10 Films Where New York Survives an Alien Invasion (Again)

After surviving so many extraterrestrial encounters, New York might as well be dubbed 'The City That Never Gets Permanently Invaded'.

Independence Day (1996)

It's impossible to start any alien invasion movie list without bowing down to this classic. So, what if the White House got demolished in the process? The Big Apple still stood tall (sort of) by the end. Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum, in all their charismatic glory, lead a ragtag team of underdogs to save not just New York but the entire world. Plus, who can forget that Bill Pullman speech? Today, we celebrate our Independence Day! Yeah, it still gives us goosebumps too.

Men in Black (1997)

This slick, sci-fi flick breathes life into New York like no other. Will Smith (him again!) and Tommy Lee Jones don the iconic black suits and sunglasses to keep Earth safe from the extraterrestrial shenanigans right under our noses. Aliens running hotdog stands, intergalactic immigrants hiding in plain sight, and roaches... really big roaches... well, you get the drift. New York survives, thrives and even makes an alien invasion look like a Friday night at a disco.

The Avengers (2012)

Of course, Marvel's first superhero team-up epic had to be on this list. Who could forget when a wormhole opened over Manhattan, spewing out Chitauri warriors and their humongous Leviathans? We saw New York stand resilient as our favorite band of heroes (here's looking at you, Hulk) took on the invading forces in epic style. All that destruction, and New York still managed to bounce back – must be all that superhero insurance coverage!

War of the Worlds (2005)

Now, when it comes to Earth getting a good old-fashioned alien thrashing, Steven Spielberg doesn't pull any punches. This Tom Cruise-led, sci-fi nightmare is the embodiment of apocalyptic New York. Sure, the city gets decimated, but it eventually survives (spoiler alert: thanks to germs!). The city's resilience in the face of the menacing tripods is a testament to New York's 'never say die' spirit, albeit with a lot more laser beams involved.

Cloverfield (2008)

If shaky-cam footage is your thing, then 'Cloverfield' delivers in spades. J.J. Abrams gives us a ground-level view of an alien monster tearing through New York City. Though it feels like one helluva roller coaster ride, the city prevails against the onslaught (barely, but hey, who's counting?). Cloverfield provides a glimpse into what it would be like if your post-party hangover was interrupted by a city-leveling alien beast – spoiler, it's intense!

Pixels (2015)

Nothing says weird alien invasion like giant 8-bit video game characters attacking Earth, and of course, New York is the prime target. With Adam Sandler at the helm, we watch as arcade gamers turn heroes to save their city from a Pac-Man who's lost his marbles, and a Donkey Kong who's taken the term 'barrel-throwing' a bit too literally. While it's no cinematic masterpiece, the film's ridiculous premise, nostalgic game references, and the sight of Kevin James as the President will make you chuckle.

Skyline (2010)

Sure, the bulk of the story takes place in Los Angeles, but New York has its share of alien face-off. While this film may not have the star-studded cast like our previous mentions, the special effects of giant alien ships sucking humans into the sky is enough to keep you entertained. Skyline proves that you don't need big names or a big budget to create a high-stakes survival story, and yes, New York does get through it...again.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

If you're looking for a massive robot showdown in the middle of the city, look no further. Michael Bay ensures NYC isn't spared from the intergalactic carnage. Despite the Autobots and Decepticons turning the city into their personal wrestling ring, New York endures, showing its signature resilience once more. With metal mayhem, explosions galore, and of course, the iconic shot of Optimus Prime charging through the city streets, this film proves that New York can even survive a robo-apocalypse.

The Fifth Element (1997)

Director Luc Besson gives us a look into a futuristic New York City that's not only surviving, but thriving amidst regular alien interactions. A campy, colorful, sci-fi spectacle with a wildly over-the-top performance by Gary Oldman and a barely dressed Milla Jovovich, this film is a treat. Sure, the whole universe is in danger, but hey, flying taxi cabs are cool, right?

Edge of Tomorrow ( 2014)

Though most of the movie is set in Europe, the opening scenes vividly depict the Mimic invasion of New York. The cityscape, bathed in orange and red, sets an eerie yet visually stunning tableau of an alien invasion. Tom Cruise reliving the same day, dying in increasingly ridiculous ways, and Emily Blunt wielding a machete-like helicopter blade make for one hell of a ride. Guess what? New York, battered and bruised, makes it through yet another doomsday scenario.