1. The Faculty 1998，IMDB Rating: 6.6, IMDB Votes: 136333, ID: 0133751 Photo by Wikipedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 The Faculty, directed by Robert Rodriguez, masterfully blends teen drama with a creature feature, using the alien parasite invasion trope to explore high school dynamics. The suspense intensifies as students, including future stars Josh Hartnett and Elijah Wood, uncover the horrifying truth about their teachers. Despite some clichéd characterizations, the film’s compelling narrative keeps you on the edge of your seat, making it a thrilling watch.
2. The Puppet Masters 1994，IMDB Rating: 5.9, IMDB Votes: 9802, ID: 0111003 Photo by Internet Speculative Fiction Database, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 The Puppet Masters presents a chilling scenario where slug-like alien parasites take over human minds. The film, while not groundbreaking, offers a decent dose of suspense and horror. The concept of the parasites attaching to the host’s back and controlling their minds adds a unique twist to the alien invasion genre. However, the film’s impact is somewhat diminished by its lack of character depth and development.
3. Splinter 2008，IMDB Rating: 6.1, IMDB Votes: 41276, ID: 1031280 Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 Splinter is a creature-feature horror film that delivers exactly what it promises: a fast-paced, fun thriller with plenty of scares. The film’s strength lies in its special effects and the tension it builds as the characters fight for survival against the parasitic splinter creatures. Despite some plot holes and character inconsistencies, Splinter offers an engaging and entertaining viewing experience.
4. The Thing 1982，IMDB Rating: 8.2, IMDB Votes: 472477, ID: 0084787 Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 John Carpenter’s The Thing is a sci-fi horror masterpiece featuring a parasitic alien lifeform that assimilates and imitates other organisms. The film excels with its atmosphere of paranoia and groundbreaking special effects. Although it received mixed reviews initially, The Thing has gained significant acclaim over the years and is now hailed as one of the greatest horror films ever made.
5. The Thaw 2009，IMDB Rating: 5.2, IMDB Votes: 12984, ID: 1235448 Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 ‘The Thaw’ centers around a prehistoric parasite unleashed by the melting polar ice cap, starring Val Kilmer. The film presents a terrifying scenario where the parasite infects and takes over its hosts. Despite some clichéd elements, ‘The Thaw’ offers a unique take on the parasite horror subgenre, blending horror with social commentary on ecological disaster and its consequences.
6. Empty Nest 1988，IMDB Rating: 6.6, IMDB Votes: 4016, ID: 0094455 Photo by Wikipedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 ‘Empty Nest’ is not a movie but a popular American sitcom that aired on NBC from 1988 to 1995. The show, created by Susan Harris, revolves around a widowed pediatrician whose adult daughters move back home. While not a horror film, ‘Empty Nest’ does explore the concept of ’empty nest syndrome’, offering a comedic and heartfelt look at family dynamics. As a critic, I appreciate the show’s ability to tackle real-life issues with humor and warmth.
7. The Ruins 2008，IMDB Rating: 5.9, IMDB Votes: 85414, ID: 0963794 Photo by Wikipedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 The Ruins (2008) is a horror film that takes you on a thrilling ride. A group of friends on a Mexican holiday stumble upon an archaeological dig in the jungle, where they encounter a carnivorous vine trying to ensnare them. The film has been described as having a solid cast and truly frightening source material, but it flounders due to a weak script and an excess of gore. However, some viewers found it to be a cringe-inducing experience. As a part of the ‘Ew Parasites’ genre, it certainly delivers on the fright factor.
8. Dreamcatcher 2003，IMDB Rating: 5.5, IMDB Votes: 96872, ID: 0285531 Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 Dreamcatcher (2003), based on Stephen King’s novel, tells the story of four friends who encounter a parasitic alien during a hunting trip. Despite its star-studded cast and intriguing premise, the film received mixed reviews for its convoluted plot and lack of suspense. In the context of ‘Ew Parasites’, it presents a terrifying scenario of an alien invasion that will keep you on edge.
9. Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation 2004，IMDB Rating: 3.6, IMDB Votes: 24610, ID: 0367093 Photo by scifiagenda.com, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation (2004) is a military sci-fi horror film and sequel to the original Starship Troopers. The film follows soldiers taking refuge in an abandoned outpost, fighting against alien bugs. Criticized for its campy dialogue and lack of depth compared to the original, it still showcases the horror of an alien invasion within the ‘Ew Parasites’ genre.
