1

ALF

Image: Erik Mclean

In case you didn’t know, this beloved TV character’s name is not short for "Alfred." It actually comes from the term " A lien L ife F orm," but don’t be alarmed: This alien is as friendly as they come. ALF is the quirky and lovable adopted family member of the Tanner family, who gained the heart of the American public in the 80s and 90s.

ALF’s story begins after this alien’s spaceship crash-landed in the garage of the Tanner’s, a typical suburban American family. Although his many antics often bring trouble for the entire family, ALF’s big heart quickly makes the Tanners fall in love with him, harboring and keeping him hidden from the U.S. government.

2

E.T.

Image: Rick L

Are we in the presence of the most famous film alien in history? While we might not be able to answer this question (the remaining entries on this list might very well be as beloved), E.T. is definitively a heavy contender for this highly-coveted title. It’s been over 40 years since this extraterrestrial’s only on-screen appearance, but he still remains as iconic as he ever was.

Steven Spielberg’s 1982 film tells the story of Elliot, a typical American boy who befriends a lovable alien stranded on Earth. Elliot, alongside his family and friends, helps E.T. go back home, leaving us with a few of the most memorable moments in cinematic history.

3

Mork

Image: photo by Alan Light, CC BY 2.0

Not every alien on this list has to look weird: Leave it to the amazing Robin Williams to portray one of the most beloved TV aliens in history. "Mork and Mindy" shows the adventures of Mindy McConnell, an American teenager who befriends an alien simply known as "Mork from Ork."

Not many know that this now classic TV show was an offshoot of another beloved American show, "Happy Days." Williams's only appearance in a Happy Days episode impressed producers so much that they decided to give this TV legend his first chance.

4

Marvin the Martian

Image: cogdogblog, CC BY 2.0

Marvin the Martian might be the first alien on this list to pose a threat to mankind, but don’t worry: His plans usually backfire in a spectacular fashion, usually thanks to a wisecracking rabbit or to a lisping duck with anger issues.

Originally voiced by the legendary Mel Blanc, perhaps what’s more memorable about Marvin is his unusual design: You wouldn’t expect a creature of outer space to sport a red unitard, green skirt, nor a fashionable broom on his helmet, right?

5

Chewbacca

Image: Kadyn Pierce

If you had to describe Chewbacca to someone who had never seen the film, the image they would form in their head wouldn’t necessarily describe Han Solo’s partner in crime, right? After all, they would probably think of Chewie as some sort of huge and extremely adorable teddy bear, unaware of the danger they would be in if they called this iconic Wookie cute.

However, as ferocious as Chewbacca was to any Storm Trooper that dared to step in his way, he was also an extremely loyal and loving comrade to any of his many rebel friends. Few movie sounds are as memorable as Chewie’s deafening roar.

6

Xenomorph

Image: Hossam el-Hamalawy, CC BY 2.0

First things first: In case you didn’t know, the titular alien species in the " Alien " film series does have a name. Well, sort of. These jet-black monstrosities are actually known as the Xenomorph . However, should you ask an etymology aficionado about what this Ancient Greek word actually means, the answer would simply be "an alien or strange creature." So, in a way, these creatures can simply be called "Aliens.".

In any case, few extraterrestrials have instilled so much fear into the hearts of moviegoers: Their razor-sharp claws, amazing strength, and acidic blood definitively make them one of the most dangerous creatures in film history. In fact, only one fictional alien species has been able to stand their ground against the vicious Xenomorphs and, as luck would have it, they are the next entry on this list!

7

Predator

Image: Anderson Mancini from Sao Paulo, Brazil, CC BY 2.0

Way before the 2001 movie "Alien vs Predator" pitted these two science-fiction juggernauts against one another, the Predator had already established itself as the deadliest hunter in the galaxy. This alien race lives for one thing and one thing only: To prove their skills by tracking and hunting down the most dangerous and exquisite creatures.

