Halloween is a time to watch horror movies, but there is ample room for science fiction to get audiences into the holiday spirit. From the undead creature in Frankenstein to the killer Xenomorphs in Alien, many great scary movies have featured elements of sci-fi to unleash some inventive and unforgettable nightmares.
Whether or not you’re going trick-or-treating this Halloween, you should treat yourself to these spooky sci-fi films to celebrate the holiday.
Alien: Romulus (2024)
I can’t go ahead without giving a shoutout to Alien and Aliens. Though these movies are scary sci-fi classics perfect for Halloween viewings, Alien: Romulus ranks just as high within the Alien franchise. This new movie harkens back to traditional slasher movies, featuring a group of teenagers who encounter a killer monster inside a creepy old space station.
This recent movie features the best of the classic Alien films without being a simple rehash. With many clever, heart-pounding scenes, compelling characters, and an unforgettable climax, Alien: Romulus is the perfect film for longtime franchise fans who are dying for something fresh.
Watch Alien: Romulus on Hulu.
Nope (2022)
Only Jordan Peele could unleash a sci-fi movie as weird as this. Nope presents a wild story of two horse trainers who try to get video footage of a UFO hovering over their land.
Featuring everything from giant aliens to killer monkeys, Nope delivers quite a lot while saying plenty about how people crave and profit from spectacle. It certainly isn’t Peele’s best film, but it is a grossly underrated blockbuster perfect for fans of horror, sci-fi, and comedy.
Stream Nope on Peacock.
The Thing (1982)
Audiences looking for a healthy dose of alien horror this Halloween should check out this cult classic. In John Carpenter’s The Thing, the titular alien infiltrates a remote research base, infecting and impersonating everything it comes into contact with.
Over 40 years later, The Thing remains a masterclass in scary sci-fi, thanks to its grotesque visuals and suspenseful narrative. As the Thing turns the characters against each other before transforming into several horrific monstrosities, the film evokes the true terror of the unknown, making it one of the most iconic and timeless alien invasion movies ever.
Stream The Thing on Peacock.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers tells the chilling tale of aliens arriving on Earth and replacing humans with emotionless clones, forcing a group of people to fight for their lives as their loved ones turn against them.
It’s a dark and harrowing story that is just as relevant today as it was 50 years ago. When people think of alien invasions on film, chances are this frightening motion picture comes to mind.
Stream Invasion of the Body Snatchers on HBO Max.
A Quiet Place (2018)
This movie will have you scared silent until the credits roll. A Quiet Place presents a terrifying vision of a world ravaged by aliens, with the invaders being super-sensitive to sound and killing anything that catches their ears.
As the Abbotts struggle to survive in this treacherous, post-apocalyptic world, viewers are presented with a thrilling and heartbreaking tale of a family persevering as they live together in constant fear.
Stream A Quiet Place on Paramount+.
Godzilla Minus One (2023)
Takashi Yamazaki, the writer and director, revitalized the classic original Godzilla film with jaw-dropping visuals and an emotional story.
Unlike many Godzilla movies seen in Warner Bros. and Legendary’s MonsterVerse, Godzilla Minus One does a terrific job exploring the human characters and their personal struggles in the face of incredible tragedies, whether they be the result of a giant monster or horrific bombings.
Stream Godzilla Minus One on Netflix.
Donnie Darko (2001)
In this cult thriller, Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) visualizes Frank, a strange man in a rabbit costume, who tells him the world will end in less than a month. As he starts sleepwalking and committing crimes in his hometown, Donnie uncovers the secrets of life and time travel in a bizarre coming-of-age story.
Donnie Darko is far from another Halloween movie. It’s a dark, mind-bending journey that keeps its audience watching and wondering what’s happening. While the story is a puzzle to solve, Donnie Darko is nonetheless spellbinding.
