Buzz
The beauty of crafting an alien character is the sheer unpredictability—after all, no one truly knows what they might look like, with the possible exception of a handful of government officials in Nevada's desert. But that’s a story for another time. For most creators, the process begins with a clean slate, allowing for endless creativity.
Over the years, some have chosen to depict these extraterrestrials in a human-like form. Robin Williams' portrayal of Mork from Ork became an iconic favorite, with his head-tilting antics, the famous “Na-Nu Na-Nu” greeting, and his playful ‘Shazbot’ exclamations. Similarly, John Lithgow’s role as Dick Solomon in *3rd Rock from the Sun* was a hit, playing a highly intelligent alien leader in a family unit sent to study life on Earth.
Other creators have taken a different route, opting not to give aliens human shapes, but rather forging entirely new interpretations of extraterrestrial life. Their goal was to challenge and reimagine the classic “little green man” concept that had been passed down through generations. Let’s now explore the top 10 original alien designs that have become unforgettable.
10. Ripley Planet 51
At first glance, Ripley might not strike you as adorable. In fact, he’s far from ‘aesthetically pleasing.’ True to his name, he bears a striking resemblance to a miniature version of the grotesque creatures from Sigourney Weaver’s *Alien* films—bulging head, deathly grey skin, and all. And trust me, you don’t want to get on his bad side. Just ask the mailman—oh, wait. You can’t. He’s no longer with us.
However, Ripley, like the other nine aliens on this list, does possess a number of charming qualities. His ‘dog-like’ nature shines through as he lifts his leg, scratches for fleas, and gets tangled up in his leash just like any earthly canine. Moreover, he shows unwavering loyalty to his companion, 'Rover,' a robot who, much like a faithful hound, seems more dog than machine.
Before long, viewers can’t help but wish for their own Ripley to shower them with puppy kisses, despite his sticky, flypaper-like tongue. It’s this hidden cuteness behind a face that only a mother could love that has earned Ripley his place on this extraterrestrial top ten list.
9. ALF
A.L.F., short for Alien Life Form, epitomized the mischievous alien archetype of the 1980s. He was furry, humorous, and notably troublesome. Amid an era dominated by Garfield, ALF had a fondness for eating cats. Originating from the planet Melmac—a name that oddly evoked thoughts of melamine and mac-tac—this burnt sienna puppet continually got his adoptive family caught in absurd situations, much like a typical '80s sitcom character.
Though known for his outrageous burps, insatiable hunger (thanks to his eight stomachs), a snout reminiscent of a Klingon forehead, and his knack for chaos, ALF's endearing qualities won us over. His height might have been lacking, but his heart (despite being in his head) made him unforgettable. And we adored him all the more for it.
8. Roger Smith American Dad
Roger Smith is, well, undeniably unique. So much so that FOX has proclaimed him the "most interesting alien in the world." While his appearance may remind you of E.T., that's where the similarities end. E.T.'s famous line was "phone home," whereas Roger boasts a more sophisticated vocabulary. E.T. occasionally dressed up as a human to blend in, but Roger seems to be fixated on wearing women's clothing. E.T. developed a craving for Reese's Pieces, but Roger has a rather peculiar fondness for toilet plungers. Yes, Roger truly is one "interesting" character.
Though Roger is the self-proclaimed mastermind behind the birth of disco music, he has managed to worm his way into our affections and onto this Top 10 list. Wait... how did he manage that?
7. Lord Nibbler Futurama
In this era of soaring fuel costs, who wouldn't love to have an alien pet that could produce fuel from its waste? Nibbler does just that. However, with each piece of excrement weighing a whopping ten thousand pounds, this is no task for an average pooper-scooper.
At first glance, Nibbler may appear to be a cute, dim-witted animal—a lovable pet to Leela, who only has one eye. But don’t be deceived by his appearance. In truth, Nibbler is an incredibly intelligent and kind-hearted being, tasked with protecting Earth from the nefarious Brainspawn. And, as if that weren’t enough, he also spends his time keeping the well-meaning but clumsy Fry out of trouble.
Standing at barely a foot tall, with long arms that drag across the ground, a single antenna that contains a third eye, and teeth capable of chewing through even the most fearsome creatures, Nibbler is one peculiar little character. Oh, and I should probably mention—he wears diapers.
6. Kang & Kodos The Simpsons
Let’s be honest. Matt Groening and his talented team of animators have the ability to make almost anything look adorable—even a pair of drooling, one-eyed, green aliens with large, mole-covered heads and tentacles. And for those of us who’ve long wondered why aliens from distant galaxies speak English, they’ve solved the riddle. It turns out it’s all just a coincidence. Kang & Kodos, from the planet Rigel 1V, actually speak Rigellian, which, coincidentally, sounds remarkably similar to English.
We were first introduced to this intergalactic pair in Season 2’s Treehouse of Horror episode, which featured the Simpson family’s abduction. After being served exquisite meals, Lisa suspected they were being fattened up—not as guests of honor, but as the main course. The aliens, offended by this assumption, promptly returned the family to their home.
