15 Hottest Aliens in Movies and TV Shows
Some of the most memorable characters on screens are not even from Earth, and they have left a mark through striking designs, detailed worldbuilding, and performances that audiences still talk about. From blue catlike warriors to emerald skinned assassins, these characters helped define the look and feel of the sci fi stories they inhabit, often setting the tone for entire franchises.
This list gathers standout aliens from both movies and television, noting the roles they play, the performers behind them, and the productions that brought them to life. You will also find where they first appeared and a quiet nod to the studio or network that put them in front of viewers.
Neytiri from ‘Avatar’
Neytiri is a Na’vi princess of the Omaticaya clan in ‘Avatar’, portrayed by Zoe Saldana through performance capture and extensive facial animation. The character guides Jake Sully through Pandoran culture and ecology, and her scenes showcase the language and ritual details that James Cameron’s team developed for the Na’vi people.
The film premiered globally with a theatrical rollout backed by 20th Century Fox, which helped push its groundbreaking 3D presentation. Production combined live action stages in Los Angeles and New Zealand with Weta’s digital environments to render Neytiri’s bioluminescent world.
Gamora from ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’
Gamora appears in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ as an orphan of war trained by Thanos, brought to the screen by Zoe Saldana with a practical green makeup process and stunt heavy choreography. Within the story she becomes a core member of the team alongside Star Lord, Rocket, Groot, and Drax.
The movie’s wide release was handled by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe slate. Principal photography took place primarily at Shepperton Studios and Longcross in the United Kingdom, where sets for the Kyln and Knowhere were built at full scale.
T’Pol from ‘Star Trek: Enterprise’
T’Pol serves as the Vulcan science officer on the NX 01 in ‘Star Trek: Enterprise’, played by Jolene Blalock. The character provides context on Vulcan customs and logic based decision making while the show explores early human spaceflight and first contacts.
The series aired weekly on UPN, using soundstages at Paramount with standing sets for the bridge, engineering, and quarters. Makeup artists adapted classic Vulcan appliances with a streamlined look to fit the show’s earlier timeline.
Leeloo from ‘The Fifth Element’
Leeloo appears as the Supreme Being in ‘The Fifth Element’, embodied by Milla Jovovich with a constructed language created specifically for the film. Key scenes follow her escape through twenty third century New York and her partnership with Korben Dallas.
The production was released in theaters by Columbia Pictures, part of Sony’s distribution arm. Designer Jean Paul Gaultier created hundreds of costumes, including Leeloo’s iconic bandage outfit and orange bob look that shaped the film’s visual identity.
Sil from ‘Species’
Sil is a human alien hybrid in ‘Species’, portrayed by Natasha Henstridge in her debut film role. The story tracks a government project gone wrong as Sil rapidly matures and seeks a mate, with practical creature effects and animatronics augmenting the performance.
The film reached multiplexes through MGM’s distribution, and visual designs were crafted by H. R. Giger with additional work by effects houses using full scale suits. Location work in Los Angeles included sets for laboratory facilities and urban chases.
Aeryn Sun from ‘Farscape’
Aeryn Sun is a Sebacean Peacekeeper who defects and joins the crew of Moya in ‘Farscape’, played by Claudia Black. The character’s arc covers military conditioning, found family, and cross species alliances as the crew encounters the Uncharted Territories.
The series ran on the Sci Fi Channel with production based in Sydney at Fox Studios Australia. Jim Henson’s Creature Shop provided puppetry and animatronics to integrate Aeryn’s partners D’Argo, Rygel, and Pilot into live action scenes.
Mantis from ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’
Mantis is an empathic alien introduced in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’, portrayed by Pom Klementieff with antenna prosthetics and contact lenses to alter her eyes. Her abilities allow her to sense and influence emotional states, which becomes central in several sequences.
The film was distributed worldwide by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures as part of Marvel’s Phase Three lineup. Shooting took place in Atlanta at Pinewood with a mix of practical sets and digital extensions for Ego’s planet.
