Movies that lean on the mystery/wonder/terror of UFOs themselves – watch these first:
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Arrival (2016)
Nope (2022)
For UFO-centered alien movies as baddies:
Mars Attacks! (1996)
Signs (2002)
Edge of Tomorrow (2014) / All You Need Is Kill (2025)
Fire in the Sky (1993)
Invaders from Mars (1953) / Invaders from Mars (1986) – very different movies, but both valid
For UFO-centered alien movies as buddies:
E.T. (1982)
District 9 (2009)
Flight of the Navigator (1986)
*batteries not included (1987)
Lesser-known but noteworthy entries from deeper in the stacks:
Landscape with Invisible Hand (2023) – A curious social satire that gets a bit bogged down by its message but features a unique tone that left a lasting impact
Penguin Highway (2019) – A hard-sci-fi core hiding within a cheerful kids movie
Movies that lean on the mystery/wonder/terror of UFOs themselves – watch these first:
For UFO-centered alien movies as baddies:
For UFO-centered alien movies as buddies:
Lesser-known but noteworthy entries from deeper in the stacks:
ooh ill check out penguin highway for sure