Kang & Kodos have since become mainstays in the annual Treehouse of Horror specials and have appeared numerous times throughout the years. They’ve shed their original harmless personas, attempting to conquer Earth on multiple occasions. In one such episode, they impersonated Bill Clinton and Bob Dole to run against each other in a Presidential election. Kang won and enslaved the citizens of Springfield, forcing them into labor. Homer simply shrugged and said, “I voted for Kodos.”
5. Little Green Men (LGM) Toy Story franchise
Typically, depictions of alien creatures show them as possessing highly advanced intellects. Aliens are often portrayed as our superiors, skilled in manipulation, mind games, and sometimes as harbingers of mass destruction. Pixar, however, takes a different approach, giving their aliens an entirely new spin, playfully defying convention.
These little green creatures are more akin to squeaky toys than towering monsters. Dressed in small blue suits that resemble Star Trek uniforms, these three-eyed, three-fingered, rubbery beings are found in a claw machine. The ‘claw’ controls who stays and who goes. Ironically, in Toy Story 3, it’s their own expertise with a claw (crane) that ends up saving the day.
Their innocence is part of what makes them so endearing, along with their constant chorus of 'ohs' and 'ahs.' And let's not forget how large dogs keep picking them up and putting them in their mouths. But there’s no need for concern. Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head end up adopting the trio, and they all live happily ever after.
4. Great Gazoo The Flintstones
When we think of aliens, we often imagine them in futuristic, Jetsons-like settings. Enter Great Gazoo—an extraterrestrial who somehow ends up stranded in the prehistoric world of Bedrock, surrounded by woolly mammoth-powered dishwashers and foot-powered vehicles. After being exiled from his home planet for creating a doomsday machine—which, according to him, he built just to be the first on his block to own one—he befriends Fred and Barney.
A small, green extraterrestrial with a suit and helmet matching his skin tone, he embodies the classic Martian stereotype. Frequently appearing out of nowhere, he floats above the heads of the primitive beings, calling them 'dum-dums.' His favorite pastime is stirring up trouble and chaos in their otherwise simple lives.
Curiously, this character hails from the distant future of the year 2000 AD. Initially, The Flintstones' creators intended to name him Professor Ogg. However, we adore him as the Great Gazoo, which lands him a place near the top of our list.
3. E.T.
Who can resist an alien with a fondness for Reese's Pieces? After all, nothing captures the essence of humanity more than a craving for sweets.
Take into account his vulnerability, his steadfast friendship with the human child “Elliot,” and his deep desire to simply return home, and you’ve got Hollywood’s most touching alien character ever. Known simply as E.T., which stands for Extra-Terrestrial, this little creature has short legs, large blue eyes, a long, thin neck, and a head that resembles the binoculars on the Empire State Building Observation Deck. It may sound like an unusual mix of features, but somehow, it works.
With his timeless cuteness, kind heart, and iconic phrase, “E.T. phone home,” he has claimed the title of the most endearing alien in existence.
2. Marvin the Martian
“You make me very angry.” Never have these five words been spoken in such a hilarious voice or been met with such indifference as when they come from Marvin the Martian, the alien antagonist of Bugs Bunny.
Despite his best efforts, this Napoleon-esque little extra-terrestrial rarely garners any respect. For one, his fashion choices are odd – even by alien standards. He travels across the galaxy in running shoes, a jester’s skirt, and a scrub brush on his head, which leads his rival, Bugs Bunny, to dub him a “bowling ball wearing a spittoon.” His high-pitched, nasal voice, reminiscent of Sesame Street’s Bert and sitcom star Ray Romano, only adds to the irony, especially since he doesn’t even have a mouth.
After years of observing Earth, Marvin has concluded that there’s no sign of intelligent life and dismisses humans as nothing more than simple insects. He also complains that Earth obstructs his view of Venus, and for that reason, it must be destroyed. No one ever triumphs against the cunning and incredibly fortunate Bugs Bunny, but in Marvin’s case, it’s not for lack of creativity. Simply put, the Looney Tunes gods (embodied by Jones & Freleng) are just not on his side.
It’s the sheer futility of his attempts that endears us to this peculiar little creature known as Marvin.
1. Yip-Yip Martians Sesame Street
Why should we expect aliens to recognize familiar earthly objects? We really shouldn't. It's the kind of unrealistic expectation Dr. Phil would call out. This is part of the charm of the Yip-Yip Martians. They once confused a phone for a chicken, clucking at it as if it might be one. And honestly, it made perfect sense to them. After all, they are aliens.
These curious Martians find themselves baffled by human creations – a book, a radio, and even a computer. They also share a brief interaction with the letter A. With their large underbites, antennae, and frequent use of the words 'Yip' and 'Uh-huh,' they create a moment where their young audience feels a sense of Einstein-like superiority. Compared to these intergalactic explorers, everyone else seems incredibly smart.
Besides, imagine how amazing it would be to stretch your bottom lip all the way over your head.
