When it comes to genre mash-ups, sci-fi and horror remain a fan favorite, and one that has proven difficult to approach; for every Alien and The Thing, there are hundreds of failed attempts by filmmakers to make a name in the subgenre. Much of the most acclaimed sci-fi horror originates from the ’80s and beyond, with the genre continuing to evolve today. However, there has been a push to meld the two genres together since the 1930s. To highlight pioneering films, entertaining outings, and cult gems in the sci-fi horror genre, we will examine pre-1980s films that remain worth watching today.
Here are 10 great sci-fi horror movie hybrids that came out before the year 1980.
‘Frankenstein’ (1931)
Based on the 1818 novel by Mary Shelley, Frankenstein follows a brilliant and obsessive scientist, the titular Dr. Frankenstein, looking to defeat death by reanimating dead matter. His experiment causes him to create a monster, played by Boris Karloff, who struggles with his own identity. A kind soul trapped in the body that terrifies all those who come across him, the Monster soon finds himself the target of the nearby villagers.
The First Fully Realized Sci-Fi Horror Film
You can’t not mention the landmark of both horror and sci-fi that was James Whale’s Frankenstein when talking about the genre. The movie set the template for the creature feature genre and remains deeply ingrained in pop culture, with the mad scientist and his misunderstood creature showing up in multiple forms of media as a nod to the film. Out of all the Universal Monsters, Frankenstein is only really rivaled by Dracula in popularity and notoriety. With all the time that has passed, the movie is still worth revisiting to help frame the history of the horror film.
‘Island of Lost Souls’ (1932)
Based on H.G. Wells’ novel The Island of Dr. Moreau, Island of Lost Souls follows shipwreck survivor Edward Parker, who finds himself on a remote island overseen by the enigmatic on a remote island run by the mysterious Dr. Moreau. Parker soon discovers that the doctor is conducting bizarre experiments, making human-animal hybrids.
“Are We Not Men?”
Subject matter like vivisection and biological tampering still carries a degree of taboo in the arts, and in the 1930s, the film was seen as highly provocative for that reason. Still, Island of Lost Souls would prove to be highly influential in the sci-fi horror landscape and integral to pop culture with lines like “Are we not men?” The prosthetic work was also remarkable for the time. The Island of Lost Souls has only garnered greater appreciation over time, for its atmospheric and transgressive approach that still makes for a thrilling sci-fi horror viewing experience.
‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’ (1956)
Taking place in the small town of Santa Maria, Invasion of the Body Snatchers sees psychiatrist Dr. Miles Bennell (Kevin McCarthy) become a witness to the townsfolk being replaced by alien creatures. Exact duplicates that lack the emotions of people, Miles struggles to convince others of their existence, but is able to gather a small group to help him fight against the impending invasion.
An Invasion From Within
Invasion of the Body Snatchers presented an innovative take on the sci-fi horror genre, blending themes of identity loss, conformity, and societal control in a way that echoed Cold War-era anxieties more effectively than the numerous other sci-fi films of the era. Moreover, the film mystified viewers as one of the first productions to end on an ambiguous note about the events that occurred, a device that is now commonplace in both sci-fi and horror. While 1978’s Invasion of the Body Snatchers is often regarded as the best adaptation of Jack Finney’s work, the 1956 version deserves equal acclaim for its innovative approach to the genre.
‘Fiend Without a Face’ (1958)
After a series of bizarre deaths occur that see the victims with their brains and spinal cords missing, Major Jeff Cummings is tasked with trying to discover the source of the attacks. This brings him to local scientist, Professor Walgate, whose experiments with telekinesis inadvertently created invisible creatures with a thirst for brains.
Flying Brains on the Loose
While overly simplistic by today’s standards, the stop-motion work to create the killer floating brains in Fiend Without a Face was inventive for the time and seen as shockingly gory; now it is enjoyably silly. The movie still stands as an entertaining blend of body horror and ‘evil science’ with the obligatory anti-nuclear commentary and paranoia that dominated much of Cold War-era science fiction. Don’t go in expecting much beyond flying brains eating brains, and Fiend Without a Face is a blast.
‘Planet of the Vampires’ (1965)
Two spaceships, the Argos and the Galliot, receive a distress call and plan the rescue of a crashed ship. However, after landing, both crews turn violent as if possessed, with only a few survivors from the Argos able to escape with their lives. Captain Markary escapes with a few survivors, but as they investigate the fog-filled planet, their numbers start dwindling, picked off by a mysterious force. By the time the captain learns that they are under attack by alien forces trying to take over human bodies to escape their dying planet, the chance of escape seems impossible.
