8 horror movies about space that will make your hair stand on end.

You are waiting for horror from the authors of Deadpool, a classic from Ridley Scott and one domestic sci-fi.

1. Apollo 18

Apollo 18

• USA, Canada, 2011.
• Horror, science fiction, thriller, detective.
• Duration: 89 minutes.
• IMDb: 5.2.

The Apollo space program was closed on the 17th launch, but there was another spacecraft sent to the Moon. Its crew had to find out from their own experience that the Earth’s satellite is not so lifeless and even very dangerous.

The production project of Timur Bekmambetov interprets in a very creepy way the numerous myths and conspiracy theories that have developed around the Apollo program. The film looks as if it was actually edited from footage from a space station surveillance camera: the picture here is mostly fuzzy and staticky.

2. The Cloverfield Paradox

The Cloverfield Paradox

• USA, 2018.
• Horror, fantasy, action, thriller, adventure.
• Duration: 102 minutes.
• IMDb: 5.5.

There are big problems with resources on Earth. Humanity needs an alternative source of energy, and for this, scientists send the Shepard particle accelerator into orbit. The crew of the Cloverfield space station is assigned to test it. After a number of unsuccessful attempts, the team still manages to launch the device, but the installation overheats and throws the station to the other end of the solar system. At the same time, the astronauts also manage to open a portal to the world of terrible monsters.

The first film in the Cloverfield universe was about the attack of a giant monster on New York. The film was liked by both viewers and critics, and its producer J. J. Abrams later decided to develop the story in spin-offs.

It is unusual that all the films are radically different in style. Thus, “10 Cloverfield Lane” turned out to be a chamber thriller, in which only in the finale they made a reference to the original. The third part of The Cloverfield Paradox was actually filmed in the science fiction genre, and the film was released not in theaters, but directly on Netflix.

Frankly, this is the weakest film in the franchise. According to Abrams, “The Cloverfield Paradox” was supposed to connect all the pictures in the series, but the problem is that the script is sewn to the main universe with white threads. However, the situation is somewhat saved by strong actors and several very effective scenes.

3. Europe

Europa Report

• USA, 2013.
• Science fiction, action, thriller, drama, detective.
• Duration: 90 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.4.

A team of astronauts is sent on a mission: they need to find and confirm the existence of extraterrestrial life on Europa, a satellite of Jupiter. But due to a solar storm, the crew loses contact with Earth, and the mission turns into a real nightmare.

Director Sebastian Cordero made a rather interesting attempt to make a space thriller in the " found footage " genre. And this is an excellent example where the lack of budget is perfectly compensated by exquisite camera work, a vibrant cast and an excellent soundtrack.

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4. Satellite

• Russia, 2020.
• Science fiction, horror, drama.
• Duration: 113 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.4.

In 1983, Soviet cosmonaut Konstantin Veshnyakov and his partner make an emergency landing in the middle of the Kazakh steppe. The colleague dies, but the main character manages to survive. But he just can’t remember what happened before the accident.

The surviving pilot is taken to a secret base. There the neurophysiologist Tatiana begins to study him. However, the heroine does not yet know that a mysterious alien parasite has settled inside Veshnyakov. 

The film by Russian director Yegor Abramenko was especially highly appreciated abroad. The famous game designer Hideo Kojima even became one of the fans of Sputnik.

By the way, at home the film was advertised as the Russian answer to “Alien.” Although there is very little in common between the two films. Firstly, in Sputnik most of the action takes place not in space, but in a research center.

And secondly, the plot is based on a metaphor for a real problem - feelings of guilt in front of loved ones. “Alien,” on the contrary, is pure science fiction without any hints of social drama.

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5. Live

Life

• USA, 2017.
• Science fiction, horror.
• Duration: 103 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.6.

A group of scientists on the ISS examines samples of Martian soil and finds a single-celled organism there. At first, the alien seems harmless and even cute, but it quickly grows and then begins to attack the astronauts. And the crew has nowhere to run from this monster.

The screenwriters of “Deadpool” Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick managed to make a rather tense and dynamic movie out of the hackneyed formula “an aggressive alien hunts astronauts.” This horror looks even more interesting thanks to the performances of Ryan Reynolds , Rebecca Ferguson, Jake Gyllenhaal and other great actors.

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6. Pandorum

Pandorum

• Great Britain, Germany, 2009.
• Horror, science fiction, action, thriller, detective.
• Duration: 109 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.7.

Two astronauts, Bauer and Payton, emerge from prolonged suspended animation aboard the spaceship. The men just can’t remember where they are flying and why. The situation is complicated by the fact that the ship is infested with cannibal mutants.

Before venturing into space, Christian Alvart made a name for himself as a master of thrillers (Antibodies, Case No. 39). The action was not very successful for the director, but the strong point of the film was the suspense and maddening atmosphere.

7. Through the Horizon

Event Horizon

• UK, USA, 1997.
• Horror, science fiction, thriller, detective.
• Duration: 95 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.7.

A rescue spaceship is sent to investigate a long-lost ship that has inexplicably turned up in the Neptune region. Arriving at the scene, Captain Miller and his crew find an empty starship with one monstrously mutilated corpse. These are not all the troubles that await them, and the questions about what is happening are becoming more and more every second.

Poul Anderson's film turned out to be a vibrant mix of Alien, Hellraiser and Solaris. Alas, viewers did not appreciate the film at the time of its release. Even the cool special effects for those times and the amazing work of cinematographer Adrian Biddle did not help. But these days, anyone who loves science fiction should watch this undeservedly forgotten work .

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8. Alien

Alien

• UK, USA, 1979.
• Horror, fantasy, thriller.
• Duration: 116 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.4.

The cargo spaceship Nostromo intercepts a strange signal coming from an unknown planet. The astronauts decide to go there and find out what's going on. But during a sortie, one of the crew members is attacked by a terrible creature.

Ridley Scott's film not only received cult status and a number of prestigious awards, but also served as the beginning of an entire franchise, including films, books and computer games. The reason for this popularity is not only the brilliant script and suspense atmosphere, but also the visual world created based on the surreal works of Hans Giger.

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