Jaylah from ‘Star Trek Beyond’
Jaylah is an independent alien survivor in ‘Star Trek Beyond’, played by Sofia Boutella with full facial makeup and patterned body paint. She allies with the Enterprise crew and introduces advanced holographic technology that aids in the fight against Krall.
The movie’s theatrical release was handled by Paramount Pictures for the franchise’s fiftieth anniversary year. Vancouver locations and sets at Mammoth Studios supported large scale action, with motorcycle stunts and destructible builds for the Yorktown sequence.
Aayla Secura from ‘Star Wars Attack of the Clones’
Aayla Secura is a Twi’lek Jedi Knight who appears in ‘Star Wars Attack of the Clones’ and later in ‘Revenge of the Sith’, portrayed by Amy Allen. Her distinctive lekku head tails and blue skin come from prosthetics and paint that matched established Twi’lek designs.
The prequel entries were released in cinemas through 20th Century Fox, which handled the global rollouts. Filming combined Fox Studios Australia stages with digital backlots at Industrial Light and Magic to place Aayla on Geonosis and Felucia.
Oola from ‘Star Wars Episode VI Return of the Jedi’
Oola performs as Jabba’s Twi’lek dancer in ‘Star Wars Episode VI Return of the Jedi’, played by Femi Taylor with extensive headpiece work and choreography. Her scenes expand the depiction of alien culture in Jabba’s palace through music, costumes, and creature effects.
The film’s original distribution came via 20th Century Fox, supporting a wide release across territories. Production used Elstree Studios for interior sets while the desert sequences were staged in Yuma, Arizona to represent Tatooine.
Serleena from ‘Men in Black II’
Serleena is a Kylothian shapeshifter who infiltrates Earth in ‘Men in Black II’, portrayed by Lara Flynn Boyle with a blend of wardrobe gags and creature effects. The character uses plant like tentacles in her true form, tying into the franchise’s catalog of extraterrestrial species.
The sequel opened in theaters under Columbia Pictures, part of Sony’s distribution label. Filming centered on New York City locations and stages, with Rick Baker’s team delivering practical aliens that interact directly with the cast.
Dejah Thoris from ‘John Carter’
Dejah Thoris is the Princess of Helium on Barsoom in ‘John Carter’, portrayed by Lynn Collins. The movie adapts elements from Edgar Rice Burroughs’ novels, presenting Martian city states, airships, and the scientific traditions of Helium that Dejah represents.
The film was released worldwide through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Production shot in Utah’s deserts and at UK stages, while Double Negative created creatures like the Tharks and the white apes that share scenes with Dejah.
Ilia from ‘Star Trek The Motion Picture’
Ilia is a Deltan navigator assigned to the Enterprise in ‘Star Trek The Motion Picture’, played by Persis Khambatta with the species’ oath of celibacy as a character detail. The plot follows her connection to V’Ger, which replicates her form as a probe to communicate with humans.
Paramount Pictures distributed the film for its holiday season launch. The production reused and upgraded sets from the unproduced Phase II series, and Douglas Trumbull’s team delivered large format visual effects to depict V’Ger’s vast scale.
Ronal from ‘Avatar The Way of Water’
Ronal leads the Metkayina clan alongside Tonowari in ‘Avatar The Way of Water’, portrayed by Kate Winslet through underwater performance capture. The character introduces reef Na’vi customs, saltwater adaptations, and a bond with the tulkun species.
The sequel’s global release came through 20th Century Studios under Disney’s banner. Filmmakers trained cast members for extended breath holds and used new capture systems in water tanks to map movement onto digital models.
Alita from ‘Alita Battle Angel’
Alita is a cyborg with a recovered Martian fighting style in ‘Alita Battle Angel’, performed by Rosa Salazar using facial capture and enlarged digital eyes. The story covers her reactivation by Dr. Ido, discovery of Panzer Kunst techniques, and competition in Motorball.
The film reached audiences through 20th Century Fox before the studio’s rebrand. Production brought together Lightstorm and Weta Digital for character work, while Rodriguez’s Troublemaker Studios hosted principal photography in Austin.
Share your favorites and the ones we missed in the comments so everyone can trade picks for the next watchlist.