or Contact. Sometimes they're friendly enough for audiences to want them to be part of their families. And sometimes they're the exact opposite. They show exactly what Stephen Hawking said a couple of years ago: "If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didn't turn out well for the Native Americans." In those versions of the story, aliens are not kind. They're oppressive and violent, and they will only stop when they exterminate every single one of us.
So, in order to celebrate the visionaries whose imaginations have led to terrifying aliens knocking on our door, we've compiled the scariest alien invasion films of all time. The best of the best in blending horror and science fiction in the stories that scare us beyond our wits but show one of the multiple options for aliens to invade Earth.
The following list contains major spoilers.
21 Captive State (2019)
Almost 10 years after surviving a horrific attack by aliens that left their parents dead, the Drummond brothers are living estranged in what is now a completely new society. Aliens have arrived on Earth and have settled themselves as colonizers, but a resistance group is brewing. Gabriel Drummond is now a teenager, and he's been able to escape law enforcement agents who are looking for his brother Rafe, who is leading the resistance. In a state of permanent martial law, Gabriel will try to make a change.
The Most Underrated Alien Invasion Film in Recent Years
When it comes to noteworthy alien invasion films, Captive State will always remain an underrated film that failed to make an impression when it was released. But in reality, it's an extremely interesting movie that uses a very sober tone to tell its story and stays within the confines of realism without sacrificing the science fiction element.
In other words, if such an invasion happens, this is what it would probably look like, with humans becoming meat in a grinder and service providers to a more intelligent race. Don't listen to those who say it carries a political message; this is science fiction, and comparing the film's premise to today's political context is just eerie. You can stream Captive State on Showtime.
20 Color Out of Space (2019)
The Gardners decide to jumpstart a new life after the mother, Theresa, is forced to fight a mastectomy. They move to a farm in the middle of nowhere, where nature will provide a safe haven. The problem is that shortly after, a meteorite crashes in front of their house. At first, it doesn't seem harmful, but then things start to... change.
Bright and otherworldly colors are just the start of what becomes the downfall of a tight family. Papa Nathan will try to keep it all together, but his daughter Lavinia gives the developing events some kind of esoteric meaning, and that's when things take a very dark turn.
A Fine Adaptation of a Classic
Directed by Richard Stanley before his recent fall from grace, Color Out of Space is a beautiful horror sci-fi movie that blends the two genres in a modernized adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's tale. Perhaps it seems like an "all-style, no substance" film, and the presence of Nicolas Cage may feel confusing. But this is far from being a modern B-movie with no substance.
On the contrary, the film takes its premise and exploits every single aspect of its inevitable supernatural theme, with the film's conclusion having shades of a possession film. The Theresa and Jack Monster is one of the most terrifying things you'll ever see in horror. You can stream Color Out of Space on Shudder.
19 Village of the Damned (1960)
In Midwich, something inexplicable happens one day. Everyone falls unconscious. Everyone who dares step inside the village also falls under the spell. This leaves police and scientists baffled, and as hours pass, there seems to be no solution for the unexplained phenomenon. But suddenly, everyone wakes up, and a couple of months later, all the women and girls who have hit puberty are now pregnant.
They all give birth the same day, and the children all look the same: white-haired, telepathic devils. They start showing an agenda, and it doesn't include being good children.
The One that Dared to Touch a Vulnerable Spot
Based on the novel The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham, Village of the Damned is the best alien invasion film that you still haven't seen. Though the alien invasion aspect of the children is never mentioned in the film, it becomes quite clear that the threat comes from beyond the stars (and this is also confirmed in John Carpenter's remake of the same name).
It's a terrifying film with some of the best performances by children in early cinema, which makes it a groundbreaking film because of the rules it broke: it was essentially the first time children were portrayed as psychopathic killers, even if they were not to blame for where they came from. You can rent Village of the Damned on Prime Video.
18 Body Snatchers (1993)
In Body Snatchers, Marti is a teenager who has just moved with her dad, her half-brother, and her stepmother to a military base where her father has been assigned to work for EPA. The very same day they arrive, Marti starts to feel something is off in this place. Andy, her brother, is also aware that the children don't behave like him, and he lets his sister know.
