The Alien movie genre typically includes movies that revolve around encounters with extraterrestrial beings or the exploration of outer space.
The Alien movie genre is loved for its curiosity because it taps into our innate fascination with the unknown and the mysterious. Humans have always been intrigued by the possibility of intelligent life beyond our planet, and these movies explore that idea in a thrilling and often terrifying way.
Alien movies also allow us to confront our fears and anxieties about the unknown and the unfamiliar. These films often blend science fiction and horror elements to create a sense of suspense. Some notable examples of the Alien movie genre include:
Alien (1979): Directed by Ridley Scott, this horror sci-fi classic follows the crew of a space vessel who encounter a deadly alien creature on board their ship. It stars Sigourney Weaver and is available to stream on Hulu and Amazon Prime.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982): Directed by Steven Spielberg, this beloved family film follows a young boy who befriends a stranded alien and helps him find a way to return home. It’s available to stream on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977): Directed by Steven Spielberg, this classic sci-fi film follows a man who becomes obsessed with the idea of extraterrestrial life after a close encounter with a UFO. It’s available to stream on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951): Directed by Robert Wise, this film features an alien visitor who warns humanity to stop their violent ways or face destruction. It’s available to rent or purchase on various streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime, Google Play, and iTunes.
District 9 (2009): Directed by Neill Blomkamp, this film takes place in an alternate present-day South Africa where extraterrestrial refugees are kept in a government camp, and a man becomes involved in their struggle for equality. It’s available to stream on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
War of the Worlds (2005): Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film is based on the H.G. Wells novel and follows a father and his two children as they try to survive an alien invasion. It’s available to rent or purchase on various streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime, Google Play, and iTunes.
Arrival (2016): Directed by Denis Villeneuve, this film follows a linguistics professor who is recruited by the military to help communicate with extraterrestrial visitors who have arrived on Earth. It stars Amy Adams and is available to stream on Hulu and Amazon Prime.
Independence Day (1996): Directed by Roland Emmerich, this film features an alien invasion of Earth and the efforts of a group of people to save humanity. It stars Will Smith and is available to rent or purchase on various streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime, Google Play, and iTunes.
The Thing (1982): Directed by John Carpenter, this horror sci-fi film follows a group of researchers in Antarctica who are stalked by a shape-shifting alien that can take on the appearance of any living thing. It’s available to stream on Hulu and Amazon Prime.
Arrival (2016): Directed by Denis Villeneuve, this film follows a linguistics professor who is recruited by the military to help communicate with extraterrestrial visitors who have arrived on Earth. It stars Amy Adams and is available to stream on Hulu and Amazon Prime.
Starman (1984): Directed by John Carpenter, this film features an alien who takes on the form of a deceased human’s husband to seek help in returning to his home planet. It stars Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen and is available to rent or purchase on various streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime, Google Play, and iTunes.
The War of the Worlds (1953): Directed by Byron Haskin, this film is based on the H.G. Wells novel and follows a man and his family as they try to survive an alien invasion. It’s available to stream on Hulu and Amazon Prime.
Predator (1987): Directed by John McTiernan, this sci-fi action film follows a group of elite commandos who are hunted by a technologically advanced alien creature in the jungles of Central America. It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and is available to stream on Hulu and Amazon Prime.
Men in Black (1997): Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, this sci-fi action comedy follows a secret organization that monitors and regulates alien activity on Earth. It stars Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones and is available to rent or purchase on various streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime, Google Play, and iTunes.
The Host (2006): Directed by Bong Joon-ho, this Korean film follows a family that fights against a mutant creature created by toxic waste dumped in the Han River. It’s available to stream on Hulu and Amazon Prime.
Signs (2002): Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, this film follows a family living on a farm who discovers mysterious crop circles in their fields, leading to the realization that an alien invasion may be imminent. It stars Mel Gibson and is available to rent or purchase on various streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime, Google Play, and iTunes.
