BEST FLYING SAUCER MOVIES
“The Day the Earth Stood Still” (1951) The introduction of the fearsome robot Gort, as he steps onto the extended walkway of the craft that brings him and fellow traveler Klaatu (Michael Rennie) to Earth, is among the most memorable scenes in sci-fi.
“Invaders From Mars” (1953) The title leaves no doubt of where the aliens are from, as a youngster (Jimmy Hunt) has a hard time convincing others of their presence. The film was remade in 1986.
“The War of the Worlds” (1953) The rayshooting vessels in which aliens come to Earth largely are the visual representations of the terror on producer George Pal’s take on the H.G. Wells story.
“This Island Earth” (1955) Scientists are brought aboard a flying saucer by aliens who want the humans’ help in saving their dying planet. “Earth vs. the Flying Saucers” (1956) With a title like that, this certainly will be on a list like this. Leading a Roswell-themed night Friday, July 8, on Turner Classic Movies, the tale finds special effects by Ray Harryhausen fueling a story over aliens determined to stop the exploration of their space (literally) by humans.
“Forbidden Planet” (1956) A visually fascinating spacecraft brings a crew (led by an extremely serious Leslie Nielsen) to Altair IV, where they encounter Robby the Robot and a lethal invisible force.
“Plan 9 From Outer Space” (1957) Though it has spaceships that bring aliens to Earth to revive the dead, this picture is more famous as the last film of Bela Lugosi, who died just after doing his work.
“Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977) Spaceships are seen from a distance for much of director Steven Spielberg’s movie, but a very detailed visit inside one by the Richard Dreyfuss character provides the finale to the film.
“Starship Invasions” (1977) Aliens scout Earth as a suitable replacement home for their race, which is threatened by the steadily declining condition of its own planet. “Flight of the Navigator” (1986) A youngster (Joey Cramer) disappears aboard a spaceship, then returns – with the vessel – several years later without having aged.
“*Batteries Not Included” (1987) Aliens visit New York just in time to help tenants (including those played by spouses Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy) about to be evicted from their building in this fantasy executive-produced by Steven Spielberg.
“Independence Day” (1996) As many viewers know, spaceships are everywhere in the skies as military pilots (including the one played by Will Smith) battle them in this hugely popular fantasy-adventure.
“Mars Attacks!” (1996) The invading aliens have appropriate transportation – reportedly inspired by the spaceships in “Earth vs. the Flying Saucers” – in director Tim Burton’s horror-comedy.
“Lost in Space” (1998) A very upgraded version of the Jupiter 2 carries the Robinson family to intergalactic adventure in this reboot of the 1960s television series.
“Arrival” (2016) Spaceships hovering above major cities of Earth are the objects of a linguistics expert’s (Amy Adams) investigation in this fine drama.