Movies like Summer of the Flying Saucer (2008)
The best movies like Summer of the Flying Saucer (2008) are E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Flight of the Navigator (1986) and Planet 51 (2009). If Summer of the Flying Saucer hooked you with its science fiction and family, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)7.5/10 from 12,423 votes
- NewestOsmosis (2023)Released 2023
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
An alien is left behind on Earth and saved by the 10-year-old Elliott who decides to keep him hidden in his home. While a task force hunts for the extra-terrestrial, Elliott, his brother, and his little sister Gertie form an emotional bond with their new friend, and try to help him find his way home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFlight of the Navigator (1986)
12-year-old David is accidentally knocked out in the forest near his home, but when he awakens eight years have passed. His family is overjoyed to have him back, but is just as perplexed as he is that he hasn't aged. When a NASA scientist discovers a UFO nearby, David gets the chance to unravel the mystery and recover the life he lost.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPlanet 51 (2009)
When Earth astronaut Capt. Chuck Baker arrives on Planet 51 -- a world reminiscent of American suburbia circa 1950 -- he tries to avoid capture, recover his spaceship and make it home safely, all with the help of an empathetic little green being.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisCrater (2023)
After the death of his father, a boy growing up on a lunar mining colony takes a trip to explore a legendary crater, along with his four best friends, prior to being permanently relocated to another planet.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe 27th Day (1957)
Five individuals from five nations, including the USA, USSR, and China, suddenly find themselves on an alien saucer, where an alien gives each a container holding three capsules. The alien explains that no power on earth can open a given container except a mental command from the person to whom it is given, then anyone may take a capsule and, by speaking a latitude and longitude at it, cause instant death to all within a given radius: thus each of the five has been provided with the power of life and death. Then, they are given 27 days to decide whether to use the capsules, and returned to the places from which each one came...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBabylon 5: Thirdspace (1998)
Susan Ivanova discovers a derelict spaceship in hyperspace. They tow it back to Babylon 5, then strange things start happening. People are being telepathically taken over by aliens from another (third)space.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisForbidden Planet (1956)
Starship C57D travels to planet Altair 4 in search of the crew of spaceship "Bellerophon," a scientific expedition that has been missing for twenty years. They find themselves unwelcome by the expedition's lone survivor and warned of destruction by an invisible force if they don't turn back immediately.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)
After her father's ship is carried off by a sudden storm, the spunky Pippi Longstocking is stranded with her horse, Alfonso,and her pet monkey, Mr. Neilson, and takes up residence in the old family home, which is thought by neighborhood children to be haunted. Soon, two children, Tommy and his sister Anika, venture into the house only to meet up with Pippi. The three soon become friends and get into various adventures together, including cleaning the floor with scrubbing shoes, dodging the "splunks", going down a waterfall in barrels, and helping Pippi with the problem of having to go to an orphanage. Older children will probably get the most out of this movie.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
SnoozefestMovies like thisChitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
A hapless inventor finally finds success with a flying car, which a dictator from a foreign government sets out to take for himself.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisReturn to Never Land (2002)
In 1940, the world is besieged by World War II. Wendy, all grown up, has two children; including Jane, who does not believe Wendy's stories about Peter Pan.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAnastasia: Once Upon a Time (2020)
Anastasia Romanov escapes through a portal when her family is threatened by Vladimir Lenin, and she finds herself in the year 1988, befriended by a young American girl.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
SnoozefestMovies like thisLifeforce (1985)
A race of space vampires arrives in London and infects the populace, commencing an apocalyptic descent into chaos.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFrequencies (2013)
The story of the forbidden relationship between a 'low born' boy and a 'high born' girl in an alternate reality where every person's relationships and life worth are determined by their innate 'frequencies'.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSnatchers (2019)
After status-obsessed teen Sara has sex for the first time, she wakes up the next day nine months pregnant-with an alien.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Thing from Another World (1951)
Scientists and US Air Force officials fend off a blood-thirsty alien organism while investigating at a remote arctic outpost.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBabylon 5: The River of Souls (1998)
A group of Soul Hunters come to Babylon 5 demanding the return of something that was stolen from them.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe 5th Wave (2016)
