36 Best Movies like Aliens (1986)

Predator wastes no time plunging viewers into a survival scenario where an elite team faces off against a ruthless alien hunter in the jungle. The relentless cat-and-mouse suspense and powerhouse action sequences make it a high-octane thrill ride worth experiencing after the intensity of Aliens.

A team of elite commandos on a secret mission in a Central American jungle come to find themselves hunted by an extraterrestrial warrior. Predator is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 47m runtime, released in 1987 with an average rating of 7.6 by 9,340 people. The movie made an estimated total of $98,267,558 in the box office.

The Thing stands out for creating suffocating paranoia among a group isolated in a remote, frozen outpost. As fear and distrust build, so does the dread, making it a gripping exploration of humanity under siege that perfectly suits those who enjoy the psychological tension of sci-fi horror.

A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims. The Thing is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 49m runtime, released in 1982 with an average rating of 8.1 by 8,102 people. The movie made an estimated total of $19,629,760 in the box office.

Edge of Tomorrow delivers relentless, pulse-pounding action and a fresh take on war against extraterrestrials. The clever time-loop concept injects both urgency and dark humor, making this movie an exhilarating ride for those who crave innovative sci-fi battle scenarios and unexpected twists.

Major Bill Cage is an officer who has never seen a day of combat when he is unceremoniously demoted and dropped into combat. Cage is killed within minutes, managing to take an alpha alien down with him. He awakens back at the beginning of the same day and is forced to fight and die again... and again - as physical contact with the alien has thrown him into a time loop. Edge of Tomorrow is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 54m runtime, released in 2014 with an average rating of 7.6 by 15,305 people. The movie made an estimated total of $370,541,256 in the box office.

Starship Troopers makes its mark with a satirical edge, sending soldiers to war against swarms of deadly creatures. Its over-the-top spectacle, biting commentary, and large-scale military clashes give it a unique place for anyone seeking bold, kinetic science fiction.

Set in the future, the story follows a young soldier named Johnny Rico and his exploits in the Mobile Infantry. Rico's military career progresses from recruit to non-commissioned officer and finally to officer against the backdrop of an interstellar war between mankind and an arachnoid species known as "the Bugs." Starship Troopers is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 9m runtime, released in 1997 with an average rating of 7.1 by 5,608 people. The movie made an estimated total of $121,214,377 in the box office.

Event Horizon conjures a uniquely disturbing atmosphere through its fusion of psychological horror and science fiction. The movie’s slow, creeping sense of dread aboard a haunted spacecraft is ideal for viewers who appreciate an unsettling, nightmarish journey into the unknown.

In 2047, a group of astronauts are sent to investigate and salvage the starship Event Horizon which disappeared mysteriously seven years before on its maiden voyage. However, it soon becomes evident that something sinister resides in its corridors. Event Horizon is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 36m runtime, released in 1997 with an average rating of 6.6 by 3,387 people. The movie made an estimated total of $26,700,000 in the box office.

Sunshine carves out a distinctive path by blending existential themes with mounting suspense on a mission to reignite the dying sun. The claustrophobia and escalating tension onboard provide a riveting, cerebral edge that will capture any fan of intense space-bound stories.

Fifty years into the future, the sun is dying, and Earth is threatened by arctic temperatures. A team of astronauts is sent to revive the Sun — but the mission fails. Seven years later, a new team is sent to finish the mission as mankind’s last hope. Sunshine is a movie from United Kingdom in English, with a total 1h 48m runtime, released in 2007 with an average rating of 7.0 by 4,353 people. The movie made an estimated total of $34,800,000 in the box office.

Pitch Black hooks you with its extreme survival scenario: a mismatched crew stranded on a desolate, monster-infested planet. The relentless threat lurking in the darkness keeps tension razor-sharp, making it a standout for anyone seeking unpredictable dangers and suspense in a sci-fi setting.

When their ship crash-lands on a remote planet, the marooned passengers soon learn that escaped convict Riddick isn't the only thing they have to fear. Deadly creatures lurk in the shadows, waiting to attack in the dark, and the planet is rapidly plunging into the utter blackness of a total eclipse. With the body count rising, the doomed survivors are forced to turn to Riddick with his eerie eyes to guide them through the darkness to safety. With time running out, there's only one rule: Stay in the light. Pitch Black is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 48m runtime, released in 2000 with an average rating of 6.9 by 4,885 people. The movie made an estimated total of $53,187,659 in the box office.

