For centuries, humans have wondered if life exists beyond Earth. And for centuries, mankind has reported seeing strange objects in the sky, and sometimes, even extraterrestrial creatures. As the years have gone on, we’ve also developed a growing list of wild incidents that have way more validity and credibility than just some old folk story. From a Chinese airport being shut down in 2010 to the infamous Roswell incident and more, it seems we might not be alone in this vast universe.
If you want to watch some seriously gripping and chilling documentaries and docuseries about UFOs and aliens, then check out our list below. These fascinating movies and shows about aliens and UFOs are guaranteed to make you ask questions and wonder, “Have otherworldly beings visited us?” Plus, you can find out where all the docs are streaming right now on everything from Netflix to Tubi.
UFO (2021)
In 2021, the four-part Showtime series UFO set out to be the definitive look at America’s history with UFOs and aliens. Not only does the series allege that we held an alien captive for years, but it also dives into numerous conspiracies, where it claims everything from the military to the CIA has actively been working to deceive the country.
UFO is great for hardcore believers who want to hear some of the boldest claims that any major docuseries has ever made. Plus, it was produced by J.J. Abrams, so the quality feels legit. However, because of how intense and far-fetched some of the claims are, the show might seem a little too over-the-top for skeptics.
The Age of Disclosure (2025)
What makes The Age of Disclosure so unique is that it’s told from the perspective of government and military officials. Instead of interviewing the usual crackpot weirdos that so many UFO documentaries do, The Age of Disclosure features interviews with senators like Kirsten Gillibrand, ex-CIA officials, Navy pilots, and former NORAD director James D. Cobb.
The major point that The Age of Disclosure wants to reveal is how deep the US government and military truly are in the search for aliens and UFO technology, and how desperate both are to keep American citizens in the dark. Whether it’s to protect secret info from foreign governments or to keep society from devolving into panic, the documentary claims there is a lot that the average person doesn’t know. It’s a seriously compelling and shocking documentary purely because of the number of big-name figures it was able to attract. If you liked the conspiracy aspect of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), you’ll love the alleged real conspiracies happening in our government right now that The Age of Disclosure uncovers.
The Manhattan Alien Abduction (2024)
The three-part docuseries The Manhattan Alien Abduction tells the wild story of Linda Napolitano, who claims that in 1989 aliens abducted her in the middle of Manhattan. The story also purports that dozens of witnesses have stepped forward to corroborate her claims.
But there are cracks in the tale, like how none of the witnesses have ever publicly identified themselves, and one woman who claims to know for certain that Napolitano is making it all up. That makes this Netflix docuseries so gripping because it isn’t just an abduction story; it also examines whether there’s a potential hoax and scam behind it all. If you loved Hulu’s crypto-turned-cartel docuseries Sasquatch (2021), you’re going to love all the questions, conflicts, and mysteries in The Manhattan Alien Abduction.
The Mothman of Point Pleasant (2017)
The Mothman is one of the wildest and strangest stories in American history. Here are the facts: Starting in late 1966, in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, dozens of locals started seeing a strange winged creature. Soon after, UFO sightings spiked, residents claimed ominous men in black visited them, and some even got phone calls from a strange man who identified himself as Indrid Cold. The hysteria continued to grow for a year until December 1967, when the Silver Bridge connecting Point Pleasant to Gallipolis, Ohio, collapsed into the river below, killing 46 people, all while the Mothman allegedly flew overhead.
Was the Mothman a cryptid, an alien, or just a sandhill crane? Why so many UFO sightings? Who were the men in black? Were they from the government or aliens themselves? Or was the entire thing a case of mass hysteria? If so, how could it all culminate in a very real disaster? Nobody knows for sure, but everyone has theories. For a complete timeline of events, including interviews with locals, newspaper transcripts, and more, The Mothman of Point Pleasant is a great documentary to watch. If you loved 2002’s The Mothman Prophecies, check out this doc to discover the true story that inspired it.
The Phoenix Lights - Beyond Top Secret (2020)
One of the most well-documented UFO encounters ever happened in 1997 over Phoenix, Arizona. For almost two hours, residents of Phoenix saw strange glowing orbs in the sky, all moving synchronously. With dozens of eye-witness videos and thousands of reports made to the police (including one by Kurt Russell), there’s no denying that something was over the Arizona skies that night.
