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IMDbPro

Alien Nation

  • 19881988
  • RR
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
16K
YOUR RATING
Alien Nation (1988)
Home Video Trailer from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Play trailer0:32
1 Video
36 Photos
  • Action
  • Sci-Fi
In 1988, Earth makes the first contact with an alien civilization. In 1991, these aliens, known as Newcomers, slowly begin to be integrated into human society after three years of quarantine... Read allIn 1988, Earth makes the first contact with an alien civilization. In 1991, these aliens, known as Newcomers, slowly begin to be integrated into human society after three years of quarantine.In 1988, Earth makes the first contact with an alien civilization. In 1991, these aliens, known as Newcomers, slowly begin to be integrated into human society after three years of quarantine.
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
16K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Graham Baker
  • Writer
    • Rockne S. O'Bannon
  • Stars
    • James Caan
    • Mandy Patinkin
    • Terence Stamp
Top credits
  • Director
    • Graham Baker
  • Writer
    • Rockne S. O'Bannon
  • Stars
    • James Caan
    • Mandy Patinkin
    • Terence Stamp
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 69User reviews
    • 55Critic reviews
    • 45Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 4 nominations

    Videos1

    Alien Nation
    Trailer 0:32
    Alien Nation

    Photos36

    James Caan in Alien Nation (1988)
    James Caan and Mandy Patinkin in Alien Nation (1988)
    James Caan and Mandy Patinkin in Alien Nation (1988)
    James Caan in Alien Nation (1988)
    James Caan in Alien Nation (1988)
    James Caan and Mandy Patinkin in Alien Nation (1988)
    James Caan in Alien Nation (1988)
    James Caan and Mandy Patinkin in Alien Nation (1988)
    James Caan and Mandy Patinkin in Alien Nation (1988)
    James Caan and Mandy Patinkin in Alien Nation (1988)
    Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr. in Enemy Mine (1985)
    James Caan and Mandy Patinkin in Alien Nation (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Caan
    James Caan
    • Matthew Sykesas Matthew Sykes
    Mandy Patinkin
    Mandy Patinkin
    • Sam Franciscoas Sam Francisco
    Terence Stamp
    Terence Stamp
    • William Harcourtas William Harcourt
    Kevyn Major Howard
    Kevyn Major Howard
    • Kiplingas Kipling
    Leslie Bevis
    Leslie Bevis
    • Cassandraas Cassandra
    Peter Jason
    Peter Jason
    • Fedorchukas Fedorchuk
    Conrad Dunn
    • Quintas Quint
    • (as George Jenesky)
    Jeff Kober
    Jeff Kober
    • Josh Straderas Josh Strader
    Roger Aaron Brown
    Roger Aaron Brown
    • Bill Tuggleas Bill Tuggle
    Tony Simotes
    • Wilteyas Wiltey
    Michael David Simms
    • Human Dealeras Human Dealer
    Ed Krieger
    • Alien Dealeras Alien Dealer
    Tony Perez
    Tony Perez
    • Alterezas Alterez
    Brian Thompson
    Brian Thompson
    • Trent Porteras Trent Porter
    Francis X. McCarthy
    Francis X. McCarthy
    • Capt. Warneras Capt. Warner
    • (as Frank McCarthy)
    Keone Young
    Keone Young
    • Winteras Winter
    Don Hood
    Don Hood
    • Moffetas Moffet
    Earl Boen
    Earl Boen
    • Duncan Craisas Duncan Crais
    • Director
      • Graham Baker
    • Writer
      • Rockne S. O'Bannon
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When James Caan was asked about this film during an interview with the AV Club in 2013, he replied, "Why the f****...Why would you bring up that?" The interviewer Will Harris said, "A lot of people actually like the film. I do, for one." Caan continued, "Yeah, well, I don't know. I don't have too many...I mean, I loved Mandy Patinkin. Mandy was a riot. But...I don't know. It was a lot of silly stuff, creatively. And we had this English director [Graham Baker] who I wasn't really that fond of. I mean, nice guy, but...it was just one of those things where, you know, you don't quit, you get through it. It certainly wasn't one of...I wouldn't write it down as one of my favorite movies. But it was pretty popular."
    • Goofs
      When George is hanging outside the helicopter, above the water surface, he should be screaming in pain since the rotor-blades would whip up a pretty dense cloud of seawater, thus he would be injured since his race is extremely sensitive against seawater, as pointed out by Joshua Strader, and William Harcourt in the end scene, their bodies react to it as we would to sulfuric acid, as referenced in the movie.
    • Quotes

