5 'underrated' sci-fi masterpieces to watch next if you're an Alien: Earth fan

Wondering what to watch whilst you're waiting for the next episode of Alien: Earth on Disney+?

Look no further.

We've compiled a list of five incredible science fiction films that are guaranteed to satisfy your craving for body horror, interstellar thrills and existential dread. Even better, they're all available on streaming platforms.

The series from Fargo showrunner Noah Hawley has garnered rave reviews so far, from fans and critics alike who are adoring the nostalgic nods to the original spaceship slasher and reflections on artificial intelligence.

With an entire weekend still remaining to endure before the series continues, here's a breakdown of five underrated sci-fi masterpieces to keep you occupied.

Ad Astra

Alongside the body horror and spine-tingling sexual metaphors, the Alien franchise epitomises the terror-inducing vastness of space like no other.

If you're seeking a film with comparable levels of dense atmosphere with a stunningly crafted vision of outer space, look no further than the overlooked masterpiece Ad Astra, starring Brad Pitt.

This brooding space opera follows the F1 star as an astronaut who undertakes an interstellar voyage to uncover the truth about his missing father, played by Tommy Lee Jones.

One five-star Letterboxd review dubbed it "one of the most meditative and breathtakingly exquisite outer space epics ever made."

Ad Astra is available to stream on Disney+.

Gattaca

This overlooked sci-fi masterpiece from the 1990s unfolds in a near-future world where humanity has developed an obsession with genetic perfection, chillingly echoing numerous themes found in Alien.

Ethan Hawke takes on the role of Vincent, a young 'In-Valid' who successfully infiltrates the biological elite by masquerading as a paralysed swimming champion, played by Jude Law.

Driven to participate in a mission to Saturn's moon Titan, he gradually discovers sinister secrets lurking beneath the veneer of this supposedly flawless new world.

One five-star Google review declared: "One of the best sci-fi movies ever made.

"I saw a clip in Biology class (we were studying gene editing), fell in love, and promptly watched the whole film.

"Since then, I've re-watched it countless times, and countless more sci-fi films, and this one still stands out from all of them."

Gattaca is available to stream on Prime Video.

Color Out of Space

Should you crave more disturbing body horror and spine-tingling Lovecraftian menaces from beyond, Color Out of Space might be precisely what you're seeking.

Featuring Nicolas Cage, this little-known thriller from 2019 centres on a family who relocate to a farm to flee the cacophony of contemporary existence. Fatal error.

Following a meteor's crash landing in their garden, they slowly develop a fixation with an extraterrestrial colour that starts to contaminate and transform everything within its reach, including the family themselves.

"This thing is going to be a cult classic," one Letterboxd user promised.

"It's got the blueprints of a wild premise and a truly off the rails Nic Cage performance.

"It's a horror that doesn't rely on anything really that scary but knows when to leave it to your imagination. With some great visuals and Cronenberg-y body horror, Color Out of Space absolutely rips."

Color Out of Space is available to stream on Prime Video.

Crimes of the Future

Speaking of David Cronenberg, one of his finest and most legendary films, The Fly, is on Disney+.

However, if you're an Alien enthusiast there's a strong possibility you've already watched it, so why not sample one of his more recent offerings?

Another chilling sci-fi thriller, Crimes of the Future, elevates the notion of body horror to an entirely new dimension, building its distinctive suspense storyline around a medical artist who uncovers a dark conspiracy to unleash humanity's next evolutionary phase.

Viggo Mortensen, Lea Seydoux and Kristen Stewart feature in this bizarre glimpse of tomorrow which "showcases [Cronenberg's] mastery over the ghastly and the gruesome", according to one ecstatic Google review.

"Perverse and provocative, it's easy to understand how it might not be most people's cup of tea, however, fans of Cronenberg and his penchant for the grisly will be delighted."

Crimes of the Future is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Prey

The Predator series, which debuted in 1987 with the Arnold Schwarzenegger classic, is a franchise that has always been closely associated with Alien, even collaborating for two thrilling crossovers in the early 2000s.

Although they've taken separate routes since then, there's a possibility that these two series could merge once again with the reboot of the Predator franchise by director Dan Trachtenberg, who unveiled the fantastic Prey in 2022.

After watching this suspense-filled thriller, which follows Amber Midthunder's 18th Century Comanche warrior's encounter with the legendary hunter, fans will soon have the chance to enjoy the eagerly awaited sequel, Predator: Badlands.

This chapter will take place on a remote planet in the future and will even feature Elle Fanning as a synthetic created by Alien's Weyland-Yutani. Could a Xenomorph make an unexpected appearance?

Prey is available to stream on Disney+.