there are days that define your story beyond your life like the day they
beyond your life like the day they
beyond your life like the day they arrived because you only have one chance
arrived because you only have one chance
arrived because you only have one chance to make a first impression
to make a first impression
to make a first impression welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10 first contact movies for this list we’ll
first contact movies for this list we’ll
first contact movies for this list we’ll be looking at the films that best
be looking at the films that best
be looking at the films that best represent the concept of first contact
represent the concept of first contact
represent the concept of first contact with alien that is otherworldly peoples
with alien that is otherworldly peoples
with alien that is otherworldly peoples and races the events that follow don’t
and races the events that follow don’t
and races the events that follow don’t have to go completely smoothly but we
have to go completely smoothly but we
have to go completely smoothly but we will be drawing the line at all-out
will be drawing the line at all-out
will be drawing the line at all-out invasions and conflicts
number ten flight of the navigator David
number ten flight of the navigator David Freeman is just barely in his double
Freeman is just barely in his double
Freeman is just barely in his double digits when he’s plucked up by an alien
digits when he’s plucked up by an alien
digits when he’s plucked up by an alien spaceship picked up in 1978
spaceship picked up in 1978
spaceship picked up in 1978 David is offloaded in 1986 and finds
David is offloaded in 1986 and finds
David is offloaded in 1986 and finds from his perspective anyway that his
from his perspective anyway that his
from his perspective anyway that his eight-year-old brother has become 16 in
eight-year-old brother has become 16 in
eight-year-old brother has become 16 in the span of about four and a half hours
the span of about four and a half hours
the span of about four and a half hours this is totally rad I mean you’re my big
this is totally rad I mean you’re my big
this is totally rad I mean you’re my big little brother crazier still somewhere
little brother crazier still somewhere
little brother crazier still somewhere along the way during his 1120 Lightyear
along the way during his 1120 Lightyear
along the way during his 1120 Lightyear round-trip to fail on young David’s
round-trip to fail on young David’s
round-trip to fail on young David’s brain has become jam-packed full of data
brain has become jam-packed full of data
brain has become jam-packed full of data and star maps so you need me and my
and star maps so you need me and my
and star maps so you need me and my inferior brain to fly that thing
inferior brain to fly that thing
inferior brain to fly that thing correction I need the superior
correction I need the superior
correction I need the superior information in your own Furio brain to
information in your own Furio brain to
information in your own Furio brain to fly this thing
fly this thing
fly this thing max the ship’s robotic pilot realizes he
max the ship’s robotic pilot realizes he
max the ship’s robotic pilot realizes he needs David’s maps and that he’s plunked
needs David’s maps and that he’s plunked
needs David’s maps and that he’s plunked the lad in the wrong decade but is
the lad in the wrong decade but is
the lad in the wrong decade but is unable to undo his mistake but his
unable to undo his mistake but his
unable to undo his mistake but his adventure unfolds max does find a way
adventure unfolds max does find a way
adventure unfolds max does find a way and it’s a journey loved by so many that
and it’s a journey loved by so many that
and it’s a journey loved by so many that a remake has been discussed
a remake has been discussed
a remake has been discussed [Music]
number nine Starman have people from
number nine Starman have people from your world been here before before yes
your world been here before before yes
your world been here before before yes we are interested in your species
we are interested in your species
we are interested in your species directed by John Carpenter and leading
directed by John Carpenter and leading
directed by John Carpenter and leading to a TV spin-off and an Oscar nod for
to a TV spin-off and an Oscar nod for
to a TV spin-off and an Oscar nod for lead Jeff Bridges star man is a love
lead Jeff Bridges star man is a love
lead Jeff Bridges star man is a love story disguised as a sci-fi what’s it
story disguised as a sci-fi what’s it
story disguised as a sci-fi what’s it like okay it is beautiful
like okay it is beautiful
like okay it is beautiful not like this but it is when an alien
not like this but it is when an alien
not like this but it is when an alien race mistakes humanity’s invitation to
race mistakes humanity’s invitation to
race mistakes humanity’s invitation to visit earth as sincere they take us up
visit earth as sincere they take us up
