The moment of first contact with extraterrestrials is a staple of science fiction. It usually involves a frantic scientist having a Eureka moment, realising in a single dramatic instant that Earth is being visited by creatures from light-years away.

"The Arrival" was quietly released by Orion Pictures on May 31, 1996, one month before the comic book-like alien invasion spectacle of "Independence Day" landed, and a year before

Plenty of alien invasion movies have become box office hits and certified classics, but here are some forgotten alien invasion movies that still hold up today.

Ordinary folks around the world experience the early moments of an alien invasion in different ways in a 10-episode drama from Simon Kinberg and David Weil. By Daniel Fienberg Chief Television Critic There are few things I enjoy more than a good setup.

Most alien invasion movies play out the exact same way. Some human beings are going about their lives, spaceships arrive, they blow things up, humans fight back, and save the day. The end. That's not always a bad thing, though. There's something satisfying ...