Following World War II, new enemies emerged that couldn't be seen, such as the atom and the fear of the unknown. Science fiction films became metaphors for these fears, taking many forms. Movies featured giant bugs, inanimate objects, and even everyday life as terror. Space travel required imagination, with early films like Destination Moon and Rocketship X-M exploring its implications. Encounters with aliens ranged from benign, like Klaatu, to aggressive, posing a danger to humanity.
Watch the Skies!: Science Fiction, the 1950s and Us
Iconic directors Stephen Spielberg, George Lucas, Ridley Scott, and James Cameron reflect on the groundbreaking science fiction films of the 1950s, revealing how they shaped their own cinematic journeys.