visit earth as sincere they take us up on it only to have their Scout shot down
on it only to have their Scout shot down
on it only to have their Scout shot down over Wisconsin as his people live as
over Wisconsin as his people live as
over Wisconsin as his people live as pure Energy Star man needs to take a
pure Energy Star man needs to take a
pure Energy Star man needs to take a physical form to try and salvage his
physical form to try and salvage his
physical form to try and salvage his vacay in the Midwest and he becomes the
vacay in the Midwest and he becomes the
vacay in the Midwest and he becomes the spitting image of a Widow’s recently
spitting image of a Widow’s recently
spitting image of a Widow’s recently deceased husband represent almost all of
deceased husband represent almost all of
deceased husband represent almost all of the human inhabitants of the planet
the human inhabitants of the planet
the human inhabitants of the planet Earth I send greetings through goodwill
Earth I send greetings through goodwill
Earth I send greetings through goodwill and proof of peaceful intentions
and proof of peaceful intentions
and proof of peaceful intentions the widow agrees to help the alien meet
the widow agrees to help the alien meet
the widow agrees to help the alien meet up with his rescue party along the way
up with his rescue party along the way
up with his rescue party along the way Starman takes part in the finest of
Starman takes part in the finest of
Starman takes part in the finest of earthly pleasures driving a Ford Mustang
earthly pleasures driving a Ford Mustang
earthly pleasures driving a Ford Mustang gambling in Vegas and making sweet sweet
gambling in Vegas and making sweet sweet
gambling in Vegas and making sweet sweet love
number eight the abyss hell yes we read
number eight the abyss hell yes we read good at you join us coffee deport hey
good at you join us coffee deport hey
good at you join us coffee deport hey I’m God directed and written by James
I’m God directed and written by James
I’m God directed and written by James Cameron the abyss is a first contact
Cameron the abyss is a first contact
Cameron the abyss is a first contact film unlike any other following a
film unlike any other following a
film unlike any other following a submarine accident the u.s. government
submarine accident the u.s. government
submarine accident the u.s. government sends in a team of scientists and Navy
sends in a team of scientists and Navy
sends in a team of scientists and Navy SEALs soon the group discovers a society
SEALs soon the group discovers a society
SEALs soon the group discovers a society of aliens dubbed NT eyes or non
of aliens dubbed NT eyes or non
of aliens dubbed NT eyes or non terrestrial intelligence living under
terrestrial intelligence living under
terrestrial intelligence living under the sea NP eyes oh man that’s better
the sea NP eyes oh man that’s better
the sea NP eyes oh man that’s better than UFOs oh but that works too huh
than UFOs oh but that works too huh
than UFOs oh but that works too huh underwater flying objects known as much
underwater flying objects known as much
underwater flying objects known as much for the horrid filming conditions 40% of
for the horrid filming conditions 40% of
for the horrid filming conditions 40% of which was shot underwater at an
which was shot underwater at an
which was shot underwater at an abandoned nuclear power plant as it is
abandoned nuclear power plant as it is
abandoned nuclear power plant as it is for its game-changing effect the abyss
for its game-changing effect the abyss
for its game-changing effect the abyss mixes the wonder of offworld life-forms
mixes the wonder of offworld life-forms
mixes the wonder of offworld life-forms with the highs and lows of the human
with the highs and lows of the human
with the highs and lows of the human condition
condition
condition and sets it all against Cold War
and sets it all against Cold War
and sets it all against Cold War tensions with the Soviet Union
tensions with the Soviet Union
tensions with the Soviet Union Jonah Clifton he’s about to declare war
Jonah Clifton he’s about to declare war
Jonah Clifton he’s about to declare war on an alien species just when they’re
on an alien species just when they’re
on an alien species just when they’re trying to make contact with us please
trying to make contact with us please
trying to make contact with us please number seven the Man Who Fell to earth
number seven the Man Who Fell to earth
number seven the Man Who Fell to earth can’t see few will deny that the late
can’t see few will deny that the late
can’t see few will deny that the late David Bowie was a genius and an equal
David Bowie was a genius and an equal
David Bowie was a genius and an equal few would likely deny that he was a
few would likely deny that he was a
few would likely deny that he was a little odd all of this made him a
little odd all of this made him a
little odd all of this made him a perfect casting choice for Thomas Jerome
