Alien movies have captivated audiences with tales of extraterrestrial encounters, from terrifying invasions to heartwarming friendships. The genre explores humanity's place in the universe and our fears and hopes about the unknown. Vote for your favorites to rank the best alien films.
What counts: Best means a blend of critical acclaim, cultural impact, innovative storytelling, and memorable alien concepts. Budget and box office figures are approximate round numbers in USD.
▲ Rising
Ridley Scott's haunted-house-in-space thriller introduced the xenomorph as an unstoppable force of nature that picked off the crew one by one. The chest-burster scene became an instant signature moment that redefined horror in sci-fi. It earns the top spot for perfect tension and lasting influence on every alien film after it.
Year: 1979Director: RT Score: 9.3/10Budget: $11,000,000Box Office: $105,000,000
added by IJRin 2 rankings
▲ Rising
James Cameron turned the horror into a high-stakes action war movie with Sigourney Weaver's Ripley leading marines against hordes of xenomorphs. The power-loader fight remains the franchise's most quoted payoff. Its blend of maternal stakes and blockbuster thrills secures second place.
Year: 1986Director: RT Score: 9.1/10Budget: $18,000,000Box Office: $131,000,000
added by IJR
▲ Rising
Spielberg showed benevolent aliens arriving with wonder rather than terror, following ordinary people drawn by strange signals. The five-tone communication and mothership reveal defined awe in the genre. Its optimistic vision secures its spot.
Year: 1977Director: RT Score: 8.3/10Budget: $20,000,000Box Office: $306,000,000
added by IJR
▲ Rising
Neill Blomkamp used found-footage style to critique apartheid through alien refugees forced into slums. The transformation of Wikus and the prawn-suit action climax gave it bite. Its fresh South African setting and social commentary earn the ranking.
Year: 2009Director: RT Score: 8/10Budget: $30,000,000Box Office: $210,000,000
added by IJR
▲ Rising
John Carpenter's Antarctic paranoia masterpiece used practical effects to show an alien that could perfectly mimic humans. The blood-test scene crystallized the distrust theme. It ranks high for unmatched practical horror and rewatch value.
Year: 1982Director: RT Score: 8.4/10Budget: $15,000,000Box Office: $19,600,000
added by IJRin 3 rankings
Denis Villeneuve delivered a cerebral first-contact story where linguist Louise Banks learns an alien language that rewires time perception. The heptapod reveal and personal stakes made it stand out from invasion tropes. It earns its place for thoughtful sci-fi depth.
Year: 2016Director: RT Score: 8.4/10Budget: $47,000,000Box Office: $203,000,000
added by IJR
▲ Rising
James Cameron's 3D epic transported viewers to Pandora where humans clash with the Na'vi and their planet's ecosystem. The floating mountains and final battle cemented its visual legacy. Massive scale and world-building justify its placement.
Year: 2009Director: RT Score: 8.2/10Budget: $237,000,000Box Office: $2,920,000,000
added by IJR
Barry Sonnenfeld mixed buddy-cop comedy with alien weirdness as Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones policed extraterrestrials on Earth. The little alien in the truck scene highlighted its playful tone. Its humor and style secure its spot.
Year: 1997Director: RT Score: 7.9/10Budget: $90,000,000Box Office: $589,000,000
added by IJR
▲ Rising
Arnold Schwarzenegger's commando team faces an invisible alien hunter in the jungle. The thermal-vision reveal and final hand-to-hand duel made it an action classic. Its lean premise and quotable lines keep it high on lists.
Year: 1987Director: RT Score: 7.9/10Budget: $15,000,000Box Office: $98,000,000
added by IJR
Roland Emmerich delivered the ultimate popcorn alien-invasion spectacle with Will Smith punching aliens and the White House exploding. The July 4th speech became a cultural touchstone. Its crowd-pleasing scale earns the ranking.
Year: 1996Director: RT Score: 7/10Budget: $75,000,000Box Office: $817,000,000
added by IJR
Steven Spielberg updated H.G. Wells with Tom Cruise fleeing tripod invaders in a grounded family drama. The first attack sequence shocked audiences with its scale. Its visceral realism lands it here.
Year: 2005Director: RT Score: 7.4/10Budget: $132,000,000Box Office: $603,000,000
added by IJR
M. Night Shyamalan built dread around crop circles and a family facing an alien invasion on their farm. The basement scene and twist payoff defined its suspense. Its intimate scale earns its ranking.
