The best xenofiction movies

Key conclusions

• Xenofiction films offer unique perspectives through non-human characters, evoking empathy and laughter.
• Best movies in this genre like
  Benji
  and
  Wall-I
  explore the topics of humanity, the environment and social structures.
• Avatar
  stands out for its captivating narrative, visual effects and themes of cultural empathy and environmental conservation.

Xenofiction is one of the most exciting film genres—it allows viewers to experience stories through the POV of non-human characters. Whether it's aliens, robots or even animals, viewers are teleported to worlds beyond their imagination, looking at life through different lenses. This can be especially intriguing for those who wonder what life would be like if they were not part of the human race.

What's more, the audience can also experience a range of feelings – sometimes empathizing with lives very different from their own, and other times simply laughing at the simply hilarious shenanigans on screen. Below is the list best xeno-fiction movies ranked by overall popularity, box office success, and overall acclaim.

10 benji (1974)

An honest story about a heroic stray dog

• Release date: October 17, 1974
• Director: Joe Camp
• Producer: Joe Camp
• Common: Mulberry Square Releasing

Loved by all age groups, this family film is about an intelligent stray dog ​​who goes on a noble mission to rescue two children who have been kidnapped in a small town. What sets this film apart is its unique perspective – viewers witness the story unfolding through the eyes of a cute dog.

Any human dialogue is very minimal and the audience can fully understand how intelligent and emotionally intelligent Benji, the four-legged main character, really is. All these factors have led Benji become a big hit and it led to a franchise; however, the original is one that cannot be surpassed.

9 Planet of the Apes (1968)

Astronauts discover a planet ruled by monkeys

• Release date: February 8, 1968
• Director: Franklin J. Schaffner
• Producer: Arthur P. Jacobs
• Common: 20th Century-Fox

Planet of the Apes made a name for himself in the genre of xenofiction; it seamlessly blends the science fiction genre with social commentary. The audience follows George Taylor, an astronaut who gets lost on an unknown planet where apes hold power over humans and are the dominant race.

As Taylor investigates, he learns a shocking truth about the planet, and the film delves deeply into themes such as human nature, evolution, and societal structures. The make-up effects featured in the film are noteworthy, and the narrative certainly makes people think more deeply about its disturbing premise.

8 RoboCop (1987)

A cyborg cop seeks justice in a dystopian Detroit

• Release date: July 17, 1987
• Director: Paul Verhoeven
• Producer: Arne Schmidt
• Common: Orion Pictures

In this film, viewers witness the dystopian city of Detroit, which is teeming with crime and corruption. The main character, Alex Murphy, was seriously injured and resurrected as a powerful cyborg law enforcement officer called Robocop.

RoboCop battles both street criminals and a corrupt corporate empire, while grappling with his human memories and the ethical implications of his existence. In this film, the audience must consider the themes of autonomy and personal identity, and they come to understand how dehumanizing technology can be one day.

7 Space Jam (1996)

Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes play basketball to save the world

• Release date: November 10, 1996
• Director: Joe Pytka
• Producer: Joe Medjuk, Daniel Goldberg and Ivan Reitman
• Common: Warner Bros.

Space jam is one of the most playful and fun entries on this list – a unique blend of live action and animation that combines iconci cartoon characters with professional basketball. Viewers can watch NBA star Michael Jordan team up with favorite characters from Looney Tunes play a crucial basketball match led by the one and only Bugs Bunny who is trying to save Toon World from aliens called The Monstars.

Combining sports, comedy, and vibrant animation, this movie is the definition of 90s nostalgia. Moreover, the themes of determination and teamwork are emphasized, making the film unforgettable, especially for children.

6 WALL-I (2008)

Two robots team up to save a lost planet

• Release date: June 23, 2008
• Director: Andrew Stanton
• Producer: Jim Morris
• Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

This movie takes place in the distant future, where the Earth is now buried under piles of garbage and completely abandoned. Here, viewers meet WALL-I, a lone robot who collects waste and has a curious personality.

One day, WALL-I stumbles upon a new life form, Eve, who is a state-of-the-art robot. With her, he embarks on an interstellar adventure that ultimately makes him question the future state of humanity and Earth. Viewers learn about the harmful consequences that are inevitable if they continue to neglect the environment.

5 shrek (2001)

A misfit ogre finds love and friendship where he least expects it

• Release date: April 22, 2021
• Director: Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jensen
• Producer: Aaron Warner, John H. Williams, and Jeffrey Katzenberg
• Common: DreamWorks Pictures

Although fabulous, this film is the opposite of the traditional tropes that audiences usually see. Viewers watch a loud but kind-hearted ogre named Shrek embark on an epic journey to reclaim his swamp, and to do so he must rescue a princess locked in a tower guarded by a dragon.

In this journey, Shrek teams up with a talking donkey and falls in love with Princess Fiona, a classic beauty who harbors a secret. There is a lot of humor to be felt Shrek, along with moments that will touch the soul of the audience, this is definitely a unique xeno-fiction storyline where the hero is an outcast.

4 Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

The Outlaws unite to save the Galaxy

• Release date: July 21, 2014
• Director: James Gunn
• Producer: Kevin Feige
• Common: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

This xeno-fictional film takes viewers on a space adventure filled with humor and heartfelt moments, and features a vibrant soundtrack. Viewers follow a group of intergalactic misfits led by Peter Quill. Together, they are on a mission to prevent the apocalypse.

Guardians of the Galaxy The action takes place in a fictional universe where there are many alien species and planets. There's plenty of action to enjoy, and character-driven storylines that keep the audience engrossed, making it one of the best xeno-fiction movies out there.

A soulful friendship between an alien and a little boy

• Release date: May 26, 1982
• Director: Steven Spielberg
• Producer: Kathleen Kennedy and Steven Spielberg
• Common: Universal Pictures

Here, viewers get to know an alien who ended up on planet Earth. He finds friendship in the form of a young boy named Elliot, who offers him a helping hand—the boy helps him avoid capture by the government and also searches for a way for the aliens to return to their home planet.

Although they are very different, anyone watching can't deny that there is a beautiful bond between them that shows the power of empathy and understanding. The film features innovative and eye-catching effects, as well as memorable scenes such as the iconic flying bicycles.

2 The Lion King (1994)

A classic cartoon about courage and redemption

• Release date: June 15, 1994
• Director: Roger Ahlers and Rob Minkoff
• Producer: Don Khan
• Common: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

The Lion King is undoubtedly one of the best animated films of all time, with audiences of all ages mesmerized by the combination of masterful storytelling and captivating music. Set against the backdrop of the African savannah, viewers witness the journey of young Simba as the lion prince, who tries to regain his place as king after the tragic loss of his father.

This xeno-fiction film with anthropomorphic characters is much more than just a children's film. Audiences explore themes of leadership, responsibility, and more. The soundtrack is definitely a bonus – who wouldn't agree that “Hakuna Matata” and “Circle of Life” are absolute baps?

1 Avatar (2009)

Human greed leads to a battle on Pandora

Release date: December 10, 2009

Director: James Cameron

Producer: James Cameron and John Landau

Common: 20th Century Fox

Avatar it undoubtedly tops this list for many reasons, the first two being its hauntingly beautiful depiction of the alien world and its compelling storytelling. Viewers are introduced to a lush, bioluminescent Pandora inhabited by an extraterrestrial species known as the Na'vi.

Here, paraplegic Marine Jake Sully strives to become part of the Na'vi using an avatar, and the story unfolds through his eyes. From the themes of environmental conservation and cultural empathy to the use of 3D technology and advanced visual effects, so much comes together to make this one of the best xeno-fiction films of all time.