Men in Black is a science fiction comedy media franchise that originated with the Malibu/Marvel comic book of the same name created by American author Lowell Cunningham.

The franchise focuses on the titular non-governmental organization which monitors and regulates paranormal and alien activity on Earth while preventing civilians from finding out about it.

The Men in Black as shown in the movies is a secret organization devoted to policing and monitoring extraterrestrial activity on Earth.

The Men in Black, founded in the U.S. in the mid-1950s, began as a small and poorly funded government organization devoted to making contact with extraterrestrial life known as the Baltians.

It was decided to make Earth an apolitical zone for aliens without a planet, and the organization broke its government ties to become the Men in Black, which became the force to conceal and police the aliens that came to Earth, no longer answerable to the government and therefore not obligated to answer any questions or respond to outside demands.

No longer receiving federal funding from the government, the MIB are supported by the patents they hold on various confiscated alien innovations, including liposuction, the microwave oven, and velcro.

Their standard operating day is based on Centaurian time, which lasts 37 hours, 16 of which an agent must spend on duty.

The Men in Black are a secret organization that monitors and suppresses paranormal activity on Earth (including aliens, demons, monsters, and mutants), while keeping the populace ignorant of its happenings.

The film saw Smith and Jones reprise their roles, with Josh Brolin and Jemaine Clement joining the cast.

Barry Sonnenfeld, Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith have expressed interest in a possible Men in Black 4.

In 2002, a video game partially based on the second film was released, titled Men in Black II: Alien Escape.