Year: 2002Director: RT Score: 7.3/10Budget: $72,000,000Box Office: $408,000,000
added by IJR
Steven Spielberg crafted the ultimate friendly-alien story of a boy protecting a stranded visitor. The flying-bicycle moon silhouette became cinema's most iconic image of wonder. Its emotional core keeps it among the most beloved entries.
Year: 1982Director: RT Score: 9/10Budget: $10,500,000Box Office: $792,000,000
added by IJR
Christian Nyby's classic introduced the vegetable alien threat at an Arctic base, influencing decades of sci-fi. The electric fence climax remains a tense set piece. Its foundational status earns inclusion.
Year: 1951Director: RT Score: 7.8/10Budget: $1,200,000Box Office: $3,800,000
added by IJR
Robert Zemeckis adapted Carl Sagan's novel about Jodie Foster's scientist receiving an alien message. The journey sequence delivered awe. Its scientific focus places it high.
Year: 1997Director: RT Score: 7.4/10Budget: $90,000,000Box Office: $171,000,000
added by IJR
Philip Kaufman's remake turned pod people into a chilling paranoia thriller set in San Francisco. The ending scream became legendary. Its paranoia earns the spot.
Year: 1978Director: RT Score: 8/10Budget: $3,500,000Box Office: $24,900,000
added by IJRin 2 rankings
John Carpenter's satire used special sunglasses to reveal alien-controlled society. The alley fight scene became meme-worthy. Its social commentary secures its place.
Year: 1988Director: RT Score: 7.1/10Budget: $4,000,000Box Office: $13,000,000
added by IJR
▼ Falling
J.J. Abrams channeled 80s Spielberg with kids filming a train crash that unleashes an alien. The creature design and practical effects shone. Its nostalgic tone lands it here.
Year: 2011Director: RT Score: 7.2/10Budget: $50,000,000Box Office: $260,000,000
added by IJR
Joe Cornish mixed alien invasion with British council-estate teens defending their block. John Boyega's breakout role and the creatures' glow-in-the-dark teeth stood out. Its fresh voice earns inclusion.
Year: 2011Director: RT Score: 7.5/10Budget: $13,000,000Box Office: $6,100,000
added by IJR
▼ Falling
Dean Parisot lovingly spoofed Star Trek with washed-up actors recruited by real aliens. The "by Grabthar's hammer" line became iconic. Its meta humor earns the ranking.
Year: 1999Director: RT Score: 7.8/10Budget: $45,000,000Box Office: $90,600,000
added by IJR
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost's road trip with a wisecracking alien voiced by Seth Rogen mixed comedy and heart. The alien's reveal and humor delivered laughs. Its fun tone earns the ranking.
Year: 2011Director: RT Score: 6.8/10Budget: $40,000,000Box Office: $98,000,000
added by IJR
▼ Falling
Tim Burton's satirical alien invasion featured an all-star cast and iconic ray-gun destruction. The martians' catchphrase became a meme. Its campy tone secures the spot.
Year: 1996Director: RT Score: 5.7/10Budget: $70,000,000Box Office: $101,000,000
added by IJR
▼ Falling
John Carpenter's romantic sci-fi followed an alien taking human form and bonding with a widow. Jeff Bridges' performance anchored the emotion. Its tender approach earns the spot.
Year: 1984Director: RT Score: 7/10Budget: $22,000,000Box Office: $28,900,000
added by IJR
▼ Falling
Robert Rodriguez mixed teen horror with alien parasites taking over a high school. The reveal and practical effects delivered fun. Its 90s vibe earns ranking.
Year: 1998Director: RT Score: 6.3/10Budget: $15,000,000Box Office: $40,200,000
added by IJR
▼ Falling
Ron Howard told a gentle story of retirees discovering alien cocoons that grant youth. The pool scene captured wonder. Its heartfelt tone earns inclusion.
Year: 1985Director: RT Score: 6.8/10Budget: $17,500,000Box Office: $85,400,000
added by IJR
Free account · your comment posts right after signup
The criteria line matters here. Read it before you vote or you're arguing about a different list.
Alien (1979) at the top is the correct call and I'll die on this hill.
This is the most honest version of this ranking I've seen anywhere. The pros and cons are fair.
Missing a few names that belong in the top ten, but the top three is basically right.