Emily Flores
Some extraterrestrial stories fade fast, but others linger like whispers in the dark or companions you can’t forget. These films stand out for their bold imagination, striking visuals, and emotional depth. Each one stays etched in memory long after the credits fade—so get ready to discover which ones will stay with you.
Arrival
In “Arrival,” massive alien ships appear across the globe, each holding a piece of a puzzle. Their beautiful circular language reveals they see time in a whole new way. Assisted by scientists, a linguist races to decipher the message, which left both characters and viewers full of questions.
Alien
Far out in space, a crew faces a deadly alien that grows inside its hosts. Ellen Ripley, the ship’s warrant officer and unexpectedly fearless survivor, battles the towering creature played by a mime-trained artist. With eerie sets and unforgettable effects, it’s a chilling sci-fi masterpiece.
The Thing
At a research station in icy Antarctica, people start suspecting each other when an alien creature can perfectly copy anyone it infects. Impressive special effects and a nerve-racking blood test scene make tension skyrocket, until no one trusts anyone, and fear takes over completely.
District 9
In “District 9,” aliens live in a small, run-down area of the city, and a man sent to relocate them touches alien technology that starts changing his body. As he searches for a cure and struggles to survive, the story flows with thrilling action while showing the unfairness of segregation.
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind
Drawn by strange lights and sounds, people from around the world gather at Devil’s Tower as anticipation grows with every step. Director Steven Spielberg, known for timeless adventures, fills the story with awe and heartfelt moments, and music connects humans with alien visitors in a first-contact tale.
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers
Alien spores drift to Earth in “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” sprouting eerie pink flowers that birth unsettling human replicas using plaster and rubber molds. Leonard Nimoy plays psychiatrist David Kibner. Though the director envisioned a darker finale, the studio opted for a slightly more hopeful conclusion instead.
Under The Skin
This movie switches around who chases and who runs away, which makes people think differently about how men and women act in films. Additionally, actor Adam Pearson, who has real bumps on his skin from a medical condition, plays a character with scars to help people understand and accept differences.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
A friendly alien crash-lands on Earth and meets a lonely boy, and they quickly become best friends. They hide from adults who might take the alien away and even fly across the moon. With humor and touching moments, it remains a beloved family movie for generations.
Independence Day
The film nods to “War of the Worlds” and originally included a deleted scene revealing that alien technology had been reverse-engineered. Its computer-virus twist became a key plot point, and Will Smith performed his own stunts. The iconic line “Today, we celebrate our Independence Day” was added to lock in the title.
The Abyss
Far below the ocean’s surface, a team of researchers meets gentle aliens who want to communicate. Because storms slowed filming, the crew shot at night in a huge water tank. Viewers were amazed by a lifelike water tentacle, a special effect that earned this movie the 1989 Oscar for Best Visual Effects.