From extraterrestrial invaders to flesh-eating undead, aliens, and zombies, Hollywood has a love affair that’s out of this world. But why is it so? What is it about these otherworldly beings and reanimated corpses that keep Tinsel Town hooked and audiences clamoring for more?
Let’s dive into this cinematic fascination with aliens and zombies, and explore the psychology, cultural roots and storytelling behind Hollywood’s obsession:
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Aliens – Cosmic Mirror of Humanity
When you think of aliens, movies like Will Smith’s Independence Day, E.T. (1982), or the 2009 epic Avatar come to mind. Aliens in film are more than just green men with ray guns. They’re a reflection of our deepest curiosities and fears. Moreover, these questions ‘Are we alone in the universe? What happens if we’re not?’ fuels Hollywood’s alien obsession, making alien invasion movies and extraterrestrial life in cinema goldmines.
Psychologically, aliens represent the unknown. Whether they’re benevolent explorers or hostile conquerors, they tap into humanity’s existential dread and hope. Films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind highlight our longing for connection, while Tom Cruise starrer War of the Worlds feeds our paranoia about annihilation.
Hollywood knows this duality sells, alien movies rake in billions of dollars, proving that science fiction aliens and Hollywood alien fascination is here to stay. Not to mention, aliens are a blank canvas for creativity. Directors like Ridley Scott of Alien (1979)fame and James Cameron, the maker of Avatar, use them to blend horror, sci-fi, and social commentary, keeping audiences hooked. This is a versatile and lucrative genre.
Zombies – Undead Pulse of Society
Hollywood also loves zombies! From Night of the Living Dead to The Walking Dead and Brad Pitt’s World War Z, the undead are everywhere. Hollywood churns out zombie apocalypse films year after year. What’s with this zombie obsession?
Zombies are us, but stripped of humanity and driven by instinct. It makes them the perfect metaphor for societal collapse, whether it’s consumerism Dawn of the Dead, pandemics 28 Days Later, or political collapse like I am Legend. Zombie movies and zombie survival movies mirror real-world anxieties. It offers a visceral thrill that keeps adrenaline junkies coming back for more.
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Alien-Zombies Mashup
Like vampire and werewolf mashups as seen in Kate Beckinsale starrer Underworld series, Hollywood has come up with alien-zombies mashups in Alien vs. Predator and Resident Evil. These two fictional creatures amplify each other’s strengths. Aliens bring cosmic stakes and zombies, the visceral grit.
Recently Marvel Studios Avengers Endgame with its alien-heavy plot grossed $2.8 billion and World War Z grossed $540 million. These movies are hyped up on spawn franchises, merchandise, and sequels. Avengers Infinity War and Avengers Endgame ranked in the top alien movies search.
Aliens and zombies are the perfect storm of fear, wonder, and profit, irresistible to filmmakers and audiences alike.
