Steven Spielberg's fascination with extraterrestrials goes back further than most fans realize. At just 17, he made a feature-length sci-fi film called Firelight, a low-budget UFO story that hinted at the promise to come. While little of that early work survives today, it set the stage for a career dotted with alien encounters. Over the decades, Spielberg has directed five movies that feature aliens in significant roles—whether as central characters, narrative drivers, or even brief cameos. Not every sci-fi Spielberg film qualifies (sorry, Minority Report and A.I.), but these five do. Here's how they stack up, from the most flawed to the truly out-of-this-world.
5. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
Aliens in an Indiana Jones movie? It's a jarring pivot, even if the film leans into 1950s B-movie aesthetics. The extraterrestrials appear only at the end, and their inclusion is one of the most divisive moments in the franchise. While the earlier Indy films ended with supernatural or fantastical twists, swapping that for sci-fi feels odd. The movie itself has other issues—pacing, CGI gags, and a general sense of fatigue—making it the weakest of Spielberg's Indy entries. Still, it's arguably more memorable than the James Mangold-directed Dial of Destiny, which lacked the same Spielbergian spark.
4. War of the Worlds (2005)
This is Spielberg at his most bleak. War of the Worlds is a gripping but grim survival story, with Tom Cruise fleeing ruthless alien tripods that show no mercy. The film captures the post-9/11 anxiety of the early 2000s, much like Children of Men would a year later, though it's not quite as masterful. The aliens here are the meanest in Spielberg's filmography—no peaceful greetings, just annihilation. It's intense, unsettling, and a solid companion to Minority Report, but the lack of any sympathetic extraterrestrial makes it a colder watch.
3. Disclosure Day (2026)
Spielberg's most recent alien movie is a thriller about the government revealing the existence of extraterrestrial life. It starts with a bang, then slows into a chase-heavy narrative with multiple character threads. The film has its flaws—sentimental moments that feel forced, a choppy pace, and a finale that stretches believability. But it's also sincere and passionate, reflecting Spielberg's genuine belief in the possibility of alien contact. If you can overlook the sappier side, there's a lot to enjoy here. It's not top-tier Spielberg, but it's a solid addition to his canon.
2. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
The quintessential Spielberg alien movie. E.T. is a heartwarming story of friendship between a lonely boy and a stranded alien. It's funny, touching, and features one of the most iconic movie moments ever—the flying bicycle across the moon. The film's emotional core is so strong that it transcends its sci-fi trappings, becoming a universal story about connection and belonging. It's also a masterclass in practical effects and storytelling, with E.T. himself feeling utterly real. For many, this is the definitive alien movie, period.
1. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Spielberg's first major alien film remains his best. Close Encounters is a wonder-filled exploration of first contact, focusing on ordinary people drawn to a mysterious mountain. The film builds tension slowly, using light, sound, and Richard Dreyfuss's obsessive performance to create a sense of awe. The climax—a musical conversation between humans and aliens—is one of cinema's most beautiful sequences. It's less about conflict and more about communication, a hopeful vision of what contact might look like. Decades later, it still feels fresh and deeply moving.
Whether you prefer the warmth of E.T. or the wonder of Close Encounters, Spielberg's alien movies share a common thread: a belief that we are not alone, and that reaching out is worth the risk. For more on the best of sci-fi, check out our ranking of Sci-Fi's Most Unforgettable Opening Shots and our list of The 8 Most Universally Acclaimed Horror Movies of All Time.
