So you are looking for a few alien invasion flicks that aren’t exactly stereotypical, that aren’t just a bunch of saucers coming down and destroying Earth?
Here I’ll list 7 alternative alien invasion films around, from ridiculous to the sentimental
Enjoy
Director: Edward D. Wood Jr.
Cast: Gregory Walcott, Mona McKinnon, Duke Moore, Tom Keene, Carl Anthony, Paul Marco, Tor Johnson, Dudley Manlove, Joanna Lee, John Breckinridge, Lyle Talbot, David De Mering, Norma McCarty, Bill Ash, Lynn Lemon
Year: 1959
Plan 9 From Outer Space is now infamous as the world’s worst film – and the story of making it has even been directed by Tim Burton and stars Johnny Depp - it’s a film named Ed Wood. Plan 9 From Outer Space, a sci-fi picture directed by Edward D. Wood Jr., involves aliens trying to stop humans from building a bomb that would destroy the universe. And the alien plan? Plan 9 is to resurrect the dead on earth to distract the humans from building the doomsday machine. Ridiculous? Only slightly
To truly appreciate Plan 9 From Outer Space you have to know all the problems that went with it, and trust me, if you go in thinking Plan 9 From Outer Space is the worst film in the world, you’ll have a great time, have a laugh and enjoy yourself. Plan 9 From Outer Space is one of my favourites
6. Signs
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Cast: Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin, Cherry Jones, M. Night Shyamalan, Patricia Kalember, Ted Sutton, Merritt Wever, Lanny Flaherty, Marion McCorry, Michael Showalter, Kevin Pires, Clifford David, Rhonda Overby
Year: 2002
Signs is a sci-fi thriller from the depths of the great M. Night Shyamalan. Ever wanted a alien invasion film to explore faith? Then Signs is your film. And for those that don’t care for faith explorations, there is plenty of jump-up moments, dragging-out tense scenes, and a cast that holds Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix & Abigail Breslin
Although parodied in Scary Movie, Signs is actually a great. Signs follows an ex-preacher – played by Mel Gibson - who lost faith after the gruesome death of his beloved wife. He discovers crop circles on his farm and gradually fears that they are the work of aliens, while in the meantime battling serious family problems. Signs is epic. And to all the fans: remember Merrill, swing away!
5. Monsters
Director: Gareth Edwards
Cast: Scoot McNairy, Whitney Able, Mario Zuniga Benavides, Annalee Jefferies, Justin Hall, Ricky Catter, Paul Archer, Kerry Valderrama, Jonathan Winnford, Stan Wong, Anthony Cristo, Mario Richardson, Jorge Quirs, Erik Arce, Emigo Munkel
Year: 2010
Monsters is a sci-fi film from the British newcomer Gareth Edwards. A lot of buzz swarmed its release due its epic monsters yet miniscule budget. But there is a lot more to talk about than that. So, after a NASA deep-space probe crash lands in Mexico, alien life forms, such as giant monsters, start swarming the Mexico-US border, and so it is put into quarantine. A few years later, when life has become normalized with part of Mexico shut off to the world, a photojournalist – played by Scoot McNairy - is tasked with bringing back his boss’s daughter - Whitney Able - safely to the US, and that means going through the quarantine
Monsters is probably the least alien invasion film on the list, as although you see these monsters and yes they do attack, the monsters are really there to drive the relationship of the two main characters, and it is the most sentimental on the list. But don’t get me wrong, there are thrills and there are alien life forms, and you take it for what you will, a simple drama story, an allegory for the border disputes in the US, and something else. But if you go to just see Monsters, don’t be surprised by what else you find! And luckily we’ll be seeing Gareth Edwards again, as he is taking on remaking Godzilla!
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