Movies Like The Arrival (1996)

The Arrival is a 1996 horror, science fiction, thriller film from David Twohy with a MovieMagicScore of 6.0/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with The Second Arrival and The Day After Tomorrow.

Horror Science Fiction Thriller

The Second Arrival

1998

After Zane Ziminski is found dead five people received envelopes with details of an alien invasion. This group of five includes 3 scientists, Zane's brother Jack, and a reporter. Quickly, the group is down to three and then Jack and Bridget, the reporter. With a small piece of alien technology, they must escape from the aliens, who take human form, and try to convince others that aliens exist.

3.7

MagicScore

The Day After Tomorrow

2004

After paleoclimatologist Jack Hall is largely ignored by UN officials when presenting his environmental concerns about the beginning of a new Ice Age, his research proves true when a superstorm develops, setting off catastrophic natural disasters throughout the world. Trying to get to his son, Sam, who is trapped in New York City with his friend Laura and others, Jack and his crew must travel to get to Sam before it's too late.

6.5

MagicScore

Contact

1997

A radio astronomer receives the first extraterrestrial radio signal ever picked up on Earth. As the world powers scramble to decipher the message and decide upon a course of action, she must make some difficult decisions between her beliefs, the truth, and reality.

7.4

MagicScore

Aliens: Zone of Silence

2017

After her brother mysteriously vanishes from the Mexican desert, a young woman sets out to uncover the otherworldly truth about his disappearance.

4.5

MagicScore

Alien Invasion: S.U.M.1

2017

An aggressive race of aliens took over Planet Earth and humanity's at its end, living in giant bunkers below ground. Young Military rookie S.U.M.1 (Iwan Rheon) is sent to the surface to save a group of unprotected survivors.

4.7

MagicScore

The 11th Hour

2007

A look at the state of the global environment including visionary and practical solutions for restoring the planet's ecosystems. Featuring ongoing dialogues of experts from all over the world, including former Soviet Prime Minister Mikhail Gorbachev, renowned scientist Stephen Hawking, former head of the CIA R. James Woolse

6.7

MagicScore

The McPherson Tape

1989

On October 8th, 1983, the Van Heese family gathered together to celebrate the 5th birthday of Michelle, the littlest member of their household. Everything was captured on VHS by Michael McPherson and his new camcorder — including the alien invasion.

5.2

MagicScore

Area 51

2015

Three young conspiracy theorists attempt to uncover the mysteries of Area 51, the government's secret location rumored to have hosted encounters with alien beings. What they find at this hidden facility exposes unimaginable secrets.

4.9

MagicScore

Arrival

2016

Taking place after alien crafts land around the world, an expert linguist is recruited by the military to determine whether they come in peace or are a threat.

7.6

MagicScore

#10

They Live

1988

A lone drifter stumbles upon a unique pair of sunglasses that reveal aliens are systematically gaining control of the Earth by masquerading as humans and lulling the public into submission.

7.3

MagicScore

#11

H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds

2005

In this modern retelling of H.G. Wells' classic sci-fi horror, civilization is laid to ruin when a super race of aliens invades Earth. In a blink of an eye, massive "walkers" cover the planet, annihilating all in their path. As cities crumble and human flesh is ripped from the bone, one man struggles to find the one weapon that will turn the tide for mankind.

5.2

MagicScore

#12

Bugonia

2025

Two conspiracy obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.

7.4

MagicScore

#13

The Wicksboro Incident

2003

In 1953 the entire population of Wicksboro, Texas vanishes. Forty five years later a witness comes out of hiding to tell the story.

4.9

MagicScore

#14

Independence Day

1996

Strange phenomena surface around the globe. The skies ignite. Terror races through the world's major cities. As these extraordinary events unfold, it becomes increasingly clear that a force of incredible magnitude has arrived. Its mission: total annihilation over the Fourth of July weekend. The last hope to stop the destruction is an unlikely group of people united by fate and unimaginable circumstances.

6.9

MagicScore

#15

The Tomorrow War

2021

The world is stunned when a group of time travelers arrive from the year 2051 to deliver an urgent message: Thirty years in the future, mankind is losing a global war against a deadly alien species. The only hope for survival is for soldiers and civilians from the present to be transported to the future and join the fight. Among those recruited is high school teacher and family man Dan Forester. Determined to save the world for his young daughter, Dan teams up with a brilliant scientist and his estranged father in a desperate quest to rewrite the fate of the planet.

7.5

MagicScore

#16

Scary Movie 3

2003

News anchorwoman Cindy Campbell has to investigate mysterious crop circles and killing video tapes, and help the President stop an alien invasion in the process.

6.0

MagicScore

#17

The Beast with a Million Eyes

1955

At a decrepit farm outside a remote American desert community, something takes over the minds of some of the local humans and animals and is able to see through their eyes and control their actions.

3.7

MagicScore

#18

The Night Caller

1965

The inhabitants of Ganymede need to find mates from another world or they will become extinct. They soon discover a suitable breeding stock amongst the females of planet Earth.

5.3

MagicScore

#19

Monolith

1993

Two cops investigating the murder of a young boy become involved in a very secret project involving alien life. Needless to say, the authorities don't want them to stick their noses into this

4.4

MagicScore

#20

Nukie

1987

A space child, lost in the universe, is abducted by the U. S. Space Foundation. In a desperate intergalactic search for the frightened little alien, his brother Nukie® mistakenly lands in Africa where he is befriended by African twins. Together they journey through the laughter and adventure of talking lions, a greedy witch doctor, a charming chimpanzee, a feisty nun, a compassionate scientist and an outrageous romantic computer named E.D.D.I.

2.1

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like The Arrival?

The top films similar to The Arrival by MovieMagicScore are The Second Arrival (3.7), The Day After Tomorrow (6.5), Contact (7.4). Each shares horror/science fiction/thriller themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is The Arrival worth watching?

The Arrival holds a MovieMagicScore of 6.0/10 from 785 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is The Arrival?

The Arrival (1996) is a horror, science fiction, thriller film directed by David Twohy, starring Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Crouse, Richard Schiff.

Where can I find more recommendations like The Arrival?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more horror recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like The Second Arrival Movies like The Day After Tomorrow Movies like Contact Movies like Aliens: Zone of Silence Movies like Alien Invasion: S.U.M.1 Movies like The 11th Hour

About movies like The Arrival

This ranked list pairs The Arrival (1996), a horror and science fiction and thriller film from David Twohy, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Charlie Sheen take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

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