Who's a space cadet now?

If these 10 aliens are anything to go by, we don't mind a bit of an abduction or an intergalactic takeover

- Arshia Dhar

1 Fongoids from Ratchet & Clank (2002-). The Fongoids in this video game hail from planet Torren IV in the Vela Sector of the Polaris Galaxy. They live in tribal communities and resemble small humanoids with violet and black skin, funny-looking blue ears and flat noses. They don’t really care for tech, but somehow have crazy engineering skills, repairing various parts of the broken universe as they travel. More useful aliens, please.

2 ET, from ET, the Extra-Terrestrial (1982). Little, lost and looking to get back home. Steven Spielberg arguably gifted us the nicest on-screen alien. He hates potato salad but loves Reese’s Pieces candy and beer. And he seems to understand humans better than they understand themselves. Give him his one phone call. And cycle away, haters. There’s nothing to dislike about ET (OK, maybe the voice).

3 Groot (1960-). The tree alien from the Branch World’s Planet X in the Marvel Universe landed on Earth in the ‘60s. He could converse normally. But specially bred termites almost killed him. Ever since all he can say is “Groot”. But he’s torn through NYC, faced off against the Hulk, Giant-Man, The Thing, and Beast. Throw no shade at this tree. He’s a hero.