Try to remember how you felt watching sci-fi especially those revolving around aliens, do you remember the nostalgic feeling? in this blog, we have gathered for you the top 10 best alien movies of the 80s that will revive that feeling, in case you haven't watched a movie in this list we really suggest you to turn up the TV, those are movies with particularty high score according to reviewers.
1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Plot Summary: A touching story about a boy named Elliott who meets an alien that has lost its way on Earth. Thogether go on a journey in order to get E.T. home bonding deep emotional connections as they escape the autorities facing difficult situations.
Personal Reflection: The burning finger and bike riding scene are among some of the most memorable moments in cinema history. This movie is definitely one of the best alien movies the 80s.
Scores: IMDb: 7.9/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 99%, Metacritic: 91
2. The Thing (1982)
Director: John Carpenter
Plot Summary: Scientists in Antarctica encounter alien which can take the shape of any human, and is on the way of killing them, as the Scientists it the real panic starts, where who is human and who is the "thing"?
Personal Reflection:The film’s intense atmosphere combined with suspense has created a permanent effect on horror movies in future generations making it one of the best best alien movies of the 80s.
Scores: IMDb:8.2/10,Rotten Tomatoes-84%,Metacritic-57%
3. Aliens (1986)
Director: James Cameron
Plot Summary: Years after Ellen Ripley encountered the aliens, a group of colonial marines asks for her help to fight those aliens off them. A gun wouldn’t help in this case.
Personal Reflection: The movie balances action and horror keeping the viewer on the edge. The special effects are making the movie even better and into the list of best alien movies of the 80s
Scores: IMDb - 8.4/10; Rotten Tomatoes-97%; Metacritic-84
4. Predator (1987)
Director: John McTiernan
Plot summary: An Elite rescue team is sent to free hostages held in the jungle, soon they discover they are being hunted by an alien with advanced technology. One by one, this alien is killing them. They need to use any abilities they possess in order to survive.
Personal Reflection: The movie visual effects together with tension that is being built cleverly make you unable to move away from the screen. Elements like the predator itself and its technology together with the jungle view make this movie one of the top 10 best alien movies of the 80s.
Scores: IMDb – 7.8/10; Rotten Tomatoes – 80%; Metacritic – 45
5. The Abyss (1989)
Director: James Cameron
Plot summary: Missing American nuclear submarine in the Serbian sea, make the rescue team together with oil workers to cooperate in order to locate the lost submarine. On the search in the bottom of the ocean they would encounter alien.
Personal Reflection: Great movie written by James Cameron, the action scenes combined with the emotional scenes are making the movie unforgettable.
Scores: IMDb-7.5/10, Rotten Tomatoes-89%,Metacritic-62
6. They Live (1988)
Director: John Carpenter
Plot Summary: A nomad named Nada discovers a secret, aliens are in control of humans, equipped with a pair of glasses that reveal those aliens. Nada with a friend by his side would try to expose the secret.
Personal Reflection: The movie is relevant to today more than ever, the representation of seeing a different world when the glasess are on can be said compared to social media and the way it make us view the world. This unique movie with its messege belong to list of best alien movies of the 80s:
Scores: IMDb - 7.2/10; Rotten Tomatoes -85 %; Metacritic -55
7. Enemy Mine (1985)
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Plot Summary: The story happens during a war between humans and aliens named Dracs. Two pilot one human and the second a Drac crash on hostile planet. They would have to relay on each other if they wish to survive.
Personal Reflection: The story of two enemies creating unique friendship in the time of danger, overcoming obstacles together is amazing to see and feel, making it one of the best alien movies of the 80s.
Scores: IMDb -6.9/10; Rotten Tomatoes -62%; Metacritic -59
8. The Hidden (1987)
Director: Jack Sholder
Plot Summary: An alien which can change is form to any human arrive to earth with destructive plans and start doing crimes. Another alien cop that takes the form of human cop would try to get him.
Personal Reflection: The film’s unique premise combined with fantastic action scenes make it one of the Best Alien Movies of the 80s.
Scores: 7.0/10 (IMDb), 79% (Rotten Tomatoes), and 52(Metacritic)
9. Lifeforce (1985)
Director: Tobe Hooper
Plot Summary: A group of astronauts is on a mission in deep space to explore an abounded spaceship with potentially deep revolutionary secrets. There they would face deadly alien disease which they would face.
Personal Reflection: This movie will make you think, as it contains philosophical and ethical questions. The tense atmosphere of the movie together with the technology effects would hold you wanting for more.
Scores: IMDb – 6.1/10; Rotten Tomatoes – 58%; Metacritic –50
10. Night of the Creeps (1986)
Directed by: Fred Dekker
Plot Summary: Alien parasite is released from a frozen body which gets accidentally thawed in the university. This parasite would start turning people into walking zombies, two friends with the help of detective would try to stop it.
Personal Reflection: The mixture of horror with comedy makes it fun to watch. The special effects and the acting of Tom Atkins make it even better.
Scores: IMDb: 6.7/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 75%, Metacritic – 62
Conclusion
The top 10 Best Alien Movies of the 80s described above all had a big impact on the film industry and culture especially that of UFOs, although the movies were made in the 80s the way they were filmed and the stories they are telling us are not time dependant and are must watch. We hope you found your next movie, keep exploring.