Doom ramps up the adrenaline with its fast-paced, no-nonsense approach to marines confronting monstrous threats in a remote outpost. The raw, action-heavy momentum caters to viewers in the mood for relentless, explosive mayhem driven by otherworldly adversaries.

A team of space marines known as the Rapid Response Tactical Squad, led by Sarge, is sent to a science facility on Mars after somebody reports a security breach. There, they learn that the alert came after a test subject, a mass murderer purposefully injected with alien DNA, broke free and began killing people. Dr. Grimm, who is related to team member Reaper, informs them all that the chromosome can mutate humans into monsters -- and is highly infectious. Doom is a movie from Czech Republic in English, with a total 1h 45m runtime, released in 2005 with an average rating of 5.2 by 2,494 people. The movie made an estimated total of $58,100,000 in the box office.

Pandorum unravels its mystery through a dark, labyrinthine environment where psychological uncertainty intertwines with lurking dangers. The escalating sense of isolation keeps paranoia at the forefront, making it an engrossing journey for those who gravitate toward unpredictable sci-fi survival tales.

Two crew members wake up on an abandoned spacecraft with no idea who they are, how long they've been asleep, or what their mission is. The two soon discover they're actually not alone – and the reality of their situation is more horrifying than they could have imagined. Pandorum is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 48m runtime, released in 2009 with an average rating of 6.6 by 2,712 people. The movie made an estimated total of $20,648,328 in the box office.

Life succeeds in creating suffocating suspense within the close quarters of a space station. Tension mounts as the crew faces a constantly evolving threat, ensuring a gripping, nerve-wracking experience for anyone who thrives on relentless cosmic horror.

The six-member crew of the International Space Station is tasked with studying a sample from Mars that may be the first proof of extra-terrestrial life, which proves more intelligent than ever expected. Life is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 44m runtime, released in 2017 with an average rating of 6.5 by 8,019 people. The movie made an estimated total of $100,541,806 in the box office.

Enemy Mine takes a different approach, exploring a profound transformation from hostility to solidarity between two stranded survivors. The emotional weight and focus on the unlikely bond forged in adversity make it an evocative recommendation for those seeking more than just action.

A soldier from Earth crashlands on an alien world after sustaining battle damage. Eventually he encounters another survivor, but from the enemy species he was fighting; they band together to survive on this hostile world. In the end the human finds himself caring for his enemy in a completely unexpected way. Enemy Mine is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 48m runtime, released in 1985 with an average rating of 7.0 by 1,097 people. The movie made an estimated total of $12,300,000 in the box office.

Prometheus is a worthwhile pick for its fascination with humanity’s quest for origins and the mysteries lurking in alien landscapes. Its focus on discovery, awe, and mounting dread entices viewers interested in philosophical questions amid breathtaking visuals and cosmic hazards.

A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race. Prometheus is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 4m runtime, released in 2012 with an average rating of 6.6 by 13,428 people. The movie made an estimated total of $403,354,469 in the box office.

The Descent excels at instilling creeping terror as a group battles both claustrophobia and creatures in pitch-black tunnels. The suffocating underground setting heightens every scare, making it a fantastic choice for those drawn to survival horror in confined, inescapable environments.

After a personal tragedy, Sarah joins her friends on a caving expedition in the Appalachian Mountains. But when a rockfall traps them deep underground, their adventure turns into a nightmare. As they search for a way out, the group discovers they are not alone—lurking in the darkness are savage, cave-dwelling creatures. With rising tension and dwindling trust, the women must fight to survive against both the predators and each other. The Descent is a movie from United Kingdom in English, with a total 1h 40m runtime, released in 2005 with an average rating of 7.0 by 4,498 people. The movie made an estimated total of $57,130,027 in the box office.

Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars brings back the pulse-pounding battle against monstrous threats, this time in animated form. Its frantic action and relentless pace keep the stakes high, catering to those who want more large-scale military sci-fi excitement.

Federation trooper Johnny Rico is ordered to work with a group of new recruits on a satellite station on Mars, where giant bugs have decided to target their next attack. Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 27m runtime, released in 2017 with an average rating of 5.9 by 332 people.

Apollo 18 turns moon exploration into a source of unease, slowly drifting from scientific discovery into creeping terror. The relentless suspense and growing sense of isolation will draw in viewers who want to unravel a cosmic mystery laced with supernatural undertones.