10. Alien 1979，IMDB Rating: 8.5, IMDB Votes: 961753, ID: 0078748 Photo by Stack Exchange, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 Alien (1979) is a classic in the sci-fi horror genre. The film follows the crew of a commercial spacecraft who encounter a deadly alien lifeform. It’s praised for its originality, suspense, and the terror it induces. In the ‘Ew Parasites’ genre, it stands out for its depiction of a parasitic alien that poses a grave threat to the crew.
11. Aliens 1986，IMDB Rating: 8.4, IMDB Votes: 770404, ID: 0090605 Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 Aliens (1986) is the sequel to Alien and continues the thrilling saga. The film, which combines elements of action, horror, and sci-fi, has been lauded for its intense action sequences and the return of Sigourney Weaver’s iconic character, Ripley. Despite not being explicitly linked to the ‘Ew Parasites’ genre, the alien creatures in the film can be seen as parasitic entities that pose a significant threat to humans.
12. Prometheus 2012，IMDB Rating: 7.0, IMDB Votes: 649158, ID: 1446714 Photo by cineenconserva.com, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 Prometheus is a magnificent science-fiction film that raises questions about the origin of human life. The alien in the movie is born from a mutation from the parasite inside the body of another. The film is a seamless blend of story, special effects, and pitch-perfect casting. It’s a thrilling journey into the unknown, with a chilling undercurrent of parasitic invasion.
13. Invasion of the Body Snatchers 1978，IMDB Rating: 7.4, IMDB Votes: 71587, ID: 0077745 Photo by cine-asie.fr, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a satirical remake set in San Francisco, suggesting that self-absorption has created a race of zombies without alien intervention. The film explores the terrifying concept of alien parasites replacing humans with emotionless duplicates, offering a chilling commentary on conformity and the loss of individuality.
14. Parasite 1982，IMDB Rating: 4.1, IMDB Votes: 3108, ID: 0084472 Photo by wikipedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 Parasite (1982) is set in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic future where the United States has been taken over by a criminal organization. The organization creates an uncontrollable deadly parasite and sets it loose on the population. The film received negative reviews, being viewed as a poorly written B movie with unconvincing special effects. However, it features actress Demi Moore in her first major film role.
15. The Blob 1988，IMDB Rating: 6.7, IMDB Votes: 44131, ID: 0094761 Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 The Blob (1988) is a remake that surpasses the original, offering a fast pace and gory thrills. It tells the story of high school students who discover a strange, gelatinous substance that melts the flesh of any living creatures in its path. Despite its B-movie charms, the film is a worthwhile update that packs a punch.
16. The Fly 1986，IMDB Rating: 7.6, IMDB Votes: 204313, ID: 0091064 Photo by Wikipedia, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 The Fly (1986) is a tragic tale of a scientist who, after testing his teleportation device on himself, unknowingly merges with a housefly. The film is a masterpiece of the horror genre, combining gore and horror with strongly developed characters. It’s a surprisingly affecting tragedy that leaves a lasting impression.
17. The Fly II 1989，IMDB Rating: 5.1, IMDB Votes: 24902, ID: 0097368 Photo by reelscary.com, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 The Fly II, a sequel to the original, is a film that explores the horrifying consequences of genetic manipulation. The movie revolves around Martin, the son of Seth Brundle, who inherits his father’s rapid growth disorder and his transformation into a monstrous creature. Despite its gore and horror elements, the film fails to capture the emotional depth of its predecessor, focusing more on the physical transformation rather than the psychological impact. However, the special effects and the concept of a human-alien hybrid make it a notable entry in the genre of parasitic horror.
18. The Astronaut’s Wife 1999，IMDB Rating: 5.4, IMDB Votes: 57646, ID: 0138304 Photo by Wikipedia, is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 The Astronaut’s Wife is a psychological thriller exploring the aftermath of an astronaut’s encounter with an alien entity. The film focuses on Jillian, who suspects her husband is no longer the same after his space mission. Despite compelling performances by Johnny Depp and Charlize Theron, the film’s predictable narrative falls short, but the concept of an alien parasite subtly taking over a human host adds a chilling aspect.
18 Terrifying Parasite Movies That Will Haunt Your Dreams
