Buzz
The fascination with alien abductions has waned since the '90s, when *The X-Files* brought extraterrestrials into the cultural spotlight. In today’s world, where smartphones capture every moment, the idea of flying saucers scouring Earth for human specimens seems far-fetched. With constant surveillance, the notion of missed close encounters feels increasingly unlikely.
In modern cinema, aliens are often depicted as superheroes or villains rather than outright monsters. This shift might appear progressive, but it reflects our growing fear of humanity’s own destructive tendencies. Why fear alien invaders when humans are already capable of endangering the planet?
Jordan Peele’s latest film, *Nope*, challenges this trend. While avoiding spoilers, it’s clear the movie draws inspiration from classic alien invasion tropes. Peele isn’t the first to explore our fears of extraterrestrial interference—outsiders disrupting our lives or abducting us into the unknown remains a compelling theme. Below, we highlight 15 films that delve into the unsettling horror of alien intentions.
Fire in the Sky (1993)
Few films after *Fire in the Sky* have treated alien abductions with such gravity. In an era dominated by recorded evidence and evolving conspiracy theories, older UFO narratives now seem almost charmingly outdated. Starring D.B. Sweeney, this film recounts the alleged true story of Travis Walton, an Arizona logger who vanished for five days in 1975 after encountering a mysterious light and object. His terrified co-workers, who fled the scene, corroborated his account. While the movie adopts a documentary-like approach, it amplifies Walton’s experiences for dramatic effect. The chilling depiction of his time aboard the alien spacecraft remains unforgettable.
Where to stream: Prime Video, Paramount+, Epix
The Vast of Night (2019)
Andrew Patterson’s bold first film transports viewers to 1950s New Mexico, where a small town buzzes with excitement over a high-stakes basketball game. Everett (Jake Horowitz), a young radio DJ, and Fay (Sierra McCormick), a switchboard operator, find themselves entangled in a mysterious chain of events after a peculiar signal disrupts Everett’s broadcast. While the story leans on familiar UFO tropes, it transforms the typical alien invasion narrative into an intimate and personal journey for the protagonists and their tight-knit community.
Where to stream: Prime Video
Outsiders (2022)
Delmar Washington’s debut feature is a gripping thriller centered on Jaylen (Skylan Brooks), a Black teenager struggling to fit into a predominantly white Southern town. His life takes a dramatic turn when he witnesses his friend Amira (Clark Backo) vanish in a blinding flash of light. With the local sheriff quick to blame Jaylen for the incident, the teen must uncover the truth behind Amira’s disappearance on his own. The film shines more as a commentary on racial tensions in small-town America than as a traditional alien abduction story, making it a thought-provoking companion to Nope.
Where to stream: Hoopla, Kanopy, BET+
The McPherson Tape (1989)
This early found-footage horror film may test the patience of even the most dedicated fans of the genre, but its technical constraints and shoestring budget lend it an authenticity often missing in more refined productions. Director Dean Alioto has even had to dispel rumors that the film is real, especially after it gained traction at UFO conventions. The improvised interactions among the central family feel genuine, even if the extraterrestrial intruders are less convincing. At just over an hour, it’s a fascinating piece of horror history and a compelling watch. You might also find it under the title UFO Abduction. A 1998 TV remake, Alien Abduction: Incident in Lake County, is currently unavailable for streaming.
Where to stream: Shudder
Communion (1989)
Whitley Strieber’s works were a cornerstone for young enthusiasts of the bizarre in the late 1980s. His horror novels, adapted into films like Wolfen and The Hunger, were followed by a series of non-fiction(?) books detailing his alleged alien abductions, which heavily influenced media portrayals of extraterrestrials. The film adaptation of his “true” experiences, while not entirely successful, features a compelling performance by Christopher Walken as Strieber and explores the ambiguity of whether these encounters are real or manifestations of mental illness.
Where to stream: Hoopla, Vudu, Tubi, Plex, Freevee
The Block Island Sound (2020)
Block Island becomes the site of unsettling events, starting with the mysterious deaths of countless fish washing ashore. Local fisherman Tom begins experiencing strange episodes, waking up in unfamiliar places and losing chunks of time. His daughter Audry (Michaela McManus), an EPA investigator, arrives to probe the environmental crisis, bringing her daughter and reconnecting with her brother Tom (Chris Sheffield). Together, they uncover that the fish deaths are no ordinary disaster, blending family drama with eerie occurrences that lead to a spine-chilling conclusion.
