My Top 10 Favorite Alien Invasion movies

After 20 years “Independence Day” is finally getting a sequel titled “Independence Day: Resurgence”. With it set to premier this month, it got me thinking about the concept of alien invasion movies, and how they’ve changed and grown over the years. It was the 1950’s when Science fiction cinema reached new heights, and movies revolving around alien invasions became a staple in Hollywood. At the dawn of the 2000’s, the concept began to feel old and “been done”. Regardless, there have still been some outstanding alien invasion movies over the ages, and for today I’ll be counting down my personal 10 favorites. Now in order to make my list, the entire move has to revolve around invading aliens, which means that movies like “Aliens”, “Titan A.E.” and “Star Trek” can’t count. After all, those are outer space adventures that just happen to feature brief scenes of aliens attacking earth.

#10 Invaders from Mars (1953) 

With its super, cliché genera title, cheap look, and silly alien designs, this film can easily be regarded as a pore mans “War of the Worlds”, and be largely dismissed. However, this film has its own strengths and appeals. As you’d expect from the title, the film revolves around aliens coming from Mars to invade the earth, but it’s not done on a big invasion scale, it’s actually very subdued. The whole film takes place from the perspective of a child who lives out in a desolate location, and is the only one aware that an invasion of any sort is happening. The film creates a surprisingly unique atmosphere and mood as this boy is all alone, his parents are replaced by alien imposters, and the rest of the world is unaware of an invasion taking place right under its very nose. It’s still a campy product of its time, but with enough merits to stand on its own.   

#9 The Blob (1958) 

Most of the movies on my countdown will be from the 1950’s, and of all them, I think “The Blob” is as 50’s as they get. This is a unique alien invasion film, revolving around a mass of space slime that grows and grows with the more victims it claims. This is definitely a product of its time, but it’s so classy, fun and was the film debut for actor Steve McQueen, that alone makes it worthwhile. The special effects and miniatures are also very charming in their own unique way. In the end, The Blob is no masterpiece of cinema, but it’s a prime example of how satisfying cheesy B-Monster thrills can be. 

#8 Mars Attacks! (1996) 

With a title like that, you really shouldn’t be surprised with what you get. This underrated Tim Burton comedy is very much like a 50’s Sci-Fi that just happened to be released in the 90’s. It’s faithful to the genera, and has a lot of fun with just how silly and over the top it gets. Some regular movie goers may get turned off by just how ridiculous the film is, but I still enjoy it to this day, and it’s actually one of my favorite Tim Burton movies. The Martians in the film are very memorable, the cast full of famous celebrities is very amusing, and the films goofy tone makes it feel like a celebration of the genera, but that’s all subject to my personal taste.

#7 War of the Worlds (2005) 

I can’t say that I’m too fond of remakes, but they can be done well, and I found the 2005 remake of “War of the Worlds” to be a respectable Sci-Fi thriller for the modern age. The ace up this movies sleeve is that while the plot revolves around a global invasion, the focus is all on one small family that’s just trying to escape the cause. With very little focus on military planning or even big battles, I felt very drawn into the experience, almost as if it was actually happening, and I was on the run with this family. There’s some great atmosphere, lots of built-up tension, and despite some big budget visual effects, it never really came off like a typical summer blockbuster. My only real complaint is that in general, it’s so different from “War of the Worlds” it could have had its own original title, without the baggage of being called a remake.  

#6 Earth VS the Flying Saucers (1956) 

This has got to be the text book definition of an alien invasion movie. The image of the flying saucer is the most recognizable and iconic of alien space crafts, and this is the classic movie that helped influence several other alien films ranging from “Mars Attacks” to “Independence Day”. The plot is about as strait forward as they get, it’s a full blown alien invasion with these flying saucers attacking famous cities. While it’s both campy and dated, it was undeniably a huge benchmark in UFO pop culture. The special effects were done by the great Ray Harryhausen, and for the time, these visuals were real marvels to behold. If you’re a long time Sci-Fi fan like me, then this film is definitely worth checking out because this is where the alien invasion genera really started.

#5 Predator (1987) 

We’ve seen what happens when armies of aliens attack earth, but here’s what happens when a single lone alien invaders the planet. A team of armed soldiers are stranded in the jungle and have become targets for an alien hunter, which leads to thrilling battles, and a standoff match against one of the most iconic looking movie monsters of all time. The concept of a small group of people being stocked and killed by a hostile alien creature had been done before in “The Thing from Another World”, but the formula was perfected in “Predator”. It’s one of the classic Sci-Fi/ action movies of the 80’s, with an all star cast, and some staler monster makeup. 

#4 Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

The concept of aliens invading the planet with an army of spaceships dose get old after a while, so why not do something completely different and original? Well, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” is that original take on the alien invasion genera, and a perfect blend of Sci-Fi and horror. In this film, a race of space pods land on earth and take the identical form of nearby humans, and then the original is killed in their sleep. It’s an exciting and terrifying concept that subjects you into a situation where you can’t trust anyone, and despite being short on special effects, it’s still very exciting to watch. It also works as a political allegory, and highlights themes around socialism, making it one of the smarter films of its kind. It’s highly original, thrilling, and worth checking out.    