The 1987 film "Predator" introduced the world to this cold-blooded hunter by placing him in a terrifying environment: The film follows Vietnam War veteran Major Dutch (played by Arnold Arnold Schwarzenegger) and his efforts to escape the Predator that’s hunting them in the deep jungle. However, the second Predator film saw an even more unnerving scenario: The Predator hunting down prey in the streets of Los Angeles.

8

Mr. Spock

Image: Wonderlane

Is Mr. Spock on this list? It seems only logical. In a list almost entirely comprised of extraordinary and bizarre creatures, it only took a set of pointy ears to turn actor Leonard Nimoy into one of the most instantly recognizable fictional aliens in history.

Mr. Spock has been a staple of the Star Trek universe since the very first episode of the original show aired in the 1960s. Spock quickly became a fan favorite: His highly logical brain, combat skills and passion for science made him extremely interesting to TV audiences. Not only that, Nimoy’s deep voice and magnetic personality added to the depth of this character.

9

Mars Attacks!

Image: Derpy CG

When audiences saw Tim Burton’s 1996 black comedy "Mars Attack!," they were quickly enthralled by the menacing yet funny-looking Martians attacking our country. However, few of them knew that these aliens were actually much older, dating back to a 1960s trading card game produced by Topps.

The lore established by the trading card series and the film is pretty much the same: One day, our planet finds itself invaded by a race of Martians hell-bent on taking over our planet. While the Earth is first unable to defend against their superior technology, our tenacity and grit allow us to battle these hideous space invaders.

10

Superman

Image: Esteban López

We’ll end this article with the last son of Krypton. Sometimes we tend to forget that Superman , a superhero believed by many to be the ultimate American icon, arrived on our planet as a baby from outer space. After his home planet was doomed, Kal-El’s biological father sent him far away across the galaxy, with his small vessel crash-landing into a small farm in Smallville, Kansas.

Baby Kal-El was found by Jonathan and Martha Kent, two farmers who instantly adopted him as their own child. Now known as Clark, the boy that would eventually become the "Man of Steel" found his powers at an early age, and set out to defend our world from all sorts of dangers.

1

Michael Myers from Halloween

Image: norbert velescu

Who better to start this Halloween list than the main villain from Halloween ? John Carpenter’s iconic horror film not only marks the debut role of beloved actress Jamie Lee Curtis, but it also introduced the world to the terrifying Michael Myers , a murderous mental patient with a thirst for blood.

One of Michael’s most terrifying traits is his blank and unfeeling expression, provided by his chilling rubber mask. Interestingly enough, the mask itself probably wouldn’t be as scary on its own; it is a mask of Star Trek actor William Shatner , only painted white and with some traits changed in order to make it scarier.

2

Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street

Image: Enrique Guzmán Egas

The 1984 film A Nightmare on Elm Street is considered by many to be the quintessential slasher horror film of the ’80s, and with good reason: Wes Craven had the genius idea to turn our slumber into one of the scariest environments ever. If, for whatever reason, you feel inclined to thank the character responsible for turning our dreams into nightmares, then you can send your regards to Freddy Krueger.

Freddy’s look is definitely unforgettable: Who can overlook that stripped sweater, black fedora, and, perhaps more menacing, that sinister-looking bladed glove? This killer’s menacing image certainly sent shivers down our spines and made most of us dread going to bed.

3

Jason Vorhees from Friday the 13th

Image: Justin Campbell

Michael Myers is not the only masked menace to make it onto this list! Jason Vorhees made his first appearance in the 1980 slasher Friday the 13th , which depicted a group of campers meeting their end at Jason’s hands in the fictional Camp Crystal Lake. This towering, murderous revenant hunts teenagers at night, armed with his trusted machete and his now-iconic hockey mask.

Jason has appeared in many different films, including an entire franchise reboot in 2009. Not only that, a 2003 film pitted him against another king of the slasher genre, Freddy Krueger. Without spoiling the ending, we can honestly say that both of these horror giants prove their mettle.

4

The Thing from The Thing

Image: Robert Haverly

Don’t let this slightly vague name fool you: The Thing is one of the scariest horror characters in history. John Carpenter’s 1982 masterpiece introduced the world to this mysterious alien creature, able to shapeshift into any object imaginable.