Unfortunately, her dad and her stepmother remain skeptical, so Marti will have to seek help elsewhere as, very quickly, the threat keeps spreading: there is a parasitic alien taking over everyone's bodies and creating an emotionless replica of all humans. Yes, it's the same story you've seen before.
The Scariest Version of the Story
Only Abel Ferrara's adaptation feels relentless. It's a straight-up horror film that never takes a break in developing its premise, but fortunately, doesn't feel rushed. Its display of practical effects will make you distrust your own shadow, and the third act is compelling enough to leave you shaking.
Though it wasn't widely released as it should have, it got respect from critics back then and has remained a cult version of Jack Finney's original story. The change in adapting Marti's story in a military setting makes it all the more scary and quite relevant to today's times. You can rent Body Snatchers on Prime Video.
17 The Fourth Kind (2009)
The Fourth Kind may sound like a confusing approach, but we'll just be blunt and confirm it's not. In the opening sequence, actress Milla Jovovich declares that the film you are about to see is real, and it's based on the testimony of Abigail Tyler, a psychologist who led an experiment in hypnosis in the town of Nome, Alaska.
The sessions revealed that the patients may be former victims of alien abductions in the area, and Abigail realizes she's most likely to be among the victims as well. As viewers, we are given the opportunity to see the reenactments as well as the original footage. Needless to say, it's extremely scary.
Olatunde Osunsanmi's The Fourth Kind is a great example of a horror film that doesn't have to be exceptional to be scary. It just has to be well-made and well-prepared for the audience it targets, and it has to rely on the scare factor it can produce. This is a well-designed film that doesn't aim to be truthful or sober.
It just uses realism to make an impact on the viewers who give themselves the chance to believe in what they're seeing. It has one of the scariest moments in found footage history, and yes, it will stay in your mind for a while. You can rent The Fourth Kind on Prime Video.
16 No One Will Save You (2023)
Brynn lives a very lonely life. She's all alone in a huge house in the middle of nowhere, and she doesn't usually go to town. When she eventually goes, we are witnesses to what she must live through. For some reason, she's a pariah, and people simply don't care for her well-being.
The isolation and independence will prove to be very valuable when one night Brynn feels there's someone breaking in. When she goes to check it out, she realizes there's an alien invasion taking place. But she doesn't just freeze. She decides to defend herself in the most important moment of her lonesome existence.
A Great Twist on the Home Invasion Subgenre
Marketed as a no-dialogue film, the Hulu-original film No One Will Save You complies with its only rule throughout the whole. And yes, it works for Brian Duffield's version of an alien invasion film that references all his influences and still manages to be very original. Kaitlyn Dever stars in the one-woman show that will make you look toward her career and celebrate one of the most underrated performers of her generation.
Again, a film that feels designed from top to bottom doesn't deny what it must be: a terrifying alien invasion experience that will scare you, but it will also make you giggle in some of its most relieving moments. You can stream No One Will Save You on Hulu.
15 Alien Abduction: Incident in Lake County (1998)
In Alien Abduction: Incident in Lake County, we become witnesses to footage found in the home of the McPhersons. Nosy teenager Tommy McPherson films his entire family as they prepare for Thanksgiving dinner, but the power goes out, and he and his brothers head out to investigate what could be the reason. That's when they see an alien ship has landed near them, and the little green men aren't exactly afraid of making contact. The McPhersons lock themselves down in their house, but soon the visitors will come knocking.
Released by UPN in 1998 and based on the 1989 film The McPherson Tape, this found-footage mockumentary terrified audiences back then as they felt it was just too realistic. Analog and grainy footage seemed like the proper medium to portray the crisis of a group of people who become the victims of an invasion that has started in their own backyard.
When it comes to pioneering found footage films of the '90s, this one lands easily among the very best, and it's all because of its analog style of horror that still feels scary for some, and others can't even watch because it's just too scary. The film's final sequence is guaranteed to give you nightmares. Alien Abduction: Incident in Lake County isn't available to stream at the moment.
14 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
Michelle has a discussion with Ben and decides to leave him. When she's on the road, she's involved in a horrific car crash that renders her unconscious. She wakes up in a dungeon, chained to the wall. An old dude shows up and tells her the entire world is under attack by a threat that may come from another planet.
