2. Aliens (1986)

I nearly put Aliens at the top of this list, which would have sparked some serious conversation. It nearly took the number one spot because, while Alien is a horror masterpiece and perhaps one of the most important movies of all time (its invaluable impact argued expertly by Kotaku managing editor Carolyn Petit on the next page), there’s something incredibly special about a sequel that follows that up by completely flipping the script. Aliens could have been another slow-burn sci-fi horror flick, but instead it offers us a shot of adrenaline straight to the chest.

The 1986 film, directed by James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Lance Henriksen, and Bill Paxton, is high-octane action from the jump, as a group of highly trained soldiers take on the terrifying xenomorphs with Ripley in tow. Brilliant performances from Biehn and Paxton help justify such a large ensemble cast, and the super-powered action propels you through a runtime that is slightly longer than the original with such force you almost feel like you’re out of breath by the end of it.

It is the quintessential ‘80s action movie, but it is so much more than that—some think of it as a stereotypical shooty film, but if you go back and rewatch it today, you’ll be reminded that no one actually fires a weapon until almost an hour in, and the first chunk of the film focuses on Ripley’s attempts to reckon with the fact that she is the sole survivor of the Nostromo, and over 50 years have passed since the traumatizing event. It also calls into question the morality of the military industrial complex and war in general—think about how quickly the hoo-rah soldiers go from confident to terrified. It’s brilliant, and Aliens holds up incredibly well during a modern re-watch. — Alyssa Mercante