Vampires in the Mist
From one of the most influential and equally under-celebrated horror directors of all time, Mario Bava, Planet of the Vampires thrives in its dark and brooding Gothic atmosphere, which the Italian auteur excelled at crafting. While the movie may carry some unintentional cheese as Bava ventured into the sci-fi realm, the film has nonetheless endured thanks to its unique premise and haunting visuals. Moreover, Planet of the Vampires is often cited as influential on Alien, with a similar setup and execution; it is an interesting film to watch if you are a fan of Ridley Scott’s masterpiece.
‘Quatermass and the Pit’ (1967)
An excavation in the London Underground uncovers a surprising specimen of a mysterious metal object. What is considered by the military to be an unexploded WWII bomb, Professor Bernard Quatermass suspects may be of alien origin. Discovering the remains of an alien inside, further experiments suggest that an alien species may have been integral to shaping modern society from the beginning of evolution. As the dig continues, chaos begins to spread in the form of widespread mass hysteria, forcing Quartermass to seek a solution.
A Pinnacle of British Sci-Fi Horror
The third film in the franchise, Quatermass and the Pit, is a stand-alone experience and easily the most revered of the Quatermass films. Ditching cheap thrills, the sci-fi horror classic instead took a more intellectual approach, using speculative science, archaeology, and psychology to build intrigue. At the same time, the movie offered up atmospheric tension and practical effects that were quite revolutionary for the time period; its appeal is in its smart story, but it should not be undersold as a fun sci-fi spectacle.
‘Goke, Body Snatcher from Hell’ (1968)
A mysterious electric shock strikes a commercial airliner carrying a wide range of passengers, forcing it to land on a remote island. The passengers take shelter in a remote mansion on the island, only to shortly learn that it is inhabited by a strange alien force known as Goke. Goke, able to possess people, uses his abilities to cause paranoia and fear among the group, leading to deadly infighting. The last few survivors must try to root out Goke if they hope to leave the island alive.
A Different Type of Body Snatcher
Goke, Body Snatcher from Hell is a hidden genre and cultural mash-up from Japan that feels way ahead of its time. The attempt to give the film a Western aesthetic results in truly unique visuals (surreal and psychedelic) and a fresh take on sci-fi and horror that has not dulled with time. While many fans of classic sci-fi may have overlooked the feature as an international release, it remains one of the most interesting and notable mash-ups of sci-fi and horror to emerge from the ’60s.
‘The Omega Man’ (1971)
Scientist Robert Neville (Charlton Heston) believes he may be the last man left on Earth after biological warfare appears to have wiped out humanity. Neville attempts to survive in an abandoned Los Angeles, scrounging for food and fighting off human-mutant high breeds turned violent.
Setting the Groundwork for Post-Apocalyptic Cinema
Chatleton Heston navigating a decaying Los Angeles remains a harrowing spectacle decades after the film’s release, so much so that the film would set the groundwork for various post-apocalyptic movies to follow. Out of all the adaptations of I Am Legend by Richard Matheson, The Last Man on Earth (1964) remains the most faithful, and I Am Legend (2007) the most commercially successful. The Omega Man should not be overlooked for its influence in the sci-fi horror genre.
Alice, a professional interpreter, is faced with a sudden realization that she has completely forgotten the events of the previous week. Trying to figure out what happened, she begins to piece together clues while also experiencing visions of an abandoned space crew, which she believes stem from a film she watched as a child. As she closes in on what happened, visiting a coastal town where the locals recognize her, the visions of astronauts suffocating alone in space only intensify.
Dreaming of Death in Space
Psychological horror/mystery with a sci-fi twist is a mash-up rarely seen, particularly before the 1980s; the 1975 Italian film Footprints on the Moon delivers just that. Blurring the line between reality and fiction, with actor Florinda Bolkan perfectly portraying a conflicted and unreliable narrator, the movie may not fit the bill for those seeking alien threats or science gone wrong. Still, Footprints on the Moon offers an unusual match-up of genres, all packaged with that sharp ’70s Italian horror aesthetic, which has garnered it a dedicated cult following.
‘Alien’ (1979)
The crew of the commercial towing spaceship Nostromo is awakened from cryosleep on their return to Earth due to a distress call picked up by a nearby ship. Upon investigation, they discover a derelict ship filled with eggs. When one hatches and attacks one of their crew, they bring them on board to treat them, unaware of the horrific predatory alien life they have brought onto their ship.
Quintessential and Genre Defining Sci-fi Horror
Given the film’s profound influence on the sci-fi horror landscape in the ’80s and beyond, it is easy to forget that it is, in fact, a 1979 film. Right on the cusp of the new decade of cinema, its iconic monster design, giving a definitive vision of what the perfect mash-up of sci-fi and horror should be, as well as delivering one of the best leads in the history of the genre in Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley, is all pure perfection even decades after its release. Many modern-day fans of sci-fi horror owe their obsession to Alien and the works inspired by it—one of the best sci-fi horror films of all time and an absolute must-watch.