He has taken her to an underground bunker where he and Emmett, a young man, live. Michelle has no choice but to follow instructions, but when she tries to escape, she witnesses someone on the outside dying horribly. After all, Howard, the bunker's leader, may be right. But he's not exactly a mentally stable man.
The Threat Doesn't Always Have to Come From Up There
Dan Trachtenberg's contribution to the Cloverfield universe is definitely one of the top films of a franchise that has never loudly confirmed it's a franchise. We just get glimpses, unannounced films, and thrillers like this one, in which the unexpected happens, and the monsters aren't exactly who you'd think.
The dynamics inside the bunker will inevitably end badly, and yes, it does happen, but then the script takes a solid turn to horror sci-fi territory, and our worst fears come true in an impressive and climactic ending that will make you very, very tense. You can stream 10 Cloverfield Lane on PlutoTV.
13 The Thing (1982)
After they witness a freak accident close to their station in Antarctica, American researchers decide to investigate a Norwegian base that stands close to them. That's where they find human remains and the charred corpse of... something. When they take the body to their station, and it gets autopsied, they realize it used to be a human being.
This is the beginning of the end for the group of survivors who can't trust each other, as the threat that has come from another planet easily resides inside any of them. It's up to helicopter pilot R.J. MacReady to take matters into his own hands and find a way to survive a parasitic alien that has the ability to invade everyone.
Terror Doesn't Have a Body. It Has Many
John Carpenter's outstanding alien invasion film is even better in retrospect with its display of practical effects, Carpenter's signature cinematography, and a dread-filled setting that will make you very uncomfortable. Unfortunately, its ending won't exactly help, as it goes in a far-from-optimistic direction and leaves you with plenty of questions.
The film is a notable approach to paranoia that was inexplicably bashed by critics, but it was probably because it showed violent and deadly aliens in a year where Spielberg's friendly alien also arrived in theaters. Today, it's considered one of the most important sci-fi films ever made. You can stream The Thing on Tubi.
12 A Quiet Place (2018)
In A Quiet Place, the worst has already happened. Or so we think. This is the story of the Abbotts, a close family of four who have lost their youngest in a horrific attack that could have been prevented. As it turns out, they are the survivors of an alien invasion that has plagued Earth with huge monsters who are very, very sensitive to sound. This forces the Abbotts to live a life of absolute silence as they try to survive what is now a deserted nation.
A Genre Exercise That Works
Directed by John "Jim Halpert" Krasinski in his horror directorial debut, A Quiet Place is a masterful exercise in tension that arrived in theaters in 2018 and offered quite the experience. It was meant to be seen in complete silence, and every popcorn sound was an unwelcome disruption. This, of course, added to the tension of a film where there's always something about to take place and resting is anything but permitted.
However, outside its gimmicky premise, the film is a riveting experience of fear that will make you feel the crisis of the Abbotts as they navigate a world that wasn't designed to live in silence. You can stream A Quiet Place on Paramount+.
11 War of the Worlds (2005)
In War of the Worlds, the 2005 adaptation of the classic novel by H.G. Wells, Ray Ferrier is trying to spend some time with his children who are terribly estranged from his dad. However, the uncomfortable situation turns into a horrific and unexpected chaos, as huge tripods emerge from the Earth and either start blasting humans into dust, or they start feeding off of human flesh.
Ray, Rachel and Robbie decide to make a run, and the three of them escape New Jersey to try to find a safe haven away from the creatures who are clearly on the path to exterminating a lesser species.
A Modern Rendering of a Classic in the Hands of the Master
Spielberg's underrated film is his closest approach to horror after Jaws. And yes, he does a great job at making a modern scary film that, except for the period in which it takes place, it's quite faithful to the original novel. The film is a vehicle for Tom Cruise (Ray), but it's unlike what they did together in Minority Report.
In War of the Worlds, Cruise does a great job at playing the negligent father who isn't afraid to go for non-traditional ways to keep his children safe. This makes the film very engaging from the perspective of believable characters who you feel for. John Williams' score for the film is one of his most underrated as well. You can stream War of the Worlds on Paramount+.
