Before tackling giant ocean liners and the future of 3-D, James Cameron blasted out genre film highlights like Aliens, his masterpiece of technical virtuosity, high tension, and peace through superior firepower. Sidestepping the horror focus of Ridley Scott’s franchise-starter, Aliens ratchets up the action, full-blooded machismo, and fascination with all things mechanical while cementing Sigourney Weaver as the female action hero of the ‘80s. (The role would earn her an Oscar nomination, and a Time magazine cover to boot.) And it’s a critique of American involvement in Vietnam!

Aliens comes jam-packed with a sci-fi dream team cast that includes Michael Biehn, Bill Paxton, and Jenette Goldstein as badass space marines, Lance Henriksen as the android Bishop, and Paul Reiser as an oily Weyland-Yutani Corporation representative. Thoroughly entertaining, eminently quotable, and featuring an impressive array of visual effects, Aliens remains one of the most exciting adventures ever sent into space.