19 Movies that were the blueprints of the sci-fi genre

Modified Feb 06, 2025 06:01 ET

13. The War of the Worlds (1953)

The War of the Worlds | Image via Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers

This science fiction film officially premiered on 20th February (1953) under the direction of Byron Haskin. The film starring Gene Barry and Ann Robinson makes H.G. Wells' book visible through onscreen storytelling. During the film, Martians employ their sophisticated weapons against humanity thus causing Earth's inhabitants to fall into utter despair. The film won praise because of its unnervingly realistic effects along with its destruction sequences and sense of Cold War-era fear. The storytelling approach of the movie alongside its special effects established a framework that modern science fiction authors adopt when showing alien invasions.