8. Aliens (1986)
Directed by James Cameron
Starring Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, Jenette Goldstein and William Hope
Fifty seven years after Ellen Ripley survived her disastrous ordeal, her escape vessel is recovered after drifting across the galaxy as she slept in cryogenic stasis. After all communication with the colony on LV-426 is lost, Ripley aides a team of tough, rugged space marines on a rescue mission to find out if there are any survivors.
The second appearance of James Cameron (as well as Michael Biehn and Lance Henriksen) in our Top 10, Aliens is the action-orientated sequel to Ridley Scott’s Alien. Rather than repeat the successful formula, Cameron turned the franchise up to 11 with some great action, terrifying horror and brilliant one-liners.
Many have debated which is better, Alien or Aliens – and it looks like Aliens might have been beaten on this occasion.
Or has it…?
“James Cameron redefined the meaning of bigger and better with his pulse pounding follow up to Alien. A great cast , incredible set design and special effects work, the pulse rifles and motion trackers, not to mention an iconic action heroine in Sigourney Weaver, all combined to make Aliens a non stop thrill ride . Not only is Aliens my favourite sci-fi, for me it’s the greatest sequel ever made and my favourite film of all time.” Kris Wall, Staff Writer
Originally published August 5, 2014. Updated April 15, 2018.