Even wilder, there’s still no formal explanation for the events. Skeptics point to the large number of Air Force bases near Phoenix and say it could have been the Air Force flying jets… but the military has never said it was flying jets that evening, especially completely silent ones (and if you live near an Air Force base like me, you know how loud fighter jets are). For a documentary that explores one of the wildest mass UFO sightings in human history, you need to watch The Phoenix Lights - Beyond Top Secret. If you love the historical inspiration behind the film Battle: Los Angeles (2011), but want something more rooted in history, this documentary will definitely make your jaw drop.
Moment of Contact (2022)
In 1996, an alleged alien encounter happened in Varginha, Brazil, where a group of girls said they spotted some kind of injured creature, and shortly after, witnessed tons of military personnel throughout the town. Skeptics say it was all a misunderstanding and that the girls likely saw a disabled homeless man covered in dirt. But believers say it’s the biggest alien cover-up since Roswell.
Moment of Contact sheds light on this story and follows a team of filmmakers as they head to Brazil and search for answers. If you’ve ever seen The Cove (2009) and love the way it’s filmed like a real movie following the documentary crew on their journey, you’ll enjoy the similar vibe of Moment of Contact. Even for non-believers, it’s a fun adventure to watch the crew search for clues and information from the infamous 1996 event.
An Unknown Compelling Force (2021)
In 1959, nine hikers died in Russia’s Ural Mountains under mysterious circumstances. Their tent had been cut open from the inside, many had sustained massive injuries, some were found in the snow wearing nothing but their underwear, and small amounts of radiation were detected on their clothing. Skeptics claim they died from an avalanche, but that creates two glaring plot holes. First, the area the tent was in isn’t a danger zone for avalanches, and secondly, the group of expert hikers wouldn’t have made camp out in the open if they were in a region with avalanche risk.
Since the incident, there’s been lots of theories about what happened, from secret military tests and Yetis to a deadly alien encounter. In a BBC interview, a nearby villager even says she saw a strange glowing object in the sky the night of their deaths. In An Unknown Compelling Force, the filmmakers travel to Russia to find out what happened to the doomed group of hikers. If you liked the film Devil’s Pass (2013), which was inspired by the incident, check out this documentary that explores the real events.
The Program (2024)
In 2017, The New York Times broke a story about how the US government had secretly been looking into the possibilities of UFOs. Since then, we’ve found ourselves in a new era of alien obsession and ufology. The main difference is that this time, members of Congress and the military are also asking these questions.
The Program is a documentary about the alleged government/military cover-up of UFOs and alien encounters. It shows real footage from congressional hearings with people who claim to have in-depth knowledge that, until recently, was purposefully being suppressed. For fans who loved The Age of Disclosure and its deep dive into the government’s potential knowledge of UFOs, The Program will be an engrossing watch you don’t want to miss.
Travis: The True Story of Travis Walton (2015)
One of the most famous alien abduction stories ever is that of Travis Walton. In 1975, he and a group of workers were driving through the forest when they reported a bright light in the sky. Walton allegedly ran toward the light and was beamed up. He then went missing for six days before returning to society and giving an in-depth abduction story that involved alien probing and more. His story became the basis for the 1993 film Fire in the Sky.
Travis: The Trust Story of Travis Walton pulls back the Hollywood glamour and presents the timeline of events told by Walton himself, as well as numerous paranormal researchers and skeptics. It also dives into the mental struggles that Walton has had throughout his life, dealing with the fame and scrutiny that came with his story. If you’re a fan of Fire in the Sky, you’ll want to check out the true story behind it.
The Rendlesham UFO – The British Roswell (2025)
In 1980, a well-documented UFO sighting happened at the RAF Woodbridge base in England’s Rendlesham Forest. Military personnel reported seeing strange lights in the forest, and when they investigated, it turned out to be a UFO. The official report from the RAF says the lights were able to break apart and fly off in different directions, and the areas they touched tested positive for radiation.
The Rendlesham UFO - The British Roswell sees a group of investigators travel to the forest to commune with whatever entity caused the ordeal. The film mixes mysticism with ufology to create a unique, new-age alien documentary unlike any other. For enthusiasts who believe that UFOs and metaphysics are intertwined, this is a great watch.
