Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956)

Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956)

[4] Aliens in flying saucers contact a scientist about their plan to enslave all the humans of Earth! This atomic age flick is slow going until the last ten minutes, when effects pioneer Ray Harryhausen gets to destroy Washington D.C.…
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

[7] The residents of a small California town are slowly being replaced by otherworldly "pod people" and it's up to Kevin McCarthy and Carolyn Jones to warn the rest of the world about the invasion. This original film version is…
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)

The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)

[5] This monster romp was the first solo effort by effects wizard Ray Harryhausen. All the stop-motion animation has the usual Harryhausen charm, including a famous scene where the dinosaur rages down Wall Street and chomps on a policeman. Unfortunately,…
Them! (1954)

Them! (1954)

[6] Often regarded the best of the atomic age 'giant critter' flicks, Them! is best in the beginning, during two police officers' discovery of a little girl roaming the desert in a catatonic state. Looking for her family, they come…
Matinee (1992)

Matinee (1992)

[7] John Goodman stars as a schlock filmmaker previewing his latest atomic horror flick during the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The script by Charlie Haas draws clunky parallels between the real life threat of nuclear destruction and the…
It Came from Beneath the Sea (1955)

It Came from Beneath the Sea (1955)

[5] This atomic-age monster movie features a giant octopus that attacks San Francisco. With the help of special effects maestro Ray Harryhausen, the creature topples some skyscrapers and whacks a piece out of the Golden Gate bridge. Unfortunately, the visual…
The Blob (1958)

The Blob (1958)

[6] A meteorite crashes to Earth, carrying a blob of jelly that grows exponentially by devouring everyone in its path. The original Blob movie is charming in a retro-gitchy way, even if you never buy then 28-year old Steve McQueen…
The Creature Walks Among Us (1956)

The Creature Walks Among Us (1956)

[3] The Gill Man's second sequel starts off okay and gets progressively worse. It's cool enough while a team of scientists are hunting the Creature, especially when they catch him on fire (the highlight scene of the movie), but once…
The Werewolf (1956)

The Werewolf (1956)

[5] A car crash victim (Steven Ritch) is injected with wolf serum by experimenting scientists and before long, hirsute hijinks ensue. This werewolf flick from prolific B-movie producer Sam Katzman plays up the emotional and psychological angles better than most,…
H.G. Wells’ First Men in the Moon (1964)

H.G. Wells’ First Men in the Moon (1964)

[7] A British couple and a mad scientist embark on the world's first trip to the moon and end up getting more than they bargained for in this colorful fantasy featuring visual effects and animation by Ray Harryhausen. First Men…