Movies About Alien Invasions

From Directors: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
Rated R

The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction action film starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Hugo Weaving. The film follows Thomas Anderson (Reeves), a computer hacker who discovers the truth that the world is actually a simulated reality created by sentient machines. After being contacted by the mysterious Morpheus (Fishburne), Anderson learns that he is a key part of a prophecy that could save humanity from extinction. He is drawn into a rebellion against the machines and is taught the skills to fight back against them. With the help of Morpheus, Trinity (Moss) and other allies, Anderson must fight against the machines and their agents to save the human race from destruction.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn
Rated PG

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is Stanley Kubrick’s Cold War satire set during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The film follows the escapades of a deranged U.S. Air Force General, Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden), who orders a preemptive nuclear attack on the Soviet Union without authorization from the Pentagon or President. The President’s team of advisors, including the eccentric former Nazi scientist, Dr. Strangelove (Peter Sellers), must find a way to stop the attack and prevent a global nuclear war. As the tension mounts, the characters must cope with the absurdity of their situation and the possibility of mutually assured destruction. The film is a comedic but sobering look at the dangers of the Cold War and the potential destruction of nuclear weapons.

From Fritz Lang, starring Brigitte Helm, Alfred Abel, Gustav Fröhlich, Rudolf Klein-Rogge
Rated Not Rated

Metropolis is a 1927 German expressionist science-fiction drama film directed by Fritz Lang. Set in a futuristic urban dystopia, the film follows Freder, the wealthy son of master of the city, and Maria, a saint-like figure who preaches the coming of a savior to the city's oppressed workers. When Freder discovers the terrible living conditions of the workers and their plans for revolt, he joins forces with Maria to save them. However, the master of the city creates a robotic double of Maria in order to manipulate the workers into subservience. It is up to Freder to save the city from certain destruction at the hands of the robotic Maria.

From John Carpenter, starring Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David, Richard Masur
Rated R

The Thing is a 1982 science fiction horror film directed by John Carpenter, based on the 1938 novella Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell Jr. The film follows a group of American researchers in Antarctica who encounter a parasitic extraterrestrial life-form that assimilates and then imitates other organisms. The researchers soon realize that the alien is a shape-shifting creature that can take on the appearance and memories of any organism it absorbs. As they struggle to survive and find a way to stop the creature, the team must determine who among them is still human and who is now part of the alien threat.

From James McTeigue, starring Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Rupert Graves, Stephen Rea
Rated R

V for Vendetta is a 2005 dystopian political thriller film directed by James McTeigue and written by the Wachowskis, based on the 1988 DC Comics limited series of the same name by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. The story follows a mysterious freedom fighter known as V (Hugo Weaving) who employs terrorist tactics to fight against his totalitarian society, led by a corrupt and oppressive government. V works to inspire and ignite a revolution through his acts of violence and mayhem, all while wearing a stylized Guy Fawkes mask. Along the way, he befriends a young woman named Evey (Natalie Portman) who is also looking to fight the oppressive regime. The film contains themes of revolution, anarchism, and tyranny, and serves as an allegory for modern society and its struggles against government control.

From Ridley Scott, starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos
Rated R

Blade Runner is a 1982 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott. Set in a dystopian future, the film follows Blade Runner, Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) as he attempts to track down and retire four escaped replicants—genetically engineered androids—who have illegally returned to Earth from an off-world colony. Deckard's investigation leads him to question his own identity and the morality of his mission, ultimately uncovering the replicants' true objective. The film features intense action sequences and a memorable soundtrack, along with deep philosophical questions about the nature of reality, memory, and humanity. Blade Runner is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest science fiction films of all time.

From Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans
Rated G

Planet of the Apes is a 1968 American science fiction film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner. The film is based on the 1963 French novel La Planète des singes by Pierre Boulle. The film tells the story of an astronaut crew who crash-land on a strange planet in the distant future. The planet is ruled by intelligent apes, who treat humans as slaves. The astronaut crew is initially treated with hostility, but eventually manages to gain the trust of the apes and help free the humans from their servitude. The film was a critical and commercial success, and spawned four sequels, as well as a television series. It has become a cult classic, and has been hailed as one of the greatest science fiction films of all time.

From Terry Gilliam, starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt, Joseph Melito
Rated R

12 Monkeys is a 1995 American science fiction thriller film directed by Terry Gilliam. It stars Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, and Brad Pitt in the lead roles. The film follows a convict (Willis) who is sent back in time to find out the cause of a deadly virus that will eventually decimate the human race. Along the way, he meets a mental patient (Stowe) who believes she is from the future, and a brilliant scientist (Pitt) who is trying to perfect a time machine. Together, the trio must unravel a complex conspiracy and ultimately find a way to save the future.

From Terry Gilliam, starring Jonathan Pryce, Kim Greist, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond
Rated R

Brazil is an 1985 dystopian sci-fi film directed by Terry Gilliam. The story follows Sam Lowry, a low-level government worker in a future society obsessed with bureaucracy and paperwork. He dreams of a life of adventure, but his reality is drab and oppressive. When a government mistake sets off a chain of events that disrupts Sam's life, he embarks on a surreal journey in a desperate attempt to set things right. Along the way, he faces a series of increasingly bizarre and surreal obstacles, while uncovering a sinister plot by the government to control its citizens. In the end, Sam discovers the power of love and the importance of personal freedom. Brazil is a darkly comic and visually stunning look at a world in which technology has outstripped humanity.

From John McTiernan, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Kevin Peter Hall, Elpidia Carrillo
Rated R

Predator is a 1987 science fiction action film directed by John McTiernan and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. In the film, Schwarzenegger plays a team leader of an elite special forces unit on a mission in a Central American jungle. With him is an elite team of soldiers, including Dillon (Carl Weathers), who are tasked with rescuing hostages from guerrilla forces. As the team moves through the dense jungle, a mysterious alien hunter, the Predator, begins to hunt them for sport. The team must use their superior combat skills to survive the alien's relentless attacks and outwit the hunter before it’s too late. Ultimately, they must come together to defeat the Predator, who is revealed to be a technologically advanced alien race hunting humans for sport.

From George Miller, starring Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Michael Preston, Max Phipps
Rated R

The Road Warrior is a 1981 Australian post-apocalyptic action film directed by George Miller. The film follows "Mad" Max Rockatansky, a former police officer, who is on a quest to find fuel in a post-apocalyptic wasteland in Australia. Along his journey, he meets a group of survivors who are being harassed by a gang of marauders. Max agrees to help the survivors escape in exchange for a share of their fuel. With the help of Max and his modified car, the survivors are able to fight off the marauders and reach their destination. The film is noted for its stunning visuals and its use of high-speed car chases. The film was a critical and commercial success and became a cult classic.

From Jonathan Frakes, starring Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton
Rated PG-13

Star Trek: First Contact is a 1996 science fiction film directed by Jonathan Frakes and the eighth in the Star Trek film series. The film follows the crew of the USS Enterprise-E as they travel back in time to the mid-21st century to save Earth from the cybernetic Borg, a species intent on assimilating all life forms into its collective. Along the way, they must also prevent the Borg from altering the course of history by preventing Earth’s first contact with an alien race. Led by Captain Jean-Luc Picard, the Enterprise crew must battle the Borg Queen and her drones while racing against time to save the planet. With its blend of action, drama, and humor, Star Trek: First Contact is considered by many to be one of the best entries in the franchise.

