Futurism logo

Old Sci-Fi Movies Everyone Should Watch

Some of the best and most inspirational stories in science fiction have evolved out of these old sci-fi movies everyone should watch, the vintage classics before 1969!

By Ryan EppsPublished 6 years ago 5 min read
Like

Let's face it, almost 8 percent of movies nowadays are pretty bad, or don't hold a candle up to the works provided by some of the greatest filmmakers: Stanley Kubrick, Fritz Lang, Steven Spielberg, or even H. G. Wells, for that matter.

Most modern films take up themes, plots, scenes, angles, dialogues, and more from these classics. While they may not have the same dazzling special effects that we have today, these stories, characters, and settings are some of the most audacious for their periods and highlight specific issues of their time with a sci-fi twist.

Not only did these movies spellbind the audience of their time, some even frightened viewers, or made them believe (for some odd reason) that they were really happening, as is the case for the H. G. Wells' radio program, "The War of the Worlds."

For the people of their day, vintage science fiction will never go out of style. It's history, the old sci-fi movies everyone should watch cater to all of the senses, allow for the ability of time travel, and will launch you far from this tiny blue speck. Make sure you can find your way back to the present...

The quintessential vintage classic (ironically, because it's one of the first films ever made), A Trip to the Moon is unlike any experience you have ever been a part of in film.

Simply put, this addition to the old sci-fi movies everyone should watch portrays a group of astronomers as they venture to the moon. Of course, as you might expect, their crash landing on the barren, crater-filled satellite is anything but smooth.

He's the King of Monsters, God of Destruction, a skyscraper-tall behemoth of a beast that resembles a t-rex on steroids. In this 1954 vintage Japanese film, originally titled Gojira, Godzilla is born thanks to the meddling Americans' and their experimental nuclear tests in the Pacific.

As always, the monstrous demon attacks and destroys Japan in an all out rage. Especially for its classical portrayal of this beastly villain, plus being best in the top Japanese sci-fi films, Godzilla is among old sci-fi movies everyone should watch.

With one of the most ominous concepts in sci-fi, in addition to being emulated throughout film for years to come, the 1951 version of The Day the Earth Stood Still is by far among old sci-fi movies everyone should watch.

Anyone can enjoy this irresistibly suspenseful film that depicts an alien's arrival on Earth, only to demand that humans remain peaceful. According to this new arrival, human kind is a danger to the galaxy for its incredible thirst for self-destruction. Honestly, terrific film with a complex plot that can't be beat.

Not only is Invasion of the Body Snatchers one of the old sci-fi movies everyone should watch, it's also among classic 1950s sci-fi movies. If you like the contemporary Ridley Scott Alien series, you'll love this one.

It's also got an insane plot, one that surrounds a small town as it's plunged into alien hands. A doctor begins to see the truth; his neighbors and other townsfolk are being replaced by highly sophisticated alien duplicates. Can he save the town, or is everybody doomed to be snatched?

Probably the oldest film on this list, beside A Trip to the Moon, Metropolis is also one of the most revered in terms of science fiction. As you might guess from the name, the story follows a futuristic city in which a sort of Romeo and Juliet type pf plot unfolds.

Divided by a dualistic class system, separating city planners between the working class, Metropolis is soon challenged by a love shared between the son of its creator and the daughter of a working class prophet. It's among old sci-fi movies everyone should watch, and a classic in its own right that spins the Shakespearian trope into a science fiction legend.

One of the most notable top 1960s movies, 2001: A Space Odyssey is also one of the greatest sci-fi films ever released, obviously among old sci-fi movies everyone should watch simply because it's that enjoyable on a multitude of levels.

Meet Hal 3000, a lovely supercomputer and flight navigations system for the astronauts embarking on an interstellar voyage into unknown and unfathomable realms. With some of the greatest cinematography, sounds, dialogue and character development in film history, 2001: A Space Odyssey is one adventure you don't want to miss.

Similar in theory to Alien or Event Horizon, Forbidden Planet also tells the story of a response-less planetary colony that seemingly vanishes from the galaxy. Sent to investigate this mysterious silence, one starship stumbles upon two survivors when traversing the surface.

One of these survivors has a dark secret, but who? Forbidden Planet has a mixture of humor, suspense, horror, and action all in one amazing vintage tale that belongs in the old sci-fi movies everyone should watch.

Strangely similar to reality in many levels, Things to Come is an interesting take on the future in a time when war and political censorship brewed in a swirl of global corruption. H. G. Wells, as he so expertly does time and time again, drafts one of the best old sci-fi movies everyone should watch.

This movie tells the story of a decades-long Second World War, which leads to the inevitable hunt for sophisticated space travel. As this so-called 'rational' new order attempts to rebuild the long-devastated society, interstellar travel intensifies at an alarming rate.

The Thing from Another World is rather underrated among vintage classics and sci-fi movies, in general. It's got your fear factor, intense action, and that necessary level of otherworldly thrills, putting it up there among old sci-fi movies everyone should watch.

When the arrival of an unknown creature sparks a world wide panic, members of the Air Force and scientific communities travel to a remote outpost in the arctic. There, they hope, the destruction of this bloodthirsty, alien thing can be administered, but will this effort be enough?

Jeff Goldblum stars in the 1986 remake of this insane thrill ride down one scientist's horrifying transformation from human to monster. The classic 1958 version is even more terrifying, with its dark tones and vintage look, it almost feels real.

Starting from the end, The Fly first shows Mrs. Delambre in conversation with a police investigator as she goes over the previous few months-worth of events that led to her husband's demise. A scientist and inventor of an experimental teleportation device, Andre Delambre's final few months of life make for one of the strangest, yet still classic among old sci-fi movies everyone should watch.

When an unidentifiable organism begins to consume everything in its wake without any notion of stopping, the citizens of one small town turn a blind eye to the mess; believing, instead, their own gut that this make believe nonsense is nothing but a teenager's prank.

Irresistible among vintage films, and another perfect example of how complex a sci-fi plot can get when put to the test, The Blob comes highly recommended. It's among old sci-fi movies everyone should watch, giving fans of science fiction a true monster that should be explored more today with our enhanced special effects.

movie review
Like

About the Creator

Ryan Epps

A cosmic adventurer rendering wayward letters into infinite lengths of conception and prose, like quantum streams of pneumatic information

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.