Movies Like Area 51 (2015)

Area 51 is a 2015 horror, mystery, science fiction film from Oren Peli with a MovieMagicScore of 4.9/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with The Wicksboro Incident and The McPherson Tape.

Horror Mystery Science Fiction

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

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

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

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

1977

After an encounter with UFOs, an electricity linesman feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is about to happen.

7.3

MagicScore

The Phenomenon

2020

This documentary examines unidentified aerial phenomenon. With testimony from high-ranking government officials and NASA Astronauts, Senator Harry Reid says it "makes the incredible credible."

6.2

MagicScore

Skinwalker Ranch

2013

In 2010 “Skinwalker Ranch” gained media attention after experiencing a wide range of unexplained phenomena. Reports ranged from UFO sightings to livestock mutilation, but maybe most notable was the disappearance of ranch owner Hoyt Miller’s eight-year-old son Cody on November 11, 2010. Close to a year later, Modern Defense Enterprises has sent a team of experts to document and investigate the mysterious occurrences, which only escalate upon their arrival. Tensions rise as the team must decide how far they will go to unlock the mysteries of “Skinwalker Ranch.” The group debates whether the answers are worth risking their lives for, or if they should just call off the investigation and leave the ranch—that is, if leaving is actually an option…

5.3

MagicScore

Apollo 18

2011

Officially, Apollo 17 was the last manned mission to the moon. But a year later in 1973, three American astronauts were sent on a secret mission to the moon funded by the US Department of Defense. What you are about to see is the actual footage which the astronauts captured on that mission. While NASA denies its authenticity, others say it's the real reason we've never gone back to the moon.

5.3

MagicScore

The Arrival

1996

Zane Ziminski is an astrophysicist who receives a message that seems to have extraterrestrial origins. Eerily soon after his discovery, Zane is fired. He then embarks on a search to determine the origins of the transmission that leads him into a Hitchcockian labyrinth of paranoia and intrigue.

6.0

MagicScore

51

2011

Due to political pressure from the American public, the Air Force has decided to allow two well-known reporters limited access to the most secretive base on the planet. But when one of the base’s “long-term visitors” exploits this unprecedented visit as a chance to liberate himself and his fellow alien captives, Area 51 turns from a secure government base to a horrifying destination of terror.

4.0

MagicScore

#10

The Fourth Kind

2009

Since the 1960s, a disproportionate number of the population in and around Nome, Alaska, have gone missing. Despite FBI investigations, the disappearances remain a mystery. Dr. Abigail Tyler, a psychologist, may be on the verge of blowing the unsolved cases wide open when, during the course of treating her patients, she finds evidence of alien abductions.

6.3

MagicScore

#11

Bob Lazar: Area 51 and Flying Saucers

2018

Area 51, flying saucers from another world - and the program to create a fierce technology. Bob Lazar remains the singular most famous and controversial name in the world of UFOs. The reason you know about Area 51 is because Lazar came forward and told you about it. His disclosures have turned his life upside-down and he has tried to stay out of the spotlight. For this reason, he has never let any filmmaker into the private world of his daily life - that is - until now. Corbell’s film explores Lazar’s claims through the lens of thirty years - providing rare and never before revealed footage - guaranteed to alter the landscape of the debate.

6.2

MagicScore

#12

Fire in the Sky

1993

After clearing brush for the government, a group of men return to town claiming their friend was abducted. Despite no apparent motive or evidence of foul play, no-one believes their story and his disappearance is treated as murder.

6.7

MagicScore

#13

Phantom from Space

1953

After a UFO sighting, a mysterious phantom in a bizarre outfit starts attacking people in San Fernando Valley.

4.4

MagicScore

#14

Attraction

2017

After an alien ship crash lands in a Russian city, many who see the inside and the occupants start to question their own existence while others demand the aliens leave Earth.

6.7

MagicScore

#15

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

#16

Independence Daysaster

2013

When Earth is attacked by a hostile alien force, a small town firefighter and a rogue SETI scientist team up to activate the only technology capable of defeating the invaders.

4.4

MagicScore

#17

Phoenix Forgotten

2017

Twenty years after three teenagers disappeared in the wake of mysterious lights appearing above Phoenix, Arizona, unseen footage from that night has been discovered, chronicling the final hours of their fateful expedition.

6.0

MagicScore

#18

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

#19

Invaders from Mars

1953

A boy tries to stop aliens that have taken over his town and are brainwashing its inhabitants.

5.9

MagicScore

#20

Alien Abduction

2014

A vacationing family encounters an alien threat in this pulse-pounding thriller based on the real-life Brown Mountain Lights phenomenon in North Carolina.

5.9

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like Area 51?

The top films similar to Area 51 by MovieMagicScore are The Wicksboro Incident (4.9), The McPherson Tape (5.2), Independence Day (6.9). Each shares horror/mystery/science fiction themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is Area 51 worth watching?

Area 51 holds a MovieMagicScore of 4.9/10 from 615 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is Area 51?

Area 51 (2015) is a horror, mystery, science fiction film directed by Oren Peli, starring Frank Novak, Reid Warner, Darrin Bragg.

Where can I find more recommendations like Area 51?

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 Wicksboro Incident Movies like The McPherson Tape Movies like Independence Day Movies like Close Encounters of the Third Kind Movies like The Phenomenon Movies like Skinwalker Ranch

About movies like Area 51

This ranked list pairs Area 51 (2015), a horror and mystery and science fiction film from Oren Peli, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Frank Novak 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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