5 Mind-Blowing Movies Similar to Aliens You Must Watch

Alien³ is reminiscent of Aliens in several ways. Both movies feature Ellen Ripley, the iconic character played by Sigourney Weaver, and continue her story after the events of the first two films. In Aliens, Ripley battles the Alien Queen and her offspring, while in Alien³, she crash-lands on a maximum-security prison and discovers that she has unknowingly brought along an unwelcome visitor. Both movies explore the themes of survival, sacrifice, and the battle against terrifying extraterrestrial creatures. However, while Aliens is known for its intense action and well-developed characters, Alien³ takes a different approach. Directed by David Fincher, Alien³ has a darker tone and focuses more on the psychological horror elements. It tries to mix the dark feeling of the first movie with the action-packed nature of Aliens, but doesn't quite achieve the same level of success.

The similarities between "Alien" and its successor "Aliens" are striking. Both films revolve around the terrifying encounters with extraterrestrial creatures in space, and both feature the incredible Sigourney Weaver as the iconic Ellen Ripley. However, while "Alien" focuses more on building tension and horror, "Aliens" takes a more action-packed approach. "Alien" sets the stage for the suspenseful atmosphere with its isolated spaceship and the crew's investigation of an unknown transmission. Ridley Scott's vision, brought to life by the outstanding production design and the Lovecraftian horrors of H.R. Giger, make "Alien" a timeless piece of art. On the other hand, "Aliens," directed by James Cameron, expands the story by introducing a rescue mission and pitting Ripley against the formidable Alien Queen and her offspring. The film masterfully balances character development, intense action sequences, and emotional moments that resonate with the audience.

Zone Troopers is a movie that takes you back to the 80s, just like Aliens. While Aliens is a sci-fi thriller set in space, Zone Troopers brings the excitement to World War II. Picture this: American soldiers fighting in Italy stumble upon an alien UFO. It's like a crossover between Saving Private Ryan and Independence Day! Zone Troopers, directed by Danny Bilson (who also co-wrote it with Paul DeMeo), captures the essence of that 80s charm. It even has Tim Thomerson in the cast, who you might recognize from Trancers. And let's not forget Richard Band's score, which shamelessly pays homage to Star Wars. So, if you're craving some action-packed sci-fi adventure, but with a twist of historical context, give Zone Troopers a watch. It's a fun ride that will transport you to a time when soldiers fought aliens alongside Nazis.

Alien: Resurrection, released in 1998, is reminiscent of its predecessor, Aliens. While the latter is widely regarded as a near-perfect movie, Alien: Resurrection fell short of expectations and almost destroyed the franchise. The original Alien series had a strong start with Alien, and its sequel, Aliens, managed to impress by being almost as good as the first. However, Alien 3 disappointed fans and made them question the future of the franchise. Alien: Resurrection, with a weak concept and poor execution, followed suit. The story of Alien: Resurrection leans more towards a "haunted house" vibe rather than an engaging sci-fi plot. Unlike Aliens, where all the characters were well-developed and likable, Alien: Resurrection failed to create a cast that the audience could root for.

The Tomorrow War reminds me of Aliens. Both movies feature brave soldiers fighting against terrifying aliens to save humanity. In Aliens, Ellen Ripley is sent to a terraforming colony to battle the Alien Queen and her offspring, while in The Tomorrow War, a family man is drafted to fight in a future war against an alien invasion.
What sets these movies apart is their unique approach to the action. Aliens, directed by James Cameron, is a classic sci-fi thriller that expertly balances intense action scenes with well-developed characters. Sigourney Weaver's Ripley is the template for the modern action heroine, and the emotional bond between her character and Carrie Henn's Newt adds depth to the story. The Tomorrow War, on the other hand, focuses on Chris Pratt's character as he confronts the past to save the future. While the logic behind the story may be ridiculous at times, the film still offers satisfying entertainment and feel-good action.

Cloverfield, the similar movie to Aliens, takes a unique approach to the monster movie genre. Set in New York, a group of friends embarks on a rescue mission during a terrifying monster attack. What sets Cloverfield apart is its found footage style, where the entire film is shot from the perspective of a 20-something's handheld camera. This technique creates an intense and immersive experience, constantly keeping you on the edge of your seat. The amateur acting actually works in the film's favor, as using big-name actors would have taken away from the realism. The characters serve different purposes, from comic relief to moral guidance, but they all come together to portray the raw emotions of people surviving a monster attack. The special effects are seamless, and the monster is cleverly shown from different angles, just like the survivors themselves see it. Critics compare Cloverfield to Blair Witch meets Godzilla, but it goes beyond that.

Suburban Commando: An interstellar hero from a distant world visits Earth, and tries to fit in with a mundane, yet kind, suburban family. I can't help but draw parallels between this movie and Aliens. Sure, they have completely different genres, but hear me out. Both films involve protagonists from other worlds who find themselves on Earth, facing unfamiliar environments and trying to integrate. Aliens explores the tension and fear of encountering extraterrestrial life, while Suburban Commando takes a lighthearted approach, using comedy to highlight the clash between an intergalactic warrior and a suburban family. Both movies showcase the talents of their lead actors, with Sigourney Weaver's Ripley and Hulk Hogan's Shep Ramsey bringing their unique charm to their respective roles. While Aliens is a critically acclaimed masterpiece, Suburban Commando offers a fun and entertaining experience that you can enjoy with the whole family.