16-year-old Cassie Sullivan tries to survive in a world devastated by the waves of an alien invasion that has already decimated the population and knocked mankind back to the Stone Age.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Cannonball Run (1981)
A cross-country road race is based on an actual event, the Cannonball Baker Sea to Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, organized by Brock Yates to protest the 55 mph speed limit then in effect in the U.S. The Cannonball was named for Erwin G. "Cannonball" Baker, who in the roaring 20's rode his motorcycle across the country. Many of the characters are based on ruses developed by real Cannonball racers over the several years that the event was run.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEarth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956)
Test space rockets exploding at liftoff and increased reporting of UFO sightings culminate in a direct attempt by alien survivors of a dead, extra-galactic civilization to invade Earth from impervious flying saucers, using ray-weapons of mass destruction.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Philadelphia Experiment (1984)
Based on an "actual event" that took place in 1943. About a US Navy Destroyer Escort that disappeared from the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, and sent two men 40 years into the future to 1984.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIron Sky (2012)
In the last moments of World War II, a secret Nazi space program evaded destruction by fleeing to the Dark Side of the Moon. During 70 years of utter secrecy, the Nazis construct a gigantic space fortress with a massive armada of flying saucers.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisIsolation (2005)
On a remote Irish farm, five people become unwilling participants in an experiment that goes nightmarishly wrong.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisBeyond the Sky (2018)
A documentary filmmaker travels to a UFO convention in New Mexico where he meets a local artist with a dark secret. As they follow a trail of clues they discover disturbing sightings and question all they believe when they become immersed in the enigmatic culture of the Pueblo Indians.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisOsmosis (2023)
Brazilian mission commander Sam struggles with establishing a stable connection from Earth to his lover. German scientist Joy explores planet Kepler 452b at her research facility for Alchemy Plasma, a revolutionary energy source. Their long-distance relationship faces doom, when alien Dardesh invaders attack the human outpost, 1400 light years away.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction
Mark of the Astro-Zombies (2004)
The existence of mankind hangs in the balance as two warring factions of aliens do battle. An invasion of Earth by aliens who plan to turn human beings into zombies by gathering high-level government officials and attempt to obtain certain knowledge and information. Meanwhile, a benevolent alien race arrives to stop the malevolent ones from succeeding with their plans.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction
Phantom from Space (1953)
After a UFO sighting, a mysterious phantom in a bizarre outfit starts attacking people in San Fernando Valley.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisDevil Girl from Mars (1954)
Eight people at a remote Scottish inn find themselves confronted by a woman from Mars, who has landed her flying saucer for repairs but intends to soon conquer the Earth and enslave its men for breeding purposes.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Catholics (1973)
Set in the near future. As a consequence of an ecumenical movement (Vatican Council IV), the Catholic Church has joined other religions and has eliminated much of the original dogma of Catholicism. A group of Irish monks rebel against this situation and react back to the past: they begin to say Mass in Latin and act according to traditional Catholic dogma. So, Rome decides to send a representative to investigate what is happening
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction
Wild America (1997)
Three brothers - Marshall, Marty and Mark dream of becoming naturalists and portraying animal life of America. One summer their dream comes true, they travel through America, filming alligators, bears and moose.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWar of the Buttons (1994)
War between two Irish youth gangs consists of removing and retrieving buttons from each other's clothing.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family
Worth the HypeMovies like this
Like Summer of the Flying Saucer and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Summer of the Flying Saucer?
The closest matches to Summer of the Flying Saucer are E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Flight of the Navigator (1986) and Planet 51 (2009). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Summer of the Flying Saucer?
Start with E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), the closest match to Summer of the Flying Saucer.
What is the highest-rated movie like Summer of the Flying Saucer?
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), rated 7.5/10 by 12,423 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Summer of the Flying Saucer?
Osmosis (2023) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Summer of the Flying Saucer?
Yes: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Flight of the Navigator (1986) and Planet 51 (2009).
How are movies similar to Summer of the Flying Saucer chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Summer of the Flying Saucer, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.