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A close encounter of any kind can be a traumatic experience. Sometimes, though, it can be hilarious as well.

The idea of humans encountering extraterrestrial life and the conflicts that ensue have been a popular theme in fiction for decades. From your classic tentpole sci-fi movie, such as Independence Day and Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, to more comedic takes on the idea, like Men In Black and Paul, audiences are never tired of imagining what it would be like to interact with visitors from other planets.

There has been a surprising number of funny alien movies over the years, and while some of them may not be as well-known as some of their more serious counterparts, they’re certainly worthy of being watched. If you’re seeking a great pick-me-up or in need of an easy way to forget about your problems, these alien comedy movies are your best bet!

#1

Paul

Poster of Paul movie

2011 | 1h 44m | Directed by Greg Mottola
 

Starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Jason Bateman
 

The only thing more remarkable than a talking alien would be a talking, smoking, drinking alien voiced by Seth Rogen. Paul is an extraterrestrial who embarks on an adventure to find his way home. His journey takes him across the U.S., meeting Graeme and Clive along the way. The movie is cleverly scripted, with some laugh-out-loud moments and well-developed characters. If you’re looking for something lighthearted and funny, this one’s a definite must-see!

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DennyS (denzoren)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not a Seth Rogen fan (hehehe weeeeed hehehe seems to be his full repertoire) but it's got Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Jason Bateman so win.

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#2

Guardians Of The Galaxy

Poster of Guardians Of The Galaxy movie

2014 | 2h 1m | Directed by James Gunn
 

Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Dave Bautista

Guardians Of The Galaxy is undoubtedly one of the funniest sci-fi movies ever produced by Marvel, which is saying a lot. The film’s sense of humor is partially fueled by its “80s-ness.” This allows it to poke fun at itself as often as it can. The film introduces us to Peter Quill, who was abducted from Earth in 1988 and raised by a group of intergalactic thieves and smugglers called the Ravagers. After escaping the planet Morag with a valuable orb, an item Ronan the Accuser wants, Peter eventually forms a ragtag team of unwilling heroes to stop Ronan.

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Zophra
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone in the movie plays their part so well! the choice of actors/actresses to fill the roles was perfect!

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#3

Galaxy Quest

Poster of Galaxy Quest movie

1999 | 1h 42m | Directed by Dean Parisot
 

Starring Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, and Alan Rickman

Tim Allen and Sigourney Weaver lead a cast of TV stars in this sci-fi comedy about the crew of a Star Trek-like show who are mistaken for real heroes by an alien race. The aliens, who need help fighting off an evil oppressor, kidnap the cast and force them to finally live up to their roles. While it’s perhaps best described as a rip-off of Star Trek, Galaxy Quest was an affectionate parody of the long-running science-fiction series, with many inside jokes for die-hard fans. It also features some solid special effects and a clever story that makes fun of itself while turning into an enjoyable adventure yarn.

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Zophra
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"By Grabthar's Hammer, by the suns of Warvan, you shall be avenged." RIP Rickman.

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#4

Men In Black

Poster of Men In Black movie

1997 | 1h 38m | Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld
 

Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, and Linda Fiorentino

The most famous alien movie of the ‘90s, Men In Black is an amalgamation of all things extraterrestrial. Starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, the movie revolves around two agents of a secret agency who monitor and police alien activity on Earth. The film takes every alien trope you have ever imagined and presents it in a hilarious manner. Its farcical take on alien invasion makes for an entertaining watch, with the antics of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones making it one of the best alien movies ever made.

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#5

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

Poster of The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy movie

2005 | 1h 49m | Directed by Garth Jennings
 

Starring Martin Freeman, Yasiin Bey, and Sam Rockwell

Inspired by Douglas Adams’ most popular novel, The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy is the story of Arthur Dent, your average man who escapes Earth’s destruction thanks to his alien friend Ford Prefect. Producers have stated the movie was not a literal translation of the books, but Douglas Adams himself came up with all the new ideas and characters.

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#6

Spaceballs

Poster of Spaceballs movie

1987 | 1h 36m | Directed by Mel Brooks
 

Starring Mel Brooks, John Candy, and Rick Moranis

The first thing that pops into my head when I think of funny alien movies is anything Mel Brooks has had a hand in. The Star Wars parody Spaceballs is one of the funniest films out there and it has aliens, so it definitely qualifies. Pilot Lone Starr and his sidekick Barf come to the rescue of a princess, also saving planet Druidia from the evil Spaceballs. The movie received mostly positive reviews from critics through the years and has become a cult classic.

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#7

Mars Attacks!

Poster of Mars Attacks! movie

1996 | 1h 46m | Directed by Tim Burton
 

Starring Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, and Annette Bening

Tim Burton’s Mars Attacks! is a campy sci-fi comedy that takes its source material very seriously. The movie is based on Topps’ Mars Attacks trading cards from the ’60s, which depicted hideous Martians waging war against Earth. The film features an all-star cast (Jack Nicholson, Annette Bening, Glenn Close, Pierce Brosnan, and Danny DeVito) who face off against Martians with oversized heads, who are hell-bent on conquering the Earth.

