10 Movies & Shows Like Monsters (1988)

Description: A paranoid thriller about alien duplicates replacing humans, emphasizing themes of identity loss and societal conformity, with a relentless sense of dread and mistrust.

Fact: The film's ending was reshot multiple times to test different levels of bleakness. The eerie sound effects were created using unconventional methods, including rubbing wet sponges together.

Description: A claustrophobic sci-fi horror where a crew aboard a spaceship is hunted by a deadly extraterrestrial creature, blending suspense, body horror, and a tense atmosphere of survival.

Fact: The iconic chestburster scene was kept secret from most of the cast to capture their genuine reactions. The alien's design was inspired by H.R. Giger's surreal artwork.

Description: A chilling tale of paranoia and isolation, featuring a shape-shifting alien that assimilates its victims, leading to intense psychological horror and distrust among a group of people trapped in a remote location.

Fact: The film's groundbreaking practical effects were created by Rob Bottin, who was only 22 years old at the time. It was initially a box office failure but later gained a cult following.

Description: A tragic and grotesque story of a scientist's gradual transformation into a monstrous insect hybrid, exploring themes of bodily decay, scientific hubris, and the loss of humanity.

Fact: The film's special effects took over a year to complete, with multiple stages of the transformation meticulously crafted. It was originally conceived as a much smaller project.

Description: A remake of the classic 1950s film, this version amps up the gore and suspense as a gelatinous alien lifeform consumes everything in its path, trapping a small town in terror.

Fact: The Blob's effects were achieved using a combination of practical effects, including a giant blob made of silicone. The film was initially rated X for violence but was edited to secure an R rating.

Description: A sci-fi action-horror blending social commentary with a story of an alien conspiracy controlling humanity through subliminal messages, featuring intense action and a unique visual style.

Fact: The famous alley fight scene lasts nearly six minutes and was largely improvised. The film's iconic sunglasses were custom-made and difficult to see through during filming.

Description: A mix of horror and comedy featuring giant underground creatures that hunt by sound, creating a tense and inventive survival scenario in a small desert town.

Fact: The creatures were nicknamed 'Graboids' by the crew. The film was shot in sequence, which is rare for movies, to maintain continuity in the creature's evolution.

Description: A teen horror flick where high school students discover their teachers are being taken over by alien parasites, mixing sci-fi thrills with high school drama and suspense.

Fact: The film features early roles for several future stars, including Elijah Wood and Josh Hartnett. The creature designs were influenced by H.R. Giger's work on 'Alien.'

Description: A darkly comedic horror film about an alien parasite that turns a small town's residents into grotesque, interconnected monsters, blending body horror with humor.

Fact: The film pays homage to 1980s creature features, with practical effects heavily inspired by classics like 'The Thing.' The script was written in just three weeks.

Description: A harrowing survival story where a group of people are trapped in a supermarket by a mysterious fog filled with deadly creatures, exploring human nature under extreme stress.

Fact: The film's black-and-white version was released on DVD, as the director felt it enhanced the classic horror feel. The ending differs significantly from the original Stephen King novella.