#3 Independence Day (1996) 

Over the past millennium, there have been several big blockbusters banking on the concept of alien invaders, however, they’ve never been able to surpass “Independence Day”. In my opinion, this is the last truly classic Sci-Fi alien invasion movie that phew others have been able to surpass. It has a memorable cast, iconic visuals, big blockbuster thrills, and some quotable lines. It left such an impact on our pop culture that every alien invasion movie that followed seemed to be trapped under its massive shadow. No Sci-Fi blockbuster list is complete without it, and it’s rightfully become the staple of alien movies for our generation.  

           

#2 The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) 

This is the classic Sci-Fi film that brings a very different twist to the alien invasion genera. Instead of featuring fleets of ships attack famous cities, this film revolves around a single alien and his indestructible robot who deliver an ultimatum to the people of Earth, either we evolve and begin a new era of peace, or the alien forces will wipe us out. While the anti war message is obvious, it’s still relevant to this day, and conveyed fairly well in the film. I especially like how the story revolves around a visiting alien that’s trying desperately to make peace with human kind. There isn’t much action or visual spectacles, but there’s great tension, the characters are all memorable, and to this day it still stands as one of the greatest Science Fiction movies of all time.

  Before I reveal my #1 favorite here are some quick Honorable Mentions ...

Signs (2002)

Killer Clowns from Outer Space (1988)

The Thing (1982)

Godzilla Final Wars (2004)

20,000 Miles to Earth (1957)

#1 The War of the Worlds (1953) 

While the concept of alien invasion movies has become tired and clichéd in general, “War of the Worlds” still remains a classic. The concept is no different from any other films involving Martians trying to concur earth, but the overall presentation, tone and execution is far superior to any other film from its time. Right from the films epic opening narration, this film reels me in and delivers an experience, rather than just flashy entertainment, although the film has that too ... in bucket loads. The sound effects, color pallet, and unique alien designs are amazing cinematic marvels for the 50’s and still hold up to this day. Even though the acting is kind of “meh”, the overall atmosphere and tone stay consistently strong, and to this day I still regard the 1953 picture “The War of the Worlds” as more than just my own personal favorite alien invasion movie, it’s one of cinemas greatest classic Science Fiction motion pictures.     

Thanks for reading my countdown, continue to enjoy the movies you Love ... and always remember to ... "Watch the Skys! ... Keep Watching the Skys! ... Everywhere!" 

My Top 10 Favorite Villain Songs

Sometimes, a good musical soundtrack just feels more complete with a little touch of an evil musical number. Yes, time for me to highlight the bad guys again, and this time I’ll be counting down my personal favorite villain songs from either musicals or movies. For this list, I’ll be highlighting these songs in general, and not a specific version, well, with some exceptions. Weather you enjoy the villains or not, they always shine in their musical numbers, and here are my personal top 10 favorites.      

#10 “March of the Winkies” (from “The Wizard of Oz”)

Kicking off my list is that classic evil guard chant, which to this day is always subconsciously playing in the back of my mind whenever I see an evil army in movies. I still have no clue what the heck these guys are even chanting, it just sounds awesome! For such a minimal song, it’s got an exciting tempo and great buildup. It’s also a rare case in which the guards actually have a stand out song as opposed to the main villain.  

#9 “Secret of Survival” (from “Wind in the Willows/ Mr. Toads Wild Ride”)

I’ve only seen this movie once in my lifetime, and it was mostly forgettable. However, the villain song titled “Secret of Survival” is outstanding, and well worth addressing on my countdown. It revolves around a grope of nasty weasels who begin tormenting a pore traveler in the woods, and their song is every bit as threatening as it is thrilling. With cool angles, heavy shadows, creepy visuals, and a melody that resembles a racing heart beat, this is one lesser known villain song that disserves more attention and stands out as a small gem from a sub-par family picture.

#8 “Shiver my Timbers” (from “Muppet Treasure Island”) 

Can’t say I was a really big Muppet fan growing up (I’m still not), and I didn’t even like this movie that much, yet I remember watching it often as a kid, probably because this opening song was so awesome that I just got suckered in, and couldn’t look away. Seriously, for a Muppet movie, this is a legit opening song that gets you in the mood for a high sea adventure with pirates. The backup singers are still puppets, giving it the appropriate Muppet feel, but the tone and style is different. We got these massive stone faces and skeletons adding to the visuals, coupled with a music track composed by the great Hans Zimmer, which instantly gets me hyped. The movie is average, but this opening villain song is still very memorable, and a personal favorite.  

   

 #7 “My friends” (from “Sweeney Todd”)

Honestly, I could have filled this list entirely with songs from “Sweeney Todd” as there were so many great ones to highlight, including “Pretty Woman” which is a close second favorite of mine. However, the stand out song for me is one of the earlier songs titled “My friends”. This is the moment when we really see the villain born, it’s the moment in which “his arm is complete again” and it’s the song that sets the stage for what’s to come. The melody is very simple, even relaxing, yet every lyric is dripping with menacing foreshadowing of what this monster can and ultimately will do. It’s a quiet, yet effective song that always gives me chills, and really gets things started. 