perfect casting choice for Thomas Jerome
perfect casting choice for Thomas Jerome Newton a charming yet quirky alien who
Newton a charming yet quirky alien who
Newton a charming yet quirky alien who lands on earth on a mission to locate a
lands on earth on a mission to locate a
lands on earth on a mission to locate a source of water for his drought plagued
source of water for his drought plagued
source of water for his drought plagued planet Newton quickly learns to play the
planet Newton quickly learns to play the
planet Newton quickly learns to play the industrial game and files patents for
industrial game and files patents for
industrial game and files patents for his offworld tech raking in millions in
his offworld tech raking in millions in
his offworld tech raking in millions in the process I can’t explain it to you
the process I can’t explain it to you
the process I can’t explain it to you completely but if I stay here
completely but if I stay here
completely but if I stay here should the Thin White Duke from another
should the Thin White Duke from another
should the Thin White Duke from another son plans to use the money to build a
son plans to use the money to build a
son plans to use the money to build a ride back home but then the government
ride back home but then the government
ride back home but then the government has to railroad as plans as only the
has to railroad as plans as only the
has to railroad as plans as only the government can thanks to Bowie’s
government can thanks to Bowie’s
government can thanks to Bowie’s performance and its striking imagery
performance and its striking imagery
performance and its striking imagery this sci-fi drama has since earned
this sci-fi drama has since earned
this sci-fi drama has since earned itself a cult following what do you do
itself a cult following what do you do
itself a cult following what do you do we’re living at me oh just visiting
we’re living at me oh just visiting
we’re living at me oh just visiting number 6 district 9 I just want everyone
number 6 district 9 I just want everyone
number 6 district 9 I just want everyone watching this right now to learn from
watching this right now to learn from
watching this right now to learn from what has happened at its best sci-fi
what has happened at its best sci-fi
what has happened at its best sci-fi uses its futuristic and alien trappings
uses its futuristic and alien trappings
uses its futuristic and alien trappings to tackle subject matter that would
to tackle subject matter that would
to tackle subject matter that would otherwise be taboo unsettling or
otherwise be taboo unsettling or
otherwise be taboo unsettling or unpleasant something district 9 pulls
unpleasant something district 9 pulls
unpleasant something district 9 pulls off like few others I want to be
off like few others I want to be
off like few others I want to be realistic with everyone the aliens will
realistic with everyone the aliens will
realistic with everyone the aliens will not be able to go home the aliens are
not be able to go home the aliens are
not be able to go home the aliens are here to stay ostensibly a story about
here to stay ostensibly a story about
here to stay ostensibly a story about the fallout of South African contact
the fallout of South African contact
the fallout of South African contact with an alien species d9 is in many ways
with an alien species d9 is in many ways
with an alien species d9 is in many ways an allegory for the country’s apartheid
an allegory for the country’s apartheid
an allegory for the country’s apartheid era past and the real-life district 6
era past and the real-life district 6
era past and the real-life district 6 how are you doing that you need with
how are you doing that you need with
how are you doing that you need with thirty million dollars set aside for an
thirty million dollars set aside for an
thirty million dollars set aside for an unmade hallo movie d9 sees veikkaus von
unmade hallo movie d9 sees veikkaus von
unmade hallo movie d9 sees veikkaus von demova a bumbling government agent
demova a bumbling government agent
demova a bumbling government agent overseeing the relocation of
overseeing the relocation of
overseeing the relocation of Johannesburg’s alien population however
Johannesburg’s alien population however
Johannesburg’s alien population however things are flipped turned upside down
things are flipped turned upside down
things are flipped turned upside down when veikkaus is hit by an alien spray
when veikkaus is hit by an alien spray
when veikkaus is hit by an alien spray that begins altering his DNA we just
that begins altering his DNA we just
that begins altering his DNA we just found a dangerous object yeah it’s as a
found a dangerous object yeah it’s as a
found a dangerous object yeah it’s as a fluid in that I suspect might leak onto
fluid in that I suspect might leak onto
fluid in that I suspect might leak onto people or cause damage the result is a
people or cause damage the result is a
