Movies About Other Worlds

From Ridley Scott, starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Veronica Cartwright
Rated R

Alien is a 1979 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Sigourney Weaver. Set in the distant future, the film follows the crew of the commercial space tug Nostromo as they investigate a distress signal from an unknown planet. Upon investigation, they discover a derelict alien spacecraft and a deadly creature that stalks and kills the crew one by one. The film features a strong female protagonist and themes of human vulnerability and the horror of the unknown. The film spawned two sequels and has been widely praised for its setting and atmosphere, and for Scott's direction.

From James Cameron, starring Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn, Paul Reiser
Rated R

Aliens is a science fiction action horror film directed and written by James Cameron, released in 1986. It follows Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), the sole survivor of the destruction of her vessel in Alien (1979), as she returns to the planet where the alien species was first encountered. After discovering that the planet is now inhabited by colonists, Ripley is forced to team up with a unit of space marines to fight against a horde of aliens that have overrun the colony. The marines and Ripley must battle for survival against the alien forces and a menacing android, as they search for survivors and try to escape the planet. With a thrilling and suspenseful plot, Aliens is widely regarded as one of the greatest science fiction action films of all time.

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

The Thing is a 1982 American science fiction horror film directed by John Carpenter, written by Bill Lancaster, and starring Kurt Russell. It tells the story of a group of American researchers in Antarctica who encounter a parasitic extraterrestrial lifeform that assimilates other organisms and then imitates them. The researchers soon find themselves engaged in a desperate battle to save themselves from the creature while also trying to protect the rest of the world from its threat. The film is known for its suspenseful atmosphere and its groundbreaking visual effects, as well as its strong performances from the ensemble cast. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest horror films of all time.

From Denis Villeneuve, starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg
Rated PG-13

Arrival follows linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) who is enlisted by the US Army to communicate with mysterious aliens that have suddenly appeared on Earth. With the help of physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), Louise must find a way to communicate with the aliens before a global conflict erupts. As she learns to understand the aliens and their language, Louise slowly discovers the secret behind their visit. In the end, Louise learns to appreciate the beauty of life while honoring humanity’s place in the larger scope of space-time.

From Neill Blomkamp, starring Sharlto Copley, David James, Jason Cope, Nathalie Boltt
Rated R

District 9 is a sci-fi action-thriller film set in Johannesburg, South Africa in the year 1982. It tells the story of an extraterrestrial race of aliens, known as the "prawns", who have been forcibly relocated to a slum area called District 9 by the South African government. A bureaucrat, Wikus van der Merwe, is tasked with administering the relocation of the aliens. During the course of his investigation, Wikus discovers that the aliens may have been sent to Earth for a purpose, and that their technological secrets could potentially be used as weapons. He soon finds himself in the middle of a conflict between the aliens and the government, and must find a way to stop the destruction of District 9. District 9 is a thrilling adventure through a world of action, suspense, and social commentary.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote, Dee Wallace
Rated PG

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a classic science fiction film directed by Steven Spielberg in 1982. It follows the story of a young boy, Elliott, who discovers a stranded alien in his backyard. Elliott befriends the alien, E.T., and with the help of his siblings, is determined to help him find his way home. Along the way, they encounter the formidable government agents who want to capture E.T. and use him for their own gain. With the help of his newfound friends, Elliott must find a way to protect E.T. and help him find his way back to his own planet. The film follows the story of their friendship and the adventure they embark on to help E.T. return home.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon
Rated PG

Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a 1977 science fiction film directed, written, and produced by Steven Spielberg. It tells the story of Roy Neary, an ordinary man who is inexplicably drawn to a remote mountain region in Wyoming, U.S.A. when he experiences a mysterious encounter with an unidentified flying object. Driven by a strange compulsion, he begins to construct a mountain out of large building blocks in his home. Meanwhile, scientists and researchers investigate an alien spacecraft that has made an emergency landing near Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. Roy, his family, and the scientists join forces to make contact with the extra-terrestrial life-forms who have come to Earth. Together they experience a close encounter with the third kind of extraterrestrial visitor – an encounter that will forever alter their lives. The film explores themes of human curiosity, communication and contact with the unknown, and the sense of awe and wonder that comes with discovery.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt
Rated PG

Contact is a 1997 science fiction drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Jodie Foster. The film follows astronomer Ellie Arroway (Foster) who makes an astounding discovery of extraterrestrial life that leads to a stunning encounter with aliens. After deciphering a mysterious signal coming from the depths of space, Arroway embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she makes contact with an extraterrestrial intelligence. Along the way, she is met with skepticism from the scientific community and is forced to battle with her own inner demons in order to prove the existence of other life in the universe. The film is a reflection on faith and science, ultimately revealing that the greatest truth lies somewhere in between.

From James Cameron, starring Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn, Leo Burmester
Rated PG-13

The Abyss is a 1989 science fiction film directed by James Cameron and starring Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Michael Biehn. The film follows the crew of a deep-sea drilling platform as they investigate a mysterious underwater object. After a series of strange and dangerous events, they discover an extraterrestrial species living at the bottom of the ocean, and must take action to prevent a potentially devastating war. The crew must also confront their own inner demons and face a difficult moral dilemma regarding the fate of the aliens. Along the way, they learn the true meaning of courage, friendship, and sacrifice.

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

From Bong Joon Ho, starring Song Kang-ho, Byun Hee-Bong, Park Hae-il, Bae Doona
Rated R

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

From Ridley Scott, starring Noomi Rapace, Logan Marshall-Green, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron
Rated R

From Matt Reeves, starring Mike Vogel, Jessica Lucas, Lizzy Caplan, T.J. Miller
Rated PG-13

From J.J. Abrams, starring Elle Fanning, AJ Michalka, Kyle Chandler, Joel Courtney
Rated PG-13

From John Carpenter, starring Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Jaeckel
Rated PG

From Morten Tyldum, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt, Michael Sheen, Laurence Fishburne
Rated PG-13

From Daniel Espinosa, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, Ryan Reynolds, Hiroyuki Sanada
Rated R

From Tim Burton, starring Jack Nicholson, Pierce Brosnan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Annette Bening
Rated PG-13

From Barry Levinson, starring Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone, Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Coyote
Rated PG-13