The Best Alien Invasion Movies Streaming On Netflix

By Steven Nelson | Published

alien invasion, arrival

When it comes to alien invasion movies, Netflix has you completely covered with some awesome titles. Some fit the mold for the genre with the standard UFOs coming to take over Earth, while others present stories that are a bit off-kilter and thought-provoking.

Let’s take a look at the best alien invasion movies streaming on Netflix.

Arrival

Arrival is like that one puzzle you tried to solve in the dark. It’s mind-bending, heart-tugging, and has more layers than an onion in an overcoat. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, it’s a sci-fi that doesn’t just rely on flashy lasers and intergalactic bar brawls.

These aren’t your Hollywood-style green creatures; think more like cosmic octopuses with a language that’s a mix of hieroglyphics and coffee stains. Alongside Jeremy Renner as Ian Donnelly, a physicist who brings science to her language, they’re the world’s hope in a high-stakes game of interstellar charades.

Arrival goes beyond spaceships and lasers. It weaves in questions about time, memory, and the power of communication. It’s a brain-tickler that teases your intellect and tugs at your heartstrings.

With its captivating narrative, it turns the alien genre on its head, offering a story that’s as emotionally rich as it is intellectually stimulating.

Perfect for those Netflix nights when you crave a film that’s not just a watch but an experience. Arrival will not only entertain you but also leave you pondering life’s big questions long after the credits roll.

War of the Worlds

In War of the Worlds on Netflix, alien invasions aren’t just for comic books anymore. Starring Tom Cruise as Ray Ferrier, a regular Joe who turns into an unlikely hero, this Steven Spielberg-directed thriller will have you clinging to your couch like it’s a life raft.

In this modern take on H.G. Wells’ classic, the aliens aren’t phoning home—they’re bringing home to us. And let’s just say, they’re not here to exchange recipes. They come armed with tripods that are part tank, part nightmare, turning cities into dust faster than you can say “E.T.”

Cruise runs (as always), drives, and does that intense Tom Cruise stare as he tries to protect his kids, played by Dakota Fanning and Justin Chatwin, from the extraterrestrial onslaught.

It’s a wild ride with Spielberg’s signature style stamped all over it—jaw-dropping special effects, heart-pounding suspense, and aliens that are definitely not here for a friendly visit.

War of the Worlds is a perfect pick for a Netflix night when you’re in the mood for high-stakes drama, eye-popping action, and just a hint of that classic Spielberg wonder. Just a heads-up: you might want to keep the lights on for this one.

Extinction

If you thought your existential crisis was a big deal, wait till you watch Extinction on Netflix. This sci-fi thriller puts your “bad day” into perspective as Michael Peña’s character starts seeing the end of the world in his nightmares. Spoiler: they’re not just bad dreams.

In Extinction, Michael Peña plays Peter, a regular guy with a regular job, except for the fact that he’s having vivid dreams of an alien invasion. His wife, played by Lizzy Caplan, is worried he’s losing it, and honestly, who wouldn’t? But then, lo and behold, the sky lights up with real alien ships, and suddenly Peter’s nightmares are everybody’s problem.

What follows is a frantic fight for survival with twists and turns that will have you yelling at the screen, “I did NOT see that coming!” It’s like a rollercoaster that’s also solving a Rubik’s Cube—intense, puzzling, and kind of makes you want to throw up, but in a good way.

Extinction takes the alien invasion trope and flips it on its head, throwing in some moral dilemmas just to make sure you’re paying attention. So, grab your popcorn and prepare for an emotional sci-fi ride that’s part family drama, part mind-bending puzzle. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll end up grateful that your biggest problem is just a parking ticket.

Starship Troopers

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Starship Troopers is on Netflix and it’s as wild as you remember. If you thought your daily commute was a battle, wait until you see what these space soldiers face. It’s like “Pest Control” but with spaceships and a whole lot of attitude.

In Starship Troopers, we dive into a future where Earth isn’t just dealing with climate change or internet trolls; they’re at war with giant alien bugs. And not the kind you can squash with a shoe. These bugs are huge, mean, and apparently hold a grudge.

The film follows Johnny Rico, played by Casper Van Dien, who’s basically the poster boy for “I joined the army and all I got was this lousy war with alien bugs.” Along with his friends, including Denise Richards as the pilot with a heart of gold and a smile to match, they navigate a war that’s more intense than a Black Friday sale at a gadget store.

Starship Troopers is part cheesy sci-fi, part satirical masterpiece, and 100% an excuse to see giant bugs meet their doom. It’s like a space opera, but with more explosions and less singing. Sometimes, you just need to watch people fight enormous insects to feel better about your own life.

The Cloverfield Paradox

cloverfield paradox netflix sci-fi streaming alien invasion

This is a space ride that’s a puzzle wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in a space station! The Cloverfield Paradox on Netflix is like that weird dream you had once – but with a bigger budget and better special effects.

This sci-fi spectacle throws us into orbit with a bunch of astronauts trying to solve Earth’s energy crisis. But, oopsie-daisy, they accidentally tear open the fabric of reality. Classic Monday, right?

The crew, including Gugu Mbatha-Raw and David Oyelowo, find themselves dealing with more than just zero-gravity toilets. We’re talking alternate realities, missing Earths, and arm-solo adventures (literally, an arm goes rogue).

It’s a mind-bending trip that’s part space drama, part interdimensional chaos. The Cloverfield Paradox might leave you with more questions than answers, but hey, that’s half the fun. So, strap in and get ready for a space adventure that’s like a Rubik’s Cube in zero-gravity – confusing, colorful, and oddly compelling.

Spectral

spectral alien invasion

It’s a ghostly ride with Spectral on Netflix, where the only thing scarier than the ghosts are the military tech used to fight them!

In this sci-fi action flick, we follow a DARPA scientist who’s like a cross between MacGyver and Ghostbusters. He’s tossed into a war-torn European city where soldiers are fighting… wait for it… spectral beings. Yes, folks, we’re not in Kansas anymore!

It’s like a game of high-tech hide-and-seek with specters. Imagine trying to zap ghosts with weapons that look like they were borrowed from a sci-fi convention. The action is relentless, and the ghosts? They’re not your Casper-the-friendly types.

If you’re up for a movie that blends military action with paranormal activity, Spectral is your ticket to an evening of “What the heck is happening?!” Just don’t expect to sleep with the lights off tonight.