people or cause damage the result is a masterful emotional and captivating
masterful emotional and captivating
masterful emotional and captivating movie with the makings of a sci-fi
movie with the makings of a sci-fi
movie with the makings of a sci-fi classic gamma stirs there’s women’s yeah
classic gamma stirs there’s women’s yeah
classic gamma stirs there’s women’s yeah number five contact this morning
number five contact this morning
number five contact this morning detection of an identified radio source
detection of an identified radio source
detection of an identified radio source from each space can either be confirmed
from each space can either be confirmed
from each space can either be confirmed nor denied based on a novel by Carl
nor denied based on a novel by Carl
nor denied based on a novel by Carl Sagan contact is the story of a really
Sagan contact is the story of a really
Sagan contact is the story of a really good day for the SETI while the
good day for the SETI while the
good day for the SETI while the government works towards defunding and
government works towards defunding and
government works towards defunding and even ending the program dr. Eleanor
even ending the program dr. Eleanor
even ending the program dr. Eleanor Arroway picks up a series of prime
Arroway picks up a series of prime
Arroway picks up a series of prime numbers a definite sign of intelligent
numbers a definite sign of intelligent
numbers a definite sign of intelligent alien life 2 3 5 7 those are all prime
alien life 2 3 5 7 those are all prime
alien life 2 3 5 7 those are all prime numbers man there’s no wait it’s natural
numbers man there’s no wait it’s natural
numbers man there’s no wait it’s natural phenomenon
phenomenon
phenomenon just calm down arriving with the numbers
just calm down arriving with the numbers
just calm down arriving with the numbers and a repeat of Hitler’s in 1936 Olympic
and a repeat of Hitler’s in 1936 Olympic
and a repeat of Hitler’s in 1936 Olympic address is 60,000 pages of data all of
address is 60,000 pages of data all of
address is 60,000 pages of data all of which researchers determine came from
which researchers determine came from
which researchers determine came from the Vega system 26 light years away if
the Vega system 26 light years away if
the Vega system 26 light years away if it works and you travel to Vega at even
it works and you travel to Vega at even
it works and you travel to Vega at even close to the speed of light when you
close to the speed of light when you
close to the speed of light when you come back if you come back when Arroway
come back if you come back when Arroway
come back if you come back when Arroway is elected to make contact with the
is elected to make contact with the
is elected to make contact with the alien people it raises questions of the
alien people it raises questions of the
alien people it raises questions of the merit of religion and faith in the face
merit of religion and faith in the face
merit of religion and faith in the face of scientific discovery and how far
of scientific discovery and how far
of scientific discovery and how far either side will go to defend its
either side will go to defend its
either side will go to defend its position the only thing we’ve found and
position the only thing we’ve found and
position the only thing we’ve found and makes the emptiness bearable is each
makes the emptiness bearable is each
makes the emptiness bearable is each other what happens now
other what happens now
other what happens now now
now
now you go home number four The Day the
you go home number four The Day the
you go home number four The Day the Earth Stood Still
Earth Stood Still
Earth Stood Still [Music]
although remade in 2008 with Keanu
although remade in 2008 with Keanu Reeves in the lead role it’s the 1950s
Reeves in the lead role it’s the 1950s
Reeves in the lead role it’s the 1950s original that stood the test of time
original that stood the test of time
original that stood the test of time directed by Robert Wise The Day the
directed by Robert Wise The Day the
directed by Robert Wise The Day the Earth Stood Still is a sci-fi by which
Earth Stood Still is a sci-fi by which
Earth Stood Still is a sci-fi by which all others are judged gone back to
all others are judged gone back to
all others are judged gone back to Barada nikto based on the 1940 short
Barada nikto based on the 1940 short
Barada nikto based on the 1940 short story farewell to the master the film
story farewell to the master the film
story farewell to the master the film sees an alien craft land in Washington
sees an alien craft land in Washington
sees an alien craft land in Washington DC it’s occupants an alien named Klaatu
DC it’s occupants an alien named Klaatu
DC it’s occupants an alien named Klaatu and his robot guard Gort have brought an
and his robot guard Gort have brought an
and his robot guard Gort have brought an important message for all of Earth’s
important message for all of Earth’s
important message for all of Earth’s leaders play nice or be destroyed your