Outlander is like Aliens in the sense that both movies involve a protagonist battling against formidable extraterrestrial creatures. In Aliens, Ellen Ripley fights against the Alien Queen and her offspring, while in Outlander, Kainan leads an alliance to kill the Moorwen, an alien predator. However, while Aliens takes place in a futuristic setting and involves a rescue mission, Outlander is set during the Viking era and revolves around revenge. Aliens is known for its well-developed characters, such as Ripley and Hicks, whereas Outlander features excellent performances by James Caviezel, John Hurt, and Ron Perlman. Both movies provide impressive visual effects, but Outlander stands out with its flawless production and captivating cinematography. Although the concept of battling aliens is not entirely new, Outlander offers a fresh take on the genre, making it a must-watch for sci-fi and fantasy fans.

Godzilla: The Planet Eater is reminiscent of Aliens in that both movies are action-packed and filled with monstrous creatures. While Aliens features the iconic Alien Queen and her offspring, Godzilla: The Planet Eater introduces Ghidorah, a powerful destructive entity. However, that's where the similarities end. Aliens, directed by James Cameron, is a sci-fi thriller set in space and focuses on a rescue mission and the battle against the aliens. On the other hand, Godzilla: The Planet Eater is an animated film that delves into the theme of religion and the manipulative nature of leaders. While Aliens received numerous nominations and awards, Godzilla: The Planet Eater didn't receive any. Despite the lack of action in Godzilla: The Planet Eater, it explores thought-provoking concepts that make it worth watching for fans of the franchise.

"Hard Time on Planet Earth" is reminiscent of "Aliens" in terms of its alien theme and the presence of extraterrestrial beings on Earth. However, the similarities end there. While "Aliens" is an intense and action-packed sci-fi thriller set in space, "Hard Time on Planet Earth" takes a more light-hearted approach as a comedic drama series set in Los Angeles. The main character, Jesse, an alien exiled to Earth, is accompanied by Control, a floating robotic parole officer. Together, they navigate the complexities of Earthly life while Jesse tries to show compassion in order to return to his home planet. Unlike the well-developed characters in "Aliens," "Hard Time on Planet Earth" focuses more on the humorous and often troublesome situations that Jesse finds himself in due to his lack of knowledge about Earthly ways.

Space Rangers is reminiscent of Aliens because both movies take place in the future and involve outer space and aliens. However, while Aliens is a thrilling action-packed film with a strong emphasis on character development, Space Rangers is a short-lived series that focuses on a rag-tag police force stationed in deep space. Aliens, directed by James Cameron, is known for its intense and well-rounded characters, particularly Sigourney Weaver's iconic role as Ellen Ripley. On the other hand, Space Rangers, although only having a few episodes, offers a fun and light-hearted experience with great special effects and talented actors. So, if you enjoyed the futuristic world and alien encounters in Aliens, you should definitely check out Space Rangers for a different, yet enjoyable, space adventure.

Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs takes us to the distant future, where a team of four high-tech Star Sheriffs defends the frontier space colony Yuma from outlaws and humanoid alien beings called Vapors. While at first glance it may seem like just another giant robot show with cowboys, there is more to this series. With great action, an amazing soundtrack, character depth, and a solid series plot, Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs stands out. It is reminiscent of Aliens in terms of its thrilling action and the way it creates a unique world. The similarities end there, as Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs adds a Western twist to the mix, creating a fun and exciting blend of genres. So, if you're a fan of Aliens and want to experience a futuristic space adventure with a touch of the Wild West, Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs is definitely worth checking out.

Arcadia of My Youth: Infinite Course SSX shares some similarities with Aliens, making it a must-watch for fans of the latter. Both movies revolve around an alien invasion and the struggle for freedom. In Aliens, Ellen Ripley battles the Alien Queen and her offspring to protect humanity, while in Arcadia of My Youth: Infinite Course SSX, Captain Harlock leads the resistance against the Illumidas aliens to restore freedom to his planet. Both films are action-packed and feature well-developed characters that audiences can truly care about. However, they also have their differences. Aliens is a live-action film with a runtime of 8220 seconds, while Arcadia of My Youth: Infinite Course SSX is an animated series with a runtime of 1560 seconds. Additionally, Aliens is set in the future, whereas Arcadia of My Youth: Infinite Course SSX is set in the 30th century.

Macross 7 takes you on a wild ride through space, but with a twist. While Aliens focuses on a serious battle against terrifying creatures, Macross 7 infuses humor and charm into its story. The anime series revolves around a rock band that unexpectedly becomes the key to defending a space colony fleet. Yes, you read that right?a rock band fighting battles with psychic vampires by singing bad pop songs at them. It's a peculiar premise, but it works. Macross 7 embraces the power of music as a motivational force, and believes that listening to bright, happy, bouncy tunes is essential to avoid falling into a grumpy pit of depression. While some may react negatively to this concept, it offers a refreshing and unique perspective. So if you're looking for exposure to an alien point of view or just want some silly kitsch, Macross 7 is the perfect choice.

Battle Beyond the Stars: A farm boy recruits a band of outlaws to save the planet Akir from forces that threaten to wipe them out from the face of the universe. A battle stretching beyond the stars begins here. This movie reminds me of Aliens, released in 1987. Both films fall into the action-adventure sci-fi genre and involve battling against formidable opponents. While Aliens focuses on a rescue mission and the fight against the Alien Queen and her offspring, Battle Beyond the Stars tells the story of a group of outlaws banding together to save their planet from destruction. Both movies offer thrilling action sequences and a sense of high stakes. However, Aliens has a darker tone and is known for its intense atmosphere and well-developed characters. On the other hand, Battle Beyond the Stars embraces a more flamboyant and fun approach, incorporating elements from various sources to create an entertaining space adventure.