      [after hearing some derisive comments about Sykes partner avoiding the beach]

      Det. Sgt. Matthew Sykes: Why don't you try standing next to an ocean of hydrochloric acid and see how well you surf.

    • Alternate versions
      In UK cinemas, 2 versions were shown in different cinemas. In some cinemas, certain Newcomer native dialogue was subtitled into English and in others it was not. This happens most notably in the scene where George and the morgue attendant discuss the Newcomer corpse and recognise aspects of the body as representing the drug addiction. Also a short dialogue between Harcourt and Kipling after Harcourt first meets George and Matt where Kipling tells Harcourt that Sykes was the policeman in the shootout at the film's opening.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Alien Nation/Elvira: Mistress of the Dark/Imagine: John Lennon/Salaam Bombay/Track 29 (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      You've Really Got a Hold on Me
      Written by Smokey Robinson (as William Robinson)

      Performed by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (as Smokey Robinson and The Miracles)

      Courtesy of Motown Record Company, L.P.

    User reviews69

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Ahead Of It's Time...
    Many people have the wrong impression of this movie. Most group it in within the "cop/buddy" genre and cheesy sci-fi. But "Alien Nation" is much more than that. In fact, it was way ahead of it's time.

    I saw this movie in a dimly-lit, run-down Detroit-area theater at the age 14, an afternoon in the fall of 1988. I recall how the "atmosphere" of the movie matched that of the run-down theater I was sitting in. At 14, and with the title of "Alien Nation", a young kid like myself wanted to see weird alien creatures and lots of action. At the time, I was disappointed. This movie is about story, not action or weird aliens. Although I didn't really understand nor enjoy the movie at the time, it always stuck with me for some reason. So, nearly 18 years after seeing it on the silver screen, I re-watched it at home and was amazed by the depth of the story and the grittiness of the background. It was little wonder why I didn't like it at 14, but loved it at 32.

    This story is really about race and immigration, with the hated race being alien immigrants. It shows how hatred and ignorance over race can transform one's personality, like the lead character played by James Caan.

    Alien Nation asks questions about ourselves as humans. How would we react if aliens landed on Earth and announced they were escaping a brutal planet full of slavery and have immigrated to Earth? Would we accept them as our own, or would we force them to become outcasts? Would we allow an "Affirmative Action" scenario in regards to Aliens and Alien rights? Would we offer them high-paying jobs and/or top-notch education, depriving humans of those same jobs and quality education in exchange? To me, Alien Nation is one of the more possible (and perhaps likely) scenarios. Aliens delegated to run-down areas of big cities. Token jobs occasionally handed out because it's forced by the Government to do so. And a general disgust towards Aliens amongst the human population. In that regard, this movie was way ahead of the curve.

    Great movie. 9 out of 10 stars. Recommended for those over 25, perhaps those with a higher intellect than most. Not recommended for someone looking for a "Men In Black" type of Alien movie. Not your typical Hollywood blockbuster filled with Aliens, that's for sure.

    IMDb ROCKS!

    JD
    helpful•65
    6
    • jcdugger
    • Jun 27, 2006

    FAQ1

    • What planet did the Newcomers come to Earth from?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 7, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Alien Nation: The Movie
    • Filming locations
      • Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites - 404 S. Figueroa Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • American Entertainment Partners II L.P.
      • Pacific Western
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $16,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $25,216,243
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $8,421,429
      • Oct 10, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $32,155,047
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

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