7 Horror Sci-Fi Films To Watch Before Alien Covenant

Frequently cited as one of the best horror films ever made (as well as perhaps the best remake ever made), The Thing may well be John Carpenter's magnum opus; a masterclass in oppressive tension and paranoia with a compelling concept at its core. Set in an Antarctic research station, The Thing follows a group of isolated researchers as an alien parasite infiltrates their base; assimilating the crew one by one and imitating them in turn.

One of the aspects of this film that makes it such an enduring success is the way in which its central mystery unfolds. Carpenter keeps his cards very close to his chest throughout, leaving room for speculation regarding which characters have been assimilated and at what point in the film they were turned. The paranoia here is so tangible that it shrouds the movie in an absorbing, nihilistic atmosphere that will almost certainly lead to countless re-watches as you attempt to map out the subtle (and often not so subtle) movements of the movie's eponymous 'thing'.

The isolation, helplessness, tension and genre-defining creature effects on display here make The Thing one of the finest horror sci-fi films ever made, and would actually make a great double-bill with Alien.