6 Best First Contact Alien Movies

By Vlad Zakh · February 15, 2026

Rather than invasion and destruction, these films imagine humanity’s first encounter with the alien as an act of wonder, communication, and quiet transformation. In E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982): A lonely boy befriends a stranded alien and helps him find a way back home. Another standout is Arrival (2016): A linguist is recruited to communicate with mysterious alien visitors before global tensions escalate to war.

Nope (2022)

TMDB ★ 6.8

Siblings running a horse ranch attempt to capture proof of a mysterious, dangerous phenomenon in the sky.

Directed by Jordan Peele · 2h 10m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Annihilation (2018)

TMDB ★ 6.8

A team of scientists investigates a mysterious, mutating zone left behind by an unknown extraterrestrial phenomenon.

Directed by Alex Garland · 1h 55m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Arrival (2016)

IMDb ★ 7.9 RT 94% Metacritic 81

A linguist is recruited to communicate with mysterious alien visitors before global tensions escalate to war.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve · 1h 56m · Rated PG-13

Won 1 Oscar73 wins & 276 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Peacock Premium, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, Peacock Premium Plus · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Contact (1997)

IMDb ★ 7.5 RT 69% Metacritic 62

A scientist who intercepts a mysterious alien signal is chosen for an unprecedented journey.

Directed by Robert Zemeckis · 2h 30m · Rated PG

Nominated for 1 Oscar15 wins & 32 nominations

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

IMDb ★ 7.9 RT 99% Metacritic 92

A lonely boy befriends a stranded alien and helps him find a way back home.

Directed by Steven Spielberg · 1h 55m · Rated PG

Won 4 Oscars52 wins & 39 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

TMDB ★ 7.6

An ordinary man's obsession with a mysterious vision leads him toward an extraordinary alien encounter.

Directed by Steven Spielberg · 2h 17m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus, Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best First Contact Alien Movies

Nope (2022)

Annihilation (2018)

Arrival (2016)

Contact (1997)

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

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