What’s probably most terrifying about this shadowy being is that we never truly see its true form; therefore, this alien can be as terrifying as our imaginations allow it to be. However, don’t let this statement imply that we are discrediting Carpenter’s groundbreaking visual effects, as anyone who has seen any of his amazing creations can testify.

5

The Fly from The Fly

Image: Pedro Miguel Aires

Who knew that a little housefly could be so terrifying? While the original 1958 film is incredibly advanced for its time, David Cronenberg’s 1986 rendition of The Fly left an indelible mark on an entire generation with its uncanny special effects and chilling story.

In this film, Jeff Goldblum plays Seth Brundle, an eccentric scientist whose DNA gets fused with that of a fly after an experiment goes wrong. The resulting hybrid monster’s appearance is truly a remarkable tribute to the talent of this film’s makeup department, which earned them a well-deserved Academy Award.

6

Rachel McNeil from The Exorcist

Image: Kelly Sikkema

Many consider The Exorcist to be the best horror film ever made, and with good reason: not only is it bone-chilling, but it is also a wonderfully crafted film that has led it to be selected by the U.S. National Film Registry for preservation.

A big part of what made this film so incredibly terrifying was the contrast between the sweet and innocent 12-year-old Regan McNeil (wonderfully portrayed by Linda Blair) and the dark demon that possesses her. Legendary Swedish actor Max von Sydow also shines in this film, playing the titular exorcist, Father Lankester Merrin.

7

Chucky from Child’s Play

Image: Erik Mclean

This is a toy you don’t want to see lying around your house! Directed by Tom Holland, the 1988 slasher film Child’s Play features Chucky , a seemingly harmless doll possessed by the soul of a serial killer. While this might not seem particularly menacing, Academy-nominated actor Brad Dourif’s portrayal of this plastic killer truly terrified an entire generation.

The first movie was such a success that it spawned an entire franchise that’s still relevant today, with a TV series premiering in 2021. However, most fans agree that no film will ever surpass the original Child’s Play , an undisputed gem of the slasher genre.

8

The Ghostface Killer from Scream

Image: Nik

Speaking of the slasher genre, we would be remiss if we didn’t include Wes Craven’s iconic 1996 film Scream . This movie is not only terrifying, but it is also a true love letter to the entire genre: In fact, one of the first deaths in the film occurs after a character gets a question about horror trivia wrong.

A huge part of what made Scream so frightening is its antagonist. The Ghostface Killer’s main strength is that he is not a supernatural creature by any definition of the word. Not only that, this mysterious character’s presence adds a layer of intrigue to the film, as the reveal of his true identity becomes a definitive turning point in this masterpiece.

9

Pennywise from It

Image: Nong

Much like the monster from The Thing , the audience never witnesses the true form of this chilling Eldritch monster. However, the main antagonist of Stephen King’s classic novel It often dons the disguise of Pennywise, a scary clown hell-bent on terrifying the town of Derry, Maine.

To date, Pennywise has been portrayed on the big screen on two separate occasions: first by Tim Curry in the 1990 miniseries and later by Swedish actor Bill Skarsgård in the 2017 film adaptation and its 2019 sequel. In both cases, these actors were able to bring a fascinating layer of horror to a colorful figure usually associated with making people smile.

10

The Shark from Jaws

Image: Marcelo Cidrack

Granted, calling Steven Spielberg’s Jaws a horror film is probably not entirely accurate. However, we can comfortably state that the shark antagonist of this 1975 thriller truly terrified moviegoers around the world.

It is pretty hard to state the impact that this shark had, suffice to say, people at the time were incredibly scared to go back into the water due to this movie. Fun fact: Did you know that the shark has a name? Well, a nickname at least: it was called "Bruce" by the film crew, after the name of Spielberg’s lawyer.

1

The entire coastline is made of glorious sandy beaches

Image: Jeremy Bishop

California’s coastline is long, gorgeous, and wildly varied. Much of it is dominated by cliffs, rocky shores, and chilly waters. Even many popular beaches require a wetsuit if you actually want to get in the water.

