Top 20 Monster Movies of All Time
#20: “Cloverfield” (2008)
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The pre-release hype surrounding 2008’s “Cloverfield” did a lot to garner interest in the film prior to its theatrical release. However, this would’ve mattered little, if the end results hadn’t captured the imaginations of monster movie fans. This is why the reputation of “Cloverfield” has endured up to the present day, with various spinoffs set within this original movie’s shared universe. Director Matt Reeves, screenwriter Drew Goddard and producer J. J. Abrams were able to craft a compelling story of survival, set amidst the backdrop of an alien monster invasion of New York. “Cloverfield” may have been shot like a found footage film, but it stands today apart from this gimmick as a solid creature feature.
#19: “The Blob” (1958)
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Speaking of creature features, “The Blob” is a movie monster that’s survived a remake and reimaginings over the years, always coming out the other side intact. Err, well, as “intact” as a shapeless, shifting alien puddy monster can be, anyway. The original 1958 version of “The Blob,” “Beware! The Blob” from ’72 and the gory remake from 1988 all proved that moviegoers were hungry for some interstellar slime. The original “Blob” was notable for starring Hollywood icon Steve McQueen playing (welp) a “teenager,” and the movie theater scene where the titular creature attacks is almost certainly iconic. Meanwhile, the Blob’s all-consuming desire to, well, consume makes it a fearsome foe.
#18: “The Wolf Man” (1941)
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One simply cannot discuss the monster movie genre without mentioning the works of one titanic studio’s influence on the genre: Universal Pictures. Their back catalog is a veritable treasure trove of genre-defining works, and 1941’s “The Wolf Man” absolutely stands hairy-head-and-shoulders above the pack. Larry Talbot is sympathetic as both protagonist and antagonist. We feel bad for his tragic, lycanthropic curse, and we want to see him cured, even as the wolf within is taking lives throughout the film. Moreover, “The Wolf Man” is evocatively shot, well-paced and atmospheric as hell. It is, said quite simply, an all-time horror classic.
#17: “Let the Right One In” (2008)
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Vampires are among history’s all-time greatest monsters, right? And there’s also been no shortage of great films based upon their legend. 2008’s “Let the Right One In” arrived at a time where some freshening up was due, however, and it delivered exactly what was needed within the genre. “Let the Right One In” plays not only with vampiric folklore, i.e. the prerequisite invitation to a vampire, in order for them to enter one’s home. It also takes this title and speaks to the “letting in'' of others into the lives of the lonely and the outcast. The relationship between Eli and Oskar serves as the crux of “Let the Right One In,” just as much as the monstrous violence that occurs on screen.
#16: “Them!” (1954)
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Cinema of the 1950s, ‘60s and beyond were chock-full of irradiated animals that were just waiting to destroy a city and seriously ruin our day. Tarantulas, dinosaurs, lepuses (or is that lepi?) all crowded drive-in movie screens on date night, but 1954’s “Them!” is perhaps one of the best remembered. The film features giant atomic ants on the rampage, and it does a great job at capturing the collective imaginations of its audience. “Them!” is great fun, and probably not designed to be taken very seriously. Instead, this is popcorn, B-movie fare, but the BEST kind, the sort of flick designed to be enjoyed with friends and your favorite snack or junk food.
#15: “A Quiet Place” (2018)
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The horror and monster movie genres have certainly come a long way since the nuclear animal scare films of the 1950s. Today, the genre enjoys perhaps more prestige than ever, with many high-profile actors and directors playing within the confines of this creative sandbox. John Krasinski is one of these individuals, having helmed “A Quiet Place” back in 2018. The idea of a post-apocalypse haunted by deadly monsters that hunt by sound is an interesting one, and “A Quiet Place” achieved much within its final execution. Sure, the monsters probably could’ve been more imaginatively designed and rendered with practical effects, but the focus here is just as much on the human drama as the action set pieces.
#14: “Creature From the Black Lagoon” (1954)
Modern criticisms of golden age horror films often point to poor pacing as a reason for their disconnect with younger fans. Thankfully, 1954’s “Creature From the Black Lagoon” possesses no such pacing issues. The Gill-man here is on screen a LOT, and the audience doesn’t have to wait a long time to see his beautifully fishy face. Sure, the male leads are bland as hell, but the on-screen relationship between the Gill-man and Kay is where “Lagoon” truly shines. The underwater scenes in particular are wonderfully shot and possess an atmosphere all their own. If you’ve been reluctant to dip your toes in water of old-school horror, then let this “Black Lagoon” be your first trip into the deep end of the pool.
