Alien invasion – 20 TV series about aliens: part 1

Humanity’s desire to meet intelligent life in space has long existed. However, the universe is silent, and encounters with UFOs turn out to be myths when checked. This eternal idea is embodied on the screens, where the creators of films and TV series are tirelessly inspired by new stories about interaction with aliens. In sci-fi stories, aliens can be either friendly humanoids or deadly monsters, and encounters with representatives of other civilizations can be a source of horror or comedy.

Resident Alien (2021 – 2022)

Resident Alien (2021 - 2022)
Image credit: Syfy/NBCU Bank/Getty

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Cast: Alan Tudyk, Sara Tomko, Corey Reynolds, Alice Wetterlund, Levi Fiehler, Judah Prehn

Country: United States
Rating: IMDb – 8.1


A new science fiction movie based on a popular comic book. An alien arrives on Earth to exterminate humanity and prepare the planet for the invasion of his race. In order not to attract attention, the humanoid hides his identity under the mask of a reclusive doctor. Gradually, the protagonist merges into the everyday life of the local society, finds loyal friends and abandons his original intentions.

Project Blue Book (2019 – 2020)

Project Blue Book (2019 - 2020)
Image credit: History

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Cast: Aidan Gillen, Michael Malarkey, Laura Mennell, Ksenia Solo, Neal McDonough

Country: United States, Canada
Rating: IMDb – 7.6


A new successful and highly rated television series centers on a team of researchers formed by the US Air Force that is dedicated to the study of UFOs and aliens. The team consists of an astrophysicist, a pilot and a ufologist who have joined forces to analyze unexplained phenomena in the sky. The information recorded by the witnesses does not fit into the established scientific framework, and their joint work leads to the exposure of a large-scale conspiracy.

War of the Worlds (2019)

War of the Worlds (2019)
Image credit: Imdb

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Cast: Léa Drucker, Gabriel Byrne, Bayo Gbadamosi, Ty Tennant, Paul Gorostidi

Country: United Kingdom, France, United States
Rating: IMDb – 6.5


The series, which tells the story of a battle with aliens, is a loose adaptation of the book by H.G. Wells, a great classic of science fiction. A French astrophysicist discovers strange signals sent by intelligent beings from far away. Soon, many probes begin to fall to earth, striking those who inhabit the planet with electromagnetic pulses. Ruthless aliens arrive from the Ross 128 star system, aiming for the complete destruction of humanity. Only a few survivors will be able to resist the invaders.

Extinct (2017)

Extinct (2017)
Image credit: Imdb

Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery. Sci-Fi, Thriller
Cast: Chad Michael Collins, Victoria Atkin, Yorke Fryer, Jaclyn Hales, Matthew Bellows, Jack DePew

Country: United States
Rating: IMDb – 5.9


The science fiction series tells the story of space and aliens seeking to bring back an extinct race of humanity. The aliens claim that their actions are inspired by noble intentions, but people have vague but well-founded doubts. The situation is further complicated when it becomes clear that this alien civilization has become a source of disaster for humanity.

Colony (2016 – 2018)

Colony (2016 - 2018)
Image credit: Imdb

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Cast: Josh Holloway, Sarah Wayne Callies, Peter Jacobson, Tory Kittles, Isabella Crovetti

Country: United States
Rating: IMDb – 7.3


This excellent series tells the story of an alien invasion that has established a brutal dictatorship on earth. A former FBI agent is forced to work for the puppet government to avoid problems with the law. The main character has to expose the rebels who resisted the regime. In the course of the investigation, the agent faces a difficult choice when he is confronted with evidence that points to his own wife. The plot is inspired by the life of Parisians during the Nazi occupation.

Childhood’s End (2015)

Childhood’s End (2015)
Image credit: Imdb

Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Cast: Mike Vogel, Osy Ikhile, Daisy Betts, Georgina Haig, Charles Dance, Ashley Zukerman

Country: United States
Rating: IMDb – 6.8


In the series about an alien invasion based on Arthur C. Clarke’s story, the key event unfolds in a peaceful atmosphere. After the arrival of huge space ships, wars stop, diseases disappear, and an era of utopia begins. The positive changes, which are closely monitored, cause discontent among some, and the planet finds itself in the midst of a struggle for freedom.

Extant (2014 – 2015)

Extant (2014 - 2015)
Image credit: Imdb

Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Cast: Halle Berry, Pierce Gagnon, Grace Gummer, Tyler Hilton, Goran Visnjic, Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Country: United States
Rating: IMDb – 6.5


After a long space expedition, a female astronaut returns to Earth. The heroine experiences great joy from meeting her husband, but the family reunion is overshadowed by an unusual event: the woman discovers that she is pregnant, despite her infertility. All signs point to the fact that fertilization could only have occurred in space, suggesting the intervention of mysterious extraterrestrial forces.

Star-Crossed (2014)

Star-Crossed (2014)
Image credit: Coorte

Genre: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi
Cast: Aimee Teegarden, Matt Lanter, Grey Damon, Greg Finley, Brina Palencia, Chelsea Gilligan

Country: United States
Rating: IMDb – 7.1


A romantic TV series centered on aliens on Earth has received excellent reviews from viewers who prefer sensual melodramas. The government decided to place aliens from another planet in special reservations. Some time later, they decide to integrate the space guests into society. Teenagers who are not familiar with their Earthly peers are given the opportunity to attend a regular school – and it is there that one of them finds love.

Defiance (2013 – 2015)

Defiance (2013 - 2015)
Image credit: Mirf

Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Cast: Grant Bowler, Stephanie Leonidas, Julie Benz, Graham Greene, Tony Curran, Jesse Rath

Country: United States
Rating: IMDb – 7.0


Alien invaders attempted to take over the Earth, which led to a brutal war and created extremely difficult conditions for life on the planet. Despite a period of truce, the dangers have not disappeared. Barren deserts, conflicts between states and violent gangs make life extremely difficult. The protagonists strive to reach Antarctica, where, according to rumors, a remnant of the primordial world has been preserved. However, circumstances prevent them from moving forward.

Falling Skies (2011 – 2015)

Falling Skies (2011 - 2015)
Image credit: Amblin

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Cast: Noah Wyle, Drew Roy, Maxim Knight, Will Patton, Sarah Carter, Moon Bloodgood

Country: United States, Canada
Rating: IMDb – 7.1


The movie, which is among the top series about alien invasions, tells a suspenseful story in which the surviving earthlings, almost completely defeated, desperately resist the alien invasion. One of the former history professors, who has retrained as a combat commander, becomes the central figure. The protagonist has to deal a strong blow to the enemy and rescue his son from captivity.

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