10 The Blob (1988)
The town is Arborville, and the population is typical for a small town. At night, a meteorite crashes in the outskirts of town, and, to follow the rules of B-movie glory, a vagabond tries to touch the rock from which a slime comes out and swallows his hand. Brian, Meg, and Paul find him and take him to the hospital, and that's where the fun begins.
The parasitic organism grows at will and is never satisfied with its meals. Slowly, it keeps getting better and eventually invades the entire town that gets stormed by the military in an effort to control the intelligent substance.
A Great '80s Horror Remake that Often Goes Unnoticed
The great remake of the 1958 film of the same name, The Blob, is an '80s extravaganza of science fiction and horror that has some of the best special effects of its era. And yes, it does go for a funny tone. But fortunately, the film never feels like a schlocky approach to comedy horror and instead goes for a darker conclusion that will keep you on edge.
It is truly one of the best horror remakes ever made, and chances are you've seen images from it without associating them with this '80s classic starring Kevin Dillon, Shawnee Smith, and Jeffrey DeMunn. You can stream The Blob on PlutoTV.
9 Fire in the Sky (1993)
The place was the White Mountains in Arizona. Four loggers have spent the entire day working in the woods, and when they return at night, they see something deep inside the woods. Travis insists they stop and jumps out of the truck. The rest watch as a saucer descends on top of Travis and elevates him. In panic, they run and leave him there.
The police interrogate the men and can't draw a conclusion about his disappearance. However, a few days later, Travis gets back and shows signs of emotional trauma. His ordeal becomes the basis for Fire in the Sky.
Yes, it Was Supposed to Feel Real, and it Does
The film terrified audiences in 1993 because it was the first time they witnessed the reenactment of what had happened to Walton in the '70s, which was considered the only alien abduction case ever documented in modern times. Yes, the film does take its liberties in portraying the situation, but Fire in the Sky is one of the most "serious" films about its subject that you will ever see.
The performance by D.B. Sweeney is good enough to make you buy Travis' story as undeniably real and traumatic. The sequences of his abduction remain the best of the alien invasion subgenre. You can rent Fire in the Sky on AppleTV.
8 Nope (2022)
Nope tells the story of the Haywoods, Otis Jr. and Emerald, the son and daughter of the late Otis Haywood Sr., who died in a freak accident. Otis begins feeling there's something off on the ranch, where they breed horses for Hollywood productions. Em is skeptical at first, but then she and Otis see what's been causing the power outages and the distress of the animals. They try their best to capture footage of the UFO that's circulating above the ranch, but it won't be an easy task. Luckily, they won't give up so easily.
The Most Important Horror Filmmaker in Modern Cinema at His Best
Jordan Peele's third film is an extremely underrated alien invasion film that feels like a passion project for the unique filmmaker who has rewritten formulas and has managed to make three significantly different horror films in his short career.
Nope is not an exception, and while the premise sounds vague and almost shallow in terms of characters, the film goes very deep in its depiction of belief and the need for spectacle as something very natural. Also, it features a very original "monster" that will leave you breathless once you realize how it... acts. You can stream Nope on Peacock.
Nope
- Release Date
- July 22, 2022
- Runtime
- 2hr
7 Under the Skin (2013)
Under the Skin takes viewers to Glasgow, Scotland, where a strange and beautiful woman is luring men to follow her into an abandoned house. Expecting some fun, they realize too late that the woman just wants to feed herself. They all fall under her spell, and they all follow her into a void of darkness. However, as the days go by, she begins feeling the need to act more like her peers and tries to be... human.
Unique, Haunting, and Beautiful
You can rest assured that Under the Skin may be anything but typical. In terms of arthouse horror, this is one of the best, and it's probably the weirdest alien invasion film you will ever see. That doesn't mean the film can't connect on an emotional level that feels radically different from every other formula-based film that deals with the same premise.
Starring Scarlett Johansson in her most atypical role, Under the Skin will resonate if you fall for its unique approach to its themes of sexuality, humanity, and individualism. You can stream Under the Skin on Max.
