HG Wells is an author of the highest pedigree. His name has traveled and remained a mainstay even after a century for his notable works in various genres, but most importantly in science fiction. One of his most famous works is The War of the Worlds, which has seen many adaptations, including TV shows, radio broadcasts, a film by 'the' Steven Spielberg starring Tom Cruise, and a web series in more recent years.
The War of the Worlds is more than a mere work of fiction. The narrative serves as the basic template for many other pieces of literature and art in the sci-fi horror genre. Even after so many years and the birth of the new millennium, the template still feels fresh, withstanding the tests of time. Although there have been movies in the blockbuster arenas that have found new ways to entertain the audience through technological advancements, the base of such sci-fi stories can find their hidden roots in the epic work of HG Wells.
6 Mars Attacks (1996)
For anyone who had a peek at the first-look posters of the 1996 movie Mars Attacks, it wouldn't be hard to misunderstand the film to be about a platoon of invading broccoli. But that wasn't the case in the movie.
Tim Burton's Earth in the year 1996 has managed to get in touch with an extraterrestrial race opens up a new angle to the debate "Are we alone?". With things all set for a peaceful first contact, the visitors make their intentions clear right from the moment they set foot on the planet. Although the movie has dark humor and caricature-ish elements from a typical Tim Burton movie, it would be a crime to not take it seriously.
5 Skylines (2010 - 2020)
The Skyline franchise is as close as an adaptation to The War of Worlds as a film can get while still maintaining an original story. Since the first movie, Skyline, released in 2010, its success and niche cult following have led to its development as a franchise, with the supposedly last film, Skylin3s, released in 2020.
All hell breaks loose when a group of blue beam-illuminating, human-sucking techno-droids appear in the skies and disrupt the very balance of humankind. Although the entirety of the storyline pans out for three movies, there is never a dull moment in this low-budget sci-fi adventure. The Skyline franchise is something to have on the bucket list for fans of War of the Worlds.
4 Battle: Los Angeles (2011)
This 2011 military sci-fi film may not boast the most prominent name, but it still has everything to keep the audience entertained for its entire runtime. Neither does the movie doesn't have the template plot twists nor a shiny new storyline, but a decade and so later, it still is a worthwhile watch.
The film follows a demoted sargent, Michael Nantz, who is serving his last few days in the military until a meteor shower hits different parts of the world. Unfortunately, the meteors are soon discovered to be hostile alien forces who have landed on earth to harvest the planet's water — which to them, is the essential source of fuel and existence. Trapped with his platoon and probably the last remaining members in Los Angeles, Sgt. Michael and his team must put up the last stand before the city is nuked.
3 The Fifth Wave (2016)
This 2016 movie from English writer and director J.Blakeson stars Chloe Grace Moretz in the lead role, fighting to survive an alien invasion alongside her younger brother. The movie is an adaptation of the 2013 novel trilogy of the same name.
The movie has an exciting narrative in which an alien mothership hovering over the planet's atmosphere sets a well-structured 5-wave war strategy in motion to take over the world. Two siblings must fight to survive the horrid nightmare that engulfs the once-beautiful planet, and it will not be easy. Although the film does cut off a few things from the books, it is still a good watch.
2 Independence Day (1996)
Discussing alien invasion movies without the mention of Independence Day would be a criminal violation of the highest degree. The 1996 classic from writer-director Roland Emmerich is a pop culture classic and is one of the few golden tickets that define 90s blockbuster movies. The movie features Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum during their prime.
There isn't much to add as the film could be on the "Already watched" list of many, but for people who haven't had the chance to catch the movie, Will Smith punches an alien to death. That alone should make it worth viewing.
1 The Darkest Hour (2011)
The Darkest Hour from 2011 has nothing to do with Winston Churchill, or his 2017 biopic of a similar name. Although it does have a generic take on the alien invasion genre, the film tries to go a different route with its horror and gore elements running throughout the narrative.
The film picks up pace when a cluster of invisible floating orbs from the skies decides to eradicate every trace of living DNA on the streets. A group of young people must hold it together and keep themselves alive as they must survive through the haunted streets and ghostly malls of a once-thriving nation.