There's something uniquely thrilling about watching soldiers face off against extraterrestrial foes. While human-versus-human combat has its merits, pitting military forces against alien invaders adds a layer of high-stakes sci-fi spectacle that action fans crave. Whether you're into gritty realism, giant robots, or one-on-one jungle hunts, the military vs. aliens subgenre has delivered some of the most memorable sci-fi action movies ever made.
We've rounded up the best of the best, from cult classics to modern hits, that showcase soldiers taking on otherworldly threats. Some you've seen, others may have slipped under your radar—but all are worth your time. So grab your gear and look to the skies, because these are the alien invasion movies you need to watch.
10. 'Battle: Los Angeles' (2011)
For a gritty, intense, and fairly violent take on the battle between U.S. Marines and alien invaders, Battle: Los Angeles is an underrated sci-fi adventure that may just be worth revisiting. Following Aaron Eckhart's Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz and his Marine platoon, the movie has no trouble living up to its name as the soldiers fight for the sake of a small batch of survivors. Sure, it's a bit clichéd, but it's still perfect for folks looking for a military-focused alien adventure.
Full of shaky action sequences that echo the early 2000s style of Bourne-like action movies and high-stakes that hardly let up, Battle: LA deserves more praise than it initially received. It was largely overshadowed by Skyline at the time, but has since become a cult favorite for many who adore these sorts of action-packed thrills. Director Jonathan Liebesman pushed the concept to the limit as the City of Angels is on the line.
9. 'Stargate' (1994)
The father of modern military sci-fi on television, Stargate is another underrated sci-fi flick that takes U.S. Air Force Colonel Jack O'Neil (Kurt Russell) and a small group through an interstellar wormhole that sends them to the Ancient Egypt-inspired world of Abydos. There, they discover that Egyptian mythology is actually fact, but Ra (Jaye Davidson) isn't an actual god, he's an alien warlord who seeks to return to and invade Earth. Although not as grand a scale as some of the other films on this list, the stakes remain high.
Stargate would prove such a good idea that it would spawn a trilogy of television shows that continued the military sci-fi adventure, including Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, and Stargate Universe. While the shows are great (and come highly recommended), Stargate the movie is where it's at if you're looking for a quick watch that scratches your alien itch. You won't be disappointed in this Roland Emmerich adventure.
8. 'Pacific Rim' (2013)
Clearly inspired by the megazord battles of Power Rangers, there's nothing quite like the original Pacific Rim. When monstrous kaijus begin appearing through a rift in the Pacific Ocean, mankind's military forces come together to build Jaegers, giant mech suits that require two pilots to fight in-sync. As giant robots battle giant monsters, this military sci-fi flick isn't your typical boots-on-the-ground soldier vs. alien warfare picture, but it certainly qualifies.
Directed by Guillermo del Toro, Pacific Rim would also spawn a larger franchise, though the original sci-fi masterpiece is still undoubtedly the best of the brand. With shockingly relatable characters and a complex mythology that is both original and engaging, Pacific Rim delivers on all giant fronts. It's only a shame that we didn't get a crossover with Godzilla...
7. 'Predator' (1987)
While not the original "military vs. alien" movie, Predator may be one of the first to come to mind when you think of members of the Armed Forces in conflict with extraterrestrials. When the CIA sends U.S. Army Special Forces operator Dutch Schaefer (Arnold Schwarzenegger) on a mission to the Central American jungle, things go haywire when an alien warrior begins tearing through his entire unit. In many ways, Predator was the first of its kind, sparking a wave of imitators, though it remains firmly on top.
Directed by action movie legend John McTiernan, Predator is everything folks love about Schwarzenegger movies, complete with a solid cast that also includes Carl Weathers and Shane Black. The action movie ended up sparking an entire Predator franchise that continues the idea, but only the original 1987 film really delivers on that initial "military vs. alien" premise — well, except for maybe the Shane Black-directed The Predator, but that movie is terrible so feel free to skip it.
6. 'War Machine' (2026)
Riding on the tail of Predator is the newest Netflix hit War Machine, which tosses Alan Ritchson in with a group of potential U.S. Army Rangers as they seek to accomplish their final task before promotion. Only, upon arriving in the field, they soon find themselves stalked and hunted by an unseen alien threat. This film brings a fresh, modern take to the military vs. alien formula, blending intense action with psychological horror.
For more action-packed recommendations, check out our Heart-Pounding Realism: 6 Perfect Action Movies Based on True Stories. And if you're in the mood for something different, our Weekend Watchlist: 3 Must-See Netflix Movies for May 15 has you covered.
