1

Bigfoot

Image: Mandy Bourke

We’ll start with a classic. For many Americans, Bigfoot is the quintessential mystery —a fantastical creature that has fascinated generations. Also known as Sasquatch, Bigfoot is described as a large, hairy, ape-like being that supposedly roams the forests of North America, evading hikers and adventurers. Some believe most sightings result from misidentifying large mammals like black bears, but true believers continue their relentless search for this mythical creature.

2

Area 51

Image: Oliver Pacas

Who would have thought that a number could become synonymous with aliens and mystery? There’s no doubt that Area 51 exists—it is a real and highly classified United States Air Force facility in Nevada. However, most of us know it for the intrigue surrounding it. According to some sources, Area 51 houses crashed spaceships and alien life forms . Of course, the government denies these claims, but to quote the classic TV show The X-Files , some theorists "choose to believe."

3

Amelia Earhart

Image: Tomas Martinez

Amelia Earhart's life was one filled with adventure. She became the first female pilot to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean, among many other feats. Beyond her achievements, her magnetic personality and best-selling books made her an international icon, forever cemented as an American cultural icon. Her mysterious disappearance only deepens the intrigue surrounding her: While attempting to become the first female pilot to circumnavigate the globe, Earhart’s plane vanished over the Pacific Ocean —no wreckage or remains were ever found.

4

Mothman

Image: Sonika Agarwal

Moths are sadly often given a bad reputation. Though they are close cousins to the beloved, colorful butterflies, some people find them slightly unnerving. For the people of West Virginia , there’s an even greater reason to find moths scary: The "Mountain State" is home to one of America’s most famous cryptids— the Mothman . According to legend, this eerie creature resembles a man , stands about seven feet tall , and has large white wings and glowing red eyes .

5

Jersey Devil

Image: Tech Nick

If you ever visit South Jersey’s Pine Barrens, be on the lookout for an oddly shaped creature often described as a cross between a kangaroo and a winged beast . If luck (or misfortune) is on your side, you might encounter the fabled Jersey Devil . Many legends surround this creature, but the most popular tells of the cursed thirteenth child of a Pine Barrens resident, forever cursed to haunt this region.

6

UFO Sightings

Image: Michael Herren

UFO sightings are the bread and butter of paranormal enthusiasts. Thousands of Americans have reported seeing flashing lights in the sky , unable to explain their origin. In that regard, we’ll focus on what is perhaps the most famous UFO sighting in this article: In 1947 , residents of the town of Roswell, New Mexico , claimed to have seen a UFO crash into the desert.

7

Haunted houses

Image: Ján Jakub Naništa

As soon as October comes around, hundreds of excited families transform their garages into spooky, fun haunted houses. It’s a thrilling activity that brings neighborhoods together, but let’s face it—these aren’t the haunted houses we’re talking about. From the LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans to the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose , America is home to some of the world’s most terrifying haunted houses—locations definitely not suitable for the faint of heart.

8

Chupacabra

Image: Nandhu Kumar

For such a terrifying creature, the English translation of " Chupacabra "—literally " goat-sucker "—somewhat diminishes its mystique. However, don’t let the name fool you. According to legend, this cryptid is a foul beast that preys on livestock , draining their blood. Descriptions of its appearance vary: In Puerto Rico , it is depicted as an alien-like creature , while in the Southwestern United States , it is described as more dog- or wolf-like .

9

Marfa lights

Image: Jr Korpa

Many cultures around the world have legends about mysterious lights appearing before wary travelers at night. In our case, the city of Marfa, Texas , is home to a strange phenomenon known as the Marfa Ghost Lights . While scientists suggest a rational explanation—claiming they result from automobile headlights distorted by warm desert air—some still believe the lights have a paranormal origin.

10

Chimayó, New Mexico – Land of Healing

Image: Lina Trochez

We’ve covered some dark and gruesome mysteries in this article, so why not end on a lighter note? In New Mexico’s Rio Arriba and Santa Fe counties, Chimayó is home to a remarkable site . Some believers claim that El Santuario de Chimayó , a Roman Catholic church, possesses mysterious healing powers —particularly the "holy dirt" found in a small well at the back of the church.

1

ALF

Image: Erik Mclean

In case you didn’t know, this beloved TV character’s name is not short for "Alfred." It actually comes from the term " A lien L ife F orm," but don’t be alarmed: This alien is as friendly as they come. ALF is the quirky and lovable adopted family member of the Tanner family, who gained the heart of the American public in the 80s and 90s.

ALF’s story begins after this alien’s spaceship crash-landed in the garage of the Tanner’s, a typical suburban American family. Although his many antics often bring trouble for the entire family, ALF’s big heart quickly makes the Tanners fall in love with him, harboring and keeping him hidden from the U.S. government.

