Monsters vs. Aliens is a 2009 American animated science fiction comedy film directed by Conrad Vernon and Rob Letterman and written by Letterman, Maya Forbes, Wally Wolodarsky, Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger. Produced by DreamWorks Animation, this movie marked the inaugural installment in the franchise. The film features voice acting from Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Kiefer Sutherland, Rainn Wilson, Paul Rudd, and Stephen Colbert. The narrative centers on a group of unconventional monsters enlisted by the U.S. Armed Forces to prevent an extraterrestrial invasion and safeguard Earth, with freedom as their reward for success.