© 2026 The Couch Critic
Status
Released
Release
2011
Runtime
1h 30m
What if an extra-terrestrial force attacked Earth? What might that look like and how will the people of Earth respond? Consulting a cast of world-renowned scientists, survival experts and defense experts, National Geographic explores this frightening scenario. Experts reveal what could motivate alien invaders to attack Earth, and speculate on how the attack might play out, the strategy alien invaders might use, and the most effective ways for humans to respond.
35 Cast Members
James Lurie
Narrator (voice)
Seth Shostak
Self - SETI Institute
Nick Pope
Self - U.K. Ministry of Defense
Brian De Toy
Self - Director of Defense Studies, West Point
Stephen Hawking
Self - Theoretical Physicist (archive footage)
Paul Springer
Self - USAF Air Command and Staff College
Travis Taylor
Self - Physicist & Author
Bob Boan
Self - Co-Author, Alien Invasion: How to Defend Earth
Michael Michaud
Self - Author, Contact with Alien Civilizations
Paul Parsons
Self
John Ringo
Self - Author, Live Free or Die
Mark Moffett
Self - Author: Adventures Among Ants
Dirk Schulze-Makuch
Self - Washington State University
Neil Strauss
Self - Author, Emergency
Kevin Reeve
Self - onPoint Tactical
Quay Terry
Self - Gunnery Sergeant, USMC
Bill Brown
Self - High Altitude Research Corp.
Elise Cantu
Survivor
Carin Chea
Laboratory Scientist
Zee Cruise
Survivor