In this blog post, we list some of the best 80s alien movies. With their out-of-this-world plots and groundbreaking special effects, these films captivated audiences and left an indelible mark on the sci-fi genre.
From encounters with friendly visitors to heart-pounding battles against menacing creatures from distant galaxies, the 80s delivered a stellar lineup of unforgettable extraterrestrial adventures. Join us as we embark on a journey through time, reminiscing about the movies that transported us to a universe filled with interstellar marvels and otherworldly thrills. Brace yourself for an intergalactic trip down memory lane.
Best 80s Alien Movies
1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
A young boy named Elliott befriends an extraterrestrial being who is left stranded on Earth. As Elliott tries to keep the alien hidden, they develop a deep bond, but their secret is soon discovered, leading to a race against time to help E.T. return home before the government intervenes.
2. Aliens
Ellen Ripley, the sole survivor of the alien encounter in the first film, joins a group of space marines to return to the planet where the creatures were discovered. However, they soon find themselves facing a horde of vicious xenomorphs and must fight for their lives in a desperate battle for survival.
3. The Thing
A research team stationed in Antarctica is infiltrated by a shape-shifting alien that assimilates and imitates any living being it comes into contact with. As trust erodes and paranoia spreads, the survivors must determine who is human and who is the deadly alien, before it takes them all.
4. Blade Runner
In a dystopian future, a former police officer, known as a blade runner, is tasked with hunting down and “retiring” rogue bioengineered humanoids called replicants. As he delves deeper into his mission, he begins to question his own identity and the nature of humanity.
5. Predator
In the movie “Predator,” a team of elite commandos, led by Major Dutch Schaefer (Arnold Schwarzenegger), find themselves hunted by an extraterrestrial creature in the Central American jungle. As the team embarks on a rescue mission, they unknowingly become the prey of a highly advanced and merciless alien hunter. One by one, the members of the team are picked off with stealth and brutal precision, pushing them to the brink of their capabilities. With their lives on the line, Dutch and his surviving team members must find a way to outsmart and defeat this cunning, invisible adversary before they all succumb to its lethal prowess.
6. The Fly
“The Fly” revolves around the brilliant scientist Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum) who, in an ambitious experiment, attempts to teleport himself. However, an unnoticed housefly enters the teleportation pod with him, and their genetic matter fuses together at a molecular level. Initially, Seth experiences extraordinary physical and mental enhancements, but as time passes, he undergoes a horrific transformation. The boundary between man and insect blurs as Seth’s body deteriorates, and he becomes a grotesque and monstrous hybrid creature. As his humanity diminishes, his girlfriend Veronica Quaife (Geena Davis) races against time to find a way to reverse the horrifying mutation before it consumes Seth completely.
7. Starman
In “Starman,” an alien entity, taking the form of a young woman’s deceased husband, crash-lands on Earth. Seeking to understand humanity, the alien assumes the appearance of Jenny Hayden’s (Karen Allen) late spouse to bridge the gap between their worlds. As Jenny reluctantly guides the alien across the country to a rendezvous point, the two form a deep and emotional connection. Meanwhile, the government and military pursue them, viewing the extraterrestrial visitor as a potential threat. With time running out, the alien must reach its spaceship before being captured or destroyed, while Jenny faces a profound choice between protecting the being she has grown to love or ensuring its safe return home.
8. The Blob
In “The Blob,” a small town becomes the target of a gelatinous alien organism that consumes everything in its path. When a mysterious meteor crashes nearby, the blob emerges and begins engulfing and dissolving anything it encounters. As the townspeople fall victim to the relentless creature, a group of teenagers, led by Steve Andrews (Kevin Dillon), races against time to warn the authorities and devise a plan to stop the monstrous entity. With each passing moment, the blob grows larger and deadlier, posing a threat not only to the town but potentially the entire world. It’s a race against an unstoppable force that tests the courage and resourcefulness of the young protagonists in their battle to save themselves and their community.
9. They Live
A drifter discovers a pair of sunglasses that reveal a shocking truth: aliens have infiltrated society, controlling people’s minds and manipulating their perceptions. As he fights against the alien invaders, he joins a resistance group determined to expose the truth to the world and ignite a revolution.
