New discoveries and expanding knowledge in astronomy have fostered debate and research on extraterrestrial life and have also revived the sources of inspiration of science fiction cinema. In this article the authors review selected films and episodes of television series that develop the theme of research and the discovery of extraterrestrial civilisations and their various consequences to discuss their pertinence to current knowledge in astrobiology.
Even before the Second World War, science fiction literature was combining exoticism and the adventure of archaeological expeditions in search of lost civilisations with the search and discovery of extraterrestrial civilisations. The combination of the rise of science fiction cinema during the second half of the 20th century, increased fascination with the ruins of extinct civilisations and increased interest in ‘ufology’ all came together in some sci-fi plots showing discoveries of the remains of alien civilisations.
Films relating the discovery of remains of civilisations of extraterrestrial origin are inspired in particular by the theory of ancient astronauts, developed in the 1960s and especially popularised by Erich von Daniken (1968).
