The idea of alien life has long fascinated us earthlings, and many TV shows have suggested that extraterrestrials have already moved in on our planet.
For example, the sci-fi series V — which premiered 40 years ago, on October 26, 1984 — depicted a battle between humans and reptile-like aliens taking humanoid form here on Earth.
But other shows have handled the undercover-ET idea better. Here’s our ranking of a dozen TV shows about aliens living among us, V included.
12
▷ Where to Stream The Neighbors
2012–2014
The gated townhouse community of Hidden Hills seems like a normal, peaceful place to raise a family. But shortly after the Weavers move in, they realize their new neighbors are actually scaly, shape-shifting extraterrestrial beings. This sitcom’s high-concept premise got a few laughs, but the humor wasn’t exactly out of this world, and neither were the ratings.
11
▷ Where to Stream V: The Series
1984–1985
NBC tried to double down on the success of the miniseries V and V: The Final Battle with this weekly series about the continuing fight between humans and the reptilian Visitors they once defeated. Unfortunately, budget issues made the series pale in comparison. (The franchise returned to form — with better VFX — in the 2009 ABC remake of the same name.)
10
▷ Where to Stream My Favorite Martian
1963–1966
Amid other human-meets-non-human sitcoms of the era (like Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie) came this show in which reporter Tim O’Hara (Bill Bixby) encounters a crash-landed Martian (Ray Walston), befriends him, and passes him off as his Uncle Martin. The duo have all sorts of comedic adventures — with special effects impressive for 1960s TV.
9
▷ Where to Stream Invasion
2005–2006
Canceled after just one season — and arguably far too soon — was this sci-fi drama about alien lifeforms who clone and replace humans in a hurricane-ravaged Floridian town, making it nigh on impossible to tell humans from invaders. The star-studded cast included William Fichtner, Evan Peters, Aisha Hinds, and Elisabeth Moss.
8
▷ Where to Stream The Event
2010–2011
Another one-season wonder, this mystery thriller stars Jason Ritter as a man caught up in a government conspiracy involving aliens detained for decades in Alaska. The new U.S. president (played by Blair Underwood) plans to free the aliens, but an assassination attempt involving a vanishing plane foils his efforts — and only adds to this show’s complicated narrative.
7
▷ Where to Stream Resident Alien
2021–
Based on a comic book of the same name, this comedy-drama centers on an alien sent to destroy humanity but swayed by human emotions. He takes on the identity of a small-town doctor, becomes a fanatic, and starts helping to solve local crimes. And thanks to Alan Tudyk’s winning performance, he’s a riot to watch in human or alien form.
6
▷ Where to Stream Roswell
1999–2002
In the mysterious town of Roswell, New Mexico, aliens from a crash-landed spaceship go incognito as human teenagers. But when they start to fall for actual human teenagers, it becomes harder to hide their secret from the public… and the FBI agents trying to root out extraterrestrial life. (See also: the 2019 CW reboot Roswell, New Mexico, which recast the teen characters as adults.)
5
1978–1982
Robin Williams became a household name with this Happy Days spinoff, in which he played Mork, a humorous alien from Ork on a mission to observe human life. On this planet, he endears himself to the human Mindy (Pam Dawber), who becomes his roommate and tries — often in vain — to help him blend in with life on Earth.
4
▷ Where to Stream Smallville
2001–2011
Superman has taken flight on TV many times over the years, but this origin story is our favorite television series about the Kryptonian superhero. Tom Welling stars as a Kansas teen grappling with his burgeoning powers while trying to lead a normal life in a very abnormal rural town, while Michael Rosenbaum’s Lex Luthor goes from friend to foe.
3
▷ Where to Stream 3rd Rock from the Sun
1996–2001
Featuring the comedic talents of John Lithgow, Kristen Johnston, and French Stewart — and marking Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s breakout role — this sitcom featured a group of aliens on an assignment to study— and eventually becoming enamored with — human life. Any comedy that features William Shatner as an alien boss called Big Giant Head is alright by us!
2
▷ Where to Stream Doctor Who
2023–
Now closing in on the 900-episode mark, this series in all of its incarnations has delighted British telly viewers for generations. Its title character is an extraterrestrial Time Lord, who journeys across space and time with human companions to promote good and fight evil in its myriad manifestations. Who’s Who? Beloved actors like David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker, and Ncuti Gatwa.
1
▷ Where to Stream The X-Files
1993–2018
This game-changing TV series covered all manners of paranormal phenomena in its monster-of-the-week storylines, but its overarching mythology tracked an alien invasion and a government conspiracy to cover up same, with visitors from other worlds taking on human form. David Duchovny plays an FBI agent personally affected by the aliens; Gillian Anderson plays one who turns from skeptic to begrudging believer.