WHERE TRADITION MEETS TERROR
We believe that the power of horror lies not only in its ability to thrill and frighten but also in its capacity to reflect the complexities and diverse experiences of humanity.
Creepy Creatures Unleashed: my Top 10 Creature Features of the 1950s
From eerie folklore to contemporary nightmares, these must-watch movies provide a haunting glimpse into Indigenous perspectives on fear and the supernatural.
There’s never a time I can remember that I didn’t love horror films. Some of my earliest memories are watching horror TV and movies while peeking from behind the couch or pillow, always watching through my hands in case I got too scared. I must confess, my guilty pleasure is really bad creature features, which probably stems from my love of old 50s horror films.
The 1950s was an exciting era for horror, marked by a blend of sci-fi-infused terror, psychological intrigue, and the emergence of iconic classic monsters like the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
After World War II, which gave rise to the Atomic Age, societal fears, distrust, and paranoia manifested on the silver screen, immersing audiences in a world where prehistoric beasts, atomic mutations, and extraterrestrials lurked around every corner. From the ocean’s dark depths to the far reaches of outer space, these films brought larger-than-life creatures to the forefront, offering a fun and thrilling mix of horror, science fiction, and suspense, which ultimately fueled my passion for creature features. Here are my top 10 favorite creature features from the ’50s.
1. Creature From the Black Lagoon
Directed by Jack Arnold, this classic Universal monster film follows a scientific expedition that encounters a terrifying amphibious creature lurking in the Amazon River.
2. Tarantula
Directed by Jack Arnold, this film focuses on the growth of a giant spider as a result of a scientific experiment gone wrong, terrorizing a small town.
3. The Monster That Challenged the World
Directed by Arnold Laven, this film presents giant mollusks unleashed by an earthquake in the Salton Sea, threatening the nearby community.
4. The Deadly Mantis
Directed by Nathan Juran, this film follows the rampage of a giant praying mantis that is revived from the Arctic ice and poses a threat to civilization.
5. THEM!
Directed by Gordon Douglas, this film depicts the horrifying consequences of atomic radiation as giant irradiated ants wreak havoc on the population.
6. The Creature Walks Among Us
Directed by John Sherwood, this sequel to “The Creature from the Black Lagoon” follows the capture and subsequent scientific experimentation on the creature.
7. The Giant Gila Monster
Directed by Ray Kellogg, this low-budget film features a giant gila monster wreaking havoc on a small Texas town.
8. The Black Scorpion
Directed by Edward Ludwig, this creature feature showcases giant scorpions emerging from a volcano, terrorizing Mexico City.
9. It Came From Outer Space
Directed by Jack Arnold, this science fiction horror film tells the story of an alien spacecraft that crashes in the desert, leading to a series of mysterious occurrences.
10. The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms
Directed by Eugène Lourié, this film showcases a prehistoric dinosaur awakened by an atomic bomb and wreaking havoc in New York City.
