Top 10 Spacecraft Thrillers

Description: This iconic film blends horror with sci-fi, as a crew aboard the commercial space vessel Nostromo encounters a deadly alien life form. Its inclusion in this list is due to its intense atmosphere and the claustrophobic setting of a spacecraft.

Fact: The film's tagline "In space no one can hear you scream" became one of the most memorable in cinema history. The alien creature was designed by H.R. Giger, whose biomechanical art style became synonymous with the film.

Description: While not set in space, this film involves a teacher who wakes up from a coma with psychic abilities, predicting disasters, including a space shuttle explosion. Its inclusion highlights the theme of space travel's dangers from a different angle.

Fact: The film was based on Stephen King's novel. Christopher Walken's performance as Johnny Smith was critically acclaimed, earning him a Saturn Award nomination.

Description: A rescue mission to a spaceship that mysteriously reappears after disappearing into a black hole turns into a nightmare. The film's eerie atmosphere and the concept of space travel gone wrong make it a quintessential spacecraft thriller.

Fact: The film was originally much darker and more graphic, but it was edited down for a less intense release. The set design for the Event Horizon was inspired by the ship from "Alien."

Description: A psychologist is sent to investigate the mental health of cosmonauts on a space station orbiting the planet Solaris, which seems to manifest their innermost thoughts and fears. The film's exploration of human psyche in space is deeply thrilling.

Fact: This is a remake of the 1972 Soviet film by Andrei Tarkovsky, which itself was based on Stanislaw Lem's novel. Steven Soderbergh directed this version, focusing more on the psychological aspects.

Description: A team of astronauts is sent to reignite the dying sun with a massive bomb, but their mission is fraught with psychological and physical dangers. This film is a perfect example of a spacecraft thriller with its focus on human survival and the unknown.

Fact: The film features a cameo by Cillian Murphy, who also starred in "28 Days Later" by the same director, Danny Boyle. The movie's depiction of the sun was created using real solar images from NASA.

Description: An astronaut on a solo mission to mine the moon begins to question his sanity and the nature of his mission. The film's slow build-up of suspense and its focus on isolation in space qualify it for this list.

Fact: Sam Rockwell plays both the main character and his clone, showcasing his range as an actor. The film was Duncan Jones's directorial debut.

Description: Two crew members of a spacecraft awaken from hypersleep to find their ship in chaos and their memories wiped. The psychological horror and the mystery of their situation make it a thrilling watch.

Fact: The film's title refers to a fictional psychosis caused by deep space travel. The movie was shot in Germany, using an old steel mill as the main set for the spacecraft.

Description: After a space shuttle is destroyed, an astronaut must survive in space and return to Earth. The film's real-time depiction of space travel and survival makes it a gripping thriller.

Fact: Sandra Bullock did most of her own stunts, including being in a harness for long periods to simulate zero gravity. The film was shot in a way to mimic the experience of being in space, with minimal cuts.

Description: A team of scientists aboard the International Space Station discovers a rapidly evolving life form that could have catastrophic consequences for Earth. The film's premise of an alien threat in space fits perfectly into this thriller category.

Fact: The film was initially titled "The Martian" before the title was changed to avoid confusion with the Matt Damon film. The alien creature was designed to be both beautiful and terrifying.

Description: A team of astronauts aboard an international space station accidentally opens a portal to another dimension, leading to chaos on Earth. Its connection to the Cloverfield universe and the high-stakes scenario make it a thrilling addition.

Fact: The film was originally titled "God Particle" and was announced as a standalone movie before being linked to the Cloverfield franchise. It was released directly to Netflix after a Super Bowl ad.