Yes, some stretches are ideal for volleyball and sunbathing, but others are better suited to photography.

2

Celebrities are everywhere and happy to mingle

Image: Bibi

It’s tempting to imagine Los Angeles as one giant red-carpet event, but daily life looks a lot more ordinary. Celebrities tend to live in gated communities, travel in private cars, and pick very discreet places to relax.

You might spot one, but you’re far more likely to meet tourists looking for celebrities than actual celebrities themselves.

3

Move to Hollywood and become a star overnight

Image: Edgar Colomba

Hollywood is full of dreamers, but most of them are hustling on the side, waiting tables, doing gig work, and going to audition after audition.

Fame is rarely instant. It’s more like a very long, very competitive marathon that most people don’t see unless they live there.

4

Move to Silicon Valley and become an overnight startup whiz

Image: Nils Huenerfuerst

It’s true that Silicon Valley is packed with entrepreneurs and investors. But it’s also full of failed startups, intense work schedules, and fierce competition.

Raising money is tough, building a product is tougher, and surviving long enough to succeed is almost heroic. The myth of "instant unicorn status" is just like the myth of instant movie stardom.

5

The weather is sunny and perfect year-round

Image: Roberto Nickson

California’s climate varies dramatically. Coastal fog in the Bay Area can last all day, winter rainstorms sweep through the north, inland valleys hit triple-digit heat, and wildfire season is a yearly threat.

6

Traffic is terrible, everywhere

Image: Aleksandr Popov

The traffic horror stories from Los Angeles are quite real, but they’re not universal. California is huge, and plenty of mid-sized cities and rural areas have perfectly manageable commutes. Even in LA, traffic ebbs and flows.

7

Californians go to Disneyland every other weekend

Image: Isaac Garcia

Disneyland may be magical, but it’s also expensive, crowded, and logistically complex. Most residents go once in a while, not as a biweekly ritual. Sure, annual passholders exist, but they’re the exception.

8

You’ll find palm trees everywhere

Image: Mitchell Luo

Palm trees are iconic, but they’re not the dominant tree across the state. Many were imported, and Los Angeles’ famous palms are aging out and not being widely replaced. Walk outside the major tourist zones, and you’ll see oaks, pines, sycamores, and far fewer "tropical vacation" vibes than the postcards suggest.

9

Movies are being filmed on every corner

Image: clement proust

You may stumble across a film crew once in a blue moon, but the vast majority of production happens on studio lots or in specifically chosen neighborhoods. Filming permits are expensive, traffic control is complicated, and spontaneous street-corner movie shoots aren’t as common as people think.

10

Everyone is a surfer

Image: Jacob Steckmann

Surfing is a proud part of California culture, but not a universal one. Many residents have never touched a surfboard, and the cold Pacific waters can be intimidating even for the brave. The idea that everyone wakes up, grabs a board, and runs to the beach is more Hollywood montage than real life.

11

Everyone lives close to the ocean

Image: Jonathan Schmer

California’s population is spread across vast inland regions, including the Central Valley, Sacramento, and the Inland Empire, which are all hours away from the coast. Plenty of Californians only see the ocean during vacation.

12

The food is all organic, clean, and hyper-healthy

Image: Jannis Brandt

Yes, you’ll find green juices, vegan cafés, and farm-to-table everything. But California is also home to drive-thrus, giant burritos, and some of the most indulgent comfort food around. The "everyone eats quinoa and sunshine" trope doesn’t hold up once you explore beyond the trendy spots.

13

Everyone commutes by bike, skateboard, or electric scooter

Image: Hiboy

It looks cool in TV shows, but in reality, most Californians commute by car. Public transportation is limited outside a few areas, and long distances make biking impractical for many.

14

Everything in California is incredibly expensive

Image: Martin Zenker

Housing in places like San Francisco is famously pricey, but California also includes smaller cities and rural communities where the cost of living is much closer to the national average.