2

E.T.

Image: Rick L

Are we in the presence of the most famous film alien in history? While we might not be able to answer this question (the remaining entries on this list might very well be as beloved), E.T. is definitively a heavy contender for this highly-coveted title. It’s been over 40 years since this extraterrestrial’s only on-screen appearance, but he still remains as iconic as he ever was.

Steven Spielberg’s 1982 film tells the story of Elliot, a typical American boy who befriends a lovable alien stranded on Earth. Elliot, alongside his family and friends, helps E.T. go back home, leaving us with a few of the most memorable moments in cinematic history.

3

Mork

Image: photo by Alan Light, CC BY 2.0

Not every alien on this list has to look weird: Leave it to the amazing Robin Williams to portray one of the most beloved TV aliens in history. "Mork and Mindy" shows the adventures of Mindy McConnell, an American teenager who befriends an alien simply known as "Mork from Ork."

Not many know that this now classic TV show was an offshoot of another beloved American show, "Happy Days." Williams's only appearance in a Happy Days episode impressed producers so much that they decided to give this TV legend his first chance.

4

Marvin the Martian

Image: cogdogblog, CC BY 2.0

Marvin the Martian might be the first alien on this list to pose a threat to mankind, but don’t worry: His plans usually backfire in a spectacular fashion, usually thanks to a wisecracking rabbit or to a lisping duck with anger issues.

Originally voiced by the legendary Mel Blanc, perhaps what’s more memorable about Marvin is his unusual design: You wouldn’t expect a creature of outer space to sport a red unitard, green skirt, nor a fashionable broom on his helmet, right?

5

Chewbacca

Image: Kadyn Pierce

If you had to describe Chewbacca to someone who had never seen the film, the image they would form in their head wouldn’t necessarily describe Han Solo’s partner in crime, right? After all, they would probably think of Chewie as some sort of huge and extremely adorable teddy bear, unaware of the danger they would be in if they called this iconic Wookie cute.

However, as ferocious as Chewbacca was to any Storm Trooper that dared to step in his way, he was also an extremely loyal and loving comrade to any of his many rebel friends. Few movie sounds are as memorable as Chewie’s deafening roar.

6

Xenomorph

Image: Hossam el-Hamalawy, CC BY 2.0

First things first: In case you didn’t know, the titular alien species in the " Alien " film series does have a name. Well, sort of. These jet-black monstrosities are actually known as the Xenomorph . However, should you ask an etymology aficionado about what this Ancient Greek word actually means, the answer would simply be "an alien or strange creature." So, in a way, these creatures can simply be called "Aliens.".

In any case, few extraterrestrials have instilled so much fear into the hearts of moviegoers: Their razor-sharp claws, amazing strength, and acidic blood definitively make them one of the most dangerous creatures in film history. In fact, only one fictional alien species has been able to stand their ground against the vicious Xenomorphs and, as luck would have it, they are the next entry on this list!

7

Predator

Image: Anderson Mancini from Sao Paulo, Brazil, CC BY 2.0

Way before the 2001 movie "Alien vs Predator" pitted these two science-fiction juggernauts against one another, the Predator had already established itself as the deadliest hunter in the galaxy. This alien race lives for one thing and one thing only: To prove their skills by tracking and hunting down the most dangerous and exquisite creatures.

The 1987 film "Predator" introduced the world to this cold-blooded hunter by placing him in a terrifying environment: The film follows Vietnam War veteran Major Dutch (played by Arnold Arnold Schwarzenegger) and his efforts to escape the Predator that’s hunting them in the deep jungle. However, the second Predator film saw an even more unnerving scenario: The Predator hunting down prey in the streets of Los Angeles.

8

Mr. Spock

Image: Wonderlane

Is Mr. Spock on this list? It seems only logical. In a list almost entirely comprised of extraordinary and bizarre creatures, it only took a set of pointy ears to turn actor Leonard Nimoy into one of the most instantly recognizable fictional aliens in history.

Mr. Spock has been a staple of the Star Trek universe since the very first episode of the original show aired in the 1960s. Spock quickly became a fan favorite: His highly logical brain, combat skills and passion for science made him extremely interesting to TV audiences. Not only that, Nimoy’s deep voice and magnetic personality added to the depth of this character.

9

Mars Attacks!

Image: Derpy CG

When audiences saw Tim Burton’s 1996 black comedy "Mars Attack!," they were quickly enthralled by the menacing yet funny-looking Martians attacking our country. However, few of them knew that these aliens were actually much older, dating back to a 1960s trading card game produced by Topps.

