7 Coolest Movie Aliens of All-Time (That Aren’t the Alien or the Predator)

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If you picture an alien from a movie, chances are you’ll immediately think of the creature from the Alien films – the one with the teeth and drool. If not that, it might be the alien from Predator or one of the strange beings from the cantina scene in Star Wars: A New Hope. But those aren’t the only movie aliens, of course. They’ve been a common feature in films since the 1950s. Some are a bit cheesy, like the gray aliens in Fire in the Sky, while others are so memorable in how they look or what they can do that they really stick with you.

These aliens stand out because of their interesting looks or unique abilities. We didn’t include E.T., though – he’s sweet, but not exactly what you’d call ‘cool’.

7) Flerkens in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

The Marvel Cinematic Universe features a lot of memorable aliens. Races like the Skrulls, Chitauri, and Abilisk stand out with their unique looks and abilities – whether it’s fearsome teeth or fascinating powers.

Flerkens are definitely the coolest aliens in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it’s hard to imagine anyone taking that title from them. They seem adorable at first, but they can quickly become dangerous with their mouth-tentacles and sharp claws. Despite all that, Flerkens are actually kind at heart. They’ve even been shown saving entire crews by swallowing them whole and then safely spitting them out when danger passes.

Stream Captain Marvel and The Marvels on Disney+.

6) Xtro

As a horror fan, I have to say the alien design in Xtro is truly unsettling. It basically moves like a crab, but with its head completely rotated around! There’s this one scene that really got to me – a couple driving down a country road, and you see this thing scuttle into the woods, accompanied by this jarring musical sting. Honestly, it’s just terrifying to watch.

This being is a hybrid of human and alien, and has a disturbing habit of immediately impregnating the first woman it encounters. It began when a man was taken by a strange, bright light. Three years later, the light returned and implanted something within him that grew into the alien creature. Strangely, after the alien impregnates a woman, she gives birth to the same man who was originally abducted. While we don’t see much of the creature, known as the ‘crab walker’, it certainly leaves a lasting impact.

5) The Hunter in Without Warning

Okay, so we initially decided not to include the Predator, but that was just about him. We never said anything about excluding the original monster that inspired the Predator – this awesome creature called ‘the Hunter’ from the 1980 film Without Warning. It’s a bit of a hidden gem, and honestly, it’s where the whole idea really started!

The Hunter is a menacing figure with a large head and intense gaze, known for launching disc-like projectiles with toothy edges that latch onto skin using four tendrils. He’s claimed several victims, even a young David Caruso, before his full appearance is revealed. This makes him comparable to the Predator, both sharing the theme of being a hunter. Interestingly, the creators of Predator were so impressed with the actor who played this alien—the late Kevin Peter Hall—that they cast him as their alien creature as well.

Stream Without Warning for free with ads on Tubi.

4) The Martians in Mars Attacks!

Often overlooked, Mars Attacks! is a surprisingly well-balanced film, skillfully blending comedy with science fiction, horror, and action. This careful balance also extends to the portrayal of the aliens themselves.

The Martians from Mars Attacks! are memorable for a lot of reasons. Their exposed brains are instantly recognizable, and they invade Earth with a completely calm and collected attitude. Just be sure to avoid playing opera near them!

Stream Mars Attacks! on Kanopy.

3) The Arachnids in Starship Troopers

As a huge sci-fi fan, I genuinely think Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers is one of the best action movies in the genre, period. What’s really clever about it is how it subtly critiques fascism, but it’s also just incredibly entertaining. And honestly, even with all the special effects, it holds up so well – it’s just as fun to watch now as it was back in the late 90s!

The film is particularly effective because the alien creatures, known as Arachnids or “Bugs,” are genuinely frightening. The heroes never truly feel secure, as they face a variety of threats. While the fast, four-legged Warriors are common, there are also powerful plasma bugs, flying Hoppers, and the terrifying Tankers that spray napalm. Perhaps the most disturbing is the Brain Bug, which uses a claw to extract your brain. The creatures are well-designed and offer a good range of challenges.

Stream Starship Troopers on MGM+.

2) The Organism in The Thing

Though it wasn’t well-received by critics or audiences when it first came out, John Carpenter’s The Thing is now considered a masterpiece. The film’s terrifying alien is particularly effective because of its ability to perfectly imitate people – and even dogs – making it a truly frightening threat.

As a huge movie fan, I’ve always found it fascinating how different films handle alien impersonation. Thinking about it, the creature in The Thing is a lot like the Skrulls from the Marvel movies – it’s a master of copying people, looking and sounding exactly like them. But where the Skrulls seem to be playing a longer, more strategic game, this alien is just terrifyingly focused on… well, becoming something else. And the best part? When it transforms, it’s not CGI – it’s these unbelievably creative, practical effects that really capture your imagination. They were pushing boundaries back in the ’80s, and it still holds up today.

Stream The Thing on Shudder.

1) Gigan

Throughout his many films, Godzilla has battled a variety of alien monsters. While opponents like Orga, SpaceGodzilla, Hedorah, and the original Mechagodzilla are all memorable, Gigan stands out as the most impressive – even more so than the famous King Ghidorah.

Gigan is a strikingly designed alien – imagine a one-eyed bird built like a machine, and armed to the teeth! It has hook-like hands, a chainsaw running through its midsection, and surprisingly, sharp, pointed feet. That chainsaw is what really makes Gigan stand out – how many other monsters can say they have one built into their body?

Stream Godzilla vs. Gigan on HBO Max.

Okay, fellow movie lovers, I have to know: who’s your all-time favorite alien from a film? Seriously, let me know in the comments, and let’s geek out about it together over at the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-11 04:12