11 Best UFO Movies of All Time

Do you ever look up into the night sky and wonder if we’re truly alone in the universe? For decades, filmmakers have tackled this question, crafting unforgettable stories centered on UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects).

This list isn’t just about alien invasions or sci-fi blockbusters. It’s about movies where the UFO itself is central to the mystery, emotion, or fear — films that use flying saucers and strange objects in the sky to ask bigger questions about humanity.

Here are the 11 best UFO movies of all time, a curated selection of iconic and thought-provoking films.

1. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

🎬 Director: Steven Spielberg
🎯 Why it’s on the list: This film is the quintessential UFO movie — emotional, mysterious, and awe-inspiring. The UFOs are not just plot devices, but symbolic of human curiosity and wonder. Its iconic music and visual spectacle are unforgettable.

2. Arrival (2016)

🎬 Director: Denis Villeneuve
🎯 Why it’s on the list: A realistic and intellectual take on alien visitation, this film examines how language and perception shape our understanding of extraterrestrial life. The massive crafts are enigmatic and central to the film’s philosophical themes.

3. Contact (1997)

🎬 Director: Robert Zemeckis
🎯 Why it’s on the list: Based on Carl Sagan’s novel, this is a deeply scientific and emotional film about humanity’s first contact with intelligent life. The mystery of the signal and the technology involved keep the UFO themes grounded yet compelling.

4. Flight of the Navigator (1986)

🎬 Director: Randal Kleiser
🎯 Why it’s on the list: A fun, family-friendly adventure centered on a sleek, intelligent UFO. The film combines mystery, time travel, and heartwarming moments to deliver a nostalgic sci-fi experience.

5. Independence Day (1996)

🎬 Director: Roland Emmerich
🎯 Why it’s on the list: A high-octane blockbuster where gigantic alien UFOs bring destruction on a global scale. It’s visually iconic and defined the alien invasion genre for a generation.

6. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

🎬 Director: Robert Wise
🎯 Why it’s on the list: A foundational piece of UFO cinema. The saucer’s landing in Washington, D.C. is an unforgettable moment in film history, as is its message about peace and fear during the Cold War era.

7. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

🎬 Director: Steven Spielberg
🎯 Why it’s on the list: A heartfelt and emotional take on alien visitation. Though less about the UFO itself, the theme of abandonment and intergalactic friendship touches the core of what makes UFO stories so appealing.

8. War of the Worlds (2005)

🎬 Director: Steven Spielberg
🎯 Why it’s on the list: A modern, intense alien invasion film. Though not centered around traditional flying saucers, the alien crafts and their terror-inducing power are direct echoes of UFO mythology.

9. District 9 (2009)

🎬 Director: Neill Blomkamp
🎯 Why it’s on the list: A gritty, documentary-style sci-fi film that uses the presence of an alien spaceship to explore themes of segregation, xenophobia, and humanity’s darker instincts.

10. Signs (2002)

🎬 Director: M. Night Shyamalan
🎯 Why it’s on the list: An atmospheric thriller built on tension and mystery. The crop circles and UFO sightings are subtle but powerfully unnerving. It’s one of the best examples of suspense-driven UFO cinema.

11. Nope (2022)

🎬 Director: Jordan Peele
🎯 Why it’s on the list: A bold, genre-blending film where the UFO itself is more creature than ship. It’s a horror-sci-fi hybrid that explores spectacle, surveillance, and survival in truly original ways.

👽 Final Thoughts: Why We Love UFO Movies

UFO films aren’t just about the ships — they’re about how humans react to the unknown. These 11 films explore fear, awe, communication, war, and wonder. Whether you’re a diehard sci-fi fan or just curious about what lies beyond the stars, this list offers some of the best UFO movies of all time to spark your imagination.

Source : nofilmschool.com