Officially, Apollo 17 was the last manned mission to the moon. But a year later in 1973, three American astronauts were sent on a secret mission to the moon funded by the US Department of Defense. What you are about to see is the actual footage which the astronauts captured on that mission. While NASA denies its authenticity, others say it's the real reason we've never gone back to the moon. Apollo 18 is a movie from Canada in English, with a total 1h 26m runtime, released in 2011 with an average rating of 5.3 by 1,117 people. The movie made an estimated total of $25,562,924 in the box office.

Virus thrusts its characters into technology-gone-wrong horror on a derelict ship, offering a unique twist with relentless, mechanical terrors. The mix of dread and escalating danger will appeal to anyone fascinated by the dark side of artificial intelligence in confined spaces.

When the crew of an American tugboat boards an abandoned Russian research vessel, the alien life form aboard regards them as a virus which must be destroyed. Virus is a movie from United Kingdom in English, with a total 1h 40m runtime, released in 1999 with an average rating of 5.4 by 705 people. The movie made an estimated total of $30,700,000 in the box office.

Leviathan builds a mounting sense of dread as a crew discovers something deadly lurking beneath the ocean. The underwater setting intensifies every ordeal, immersing the audience in a stifling and tense atmosphere for those who appreciate isolation-based suspense with a monstrous twist.

Underwater deep-sea miners encounter a Soviet wreck and bring back a dangerous cargo to their base on the ocean floor with horrifying results. The crew of the mining base must fight to survive against a genetic mutation that hunts them down one by one. Leviathan is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 38m runtime, released in 1989 with an average rating of 6.0 by 577 people. The movie made an estimated total of $15,704,614 in the box office.

Outland distinguishes itself with its gritty, frontier-like vision of space justice. The harsh mining colony setting amplifies the tension and transforms a familiar premise into a compelling battle set against the stark isolation of deep space.

On the sunless moon Io, Marshall William T. O’Niel goes toe-to-toe with the corrupt manager of a mining colony and his gang of roughnecks while investigating a rash of worker suicides. Outland is a movie from United Kingdom in English, with a total 1h 50m runtime, released in 1981 with an average rating of 6.4 by 715 people. The movie made an estimated total of $17,374,595 in the box office.

Screamers stands out for its unique focus on the unintended consequences of technology, unleashing relentless machines in a desolate world. This cautionary narrative raises the stakes for anyone intrigued by chilling, dystopian encounters with mankind’s own inventions.

SIRIUS 6B, Year 2078. On a distant mining planet ravaged by a decade of war, scientists have created the perfect weapon: a blade-wielding, self-replicating race of killing devices known as Screamers designed for one purpose only -- to hunt down and destroy all enemy life forms. Screamers is a movie from Canada in English, with a total 1h 48m runtime, released in 1995 with an average rating of 6.2 by 617 people. The movie made an estimated total of $5,781,885 in the box office.

Europa Report leverages a documentary-style approach to heighten realism as a mission confronts the unknown far from Earth. For viewers craving methodical, scientifically grounded storytelling intertwined with awe and mounting fear, this film promises a haunting, plausible descent into danger.

A crew travels to Europa, Jupiter’s icy moon, to investigate signs of life in its subsurface ocean, but disaster cuts them off from Earth, leading to a tense and dangerous exploration. Europa Report is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 30m runtime, released in 2013 with an average rating of 6.3 by 1,572 people. The movie made an estimated total of $125,687 in the box office.

Galaxy of Terror fully embraces the nightmarish, surreal aspects of alien encounters, plunging the unwary into grotesque and unpredictable horrors. Its willingness to lean into the bizarre and unsettling makes it a wild ride for those in search of truly unorthodox science fiction nightmares.

As a lone spaceship proceeds on its long voyage across space, the crew are surprised to encounter a strange pyramid form. Surprise turns to horror as one by one, they discover that their darkest nightmares are all starting to become real. The pyramid has to be behind it all somehow, but how can they save themselves from its influence? Galaxy of Terror is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 21m runtime, released in 1981 with an average rating of 5.3 by 259 people.

Infini stands out for its relentless, unpredictable pace as a rescue mission spirals into chaos. The rapid escalation and ever-present threat inject a feverish sense of urgency that will grip viewers eager for breakneck storytelling with constant twists.