leaders play nice or be destroyed your
leaders play nice or be destroyed your choice is simple join us and live in
choice is simple join us and live in
choice is simple join us and live in peace or pursue your present course and
peace or pursue your present course and
peace or pursue your present course and face obliteration when Klaatu goes
face obliteration when Klaatu goes
face obliteration when Klaatu goes native as mr. carpenter the Jesus
native as mr. carpenter the Jesus
native as mr. carpenter the Jesus allegory stack-up
allegory stack-up
allegory stack-up but the film’s main thread of earth’s
but the film’s main thread of earth’s
but the film’s main thread of earth’s need to toe the line
need to toe the line
need to toe the line remains clear you’re a long way from
remains clear you’re a long way from
remains clear you’re a long way from home aren’t you mr. carpenter how did
home aren’t you mr. carpenter how did
home aren’t you mr. carpenter how did you know how I can tell in you England
you know how I can tell in you England
you know how I can tell in you England accent a mile away number three et the
accent a mile away number three et the
accent a mile away number three et the extra-terrestrial you were outside last
extra-terrestrial you were outside last
extra-terrestrial you were outside last night waiting for that thing to come
night waiting for that thing to come
night waiting for that thing to come back weren’t you developed from Steven
back weren’t you developed from Steven
back weren’t you developed from Steven Spielberg stalled sci-fi horror project
Spielberg stalled sci-fi horror project
Spielberg stalled sci-fi horror project night skies the more kid-friendly et
night skies the more kid-friendly et
night skies the more kid-friendly et would become one of the biggest and
would become one of the biggest and
would become one of the biggest and highest grossing films of the decade
highest grossing films of the decade
highest grossing films of the decade [Music]
essentially the story of an alien
essentially the story of an alien botanist stranded on earth
botanist stranded on earth
botanist stranded on earth ete shows himself to be able to restore
ete shows himself to be able to restore
ete shows himself to be able to restore life but he also seemingly has jedi-like
life but he also seemingly has jedi-like
life but he also seemingly has jedi-like powers including telekinesis and a
powers including telekinesis and a
powers including telekinesis and a psychic bond with Elliot the young boy
psychic bond with Elliot the young boy
psychic bond with Elliot the young boy who helps and looks after him it’s
who helps and looks after him it’s
who helps and looks after him it’s uplifting story of friendship and family
uplifting story of friendship and family
uplifting story of friendship and family as well as its elements of sci-fi
as well as its elements of sci-fi
as well as its elements of sci-fi fantasy have earned it critical acclaim
fantasy have earned it critical acclaim
fantasy have earned it critical acclaim multiple awards and a spot in millions
multiple awards and a spot in millions
multiple awards and a spot in millions of hearts
of hearts
of hearts [Music]
[Music]
[Music] number two 2001 a Space Odyssey 18
number two 2001 a Space Odyssey 18
number two 2001 a Space Odyssey 18 months ago the first evidence of
months ago the first evidence of
months ago the first evidence of intelligent life off the earth was
intelligent life off the earth was
intelligent life off the earth was discovered it’s hard for anyone to say
discovered it’s hard for anyone to say
discovered it’s hard for anyone to say exactly what this 1968 Stanley Kubrick
exactly what this 1968 Stanley Kubrick
exactly what this 1968 Stanley Kubrick classic is actually about but let’s try
classic is actually about but let’s try
classic is actually about but let’s try it anyway although it’s easy to be
it anyway although it’s easy to be
it anyway although it’s easy to be distracted by the film signature dish
distracted by the film signature dish
distracted by the film signature dish the sentient computer Hal 9000 2001 is
the sentient computer Hal 9000 2001 is
the sentient computer Hal 9000 2001 is at its core about first contact in the
at its core about first contact in the
at its core about first contact in the form of the ominous black monoliths that
form of the ominous black monoliths that
form of the ominous black monoliths that repeatedly change the course of the film
repeatedly change the course of the film
repeatedly change the course of the film Kubrick did in fact consider putting
Kubrick did in fact consider putting
Kubrick did in fact consider putting aliens on screen but was advised against
aliens on screen but was advised against
aliens on screen but was advised against using humanoids by author and astronomer
using humanoids by author and astronomer
using humanoids by author and astronomer Carl Sagan as well as by limitations of