10. Predator
A team of elite commandos on a rescue mission in the Central American jungle becomes the target of an extraterrestrial hunter known as the Predator. As the heavily armed soldiers are picked off one by one, they realize they are up against an otherworldly adversary with advanced technology and deadly hunting skills. It’s a thrilling battle for survival against an alien creature that lives for the hunt.
11. Videodrome (1983)
A sleazy cable TV programmer discovers a mysterious and disturbing broadcast signal called “Videodrome” that has a mind-altering effect on its viewers. As he delves deeper into the dark world of Videodrome, he begins to lose touch with reality, experiencing surreal hallucinations and merging with the technology. This mind-bending sci-fi horror film explores themes of media manipulation, obsession, and the blurred boundaries between the real and the virtual.
12. The Last Starfighter
A young man named Alex discovers that a video game he excels at is actually a test created by an alien defense force. He is recruited to join an intergalactic war and becomes the last hope to save the galaxy from an evil empire.
13. Flight of the Navigator
A young boy named David goes missing and returns eight years later, having not aged a day. He was taken aboard an alien spacecraft that can travel through time. David embarks on a thrilling adventure with a charming robot named Max to unlock the secrets of his extraordinary journey.
14. Explorers
Three young boys build a homemade spacecraft that actually works, taking them on a journey into outer space. They encounter friendly extraterrestrial beings and experience surreal adventures that challenge their understanding of the universe.
15. Lifeforce
A space mission discovers a hidden spaceship inside Halley’s Comet with alien creatures in suspended animation. Bringing them back to Earth, they unknowingly release a powerful female vampire alien. Chaos ensues as the alien feeds on unsuspecting victims, threatening an epidemic of carnage and destruction.
16. The Hidden
An alien parasite takes control of human bodies and goes on a killing spree, leaving a trail of chaos and destruction. A determined detective uncovers the truth behind the murders and discovers that the alien parasite is just the beginning of a larger invasion plan. As the body count rises, the detective races against time to stop the hidden menace before it takes over the entire planet.
17. Enemy Mine
During an intergalactic war, a human pilot and an alien fighter crash-land on a desolate planet. Initially, they are bitter enemies, but they soon realize that survival depends on their cooperation. As they overcome their prejudices and form an unlikely friendship, they face dangerous creatures, harsh environments, and their own inner demons. Together, they must find a way to escape the planet and bring an end to the war that separated them in the first place.
18. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Captain Kirk and his crew face their greatest nemesis, Khan, a genetically enhanced superhuman from the past seeking revenge. Khan is armed with a powerful weapon capable of causing mass destruction, and he is determined to unleash it upon Kirk and his crew. As they engage in a deadly game of cat and mouse in the vastness of space, Kirk must confront his own mortality and make sacrifices to save his ship and crew from certain annihilation.
19. Mac and Me
A young boy befriends an alien creature who gets stranded on Earth. Together, they embark on a heartwarming adventure to help the alien find its way back home. Along the way, they face numerous obstacles, including government agents who want to capture the alien for their own purposes. With the power of friendship and determination, the boy and the alien defy the odds and prove that love knows no boundaries, even across galaxies.
20. Critters
A small town is terrorized by a group of carnivorous aliens resembling furry balls with sharp teeth. As the deadly creatures wreak havoc, a family must fight to survive and protect their home from the ravenous extraterrestrial invaders.
21. Battle Beyond the Stars
In a distant future, a peaceful planet is threatened by the tyrannical Sador and his merciless army. To defend their world, a young farmer assembles a group of misfit mercenaries from across the galaxy to engage in an epic battle against the forces of evil.
22. Invaders from Mars
A young boy witnesses a UFO landing near his house and discovers that aliens are taking over the minds of the townspeople. With the help of a compassionate scientist, he must uncover the truth behind the invasion and find a way to stop the extraterrestrial menace.
23. Galaxy of Terror
A rescue mission on a desolate planet turns into a nightmare as the crew members of a spaceship face their deepest fears and encounter a malevolent alien force that preys on their darkest emotions. Trapped in a horrifying battle for survival, they must confront their inner demons or succumb to the relentless terror.
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