The 10 Greatest Alien Invasion Movies Ever Made

With so many science fiction films featuring alien invasions released since the silent film era, there’s no shortage of movies to choose from when deciding which are the ten greatest alien invasion movies ever made. Of course, any such list is somewhat subjective, yet a few films stand out from the pack, and it’s these to which I turn for a discussion of the finest movies in this sub-genre.

Top of the list is The Day The Earth Stood Still, a 1951 masterpiece by Robert Wise. One of the most well-known films ever made, this one launched the 1950s frenzy over alien invasions. Even though the special effects are a little old now, the narrative of an alien visiting Earth to give humans an urgent message still has power.

The 1977 film “Close Encounters Of The Third Kind,” directed by Steven Spielberg, stands out in many ways as “The Day The Earth Stood Still “‘s spiritual successor. This gripping story unfolds a fascinating account of interstellar communication, where a group of learned scientists and modest locals begin on a historic liaison with the mysterious extraterrestrial visitors. Once again, the tale’s profundity eclipses the allure of mere visual spectacle, lending this cinematic masterpiece a well-earned and resounding global acclaim.

Another truly iconic alien invasion movie from the late 1970s is the original “Invasion Of The Body Snatchers“. This cult classic supernatural horror film deals with the sinister idea of alien duplicates replacing people one by one who eventually die or become soulless shells of their former selves. This film is still as popular and chilling as ever today.

The 1980s saw the release of several cult classic alien invasion movies. John Carpenter’s cult classic “They Live” remains one of the most underrated movies ever made, featuring aliens living among us and convincing us to obey their every whim. This darkly comic movie still has a special place in the hearts of sci-fi fans today.

Also released in the 1980s was Paul Verhoeven’s hilarious camp classic “Starship Troopers“. This movie spoofed war films and science fiction simultaneously and worked as a thrilling action movie. It’s even given birth to several direct-to-video sequels and is still one of the most well-liked alien invasion films ever created.

Another very popular alien invasion movie from the 1990s is “Independence Day“. This science fiction opus remains etched in memory for its awe-inspiring and spectacular special effects. Yet, it transcends mere visual splendor to exemplify the remarkable achievements stemming from a meticulously crafted script. This celluloid masterpiece is a testament to the boundless possibilities that emerge when ingenuity and narrative prowess converge harmoniously. Two sequels to the movie were produced, but neither matched the original’s level of popularity.

Will Smith starred in several alien invasion movies in the late 1990s and early 2000s, such as “Men In Black” and “I Am Legend“. Men In Black was a huge hit and introduced us to some truly unique aliens, while I Am Legend was a more serious take on the same theme with a more depressing outcome.

M Night Shyamalan’s “Signs” is another science fiction classic with a more serious tone. With many biblical references scattered throughout its plot, A family is followed as they struggle to survive an extraterrestrial invasion on their farm in the movie. The film demonstrates quite clearly how a situation that initially seems hopeless can turn out okay.

The latest movie to enter the canon of great alien invasion films is “District 9“. This South African film follows an investigation into a group of extraterrestrial refugees who have landed on Earth and been segregated to live in the slums of Johannesburg. Despite having a modest budget, this movie was a huge hit because of its original storyline.

Any compilation of paramount alien invasion films would inevitably be remiss without acknowledging “War Of The Worlds“. This 2005 magnum opus by the esteemed filmmaker Steven Spielberg stands as an unparalleled spectacle of visual grandeur, earning a well-deserved place among the cinematic masterpieces of its era. Enriched by virtuoso portrayals from Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning, this cinematic gem undoubtedly captivates with its unique tapestry of talents and storytelling prowess. As an unparalleled addition to the genre, “War Of The Worlds” undoubtedly merits its place among the pantheon of extraterrestrial invasion epics. Of course, the original narrative by H.G. Wells is one of the key elements of this captivating movie.

The ten greatest alien invasion movies ever made are The Day The Earth Stood Still, Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, Invasion Of The Body Snatchers, They Live, Starship Troopers, Independence Day, Men In Black, I Am Legend, Signs and District 9. These fantastic movies will probably continue to be well-liked for many years since each puts its take on the extraterrestrial invasion concept.