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#8

Men In Black II

Poster of Men In Black II movie

2002 | 1h 28m | Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld
 

Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, and Rip Torn

Agents J and K reunite once again to defend the Earth from a sinister enemy. Men in Black II is a solid sequel with some great characters and managed to make the audience enjoy an hour and a half of pure comedy. The original pug from Men in Black returned for the sequel as Frank, but since it was seven years old, the production used some makeup to hide its gray fur.

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#9

The World's End

Poster of The World's End movie

2013 | 1h 49m | Directed by Edgar Wright
 

Starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Paddy Considine
 

Five friends return to their hometown to complete an epic pub crawl they left unfinished 20 years ago but soon realize they are burdened with being humanity’s last hope for survival. The movie is more character-driven than driven by plot and features several humorous moments. It also has some surprising serious undertones regarding conformity and maturity.

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DennyS (denzoren)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean...Edgar Wright visuals....Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Rosamund Pike...it was brilliant!

#10

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Poster of The Rocky Horror Picture Show movie

1975 | 1h 40m | Directed by Jim Sharman
 

Starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Barry Bostwick
 

As far as kooky cult classics go, this one takes the cake. This 1975 film stars Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick as a newly engaged couple who get caught in a storm and find themselves at the home of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, an eccentric transvestite alien scientist. It’s a comedy, a musical, and a science fiction adventure all rolled into one, with a killer soundtrack to boot.

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#11

Monsters vs. Aliens

Poster of Monsters vs. Aliens movie

2009 | 1h 34m | Directed by Rob Letterman and Conrad Vernon
 

Starring Reese Witherspoon, Amy Poehler, and Renée Zellweger
 

A woman becomes a giant when struck by a meteorite. Her new size makes her a valuable ally for the U.S. government, which sends her and other monsters to stop an alien mastermind who is trying to conquer the Earth. This was the first computer-animated movie directly produced in a stereoscopic 3D format instead of being converted into 3D after completion. With a 175 million dollar budget, this is the most expensive animated movie not produced by Disney or Pixar.

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daking
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

not gonna lie, as you grow up, you realize the movie was kinda cringe worthy

#12

Evolution

Poster of Evolution movie

2001 | 1h 41m | Directed by Ivan Reitman
 

Starring David Duchovny, Orlando Jones, and Seann William Scott

Director Ivan Reitman’s science-fiction comedy Evolution is a hilarious take on UFO movies. It stars David Duchovny and Orlando Jones as two scientists who discover life from another planet, only to see it quickly evolve into hostile creatures that begin attacking the citizens. Originally written as a serious science-fiction thriller, Ivan Reitman hired David Diamond and David Weissman to rewrite the project as a Ghostbusters-style comedy.

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#13

Space Jam

Poster of Space Jam movie

1996 | 1h 28m | Directed by Joe Pytka
 

Starring Michael Jordan, Billy West, and Wayne Knight

Space Jam is probably one of the most popular movies about aliens. When aliens start to take over the world, retired basketball superstar Michael Jordan agrees to help the Looney Toons play a basketball game against the invaders to determine their fate, as well as that of planet Earth. We know it sounds like the craziest plot of all time, but it actually worked out! The movie was a box office success, grossing over 250 million dollars worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing basketball film of all time as well as the 10th highest-grossing film of 1996.

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#14

Coneheads

Poster of Coneheads movie

1993 | 1h 28m | Directed by Steve Barron
 

Starring Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, and Michelle Burke

A comedy sketch from Saturday Night Live is adapted into a full-length movie. An alien couple, Beldar and Prymaat, and their young daughter Connie crash land on Earth, in New Jersey. They are taken in by an American family and must try to fit in while also beginning their mission to take over the world. The fact they have cone-shaped heads doesn’t help them blend in with human society.

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#15

Attack The Block

Poster of Attack The Block movie

2011 | 1h 28m | Directed by Joe Cornish
 

Starring John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, and Alex Esmail

Attack the Block follows a young woman and a gang of tough kids who make an unlikely alliance to defend their turf against an invasion of savage alien monsters, turning a South London apartment complex into an extraterrestrial warzone. It’s a simple premise executed perfectly, with surprisingly good special effects considering the budget was only 8 million pounds. It also has that rare quality among comedies of being genuinely scary at times and not just funny. In May 2021, it was announced that Cornish would be directing a sequel, with Boyega reprising his role as Moses.

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DennyS (denzoren)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Do your homework, watch Naruto". Boyega and Whittaker before their break out in Star Wars and Broadchurch/Doctor Who respectively. Very entertaining.

#16

Slither

Poster of Slither movie

2006 | 1h 35m | Directed by James Gunn
 

Starring Nathan Fillion, Elizabeth Banks, and Michael Rooker

If you love horror comedies, then Slither is your extraterrestrial movie for tonight! Some have called it a “love letter to B-movies,” and the description is spot on. The film follows a small town taken over by an alien parasite that turns its victims into zombie-like monsters. The town is thrown into chaos as it tries to make sense of what’s happening and find a way to stop the parasite. Slither balances tongue-in-cheek humor with gory horror, making it a must-watch for any fan of either genre.

