Summary
Xenofictionis one of the most captivating movie genres — it gives the audience a chance to experience stories through thePOV of non-human characters. Be they aliens, robots, or even animals, viewers are teleported to worlds beyond their imagination, looking at life through different lenses. It can be especially intriguing to those who wonder what life would be like if they weren’t a part of the human race.
Moreover, the audience also gets to experience an array of feelings — sometimes it’s empathy for lives that are so very different from theirs, and other times it’s just laughter at downright hilarious on-screen shenanigans. Below is a list ofthe best xenofiction movies,ranked according to general popularity, box office success, and overall recognition.
10Benji (1974)
A Heartfelt Tale Of A Heroic Stray Dog
Thisfamily filmthat’s cherished by all age groups follows the story of a smart stray dog who sets out on a noble mission to save two kids who have been kidnapped in a small town. What makes this movie different is its unique perspective — the audience witnesses the story unfold through the lovable canine’s eyes.
Any dialogue between humans is very minimal, and viewers get to fully understand how clever and emotionally intelligent Benji, the four-legged protagonist, really is. All of these factors ledBenjito be a huge hit, and this led to a franchise; however, the original is one that cannot be beaten.
9Planet Of The Apes (1968)
Astronauts Discover A Planet Ruled By Apes
Planet of the Apeshas made its name in the genre of xenofiction; it seamlessly blends the sci-fi genre with social commentary. The audience follows George Taylor, an astronaut who crash-lands on an unknown planet — here, apes hold power over humans and are the dominant race.
As Taylor explores, he learns of the shocking truth about the planet, and the movie dives deep into themes such as human nature, evolution, and societal structures. The makeup effects featured in the film are noteworthy, and the narrative definitely gets people thinking more deeply about its unsettling premise.
8RoboCop (1987)
A Cyborg Cop Seeks Justice In A Dystopian Detroit
In this film, viewers witness the dystopian city of Detroit, which has been infested with crime and corruption. The protagonist, Alex Murphy, is critically injured and gets resurrected as a powerful cyborg law enforcer referred to as RoboCop.
RoboCop takes on both street-level criminals and the corrupt corporate empire, all while battling his diminishing memories as a human and the ethical implications of his existence. In this film, the audience is made to examine themes of autonomy and personal identity, and they come to understand how dehumanizing technology might one day become.
7Space Jam (1996)
Michael Jordan And The Looney Tunes Play Basketball To Save The World
Space Jamis one of themost playful and funentries on this list — it features a unique blend of live-action and animation fusing iconci cartoon characters with professional basketball. The audience gets to watch NBA star Michael Jordan team up with beloved charactersfromLooney Tunesto play a crucial basketball match, all being led by the one and only Bugs Bunny who is trying to save Toon World from aliens called The Monstars.
With a blend of sports, comedy, andvibrant animation, this movie is the definition of 90s nostalgia. Moreover, themes of determination and teamwork are emphasized, making it a memorable movie, especially for children.
6WALL-E (2008)
Two Robots Come Together To Save A Lost Planet
This movie isset in a distant futurewhere Earth is now buried under heaps and heaps of garbage and is entirely abandoned. Here, viewers meet WALL-E, a solitary robot who collects waste and possesses a curious personality.
One day, WALL-E stumbles upon a new life form, Eve, who is a state-of-the-art robot. With her, he sets out on aninterstellar adventurewhich ultimately leaves him questioning what the state of humanity and Earth would be like in the future. The audience learns the detrimental effect that’s inevitable if they continue to neglect the environment.
5Shrek (2001)
A Misfit Ogre Finds Love And Friendship Where He Least Expected
Though this film is a fairytale, it is the opposite of the traditional tropes that the audience usually sees. Viewers follow the perspective of a loud yet soft-hearted ogre named Shrek, who goes on an epic journey to reclaim his swamp, and for this, he has to rescue a princess who is locked in a tower guarded by a dragon.
Along this journey, Shrek teams up with a talking donkey and falls in love with Princess Fiona, a classical beauty who is hiding a secret. There’s a lot of humor to be experienced inShrek,along with moments that will tug at the audience’s heartstrings — this is definitely a unique xenofiction storyline where the outcast is the hero.
4Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)
Outlaws Team Up To Save The Galaxy
This xenofiction movie takes the audience on a cosmic adventure that’s filled with humor and heartfelt moments, and it also featuresa striking soundtrack. Viewers follow a group of intergalactic misfits who are led by Peter Quill. Together they are on a mission to prevent an apocalypse.
Guardians of the Galaxyis set in an imaginative universe where an array ofalien speciesand planets exist. There’s tons of action to be enjoyed, along with character-driven storylines that keep viewers engrossed, making it one of the best xenofiction films out there.
3E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
A Heartwarming Friendship Between An Alien And A Little Boy
Here, the audience is introduced to E.T., an alien who becomes stranded on planet Earth. He finds friendship in the form of a young boy named Eliot, who offers him a helping hand — the boy helps him avoid being captured by the government while also looking for a way for E.T. to get back to his home planet.
Though they are very different, everyone watching cannot deny that the two share a beautiful bond that showcases the power of empathy and understanding. The film features innovative andeye-catching effectsalong with scenes that create a lasting memory, such as the iconic flying bicycles.
2The Lion King (1994)
An Animated Classic That Speaks Of Courage And Redemption
The Lion Kingis undoubtedly one of the best animated movies of all time, where an audience of all ages is left spellbound by an amalgamation of masterful storytelling and catchy music. With the African Savanna as the backdrop, viewers witness young SImba’s journey as a lion prince as he strives to reclaim his place as king after the tragic loss of his father.
With anthropomorphic characters, this xenofiction movie is so much more than just a kid’s film. The audience explores themes of leadership, responsibility, and much more. The soundtrack is most definitely a bonus — who would disagree that “Hakuna Matata” and “Circle of Life” are absolute bops?
Produced By: James Cameron and John Landau
Distributed By: 20th Century Fox
Avatarundoubtedly earns the top spot on this list for a multitude of reasons, the top two being its breathtakingly beautiful depiction of an alien world and itsimmersive storytelling. The audience is introduced to the lush, bioluminescent Pandora that’s inhabited by an extraterrestrial species known as the Na’vi.
Here, paraplegic marine Jake Sully strives to become a part of the Na’vi by using an avatar, and through his eyes, the story unfolds. From themes of ecological preservation and cultural empathy to the use of 3D technology and advanced visual effects, there’s so much that comes together to make this one of the best xenofiction movies of all time.