A search and rescue team are transported through deep space to a distant mining colony to save the sole survivor of a biological outbreak. During their mission, they find a lethal weapon which is set to arrive on Earth within the hour. Infini is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 50m runtime, released in 2015 with an average rating of 5.2 by 397 people.

Super 8 draws you in with its powerful sense of youthful awe facing an extraterrestrial mystery. Although the tone is more adventurous, its emotional depth and tight sense of community provide a flavorful contrast for those who enjoy sci-fi with a heartfelt core.

In late 1970s Ohio, a group of friends filming a homemade zombie movie witness a devastating train derailment. Soon after, their quiet town is gripped by unexplained disappearances, strange phenomena, and a growing sense of fear, as they uncover that something terrifying has been set loose. Super 8 is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 52m runtime, released in 2011 with an average rating of 6.8 by 7,184 people. The movie made an estimated total of $260,100,000 in the box office.

Underwater ratchets up the tension by plunging its characters into the crushing depths of the ocean, where claustrophobia and unknown threats collide. The relentless atmosphere and inescapable pressure make it an exciting option for viewers who want pulse-pounding suspense.

After an earthquake destroys their underwater station, six researchers must navigate two miles along the dangerous, unknown depths of the ocean floor to make it to safety in a race against time. Underwater is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 35m runtime, released in 2020 with an average rating of 6.3 by 3,547 people. The movie made an estimated total of $40,882,928 in the box office.

Opera as a Life Force brings a wholly different dimension to this list, exploring the emotional draw and transformative power of music rather than extraterrestrial menace. This unique thematic leap could captivate those willing to journey beyond genre boundaries in search of inspiration and intensity.

Opera as life force is a story about an unknown opera culture, the Tibetan one, and about art's ability to heal and develop in exile. Opera as a Life Force is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 2m runtime, released in -0001 with an average rating of 0.0 by 0 people.

DeepStar Six capitalizes on the lurking terrors found in unexplored depths. The film’s sense of isolation and the unpredictable presence that threatens the crew underline a taut atmosphere that fans of suspense and aquatic danger will find hard to resist.

The crew of an experimental underwater nuclear base are forced to struggle for their lives when their explorations disturb a creature who threatens to destroy their base. DeepStar Six is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 39m runtime, released in 1989 with an average rating of 5.5 by 352 people. The movie made an estimated total of $8,143,225 in the box office.

Sphere weaves psychological suspense with eerie discoveries as a crew investigates an enigmatic object beneath the ocean. Its cerebral, slow-burning pace rewards viewers who enjoy unpacking mysteries and confronting the depths of human imagination and fear.

A spacecraft is discovered at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, presumed to be at least 300 years old and of alien origin. A crack team of scientists and experts is assembled and taken to the ocean floor to investigate. However, the ship is not as it seems and when a giant perfect sphere is discovered in the cargo bay, things begin to fall apart. Sphere is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 14m runtime, released in 1998 with an average rating of 6.1 by 1,863 people. The movie made an estimated total of $37,020,277 in the box office.

Soldier forges its own path with high-intensity combat and a protagonist struggling for identity in a hostile world. Its focus on action and personal transformation gives viewers a look at survival where character growth and firepower go hand in hand.

Sergeant Todd is a veteran soldier for an elite group of the armed forces. After being defeated by a new breed of genetically engineered soldiers, he is dumped on a waste planet and left for dead. He soon interacts with a group of crash survivors who lead out a peaceful existence. The peace is broken as the new soldiers land on the planet to eliminate the colony, which Sergeant Todd must defend. Soldier is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 39m runtime, released in 1998 with an average rating of 6.4 by 977 people. The movie made an estimated total of $14,594,226 in the box office.

Fire in the Sky captivates with the emotional turmoil and lingering trauma of an alien abduction experience. Its human-centered approach provides a chilling, deeply personal take for those fascinated by how extraterrestrial encounters can reshape lives in unexpected ways.

After clearing brush for the government, a group of men return to town claiming their friend was abducted. Despite no apparent motive or evidence of foul play, no-one believes their story and his disappearance is treated as murder. Fire in the Sky is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 49m runtime, released in 1993 with an average rating of 6.7 by 723 people. The movie made an estimated total of $19,885,552 in the box office.

