18 Best Sci-Fi Movies of the 1950s

This 1951 black-and-white sci-fi film tells the story of a humanoid alien visitor, Klaatu, who comes to Earth, along with a robot ,to deliver an important message, and to rescue to Earth from the greatest threat. 

Strange seeds drift to Earth from outer space, and they cause mysterious pods to grow in California. Soon, some of the human beings start behaving like robots. One doctor takes note of this, and soon other people begin to make similar observations. It soon becomes apparent that the pods have been replicating the residents into emotionless automatons one body at a time.

Forbidden Planet is a science fiction adventure thriller film which revolves around a starship crew that decides to investigate the silence of a distant planet’s colony. They soon find that only two survivors are remaining, along with a robot.

The Incredible Shrinking Man is a science fiction horror film which revolves around a businessman named Scott, who is on a vacation by boat, along with his wife Louise. Things get ugly when he is exposed to harmful chemicals, which causes him to shrink in size. As he continues to grow smaller and smaller, survival becomes difficult for him.

Japanese Kaiju film depicts a sudden appearance of dinosaur-like giant monster that destroys ships and villages on Odo Island. Paleontologist Yamane reaches there to investigate. The attempts to kill it fail because the apparently indestructible Gojira is result of American nuclear weapon testing. Yamane’s colleague and reclusive scientist Serizawa has developed a powerful device, but can he be convinced to use it? 

Gifted chemist Sidney Stratton, obsessed with the idea of inventing everlasting fiber, loses several jobs for demanding expensive research equipment. Finally he succeeds and develops a white suit out of fiber that doesn’t stain or wear off. Though initially heralded as a great inventor, soon mill-owners and workers, who realize the threat to their livelihood, try to suppress the inventor and his invention.

In 1866, Professor Pierre M Aronnax and his assistant come across reports of a giant sea monster that is attacking ships in the Pacific Ocean. They are asked to investigate the disappearances, and therefore they set out on an expedition. But soon they discover that the monster is actually an advanced submarine, the Nautilus, commanded by Captain Nemo.   

Them! is a sci-fi horror film which revolves around common ants who mutate into giant man-eating monsters after the atomic tests in New Mexico. Meanwhile, General O’Brien, along with few others, attempts to take them down, and rescue any survivors.

While an alien invasion threatens the future of the human race, an American man Ray Ferrier struggles to survive the catastrophic nightmare, along with his family.   

The Thing from Another World is a science fiction horror film which tells the story of a US Air Force crew and scientists who find a flying saucer and a humanoid body in the Arctic ice. However, things take an ugly turn when the alien creature is accidentally defrosted and they have no other option but to defend themselves from it.   

The Fly is a science fiction horror drama film which tells the story of Andre, a scientist, who invents a teleportation device. However, things take an ugly turn and he meets with a terrible accident, as a fly enters his device.  This transforms him into a strange creature, which is a human-fly hybrid.

On the Beach is a science fiction film which takes us to 1964, where a third World War has caused total destruction of the World’s Northern Hemisphere, where nuclear fallout has eliminated the life of all humans. Meanwhile, survivors in Australia detect a signal coming from the West Cost of the US.  

Journey to the Center of the Earth is a science fiction adventure film which revolves around a geologist and his assistant who decide to go on an expedition to find the center of the Earth. The travel to a volcano in Iceland, from where they plan to begin their journey. Two other people decide to join them, but problem arises when a rival scientist decides to follow them as well.

Baron Victor Frankenstein, trying to evade execution for murder, recounts his life-story to a priest. After inheriting his family estate, Frankenstein appoints Krempe as tutor and later they carry experiments to bring dead creatures to life. However, Krempe withdraws when Frankenstein starts assembling parts from different human corpses. The creature that he brings to life turns disobedient and violent, and lands Frankenstein in trouble.   

Creature from the Black Lagoon is a science fiction horror film which revolves around a strange prehistoric beast, which has been lurking in the depths of the Amazonian jungle. A group of explorers on a scientific expedition manage to capture the mysterious creature, but things take a turn after it manages to escape, and manages to kidnap Kay, the fiancée of one of the scientists.

Monkey Business is a comedy film which tells the story of a scientist who is able to develop the elixir of life, which can help adults become young once again. Things get hilarious when he and his wife actually drink it.  

The Blob is a science fiction horror film which tells the story of a young teen, who discovers that a monster has arrived in his town from outer space, that consumes everything in its path, as it continues to grow and grow.  

Various sightings of flying saucers landing near a cemetery in California, accompanied with strange occurrences, make the locals curious and afraid. When the aliens under Commander Eros and his assistant, Tanna, fail to stop humans from developing weapon that could destroy the universe, they put their ‘Plan 9’ in action and resurrect the dead in an attempt to take over the planet.