Science Fiction
Science fiction as a genre of film making has been an element of the cinema experience since the earliest days of the motion picture industry. These films have explored a great range of unique topics, including many that cannot be readily presented in other genre. Science fiction films have been used to explore sensitive social and political issues, while often providing an entertaining story for the more casual viewer. Today, science fiction films are in the forefront of new special effects technology, and the audience has become accustomed to displays of realistic aliens, space battles, energy weapons, faster than light travel, and distant worlds.
This genre has produced many memorable films, as well as a number that can be considered mediocre or even among the worst examples of film production. It took many decades, and the efforts of talented teams of film producers, for the science fiction film genre to be taken seriously as an art form by many critics. The very best of these films may be scrolled below, or for Sci-Fi TV Series, select the green 'Televison Shows' heading on left, and then the 'TV Sci-Fi' option.
20 Million Miles to Earth (1957)
6.4/10
Director: Nathan Juran
Starring: William Hopper, Joan Taylor, Frank Puglia
Dazzling special effects by Ray Harryhausen highlight this thrilling sci-fi extravaganza about a Venusian monster who wreaks havoc in Italy. On its wa... Read more
The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)
7.7/10
Director: Jack Arnold
Starring: Grant Williams, Randy Stuart, April Kent
One of the best science-fiction films of the 50's, The Incredible Shrinking Man is a gripping and thought-provoking classic. Scott Carey (Grant Willia... Read more
Fiend Without A Face (1957)
6.3/10
Director: Arthur Crabtree
Starring: Marshall Thompson, Kim Parker, Terence Kilburn
An effective chiller with overtones of the 'Id' creature from 'Forbidden Planet' as a scientific thought experiment goes awry and the fiends go on a f... Read more
Indestructible Man & The Amazing Transparent Man (Double Feature) (1956)
6.3/10
Director: Jack Pollexfen, Edgar G Ulmer
Starring: Lon Chaney Jr, Marian Carr, Marguerite Chapman, Douglas Kennedy, James Griffith
Indestructible Man: 1956. Charles "The Butcher" Benton, a brutal death row inmate gets double-crossed by his crooked lawyer. He gets his chance for re... Read more
Warning from Space (1956)
4.4/10
Director: Koji Shima
Translated into English, the title of this Japanese sci-fi endeavor is Unknown Satellite over Tokyo. The extraterrestrials on this occasion are weirdl... Read more
1984 (1956)
7/10
Director: Michael Anderson
Starring: Donald Pleasence, Edmond O'Brien, Jan Sterling, Michael Redgrave
George Orwell's landmark novel is the basis of this eerie, darkly satiric tale whose futuristic world is divided into three sections following an atom... Read more
Earth vs the Flying Saucers (Blu-ray) (1956)
6.4/10
Director: Fred F Sears
Starring: Hugh Marlowe, Joan Taylor, Donald Curtis
A B film elevated to near classic status with stunning special effects by Ray Harryhausen. After misinterpreting a message for peace from the initiall... Read more
Earth vs the Flying Saucers (1956)
6.4/10
Director: Fred F Sears
Starring: Hugh Marlowe, Joan Taylor, Donald Curtis
A B film elevated to near classic status with stunning special effects by Ray Harryhausen. After misinterpreting a message for peace from the initiall... Read more
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
7.8/10
Director: Don Siegel
Starring: Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Larry Gates
The original sci-fi classic that combined outer space terror with Cold War paranoia. A small California town is under siege from alien "pods" that tur... Read more
The Phantom From 10,000 Leagues / Attack of the Giant Leeches (1956)
Director: Dan Miller, Bernard L Kowalski
Starring: Cathy Downs, Kent Taylor, Ken Clark, Yvette Vickers
A sci-fi schlock double feature. "The Phantom from 10,000 Leagues" (1956) - An atomic powered part alligator/part turtle mutant gobbles up fishermen a... Read more