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Octavia Hansen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the one that the creatures get into the brains of football boys and no one notices. Loved that!

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#17

Critters

Poster of Critters movie

1986 | 1h 26m | Directed by Stephen Herek
 

Starring Dee Wallace, M. Emmet Walsh, and Terrence Mann

It’s hard to believe that the Critters franchise is nearly 40 years old, but it’s true! The first film in the series came out in 1986 and introduced us to a group of hungry little furballs on the run from a pair of intergalactic bounty hunters. Critters is an unabashedly silly movie, but that’s part of its charm. If you want to watch some creepy alien creatures chomp their way through a small Kansas town, this is your movie!

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#18

Invader Zim: Enter The Florpus!

Poster of Invader Zim: Enter The Florpus! movie

2019 | 1h 11m | Directed by Jhonen Vasquez and Jake Wyatt
 

Starring Richard Steven Horvitz, Rosearik Rikki Simons, and Andy Berman

When a triumphant alien named Zim returns to Earth with plans to conquer it, his human nemesis Dib decides to match wits with him. The cartoon Invader Zim, about a young extraterrestrial who disguises himself as a human, is back! The movie sees the return of the series’ main voice cast and Jhonen Vasquez as director.

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#19

Meet Dave

Poster of Meet Dave movie

2008 | 1h 30m | Directed by Brian Robbins
 

Starring Eddie Murphy, Elizabeth Banks, and Gabrielle Union
 

Eddie Murphy plays dual roles in this hilarious comedy about an alien spaceship that looks exactly like a human being! The alien ship is piloted by tiny little people on a mission to save their planet. But problems ensue as the ship becomes smitten with an Earth woman! If this is not crazy enough for you, just know that the production studio put a big replica of Eddie Murphy’s head on a trailer to tour the U.S. to promote the movie.

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#22

Men In Black International

Poster of Men In Black International movie

2019 | 1h 54m | Directed by F. Gary Gray
 

Starring Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, and Liam Neeson
 

The Men in Black have always been there to protect the Earth from its enemies. In this new movie, they tackle their biggest threat to date: a traitor from within their own ranks! Men In Black is expanding and going global with a sleek new London branch and a new team of agents ready to take down the galaxy’s most dangerous villains. In this action-packed sci-fi comedy adventure, Agent H teams up with top rookie Agent M to battle aliens on Earth and across the universe.

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#23

Earth Girls Are Easy

Poster of Earth Girls Are Easy movie

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Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember this as very fun and Geena Davis is absolutely adorable.

#24

A Shaun The Sheep Movie: Farmageddon

Poster of A Shaun The Sheep Movie: Farmageddon movie

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Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you haven’t seen it and want some fun, it’s available on Netflix!

#25

Killer Klowns From Outer Space

Poster of Killer Klowns From Outer Space movie

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Octavia Hansen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got the impression this was made in one weekend . . . found a bunch of costumes, a tent, contract players that had to make a film. The clowns were great, the rest were worse than the Batman TV series. Eat pizza and drink a lot to watch this movie, it's 2 hours out of your life . . .

#26

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie

Poster of Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie movie

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#27

Morons From Outer Space

Poster of Morons From Outer Space movie

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Octavia Hansen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I LOVE THIS! British film, mid 80s release. Caught it on late night TV, found it in a $1 sale bin so IT'S MINE! The premise: not everyone in space will be a rocket scientist or astrophysicist. Some snappy costumes, a GREAT landing scene on England's M1 Motorway, and surprise ending. Look for a lot of Brit comedians scattered through this film. Treat your brain -- find this movie!

#31

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2

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#38

Avengers: Infinity War

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#41

My Stepmother Is An Alien

Poster of My Stepmother Is An Alien movie

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#42

My Favorite Martian

Poster of My Favorite Martian movie

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Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Based on a goofy television show from the early 60s, never saw the movie but it has a mediocre RT score of 5.1

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#43

Lilo & Stitch

Poster of Lilo & Stitch movie

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DennyS (denzoren)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of my all time favorite movies. It is such a good watch. Also a great film dynamic between Lilo and her sister which moves away from the normal "perfect family".

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#46

Treasure Planet

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DennyS (denzoren)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such an underrated Disney film. If you've never seen it, I highly recommended you do. It's a great twist on the classic book by Robert Louis Stevenson with breathtaking visuals and amazing character design.

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#52

The Adventures Of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension

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Octavia Hansen
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The same guy who played Robocop is Buckaroo Banzai . . . what's not to love?

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#54

Aliens In The Attic

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#58

Sonic The Hedgehog

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#59

Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius

Poster of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius movie

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#60

La Belle Verte

Poster of La Belle Verte movie

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#61

Critters 2: The Main Course

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#62

Critters 3: You Are What They Eat

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#63

The Adventures Of Pluto Nash

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#64

Critters 4: They're Invading Your Space

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