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By Drew Dietsch
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There are two sci-fi classics from the 1970s that had more rips and spin-offs than any other film from that decade. The first is obvious Star Wars and we’ve already covered which of those side effects you should see in a previous video, so check it out if you need more lasers and space battles in your life.
Because this time, we’re covering that other sci-fi game changer from the 1970s, Alien. A simple space monster movie became the masterpiece of a generation that reshaped the future of science fiction and horror in cinema. And because it was such a landmark success, you know movies would continue to be inspired and even directly ripped off Alien away for decades to come.
So, we’ve decided to scour the vastness of space and even the depths of the oceans for the absolute cream of the xenomorphic crop. I’m Drew Dietsch for Giant Freakin Robot and this is the Top 10 ranking Alien knockoffs are really worth your time.
10. Contamination (1980)
You know we had to include the ripoff maestros, the Italians, and we had plenty of options to choose from. Heck, the Italians actually went so far as to make a movie called it Alien 2! But we’re only going to include one Italian Alien knockoff and it has to be from our favorite Italian Star Wars ripoff director, Starcrashhimself Luigi Cozzi. This is it Contamination.
Released the following year Alien, Contamination brings evil alien eggs to Earth because that’s cheaper than building sets of spaceships. Lots of fun, nasty and cute effects like olives being used for the alien eggs or the giant Cyclops monster Contamination a prime example of the cheesy deliciousness of Italian ripoffs.
9. Lily CAT (1987)
Anime in the 1980s he took plenty of inspiration from Alien. So much so that it came full circle with the fan anime short film, Alien: Monday. But Lily CAT is the only one that pretty much goes into full ripoff territory.
Also takes his cues from John Carpenter’s The Thing, Lily CAT is a simple and straightforward story about the crew of a spaceship being terrorized by alien bacteria that evolves. Like most anime from the ’80s, the violence and salaciousness turns up to the max. At less than 70 minutes, Lily CAT a quick and intense blow from Alien knockoff goodness.
8. Lifeforce (1985)
Massacre Saw the Texas Chain director Tobe Hooper blends together Alien and another film we’ve covered on this channel, Quatermass and the Pondinto the bombastic and boobtastic blockbuster, Lifeforce.
Based on the novel The Space Vampires, Lifeforce puts a unique spin on the “find an abandoned spaceship” riff by placing the alien vehicle in the coma of a comet. Once the alien madness reaches Earth, you’ll be treated to some pretty stunning effects that are worth the entire movie’s existence.
7. Leviathan (1989)
A number of films were quickly produced in the late 80s in anticipation of another film being ripped off, The Abyss. Of course, since then The Abyss that they hadn’t released yet, they also had to rip Alien for their plots. And although I can certainly sing praises DeepStar Frithe best of them is that of George P. Cosmatos Leviathan.
With an amazingly skilled cast of distinguished actors, Leviathan conveys the horrors of claustrophobic space Alien to the deep sea. If you like your Alien wet and wild knockoffs, make sure to set aside some time for Leviathan.
6. Forbidden World (1982)
Much like the Italians, Roger Corman ripped away Alien more times than we can count. But, if there is one of his exploitation experiments that stands out in this area, it has to be Forbidden World.
You won’t find anything new here when it comes to story but Forbidden World plays the hits with plenty of success. And it doesn’t even break 80 minutes, so this is another short and sweet effects fest that any self-respecting B-movie fan needs to check off their list.
5. Underwater (2020)
Oh, you thought this would be nothing but 80s movies? No! Alien continues to be a source of inspiration for filmmakers and Under the water is a thrilling modern example. It hit theaters in 2020 and was promptly forgotten by audiences. That’s their loss because when it comes to a big studio Alien shots, Under the water is a big winner.
Excellent production design, a driving script, and some monstrous revelations Under the water the kind of sci-fi horror we rarely get out of Hollywood anymore. If this flew under your radar, do yourself a favor and check it out Under the water. It’s only 95 minutes! Bless these Alien films and their reasonable running times.
4. Incident Horizon (1997)
Hey, I think we’ve talked about this movie before! Seriously, you can go check out our whole video about Event Horizonbut it is worth noting that director Paul WS Anderson has not been shy about his influences in the making Event Horizona Alien all over this film.
Although in the end it leans more in Hellraiser than Alienthe entire production design of Event Horizon is directly influenced by Ridley Scott’s truck driver sci-fi. Want something more supernatural in an Alien homage? Event Horizon is your ticket.
3. Deep Rising (1998)
A ragtag group of miscreants have to deal with a seemingly abandoned ship and begin to suffer a strange monster? No, you are not back on the Boatsyou have ordered a piece on the Argonautica and that absolute blast Deep Lift.
Another banger ensemble cast and sweeping effects from The Mummy director Stephen Sommers allows Deep Lift to be pure popcorn delight that always entertains. If you don’t crack a smile during this movie, you might want to check your pulse.
2. Pitch Black (2000)
Before he was doing nothing Fast and Furious movies, Vin Diesel starring as the criminal Riddick Black Pitchone of the best sci-fi horror films of the 2000s.
You have the usual Alien story archetypes: a somewhat mismatched spaceship crew, a strange planet, unknown alien monsters. All that works well but the inclusion of the villainous Riddick in the mix gives this a really different flavor. And the alien monsters are amazing. I’ll watch this over any other Vin Diesel movie anytime. …Except maybe The Iron Giant.
1. Outland (1981)
The best Alien A knockoff is actually a movie you’ve never seen or even associated with Alien. Outland is actually a Western in space with Sean Connery play an officer of the law on a mining colony where an illegal drug market is thriving. There is no alien monster inside Outland but the set designs, mood, and themes of the film have always made me argue that Outland it can also occur in the Alien universe.
It’s also a legitimately great film that seems to have been almost forgotten by most people. If you want to see a story that feels like it belongs alongside corporate terror Alien, Outland is a home run and that makes him number one Alien knock
What are some of your favourites Alien– inspired movies? Send us a recommendation in the comments, we love these kinds of flicks! If you want more videos like this, make sure you like the video and subscribe to the channel. And you can hear a more in-depth discussion of some of these films by listening to the GenreVision podcast. We have full episodes on Under the water, Event Horizona Deep Lift.
I always thank you all for watching at the end of these videos, but if you’ve spent your time with this entire list of movies that I personally dig, a very special thank you for being awesome . Take care of yourself and I’ll see you here next time on Giant Freakin Robot.