From Zack Snyder, starring Jackie Earle Haley, Patrick Wilson, Carla Gugino, Malin Akerman
Rated R

Watchmen is a 2009 superhero film based on the acclaimed graphic novel of the same name written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons. The film follows the adventures of a group of retired and outlawed superheroes in an alternate history version of 1985, where the United States is threatened by nuclear war and the Doomsday Clock is set at five minutes to midnight. As the superheroes attempt to save the world from nuclear destruction, they must confront a new group of villains who seek to manipulate the government for their own nefarious ends. Along the way, they discover a mysterious conspiracy that could change the course of history. The movie features an all-star cast including Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Jackie Earle Haley, Patrick Wilson, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Matthew Goode. With its compelling story, spectacular visuals, and thrilling action sequences, Watchmen is an unforgettable take on the superhero genre.

From Alex Proyas, starring Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, William Hurt
Rated R

Dark City is a 1998 science fiction thriller film directed by Alex Proyas and starring Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, William Hurt, and Jennifer Connelly. The story follows John Murdoch, an amnesiac man who finds himself accused of murder. While trying to discover his true identity and clear his name, Murdoch slowly realizes that he is a pawn in a larger game being played by dark and mysterious forces. With the help of two allies, Murdoch fights to unravel a web of conspiracy and uncover the truth behind Dark City.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton, Max von Sydow
Rated PG-13

Minority Report is a 2002 science fiction film directed by Steven Spielberg, based on the short story by Philip K. Dick. The film stars Tom Cruise as Chief John Anderton, a Washington D.C. police officer who attempts to stop a future crime before it can happen. Set in 2054, Anderton is part of a pre-crime unit that utilizes psychics called "precogs" who can detect when a crime is about to occur. When the precogs sense an upcoming murder committed by Anderton himself, he is forced to try and clear his name before the crime occurs. Along the way, he uncovers a mysterious conspiracy and discovers that the future may not be as certain as it appears.

From George Pal, starring Rod Taylor, Alan Young, Yvette Mimieux, Sebastian Cabot
Rated G

The Time Machine is a science-fiction adventure film directed by George Pal, based on the classic 1895 novel by H.G. Wells. The story follows a time-travelling scientist, Dr. George Wells (Rod Taylor), who builds a time machine to travel to the future. He discovers a post-apocalyptic world in the year 802,701, where the human race has divided into two distinct species – the gruff Eloi, who live on the surface, and the subterranean Morlocks, who feed off the Eloi to survive. Wells soon discovers that he must fight the Morlocks to save the Eloi, as well as his own life. With the help of a beautiful Eloi woman named Weena (Yvette Mimieux), Wells must make a daring escape back to the 19th century. The film is a thrilling adventure that shows the consequences of unchecked human progress, and explores themes of human evolution and morality.

From Danny Boyle, starring Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston, Alex Palmer
Rated R

"28 Days Later..." is a post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Danny Boyle and released in 2002. The story follows a group of survivors attempting to rebuild their lives in a world overrun by a virus-induced rage-filled zombie-like creatures. The virus was released when a group of animal activists accidentally set a group of chimpanzees free from a research facility in London. The virus quickly spread throughout the city, leaving the world in chaos and destruction. The main character, Jim (Cillian Murphy), wakes up from a coma 28 days after the virus was released to find that the city is deserted and the creatures have taken over. He soon meets other survivors, including Selena (Naomie Harris), and they set out to find a safe place to live, while also trying to find a cure for the virus. The movie has become a cult classic and has been praised for its originality and intense action sequences. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $85 million against a budget of just $8 million.

From Philip Kaufman, starring Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Jeff Goldblum, Veronica Cartwright
Rated PG

From Danny Boyle, starring Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, Chris Evans, Cliff Curtis
Rated R

From John Carpenter, starring Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster, George 'Buck' Flower
Rated R

From John Hillcoat, starring Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Robert Duvall
Rated R

From Robert Wise, starring James Olson, Arthur Hill, David Wayne, Kate Reid
Rated G

From Francis Lawrence, starring Will Smith, Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan, Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
Rated R

From Frank Darabont, starring Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden, Andre Braugher
Rated R