Superman / Kal-El — Superman (1978)

The ultimate movie alien might be the one who looks the most human. Sent from the dying planet Krypton and raised on Earth, Kal-El became Superman, a hero with powers that make most extraterrestrial creatures look helpless. He can fly, lift impossible weights, and stop disasters before ordinary people even know they're happening. But what makes Superman interesting in this competition isn't just his strength. It's the fact that an alien chose to become humanity's protector. Christopher Reeve's Superman gave moviegoers a version of that story filled with charm, confidence, and hope. But does a superhero belong above creatures like E.T. and the Xenomorph? That's where this argument gets messy. Superman might be the strongest contender, but is he the greatest movie alien?