31 Best Alien Invasion Movies

By Vlad Zakh · April 6, 2026

United States Action intense

Independence Day defined the blockbuster alien-invasion template almost single-handedly, while Arrival, two decades later, showed the genre could be about language and grief. Close Encounters of the Third Kind has a man obsessed with a strange vision, The War of the Worlds (1953) is the original Martian invasion, and Mars Attacks! has gleefully destructive Martians. Independence Day: Resurgence, They Live, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Blob and Village of the Damned round out the list.

Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)

01

Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)

TMDB ★ 5.3

A far larger alien mothership returns two decades after the original invasion.

Directed by Roland Emmerich · 2h 00m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

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

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Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

02

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

TMDB ★ 7.6

A man's obsession with a strange vision draws him towards a historic first contact.

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

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The War of the Worlds (1953)

03

The War of the Worlds (1953)

TMDB ★ 7.1

The original Martian invasion adaptation, still the template for the alien-invasion disaster film.

Directed by Byron Haskin · 1h 25m · Rated G

Where to watch

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

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Mars Attacks! (1996)

04

Mars Attacks! (1996)

TMDB ★ 6.2

Gleefully destructive Martians toy with Earth's leaders before laying waste to the planet.

Directed by Tim Burton · 1h 46m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

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Village of the Damned (1960)

05

Village of the Damned (1960)

TMDB ★ 7.2

Barbara Shelley features in this sci-fi horror about a quiet English village whose children are born strange and telepathic after a mysterious blackout.

Directed by Wolf Rilla · 1h 17m · Rated NR

Where to watch

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

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The Thing from Another World (1951)

06

The Thing from Another World (1951)

TMDB ★ 7.1

An Arctic research team thaws out a hostile alien organism trapped in the ice.

Directed by Christian Nyby · 1h 27m · Rated NR

Where to watch

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

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The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

07

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

TMDB ★ 7.5

An alien visitor delivers Earth an ultimatum about its own violent tendencies.

Directed by Robert Wise · 1h 32m · Rated G

Where to watch

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

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The Blob (1958)

08

The Blob (1958)

TMDB ★ 6.4

A crashed meteorite unleashes a growing, all-consuming gelatinous mass on a small town.

Directed by Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr. · 1h 22m

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, Philo, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel, History Vault, HBO Max · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

09

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

TMDB ★ 7.5

A health inspector discovers San Francisco residents are being secretly replaced by alien duplicates.

Directed by Philip Kaufman · 1h 56m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC · Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

They Live (1988)

10

They Live (1988)

TMDB ★ 7.3

A drifter finds sunglasses that reveal aliens have been secretly controlling humanity through media.

Directed by John Carpenter · 1h 33m · Rated R

Where to watch

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

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Meet Dave (2008)

11

Meet Dave (2008)

TMDB ★ 4.4

A tiny alien crew pilots a human-shaped ship on a mission to steal Earth's oceans.

Directed by Brian Robbins · 1h 30m · Rated PG

Where to watch

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

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The Tomorrow War (2021)

12

The Tomorrow War (2021)

TMDB ★ 6.5

Soldiers are drafted through a time portal to fight an alien war three decades in the future.

Directed by Chris McKay · 2h 18m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent: Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube

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10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

13

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

TMDB ★ 7.2

After a car crash, a woman wakes in an underground bunker and can't tell whether her captor is protecting her or lying.

Directed by Dan Trachtenberg · 1h 44m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, Peacock Premium, 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

Life (2017)

14

Life (2017)

IMDb ★ 6.6 RT 67% Metacritic 54

A space station crew's first contact with alien life turns immediately hostile.

Directed by Daniel Espinosa · 1h 44m · Rated R

7 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Hulu, 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

Pacific Rim (2013)

15

Pacific Rim (2013)

IMDb ★ 6.9 RT 72% Metacritic 65

Giant robot pilots defend Earth from a portal spewing out sea monsters one city at a time.

