10 Shows & Movies Like The War of the Worlds

Description: Features a large-scale alien invasion with global consequences, focusing on humanity's struggle for survival against a technologically superior enemy.

Fact: The film's iconic White House explosion scene was created using a miniature model, which was then destroyed in a single take. It was one of the highest-grossing films of its time.

Description: A suspenseful take on alien invasion, focusing on a family's personal struggle and the psychological tension of an unseen threat.

Fact: The film's crop circles were created by bending actual crops, not using CGI. The aliens' design was kept minimal to heighten the suspense.

Description: A modern retelling of a classic alien visitation story, focusing on humanity's reaction to a powerful extraterrestrial presence and a warning about its destructive tendencies.

Fact: The film is a remake of the 1951 classic. The alien spacecraft's design was inspired by biological forms to make it seem more organic.

Description: Uses a found-footage style to depict a chaotic alien attack on a city, emphasizing the fear and confusion of the characters.

Fact: The film's marketing campaign included cryptic websites and fake MySpace profiles for the characters. The monster's design was kept secret until the film's release.

Description: Explores themes of alien contact and human-alien conflict, with a focus on social and political tensions arising from the presence of extraterrestrials on Earth.

Fact: The film was shot in a documentary-style format, giving it a gritty, realistic feel. It was made on a relatively modest budget but received widespread critical acclaim.

Description: A military-focused narrative about a global alien invasion, with intense action sequences and a gritty, realistic portrayal of urban warfare against extraterrestrial forces.

Fact: The film was inspired by a real WWII event known as the Battle of Los Angeles, where anti-aircraft artillery was fired at supposed enemy aircraft. The aliens' movements were based on insect behavior.

Description: A post-apocalyptic story with alien elements, exploring themes of memory, identity, and the remnants of humanity after a catastrophic event.

Fact: The film's sky tower was inspired by a concept of a floating house. The soundtrack was composed by M83, giving the film a unique, atmospheric sound.

Description: Combines alien invasion with a time-loop narrative, focusing on a soldier reliving the same battle to find a way to defeat the extraterrestrial threat.

Fact: The film's aliens, called Mimics, were designed to move in a way that mimics the flow of liquid. The script was based on the Japanese light novel 'All You Need Is Kill.'

Description: Centers on first contact with aliens, emphasizing communication and the profound impact of understanding an alien language on human perception and time.

Fact: The alien language in the film was created by a professional linguist. The film is based on the short story 'Story of Your Life' by Ted Chiang.

Description: A surreal and psychological take on alien contact, where a mysterious zone alters everything within it, including the humans who enter, leading to existential and body horror.

Fact: The film's shimmer effect was created using practical effects and lighting techniques rather than relying solely on CGI. It is based on the first book of Jeff VanderMeer's Southern Reach Trilogy.