Aliens from Hollywood

The drama of an alien invasion has been a deep source of inspiration for many Hollywood filmmakers. From the early alien invasion movies of the 1950s to the modern-day classics, filmmakers are always finding new twists on the classic story of what happens when aliens and humans meet.

Men in Black

This 1997 comedy staring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones is a comedic take on the secretive Men in Black. They are an elite and secretive team charged with keeping the aliens in line as they live on Earth.

Superman

Not traditionally thought of as an alien invasion movie, but the 1978 version of Superman directed by Richard Donner and starring Christopher Reeves follows the incredible tale of Superman, an alien with superhuman powers who saves the world from the evil villain Lex Luthor.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

One of Steven Spielberg’s earlier hits, this movie follows how a blue-collar American worker follows his obsession with investigating UFOs to the point that it affects his marriage and the entire course of his life.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

A heartwarming blockbuster about the friendship of a little boy, Elliott, and an alien he names E.T. This 1982 movie directed by Steven Spielberg follows the story of what happens when Elliott rescues E.T. and helps him “phone home” and then helps E.T. escape the government agents so that he can meet his mothership.

The Day the Earth Stood Still

This classic from 1951 served as a warning to Cold War America about the dangers of war in the atomic age. In the beginning of the movie a UFO lands near the White House and a humanoid creature arrives with a gift for the president of the United States. A fearful military wounds him, yet he escapes to learn more about the life of an average human. Before he departs he leaves a message for all the people of Earth.

Independence Day

Once again starring Will Smith, this alien-invasion thriller came out in 1996. The movie opens with the world being violently invaded by aliens and follows the story of human survivors who gather and plan one final counterattack on the Fourth of July, or Independence Day.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

The original Invasion of the Body Snatchers was released in 1956 with a remake made in 1978. Both movies are about giant pods that grow a complete replacement for each person in the small Californian town. Each replacement person looks and acts like a real human, but the pod person isn’t capable of having or expressing any emotions. This movie started the use of “pod people” in other pop culture references.

District 9

Filmed as a documentary-style movie with news footage and interviews, District 9 is a 2009 movie that chronicles the segregation of the alien species in South Africa. After being segregated and vilified by the humans, even though they did not harm the humans upon arrival, the aliens then try to escape Earth.

The War of the Worlds

This 1953 drama was adapted from the famous novel by H.G. Wells of the same name. The movie takes place in southern California and tells the story of how Earth is invaded by aliens who are able to withstand nuclear blasts, but fall victim to Earth’s many viruses and bacteria.

Alien

Not just one movie, but a series of four movies, Alien is perhaps one of the most popular and famous movies about extraterrestrial life. The first movie was released in 1978 and the action centers on Lieutenant Ellen Ripley as she battles the Alien. Not only are the Alien movies science-fiction thrillers, but there are also elements of horror movies that give an additional kick to thrill-seeking viewers.