Sexy aliens: 23 heavenly bodies from sci-fi

Played by: Henry Cavill

Films: Man of Steel (2013), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Justice League (2017), and Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

With a pec-hugging super suit, the Brits' take on the all-American (by way of Krypton) hero puts the ''S'' in sexy. —Lanford Beard

Played by: Zachary Quinto

Films: Star Trek (2009), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), Star Trek Beyond (2016)

Spock may choose logic over emotions most of the time, but that doesn't mean we aren't a little hot and bothered by his finely chiseled features. —Lanford Beard

Played by: Morena Baccarin

Show: Firefly (2002–03)

Film: Serenity (2005)

Flinty, self-aware, and smoking hot prostitutes have a storied history in Hollywood's Old West (Stagecoach, Destry Rides Again, Unforgiven, et al.).  Inara, a companion for the upper echelon, took to the off-world frontier in Joss Whedon's cult favorite space Western. —Geoff Boucher

Played by: Xenia Seeberg

Show: Lexx (1997)

Bred to be a perfect wife, Xev was portrayed by multiple actresses during Lexx's four seasons, but Seeberg was the only one who went through a machine called the Lusticon, intended to transform her into being of sexual servitude. Need we say more? —L.B.

Played by: Jason Behr and Katherine Heigl

Show: Roswell (1999–2002)

Forgetting their stone-cold looks, these royal twins had touch-based powers — many of which could be used as aphrodisiacs. Max could make his girlfriend's skin glow by touch, and Isabel could set the perfect ambiance for a date (from candle flickering and turning on music to adjusting her nail polish and lipstick shade) on any whim. How could we resist? —L.B.

Played by: Yvonne Craig

Show: Star Trek: The Original Series (1969)

Leia's metal bikini outfit from when she strangled Jabba to death gets all the cosplay love, but she was hardly the first enslaved woman in space — years before, geeks got an eyeful of this green temptress. Though she only appeared in one 1969 episode, her vampy mash-up of Ginger, Mary Ann, and the Wicked Witch was enough for to leave a lasting impression. Bonus: Craig also played Batgirl on the Batman TV series and canoodled with the King in two Elvis Presley movies. —G.B.

Played by: Tricia Helfer, Lucy Lawless, and Grace Park

Show: Battlestar Galactica (2004–2009)

Cerebral villainy just doesn't get any hotter than this robotic trio, who have been vexing humanity since their fellow Cylons wiped out mankind in an all-out war. (Okay, maybe Boomer isn't a complete villain...but she has done some very bad things.) —Marc Bernardin

Played by: Jeri Ryan

Shows: Star Trek: Voyager (1997–2001) and Star Trek: Picard (2020–present)

Starfleet uniforms have always been a little snug, but they're nothing compared to the bedazzled catsuit Ryan strutted around in as the Borg refugee who joined the crew of the Starship Voyager. —M.B.

Played by: Jane Fonda

Film: Barbarella (1968)

The swingin' '60s definitely needed its own sci-fi siren and Jane Fonda stepped up to the plate. Just look at the opening credits — sultry (and corny) is as sultry does. —M.B.

Played by: Billy Dee Williams

Films: Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi (1983), and Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Played by: Donald Glover

Film: Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

One can't deny the intergalactic swagger of this Cloud City administrator and one-time hustler. Just listen to this pick-up line: ''You look absolutely beautiful. You truly belong here with us among the clouds.'' That would totally work in your average sports bar...in the clouds. —M.B.

Played by: Jeff Bridges

Film: Starman (1984)

Soft and dewy like a baby duck, Bridges earned himself an Oscar nomination for his performance as a stranded alien who takes the form of a widow's (Karen Allen) dead husband. Of course, she's got to road-trip him to rendezvous with his mothership — and fall in love with him en route. Easily the cuddliest of John Carpenter's flicks, due in great part to Bridges' wide-eyed innocence. —M.B.

Played by: Natasha Henstridge

Film: Species (1995)

A woman created by DNA codes from outer space who has no problem with nudity and really likes to have sex? So what if she's prone to killing her mate afterwards? For many a movie-going geek, that was a deal worth making. —M.B.

Played by: Ornella Muti

Film: Flash Gordon (1980)

As the daughter of Mongo's despot Ming the Merciless (Charles Middleton), Aura was used to getting whatever she wanted. Lucky for us, she wanted revealing outfits — all the better to bewitch lunkheaded quarterback heroes from Earth with. —M.B.

Played by: Christopher Reeve

Films: Superman (1978), Superman II (1980), Superman III (1983), Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)

Despite standing for truth, justice, and the American way, the Big Blue Schoolboy (né Kal-El) is indeed an alien. An alien who will compress coal into diamonds, (usually) refrain from using his X-ray vision to see through clothing, and turn back time to save the woman he loves. Also, he's built like a friggin' linebacker. —M.B.

Played by: Christopher Eccleston

Show: Doctor Who (2005)

A little bit freaky, a little bit scary, the time-traveling Doctor got a face-lift for this 21st-century reinvention of the classic British sci-fi show. And Eccleston plays him like a pan-dimensional Puck. Besides, a good leather coat always works wonders. —M.B.

Played by: Milla Jovovich

Film: The Fifth Element (1997)

Everyone in this movie keeps referring to this red-headed nymph as "the perfect being." Now, she may seem about as smart as a box of hammers, but she definitely lives up to the hype on a physical level. —M.B.

Played by: Michael Dorn

Shows: Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994), and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1995–1999)

Films: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991), Star Trek: Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)

I'm sure it'd piss off Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes), but this Klingon was the Enterprise's real tall, dark, and handsome...especially once he got rid of that beauty pageant hairdo and went with the badass warrior braid. (That's right...warrior braid. All the cool warriors are wearing 'em.) —M.B.

Played by: Lara Flynn Boyle

Film: Men in Black II (2002)

Ms. Boyle's alien-baddie brought the slink-and-seductive to this Will Smith sequel. —M.B.

Played by: Terry Farrell

Show: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993–1998)

This tall drink of synthehol is a symbiote — which, in Star Trek-ese, means that she's got a little slug living inside of her. And that's a joke I'm just gonna let sit right there. —M.B.

Played by: Joe Morton

Film: The Brother From Another Planet (1984)

If the cliché holds that some people love the strong, silent type, then it's no wonder that Morton's nonverbal visitor makes the list — and his preternaturally expressive eyes definitely get the job done. —M.B.

Played by: Jane Badler

Film: V (1984)

You know, if more lizard-y alien conquerors took on hottie disguises like this, they'd have a much better chance at pacifying the citizenry. —M.B.