Carl Sagan as well as by limitations of
Carl Sagan as well as by limitations of budget and special effects technology
budget and special effects technology
budget and special effects technology the result instead is the mysterious and
the result instead is the mysterious and
the result instead is the mysterious and ambiguous monoliths that accelerate
ambiguous monoliths that accelerate
ambiguous monoliths that accelerate humankind’s knowledge and natural
humankind’s knowledge and natural
humankind’s knowledge and natural evolution with each encounter except for
evolution with each encounter except for
evolution with each encounter except for a single very powerful radio emission
a single very powerful radio emission
a single very powerful radio emission aimed at Jupiter the four million year
aimed at Jupiter the four million year
aimed at Jupiter the four million year old black monolith has remained
old black monolith has remained
old black monolith has remained completely inert before we unveil our
completely inert before we unveil our
completely inert before we unveil our number one pick here are some honorable
number one pick here are some honorable
number one pick here are some honorable mentions
mentions
mentions [Music]
what is he doing he’s making a model
what is he doing he’s making a model [Music]
[Music]
[Music] they say if we go with them we live
they say if we go with them we live
they say if we go with them we live forever that’s good
my god they’re really from another world
my god they’re really from another world number one Close Encounters of the Third
number one Close Encounters of the Third
number one Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Kind
Kind he says the Sun came out last night he
he says the Sun came out last night he
he says the Sun came out last night he says it’s sang to him when Lyman roy
says it’s sang to him when Lyman roy
says it’s sang to him when Lyman roy neary experiences a UFO flyby it opens
neary experiences a UFO flyby it opens
neary experiences a UFO flyby it opens up a whole new world to him eventually
up a whole new world to him eventually
up a whole new world to him eventually uncovering government cooperation with
uncovering government cooperation with
uncovering government cooperation with extraterrestrials roy discovers not only
extraterrestrials roy discovers not only
extraterrestrials roy discovers not only a UFO landing zone but also witnesses an
a UFO landing zone but also witnesses an
a UFO landing zone but also witnesses an organized offloading of people from
organized offloading of people from
organized offloading of people from decades past what do you want I just
decades past what do you want I just
decades past what do you want I just want to know it’s it’s really happening
want to know it’s it’s really happening
want to know it’s it’s really happening finding the aliens to be peaceful
finding the aliens to be peaceful
finding the aliens to be peaceful explorers rather than hostile invaders
explorers rather than hostile invaders
explorers rather than hostile invaders Roy ultimately decides to join them
Roy ultimately decides to join them
Roy ultimately decides to join them missionary I envy you aliens aside the
missionary I envy you aliens aside the
missionary I envy you aliens aside the critically and commercially successful
critically and commercially successful
critically and commercially successful Close Encounters has been forever etched
Close Encounters has been forever etched
Close Encounters has been forever etched into pop culture from its distinct
into pop culture from its distinct
into pop culture from its distinct five-note musical motif to the iconic
five-note musical motif to the iconic
five-note musical motif to the iconic image of an obsessed Roy sculpting
image of an obsessed Roy sculpting
image of an obsessed Roy sculpting Devil’s Tower in mashed potatoes I don’t
Devil’s Tower in mashed potatoes I don’t
Devil’s Tower in mashed potatoes I don’t think we’re gonna need any security
think we’re gonna need any security
think we’re gonna need any security really because it’s gonna be very
really because it’s gonna be very
really because it’s gonna be very low-key believe it do you agree with our
low-key believe it do you agree with our
low-key believe it do you agree with our list
list
list I am leaving soon and you will forgive
I am leaving soon and you will forgive
I am leaving soon and you will forgive me if I speak bluntly what’s your
me if I speak bluntly what’s your
me if I speak bluntly what’s your favorite first-contact movie form or
favorite first-contact movie form or
favorite first-contact movie form or ambassadorial top 10s published every
ambassadorial top 10s published every
ambassadorial top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to
day be sure to subscribe to
day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com live long and prosper
watchmojo.com live long and prosper
watchmojo.com live long and prosper [Music]
[Music]
[Music] you
”
Be First to Comment