The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland List: Alien Invasion Movies

How often do you sit there thinking about what to watch? You might have an endless watchlist that keeps piling up (I certainly have one myself). Sometimes you are just in the mood for a type of film or a certain filmmaker or actor and want to take yourself into a deep dive. As someone who watches so many movies, I have people asking me for recommendations all the time. One of the best feelings as a cinephile is recommending a film and that person loves it. Take this wealth of cinematic knowledge and experience and enjoy some recommendations on me. Genre. Subgenre. Filmmaker. Actor. Composer. Writer. Genre. Story. Trope. Cliché. Any other cinematic elements or them. Here is The Wasteland List:  

Alien Invasion Movies 

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) 

A unique way to start, right? This classic film is certainly more of a threat of invasion versus an actual full blown alien invasion. The Day the Earth Stood Still captures the concern of humanity if an alien being arrives on Earth. But it is also an interesting “stranger in a strange land” story of an alien being learning about us. There are some iconic elements including the towering robotic entity, Gort, that makes this so memorable. A classic tale of first contact and a looming threat for sure.

The Thing from Another World (1951)/The Thing (1982) 

Are you ready for some bonus recommendations? There are plenty of great original and remake combos in this science fiction subgenre and this just might take the ticket. The Thing from Another World is a classic of the Golden Age of science fiction with a great creatures and sharp and intense filmmaking. This concept of a group of researchers in isolation on a tundra with an alien is such a great set up for thrills and horror. John Carpenter takes this idea to the next level with The Thing which is one of the most intense and paranoia driven films ever. The practical effects are insane, and the ensemble cast delivers in this masterpiece of horror/sci-fi.

The War of the Worlds (1953/2005) 

H.G. Wells was one of the all-time greats in science fiction writing, wasn’t he? His story The War of the Worlds is THE alien invasion story. This all-time class tale has been given a couple of worthwhile adaptations on the big screen. The original from 1953 has some impressive special effects and delivers some iconic visuals and alien ship designs. Then you have one of the greatest filmmakers of all time in Steven Spielberg take his crack at it. Having state-of-the-art special effects and a leading turn from Tom Cruise makes for an under-appreciated addition in his filmography.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956/1978) 

What is a great example of a film and its remake that are equal in merit and quality? Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The 1956 version is a black-and-white thriller that is lean and mean. With a sub-90-minute runtime, this is an easy investment. The tension and suspense are quite impressive as this film avoids the special effects and relies on great acting to sell the pod-people story. The 1978 version leans into all the practical effects and body horror for sure. This great cast draws you in too including its horrifying and iconic final frame. This paranoia-driven story of people being replaced is just the perfect vehicle for horror and thrills.

Predator (1987) 

Who doesn’t love an iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger action flick? But Predator is so much more than that. This action/horror/sci-fi film sets up a big 80s action flick in the first act with the big muscle heroes with great one-liners. But soon they realize they are being hunted instead by one of the most dangerous entities imaginable. The creative heat visions sequences, invisible special effects, and insane creature design make this alien so iconic. Predator is thrilling, funny, and unnerving for sure. Arnold going toe-to-toe with a one-alien army makes for a unique and endlessly entertaining invasion story.

Independence Day (1996)

What is THE alien invasion film for the modern generations? Independence Day. There is nothing more 1990s than Independence Day. Will Smith. Check. Jeff Goldblum. Check. Big blockbuster filmmaking. Check. A disaster movie. Check. The special effects are still impressive, and the crazy talented ensemble of the film still delivers with their endless charm. Smith and Goldblum are great co-leads. Bill Pullman makes one of the greatest movie presidents and delivers one of the greatest speeches in the history of cinema. The big budget thrills are unmatched and if this movie doesn’t get you hyped for humanity…I don’t know what to tell you. A great thrill ride for a few hours to enjoy for sure.

Men in Black (1997) 

Wait…Will Smith again? He must be Earth’s greatest weapon against any alien invasion. But this time he brings the laughs and the slick black suit. Smith is the perfect odd couple pairing with the sly and wry veteran presence of Tommy Lee Jones. But it is Vincent D’Onofrio’s crazy and unhinged turn as an alien bug in an “Edgar” costume that really steals the show. The Danny Elfman score and quirky Barry Sonnenfeld direction makes this such a clever and endearing experience. Men in Black is one of the sharpest, funniest, and well-conceived scripts of the 1990’s as it mixes the impending doom of alien invasion and destruction with the delightfully fun tropes of buddy cop flicks.

Signs (2002) 

How popular was M. Night Shyamalan in the early 2000s? He was going to be the next Spielberg. That shows just how great The Sixth Sense was. Then he had Unbreakable. Unfortunately, Signs was the film that started to get people to rethink that new status. But it really shouldn’t. Signs is a masterpiece of filmmaking and storytelling. The script is so detailed and engrossing. The cast is so good from Mel Gibson to Joaquin Phoenix to Abigail Breslin to Rory Culkin. There are some of the scariest moments in film this century that have haunted the dreams of so many millennials. This film is rich in themes and delivers all the goods on its alien invasion story.

The World’s End (2013) 

A third “Body Snatcher” film? But this one has a completely different feeling and tone for sure. Edgar Wright is such a clever and talented filmmaker. The way he can both lampoon and homage a genre while delivering a compelling film in that genre is unmatched. His Cornetto trilogy is beloved for a reason. The World’s End is his most mature film as it looks at aging and the struggle to overcome the good old days. Simon Pegg gets to play the screw up with an impressive crew of supporting actors to join him (including Nick Frost as the straight man). The alien designs are iconic and impressive and this film packs in plenty of commentary, humor, and thrills.

Edge of Tomorrow (2014) 

What do you get when you take the alien invasion formula and inject a time loop concept? You get the fantastic sci-fi/action flick Edge of Tomorrow. Tom Cruise goes on such a great journey from coward to action hero we all know and expect out of him. Emily Blunt steals the show as a badass warrior who has experienced the time loop before. This film can balance plenty of sight gags and humor in its opening acts and morph into an intense and thrilling action flick along the way. The creature designs are unique and frightening, and the film delivers a full-blown war on screen. This film was underseen for sure in theaters but has gained a deserving reputation since.