Hey there Survivors! I’m writing about something a little different today. ALIENS! Ahhh! Even though I’ve only written zombie and post-apocalypse novels, I love alien movies and there’s no telling what I might write about in the future.
Many of you know that I’m a huge fan of Star Wars (25 Facts About Me) so of course A New Hope tops my list.
Top 10 Alien Movies
- Star Wars Episode IV (1977) – This isn’t aliens on Earth but like I said, it’s my favorite movie! Aliens abound in this epic space opera so there’s that too. Chewbacca and Yoda are the most prominent but there are others. Star Wars may have been the first scifi movie I ever watched, or at least the first I remember. Of course by the time I was old enough to see Luke take up the quest to learn the Force and join the Rebellion the original trilogy was already out of theaters.
- Alien (1979) – Sigourney Weaver is fantastic in this film. Not only is this a classic scifi movie it also helped spark the scifi horror genre. It’s amazing what they did with a fairly small budget (even for the time).
- Avatar (2009) – A modern classic. The previews looked good but the film was far more than I could have hoped for. Great storyline, interesting characters, amazing visuals and it makes you ponder what’s important in life. In some ways, I think we all wish we could be Jake Sully.
- Star Trek (2009) – While not without its own issues (over use of lens flare anyone?) it is a vast improvement over the original Star Trek movies, which never intrigued me the way the TV series did. Zoe Saldana, who played Naytiri in Avatar, plays Uhura. She’s fantastic.
- Super 8 (2011) – A group of kids led by a bossy director are filming a zombie movie. During filming they capture a train crash on film and use the ensuing events as added “production value” for their movie. Things get wild when they discover just what was hidden on the train.
- Starship Troopers (1997) – This film should have a different title since it only vaguely resembles the novel it’s based on. As its own thing, it’s a fun is somewhat campy film. I like the bugs and the action. However, you’re left wondering how humanity survived at all with such moronic military tactics being used. Skip the sequel at all costs, it’s total garbage. The third film in the series is decent and similar enough to the first, including the return of Casper Van Dien as Johnny Rico, to make it enjoyable.
- Predator (1987) – A classic Arnold Schwarzenegger film, he plays badass Major “Dutch” Schaefer. Dutch: “So you cooked up a story and dropped the six of us in a meatgrinder?”
- E.T. (1982) – This one brings back a lot of childhood memories. It’s also one of the only movies in my top 10 that has friendly aliens. Steven Spielberg at his best, along with Super 8 of course. Strangely this may be the first movie to have a character call another character a douche bag.
- Edge of Tomorrow (2014) – Tom Cruise was good in this film and the movie itself was far better than I expected. The original novel is fantastic and if you haven’t read it yet, you should. It’s called All You Need is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka.
- Independence Day (1996) – The alien spaceship blowing up the White House is the most iconic scene in the film. But it’s Will Smith’s character hotshot pilot Captain Steven Hiller and his family that gives it some emotional weight. Plus it’s a big dose of good old fashioned ass-whoopin’ fun.
Jasmine Dubrow: “There you go, thinking you’re all that. But you are not as charming as you think you are, sir.”
Captain Steven Hiller: “Yes, I am.”
Another 10 Alien Movies
These films are not quite Top 10 material but are still worth watching.
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- Attack the Block (2011)
- Pacific Rim (2013)
- Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn (2012)
- Signs (2002)
- Men In Black (1997)
- Arrival (2016)
- Ender’s Game (2013)
- District 9 (2009)