#6 “The Temple” (from “Jesus Christ Superstar”)

Now here’s a really underrated villain song that probably never crosses anyone’s mind when the subject comes up, however, “Jesus Christ Superstar” was one of those big musicals I grew up with, so I know the songs inside out, and this was always a stand out song for me. At this point in the show, Jesus Christ and his disciples wander into one of his sacred temples, which has been corrupted by the most sinful of the towns inhabitants. It’s very different from other villain songs, as it doesn’t involve a “bad guy” explaining an evil plan of any sort. This song revolves around the crime and sin of humanity, detailing the dirty underbelly of those who fall from grace. The imagery is revolting, and the musical tempo is very lively as is just builds and builds with every second. It’s about as sinful as villain songs get, and once that music starts in the beginning, I can never get the beat out of my head. 

       

#5 “Stars” (from “Les Miserables”)

This is a very different kind of villain song, in fact, if you listened to this on its own, you probably wouldn’t even think of it as the bad guy’s song. In the classic Broadway musical “Les Miserables”, the ever determined Inspector Javert seeks out the shows lead hero, who’s branded a fugitive, and running from the law. This song highlights his passion to hunt down his enemy, even if he has to keep up the chase for the rest of his life. Inspector Javert has always stood out as one of the classiest musical villains to me, as he’s just a loyal man sworn to his duty, but it’s his unbroken pride and hatred for our hero’s that still make him the quote “Bad Guy”, and his song is a powerhouse number, filled with passion, intimidation, buildup, and it all closes on one heck of a high note.  

   

#4 “In the Dark of the Night” (from “Anastasia”)

Well, it was about time I had a villain song from an animated movie on my countdown, isn’t it. I still remember the first time seeing this movie in the theater, way back when I was just a little kid, and I immediately declared “In the Dark of the Night” as my favorite villain song I ever heard. To this day, it still holds up as one of the most unforgettable numbers I’ve ever seen. It strikes a perfect balance between being lively and upbeat, but it’s also threatening and dark. Plus, the overall rock theme is so catchy it’s almost impossible to get out of your head. The visual style is engrossing, the villain himself is a lot of fun to watch, and the lyrics ... well, are silly, but they mostly work and are easy to follow. I think the majority of villain songs from animated films (with the exception of Disney) are pretty mediocre, but this is one exception where it really belongs among the greats.  

  

#3 “He had it Coming” (from “Chicago”)

Oh hell yeah, I know most fans of “Chicago” would say that “All that Jazz” is the best song, but for me, it’s this awesome villain number titled “He had it Coming”. At this stage of the musical, our female lead is spending her first night in a woman’s prison, and finds herself surrounded by some bad ladies who all share their back stories in this powerhouse dance number. It’s a great concept, and the individual stories could have been the center of their own films. More than anything, I just love how this whole scene was shot and put together. The dance choreography is great, the set design is visually awesome, the lighting is stylish, and even the edits are perfectly synchronized with the dance moves. Most of my favorite villain songs can at least stand as highlights, but this song really is “THE HIGHLIGHT” of the musical.

#2 “The Phantom of the Opera Theme Song” (from “The Phantom of the Opera”)

It’s one of Broadways most classic musicals, featuring one of the most iconic musical villains of all time, and his theme song is nothing short of sensational. It’s actually become one of my favorite songs to listen to around Halloween, it’s just so gothic and mystiques, yet it’s also very lively and epic in its own way. The lyrics are memorable, the sets and visuals are captivating and personally, I always remember this as the great classic musical villain theme song. 

Before I reveal my #1 pick, here are some Honorable Mentions ...

“You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch” (from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”)

Be a Dentist (from “Little Shop of Horrors”)

“Come Little Children” (from “Hocus Pocus”)

“Playing with the Big Boys Now” (from “The Prince of Egypt”)

“I’m Just a Sweet Transvestite” (from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”)

#1 Every Classic Disney Villain song ever! (from Various Disney Movies)

Yeah, I couldn’t pick one single favorite, and I couldn’t crowd this list with them either. Seriously though, what’s the first thing that instantly comes to mind when you hear the faze “Villain Song”. For me, it’ll always be the classic animated villain songs that always come to mind first. We all know their titles, we remember the lyrics, and they helped breathe life into some of our favorite child hood villains. I think “Poor Unfortunate Souls”, “Be Prepared” and “The Cruella Deville Song” are their most iconic, but even their more obscure songs “Friends on the Other Side” and “Gaston’s Song” are still really memorable. My two personal favorite Disney villain songs are “Savages” from “Pocahontas” and “Hellfire” from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. Both were far darker, more serious in tone, and had some hauntingly arresting visuals. In the long run, its Disney’s collection of classic animated villain songs that have always felt the most timeless, and the most awesome!

    

The End