This is the ultimate in buddy-buddy cop movies, but with a twist, as here the mismatched detectives are from different planets. In the near future, an alien race has been uncomfortably integrated into American society and, against this backdrop, Earthling cop James Caan and alien cop Mandy Patinkin are reluctantly paired to track down the killers of Caan's old partner. Director Graham Baker expertly combines the sci-fi and thriller elements and is well served by his two leads, particularly Patinkin, who manages to create a moving character while operating under a ton of latex. The movie went on to inspire a rather more humdrum but still popular TV series.

A few years from now, Earth will have the first contact with an alien civilization. These aliens, known as Newcomers, slowly begin to be integrated into human society after years of quarantine.