Directed by Guillermo del Toro · 2h 11m · Rated PG-13

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award7 wins & 48 nominations

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Darkest Hour (2011)

16

The Darkest Hour (2011)

TMDB ★ 4.9

Survivors in Moscow hide from an invisible, energy-based alien invasion.

Directed by Chris Gorak · 1h 29m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Britbox Apple TV channel, BritBox, MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Monsters (2010)

17

Monsters (2010)

TMDB ★ 6.1

A photojournalist escorts a stranded tourist across a Mexican zone infested with alien creatures.

Directed by Rob Letterman & Conrad Vernon · 1h 34m · Rated PG

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Battleship (2012)

18

Battleship (2012)

TMDB ★ 5.8

A naval fleet is the last line of defence when an alien armada lands in the Pacific.

Directed by Peter Berg · 2h 11m · Rated PG-13

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

The Fifth Wave (2016)

19

The Fifth Wave (2016)

TMDB ★ 5.2

A teenager searches for her brother as waves of alien attacks take civilisation apart.

Directed by J Blakeson · 1h 52m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix · 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

Skyline (2010)

20

Skyline (2010)

TMDB ★ 5.1

An apartment building's residents watch as an alien light show turns into a full invasion.

Directed by Colin Strause & Greg Strause · 1h 33m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Battle: Los Angeles (2011)

21

Battle: Los Angeles (2011)

TMDB ★ 5.9

Ground-level military action against a full-scale alien assault.

Directed by Jonathan Liebesman · 1h 56m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: 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

Attack the Block (2011)

22

Attack the Block (2011)

TMDB ★ 6.5

A teenage gang in a South London tower block defends their home from an alien invasion on the same night they mug a nurse.

Directed by Joe Cornish · 1h 28m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Cloverfield (2008)

23

Cloverfield (2008)

IMDb ★ 7.0 RT 78% Metacritic 64

A birthday party is interrupted by a massive creature attack, filmed entirely on a handheld camcorder.

Directed by Matt Reeves · 1h 25m · Rated PG-13

5 wins & 34 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Peacock Premium, Paramount+ Amazon 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

Signs (2002)

24

Signs (2002)

TMDB ★ 6.7

A family drama that uses invasion dread as its actual backdrop.

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan · 1h 46m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Thing (1982)

25

The Thing (1982)

IMDb ★ 8.2 RT 85% Metacritic 57

A shapeshifting alien picks off an Antarctic research team one paranoid reveal at a time.

Directed by John Carpenter · 1h 49m · Rated R

1 win & 5 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Philo, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

A Quiet Place (2018)

26

A Quiet Place (2018)

IMDb ★ 7.5 RT 96% Metacritic 82

A family survives in near-total silence to avoid creatures that hunt by sound.

Directed by John Krasinski · 1h 31m · Rated PG-13

Nominated for 1 Oscar38 wins & 129 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Philo, Paramount+ Amazon Channel · 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

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

27

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

IMDb ★ 7.9 RT 91% Metacritic 71

A soldier relives the same brutal alien-invasion battle until he can finally win it.

Directed by Doug Liman · 1h 54m · Rated PG-13

11 wins & 38 nominations

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

District 9 (2009)

28

District 9 (2009)

TMDB ★ 7.9

A bureaucrat overseeing an alien refugee camp starts physically transforming into one of them.

Directed by Neill Blomkamp · 1h 52m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, 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

War of the Worlds (2005)

29

War of the Worlds (2005)

TMDB ★ 6.5

A ground-level, family-focused take on a classic invasion premise.

Directed by Steven Spielberg · 1h 57m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Apple TV, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Peacock Premium, Paramount+ Amazon Channel · 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)

30

Arrival (2016)

IMDb ★ 7.9 RT 94% Metacritic 81

A linguist tries to communicate with alien visitors before global panic turns into 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

Independence Day (1996)

31

Independence Day (1996)

IMDb ★ 7.0 RT 77% Metacritic 59

Earth unites against an alien invasion fleet bent on total annihilation.

Directed by Roland Emmerich · 2h 25m · Rated PG-13

Won 1 Oscar35 wins & 35 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, YouTube TV · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · 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. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.