The lore established by the trading card series and the film is pretty much the same: One day, our planet finds itself invaded by a race of Martians hell-bent on taking over our planet. While the Earth is first unable to defend against their superior technology, our tenacity and grit allow us to battle these hideous space invaders.

10

Superman

Image: Esteban López

We’ll end this article with the last son of Krypton. Sometimes we tend to forget that Superman , a superhero believed by many to be the ultimate American icon, arrived on our planet as a baby from outer space. After his home planet was doomed, Kal-El’s biological father sent him far away across the galaxy, with his small vessel crash-landing into a small farm in Smallville, Kansas.

Baby Kal-El was found by Jonathan and Martha Kent, two farmers who instantly adopted him as their own child. Now known as Clark, the boy that would eventually become the "Man of Steel" found his powers at an early age, and set out to defend our world from all sorts of dangers.

1

Franklin

Image: Brett Wharton

Also known as the Free Republic of Franklin or the State of Frankland, this short-lived territory in eastern Tennessee declared independence from North Carolina in 1784. Its founders even petitioned Congress and appealed to Benjamin Franklin for support—hence the name—but it never gained official recognition.

By 1788, the movement had collapsed, and the area was reabsorbed into North Carolina before eventually becoming part of Tennessee in 1796. Today, the "State of Franklin" lives on mostly in U.S. law school exams as a fictional stand-in for a generic state —often where the imaginary property Blackacre is located.

2

Jefferson

Image: Shelby White

This proposed state has its origins in the 19th-century California Gold Rush, when settlers in the remote, resource-rich region between northern California and southern Oregon pushed for self-governance.

Though their efforts were largely ignored, the movement resurfaced over time. In 1941, frustrated locals staged a symbolic one-day secession. Armed men stopped traffic near Yreka, handing out a Proclamation of Independence declaring the State of Jefferson in "patriotic rebellion" and vowing to "secede every Thursday until further notice."

3

Deseret

Image: SoloTravelGoals

Proposed by Mormon settlers in 1849, the State of Deseret would’ve spanned a massive portion of the West. The name Deseret is derived from the word for "honeybee" in the Book of Mormon, and the vision was of a theocratic state encompassing parts of present-day Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and beyond.

Congress denied the proposal due to its size and religious nature, but a stone donated by Deseret’s supporters in 1853 was still placed in the Washington Monument.

4

Sequoyah

Image: MJ Tangonan

Proposed in 1905, this would’ve been a Native American–majority state in what is now eastern Oklahoma. Despite extensive lobbying by representatives of the Five Civilized Tribes, Congress refused, preferring a single Oklahoma Territory.

Despite its failure, the proposed state’s constitution left a lasting legacy —much of its content was later adopted into the Oklahoma Constitution.

5

Absaroka

Image: Michael Bourgault

Named after the Crow word for "children of the large-beaked bird," the State of Absaroka was proposed in 1939. Comprising parts of Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota, the idea emerged mainly as a protest against New Deal policies, which were deeply resented by the rural population.

Leaders of the movement even issued license plates, but the effort never gained serious traction and remained a largely symbolic gesture.

6

Westsylvania

Image: Matthew Lancaster

Proposed during the Revolutionary War, Westsylvania would have been a new state formed from the western parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania . Backwoods settlers, feeling neglected by distant colonial governments, sought self-governance.

However, Congress rejected the plan to avoid stirring further conflict during wartime.

7

Superior

Image: Mikaela Charette

With such a strong regional identity, it was perhaps inevitable that Michigan’s Upper Peninsula would eventually seek statehood. Efforts began as early as the 1850s and resurfaced repeatedly due to the region’s political and economic isolation.

Another proposed name for the state was Ontonagon. Despite these repeated attempts, the Upper Peninsula remained part of Michigan.

8

Lincoln

Image: K. Mitch Hodge

Named for Abraham Lincoln, this proposed state would have split the Texas Panhandle from the rest of the state. Throughout the 1860s and again in the 1880s, residents of the Panhandle and surrounding areas sought separation due to the region’s distance from Austin and cultural differences.

While none of the proposals gained enough federal support, residents of the area still feel distinct today and take pride in their unique identity.

9

Texlahoma

Image: Tommy Bond

Another failed attempt at carving out part of one of the largest states in the U.S., the State of Texlahoma would have—as its name suggests—combined portions of Texas and Oklahoma into a single state.

The push for autonomy was especially strong during the Dust Bowl, when a shared economy and perceived neglect by local governments united residents of both regions.

10

Columbia (D.C. Statehood)

Image: Heidi Kaden

Washington, D.C., has long been considered for statehood under the name of Columbia . Multiple bills and referenda have tried to turn the federal district into the 51st state, as residents pay federal taxes but lack voting representation in Congress.

Despite strong support among D.C. residents, the idea has yet to gain serious traction at the national level.