Where to stream: Netflix
Predators (2010)
While not the most celebrated installment in the franchise, Nimród Antal’s Predator spinoff delivers a fresh take on alien abduction themes. A diverse group of strangers awakens in an unknown jungle, clueless about how they arrived. Major spoiler alert: midway through Predators, it’s revealed that the jungle isn’t on Earth—they’ve been abducted and placed on an alien planet to serve as prey for warring Predator tribes. Unlike most UFO abduction films, the aliens’ motives here are clear: the Predators are focused on honing their hunting skills, with humans as their ultimate challenge.
Where to stream: Hulu
Circle (2015)
This alien abduction film aligns perfectly with today’s fascination with survival games like Squid Game. Circle begins with 50 people waking up in a dark room, standing on platforms that kill them if they move. They soon realize they’re part of a deadly game with strict rules: every two minutes, they must vote on who dies next, or a random person is eliminated. The invaders’ cruel experiment serves as a chilling commentary on human nature, revealing how quickly people turn on each other under pressure.
Where to stream: Netflix
Honeymoon (2014)
Leigh Janiak, known for directing Netflix’s Fear Street trilogy, makes her directorial debut with Honeymoon, blending sci-fi and body horror. The film follows a young couple, Bea (Rose Leslie) and Paul (Harry Treadaway), whose relationship takes a dark turn after Bea encounters mysterious lights in the woods. She begins acting strangely, as if she’s forgotten how to be human. While the Body Snatchers-inspired premise isn’t new, the film’s stylish direction and exploration of the horror of losing someone you love to an inexplicable transformation make it compelling.
Where to stream: Vudu, Tubi, Kanopy, Pluto, IndieFlix
Altered (2006)
Eduardo Sánchez, co-director of The Blair Witch Project, didn’t achieve significant box office success after his 1999 hit, and Altered was no exception. However, this direct-to-DVD sci-fi horror film offers a clever twist on the alien abduction genre. Four friends reunite to exact revenge on an alien that abducted and killed their friend 15 years earlier, hoping to avoid alerting its kin. Though best suited for a late-night viewing, it’s an entertaining throwback with a unique premise.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Skyman (2019)
Daniel Myrick, the other half of the Blair Witch directing duo, also ventured into low-budget alien abduction horror with Skyman. The film centers on Carl Merryweather (Michael Selle), who believes he encountered aliens at age 10 and is convinced they’ll return as he approaches 40. While the movie includes horror elements, particularly in its climax, its true focus is on how Carl’s lifelong obsession with extraterrestrials has shaped and disrupted his life.
Where to stream: The Roku Channel, Vudu, Tubi, Plex
Under the Skin (2013)
Jonathan Glazer’s contemplative film leans more toward surreal sci-fi than traditional horror, defying genre norms. Scarlett Johansson stars as an unnamed woman who roams Glasgow, luring men into her home where they meet a bizarre fate in a pool of black liquid. The film delves into themes like immigration and gender, but its most intriguing aspect is the gradual development of empathy in Johansson’s alien character as she interacts more with humans.
Where to stream: Vudu, Tubi, Kanopy, Redbox, Crackle, Pluto, Plex
Ejecta (2014)
Julian Richings, a Canadian actor known for his distinctive presence, takes on a rare lead role in Ejecta. The film follows William Cassidy, an alien abduction survivor pursued by government agents desperate to extract the secrets hidden in his mind. With its unconventional style, unexpected twists, and strong performances, the movie makes a compelling case for Richings to headline more projects.
Where to stream: Plex
Phoenix Forgotten (2017)
Several films have explored the mystery of the “Phoenix Lights,” a 1997 event where thousands in Arizona, Nevada, and Sonora reported seeing unidentified flying objects. While some sightings were later linked to military flares, others remain unexplained. Phoenix Forgotten, a found-footage-style film, may not excel as a horror movie, but it effectively builds tension around a character’s fixation on the mysterious v-shaped lights. At under 90 minutes, it’s concise, and Ridley Scott’s involvement as a producer adds credibility to the project.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Horse Girl (2020)
Horse Girl starts off like an offbeat romantic comedy, with Sarah (Alison Brie) as a socially awkward woman deeply attached to her childhood horse. However, the story takes a surreal turn as Sarah experiences bizarre phenomena—nosebleeds, strange dreams, and missing time—classic signs of alien abduction. The film doesn’t shy away from suggesting these events could stem from untreated mental illness, presenting a more plausible and unsettling explanation than extraterrestrial interference.
Where to stream: Netflix