Under the Skin
- Release Date
- March 14, 2014
- Director
- Jonathan Glazer
- Cast
- Jeremy McWilliams , Lynsey Taylor Mackay , Dougie McConnell , Kevin McAlinden , D. Meade , Andrew Gorman
- Runtime
- 108
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
6 Signs (2002)
5 
Graham Ness lives with his children and his brother on a rural farm in Pennsylvania. He has lost his wife in a freak accident, has shed off his faith and his role as a priest, and is now caring for his children. The problem is that weird crop circles start appearing in his cornfield.
At first, he remains skeptical and blames it on pranksters. But then he sees... something. At the same time, aliens seem to have landed on Earth, and it's up to Graham to face the ultimate threat and protect his family, even if this calls for believing in the unbelievable.
Shyamalan Goes for Sci-Fi, and He Scores
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, who made his third big Hollywood film in a row, Signs is an extremely well-made and well-performed film that Shyamalan tilts toward his catalog of resources. He crafts a terrifying film that has many hints of horror and drama, especially when it's forced to address the family dynamics of the Hess family.
At first, it's a plain horror sci-fi feature with great sound effects, but then it becomes Shyamalan's best attempt to make a science fiction film about the power of belief and faith. You can rent Signs on iTunes.
Signs
- Release Date
- August 2, 2002
- Runtime
- 106
4 Annihilation (2018)
In Annihilation, a group of brave women decide to accept their participation in a mission to explore something out of this world. The Shimmer is a zone where an alien presence has settled, and though people have interacted with it, there seem to be more questions than answers about what happens inside the Shimmer once you enter. Lena, Cass, Anya, and Josie go along with Dr. Ventress in their exploration of a zone where nothing is like it seems.
A Much More Profound Film Than We Remember
Contrary to what people believe, the film is only loosely inspired by the novel of the same name by Jeff VanderMeer. This generated some criticism for screenwriter and director Alex Garland, who purposefully took the premise and framed an entirely different film on a very interesting basis.
The result is a nightmarish but contemplative film about the human drive to explore that which it can't understand and what happens when you come in contact with something that doesn't follow the rules of this world. Yes, it's very scary when it has to, especially the scene with the "bear creature." You can stream Annihilation on Kanopy.
Annihilation
- Release Date
- February 22, 2018
- Runtime
- 115
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
3 Communion (1989)
Communion, based on the book by Whitley Strieber, tells the story of an author who believes he was abducted during a family vacation. He wasn't the only one who apparently witnessed the event, so the Striebers see their lives changed out of suspicion of Whitley's abduction. The book that inspired the film was written by a horror author who claims the events are real and had the idea to adapt the script of what would eventually become a very criticized film that was also a box-office flop.
An Often Criticized, but Terrifying Alien Invasion Film That Will Make You Lose Your Sleep
Starring Christopher Walken in one very underrated performance, Communion is a very interesting approach to the alien invasion premise because it doesn't pull any punches at claiming what it wants to transmit to the audience.
This is Strieber's account, and, yes, it should deserve some respect. The problem is that it also feels like a product of his imagination, but a very scary rendering nonetheless. The scenes involving the little green men are nothing short of unsettling. You can stream Communion on Tubi.
2 The Vast of Night (2019)
The Vast of Night takes viewers to New Mexico in the 1950s, where Fay and Everett are a switchboard operator and a radio DJ, respectively, and this will be the day that everything changes. Amidst their gloriously corny conversation, they pick up an audio signal that doesn't feel like it comes from Earth. They start investigating and eventually find out they aren't the only ones seeing the signs of a possible alien visit. However, these little green men aren't as friendly as they seem. We'd rather let you find out what happens next.
The Best Indie Sci-Fi Horror You've Yet to See
Produced by Amazon Studios in 2019, The Vast of Night is a wild ride of a film. Directed by Andrew Patterson in his feature directorial debut, the film evokes a sense of nostalgia for the genre and invites viewers to enjoy a very PG-based adventure that slowly progresses into a dark story about humankind's ignorance and naïveté when facing unbelievable events.
Yes, it's very, very scary when it has to deliver the conclusion to its premise, but it's also a gorgeous film that not many people have seen. You can stream The Vast of Night on Prime Video.
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