The Top 11 Alien Abduction Movies of Our Generation

A hot big screen topic has always been the unknown from beyond–aliens from space and their insatiable obsession with mankind. Do they really want to know how we tick? What would beings capable of interstellar travel want with a race so lazy they have to invent a pump to foam their soap for them? Move over quantum physics.

With March 20th officially designated as Alien Abduction Day, I thought it would be a great excuse to dust off a few timeless favorite alien abduction moves and share my top 11. I was surprised to re-discover that there’s more abducting going on in the movies than you might realize. So without any further ado, I present you:

Top 11 Alien Abduction Movies of Our Generation.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

This classic from Steven Spielberg is the first that came to my mind when thinking of alien abduction. This movie created an experience that preyed on both our fears and our hopes—snatching everyone imaginable from World War II pilots to a three-year-old child. As the movie builds to an epic climax, Spielberg soothes our fears in the end by revealing the aliens to be kind and childlike.

The Last Starfighter (1984)

You think playing video games isn’t dangerous? Well watch out—aliens may be recruiting pilots for their galactic battle against their nemesis. At least that’s what happens to Alex Rogan–kidnapped and tricked into becoming a star ship gunner against “Xur and the Ko-Dan Armada.” But hey—he gets a great job, his own ship and the girl… what’s the down side?

Flight of the Navigator (1986)

This Disney film was one of the first I watched with my kids. Can abduction stories be family friendly? Well I know I wouldn’t mind waking up with my brain crammed full of star maps and coordinates. What kid wouldn’t want to fly a funny, shape shifting alien craft? This film is packed with fun, adventure and cute creatures, as David tries to work with the intelligent ship as its navigator. This one is worth watching with the entire family.

Communion (1989)

An odd film at best, this flick is based on Whitley Strieber and his supposedly real encounters with aliens. Starring Christopher Walkins, Whitley gets help from a psychiatrist, where he recalls and relives his abduction experiences under hypnosis. I found the film hard to watch because the acting and ambiguous scenes made the story disturbing. Watching Walken portraying Strieber, I couldn’t help but wonder…shouldn’t the aliens be afraid of abducting this guy?

Fire In The Sky(1993)

The most memorable (and disturbing) 9-10 minutes of an alien abduction can be found in “Fire In The Sky.” A story about Travis Walton, a logger from Arizona, who tries to get a closer look at a UFO, get’s ditched by his friends and tortured by aliens. This film plays on the viewers’ emotions, and it does so very effectively. Your heart can’t help but pound as Walton gets dragged about the alien craft among the remains of countless other abductions. I couldn’t help but think: these guys seriously need a cleaning service.

X-Files(1998)

Adapted from my most hated TV show, “X-Files” the movie is about aliens, abduction and a 15,000 B.C. infection—soon to be a modern plague. The creators of “X-Files” are extraordinarily good at what they do—namely scaring grown adults so they can’t use a porta-potty in the woods. I still have to check under my bed at night because of these jerks. However, there are a few stories that can compete with this Emmy-winning series. If you don’t mind intense violence and gore and a creepy feeling that will follow you to the grave, have at it.

The Forgotten(2004)

I have three words for this movie: freaky, freaky, freaky! Juilanne Moore is a mother who has lost her child. Painful enough—but everyone else around her starts to forget her son and any events having to do with his disappearance. Telly Paretta is told by her shrink that her son never existed; instead she’s told that she’s losing her mind. Telly refuses to let it go, convinced that she’s right, which leads her on a mystery chase. The alien twists in this are not what you’d expect and I found the climax cool and enjoyable. Way to go mom.

Planet 51(2009)

This is a funny flick with the voices of Dwayne Johnson, Sean William Scott, John Cleese and Jessica Biel. Follow Captain Charles “Chuck” Baker as he lands on “Planet 51,” makes friends, get’s captured, escapes and helps his new friend Lem get the girl. A flashback to the 1950 suburbs, this film uses the classic equation of alien + government = bad results. Fortunately it’s still good viewing fun. Remember the plug!

The Fourth Kind(2009)

The looks of horror on Milla Jovovich’s face have become a lot like watching reruns of Gilligan Island—predictable and boring. This docudrama mixes supposedly real footage into the movie as patients are subjected to hypnosis. Jovovich is the good psychologist, Abbey Tyler, helping abductees deal with their experiences. Certainly we can applaud the doctor’s efforts, but hey, there are only so many times we should be expected to watch people flipping out on a couch.

Mars Needs Moms(2011)

Based on the book by Berkeley Breathed, this film has a fun twist to alien abduction that centers on a nine-year-old boy. When his mom’s carted off to an alien planet where her talents will be siphoned off, Milo jumps aboard the craft at the last moment. The whole film revolves around Milo saving his mother from the Martians. Though it’s the biggest box office bomb of all time, I found it fun and visually entertaining. This one is another one that’s great to watch with the family.

Cowboys and Aliens(2011)

I end this list with a fun one that you may have overlooked. Cowboys, aliens, Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig and the lovely Olivia Wilde all wrapped up in 1873? The people of Absolution may be afraid of Colonel Dolarhyde and his idiot son Percy, but they soon find fear is preferable to the new terror from the stars. An abductee escapes, Jake Lonergan, who wakes without his memory and a strange shackle around his wrist. This film is sheer eye candy and has great butt-kicking action.

Well, there you have it.My list of the top 11 Alien Abduction Movies is by no means scientific or all-encompasing. Disagree? Think I missed something. We’d love to hear about it in the comments!

This is a guest post from Greg Buckskin. Science fanatic, pop culture guru and writer for CableTV.com – your home for XFINITY deals.

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