Hardware immerses you in a post-apocalyptic future where machinery and menace intersect. The raw, gritty aesthetic and slow-building sense of doom offer a starkly different yet compelling flavor of sci-fi anxiety for those who appreciate atmospheric world-building.

Mark 13 is a government-built killing machine programmed with artificial intelligence, able to repair and recharge itself from any energy source. Through a series of coincidences, the cyborg's head ends up in the home of a sculptress as a bizarre Christmas present from her boyfriend. Once inside its new home, the cyborg promptly reconstructs the rest of its body using a variety of household utensils and proceeds to go on a murderous rampage. Hardware is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 34m runtime, released in 1990 with an average rating of 5.9 by 352 people. The movie made an estimated total of $5,728,953 in the box office.

The Black Hole lures you into a mysterious journey to the edge of a cosmic abyss. The interplay of discovery and danger keeps tension alive, providing a classic sense of wonder and suspense for viewers enthralled by the unknown reaches of space.

The explorer craft USS Palomino is returning to Earth after a fruitless 18-month search for extra-terrestrial life when the crew comes upon a supposedly lost ship, the USS Cygnus, hovering near a black hole. The ship is controlled by Dr. Hans Reinhardt and his monstrous robot companion, but the initial wonderment and awe the Palomino crew feel for the ship and its resistance to the power of the black hole turn to horror as they uncover Reinhardt's plans. The Black Hole is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 38m runtime, released in 1979 with an average rating of 5.8 by 557 people. The movie made an estimated total of $35,841,901 in the box office.

Stargate opens the door to adventure through interstellar travel and ancient mysteries. The blend of action and archaeological intrigue delivers an imaginative twist for anyone excited by worlds full of secrets and the bold explorers who uncover them.

An interstellar teleportation device, found in Egypt, leads to a planet with humans resembling ancient Egyptians who worship the god Ra. Stargate is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 1m runtime, released in 1994 with an average rating of 7.0 by 3,898 people. The movie made an estimated total of $196,567,262 in the box office.

Dead Space thrives on its stripped-down, desperate survival scenario inside a hazardous space environment. The escalating tension and constant threat make this a gripping watch for those who enjoy stories about overcoming overwhelming odds in the cosmos.

On the planet Phaebon, a controlled research facility had been thought to be safe... until a breach unleashes alien terrors unknown. Dead Space is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 12m runtime, released in 1991 with an average rating of 3.8 by 57 people.

Ghosts of Mars transports its audience to a lawless, hostile planet teeming with danger. The mix of genre elements; action, horror, and science fiction; gives this film a distinctive energy that rewards viewers who crave bold, unpredictable confrontations.

In 2176, a Martian police unit is sent to pick up a highly dangerous criminal at a remote mining post. Upon arrival, the cops find the post deserted and something far more dangerous than any criminal — the original inhabitants of Mars, hellbent on getting their planet back. Ghosts of Mars is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 38m runtime, released in 2001 with an average rating of 5.2 by 1,259 people. The movie made an estimated total of $14,010,832 in the box office.

Cloverfield amplifies its suspense through a ground-level view of chaos unfolding in real time. The immersive approach and lingering uncertainty make it a strong choice for those drawn to apocalyptic scenarios and the relentless upheaval brought by monstrous threats.

Five young New Yorkers throw their friend a going-away party the night that a monster the size of a skyscraper descends upon the city. Told from the point of view of their video camera, the film is a document of their attempt to survive the most surreal, horrifying event of their lives. Cloverfield is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 25m runtime, released in 2008 with an average rating of 6.7 by 7,988 people. The movie made an estimated total of $170,764,026 in the box office.

Riddick finds its appeal in the raw survival instincts of its antihero marooned in a hostile environment. The stark landscape and deadly adversaries set the stage for a relentless battle that will hook viewers looking for gritty perseverance in the face of extinction.

Betrayed by his own kind and left for dead on a desolate planet, Riddick fights for survival against alien predators and becomes more powerful and dangerous than ever before. Soon bounty hunters from throughout the galaxy descend on Riddick only to find themselves pawns in his greater scheme for revenge. With his enemies right where he wants them, Riddick unleashes a vicious attack of vengeance before returning to his home planet of Furya to save it from destruction. Riddick is a movie from Canada in English, with a total 1h 59m runtime, released in 2013 with an average rating of 6.3 by 4,474 people. The movie made an estimated total of $98,337,295 in the box office.