#13: “The Mist” (2007)
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“The Mist” is another horror film from the 2000s that could benefit from a modern remake with practical effects. That being said, the CGI from this 2007 adaptation of the Stephen King short story vacillates between “of the time” and “pretty freakin’ good.” There are some long shots where the creatures that dwell within the titular mist look gnarly and evocative-as-hell. [1] Meanwhile, Frank Darabont directs the human pathos of being trapped within a supermarket with the perfect amount of angst and anxiety. Finally, that gut punch of an ending will leave your jaw on the floor until the end of time.
#12: “Predator” (1987)
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The filmography of Arnold Schwarzenegger is full of stone-cold bangers, but “Predator” is one that looms large, even over Arnie’s enviable and storied career. Perhaps it’s because Schwarzenegger is aided by a capable and charismatic supporting cast, including Carl Weathers, Bill Duke and Jesse “The Body” Ventura. Or, maybe it’s the outstanding creature design, one that was adapted for multiple sequels and a prequel in the years following “Predator’s” initial success? The answer is, obviously, “all of the above,” since “Predator” is basically a perfect action film, featuring one of the most perfectly actualized and menacing monsters in the history of cinema.
#11: “An American Werewolf in London” (1981)
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There were two outstanding, genre-defining werewolf movies produced in 1981. One of them was Joe Dante’s “The Howling,” and the other was “An American Werewolf in London.” John Landis’s screenplay makes it a point to meld together comedy and horror in a way that never does a disservice to either genre. The movie’s soundtrack is full of moon puns, while the actual graphic content goes all the way with regards to extremity. The transformation sequence alone was enough to secure “An American Werewolf in London” a place within the hallowed halls of horror, thanks to the landmark special effects work of Rick Baker.
#10: “Dracula” (1931)
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Count Dracula is another character that’s been portrayed by many different actors, in many different ways. Some, like Sir Christopher Lee and Frank Langella, emphasized the Count’s romantic stateliness, while Max Schreck’s Count Orlok was an animalistic and feral take on the Dracula mythos. All of these performances can be gathered together under the banner of Bela Lugosi’s 1931 effort for Universal. This was a performance that, for many, codified the character for all time, from the walk to the talk. Throughout it all, “Dracula” the film and Dracula the character remain monsters. Regal, seductive monsters, perhaps, but always a creature of the night.
#9: “The Host” (2006)
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The résumé of director Bong Joon-ho is one that carefully mixes monster kid fandom with social satire and black comedy. And it almost always works. “Snowpiercer,” “Parasite” and “Memories of Murder” are just some of Bong at his very best, but it’s 2006’s “The Host” that perhaps best showcases the man’s genre pedigree. This is a film that pays just as much attention to the human drama and social commentary as it does the rampaging monster. And sure, the CGI for “The Host” hasn’t aged great, and would’ve been better served with practical monster effects, but the film as a whole hits all the right notes for something fresh and engaging for genre fans.
#8: “Frankenstein” (1931)
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Hey, what’s better? The humor of “Young Frankenstein,” or the more serious tone of “Bride of Frankenstein” and the OG? Well, why not both? Universal’s adaptation of the Mary Shelley novel not only went on to become one of the most iconic horror movies, full stop, but it also created an all-time image with the look of the Monster. All of the flowers belong to Boris Karloff for all the physicality he brought to the role, while the makeup and look of the Monster endures in all forms of media to this day. Meanwhile, “Frankenstein” the film is another Universal effort that’s perfectly paced, another example of why they call ‘em “classics” for a reason.
#7: “Jurassic Park” (1993)
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There’s a reason why the “Jurassic Park” franchise has endured through multiple sequels and a “World” reboot/refresh. Dinosaurs. Dinosaurs is the answer, of course, since these prehistoric beasts have fascinated us since we were all children. Yet, the OG “Jurassic Park” also never forgets to emphasize that these…are…monsters. They may be captivating monsters, yes, but the dinosaurs here in 1993 were presented as equally magical and dangerous. Speaking of magic, the combination of practical dinosaur effects and expertly-achieved CGI is something that works so well, far better than its timestamp, that’s for sure. It was the original and the best…[1]
#6: “The Fly” (1986)
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Director David Cronenberg has asked one, consistent question throughout his hallowed film career: “what could be more monstrous than the human body?” This narrative thread of “body horror” connects much of the man’s work, but perhaps nowhere was it best actualized than with his 1986 remake of “The Fly.” Themes of disease and the fear of aging all tie into the tragic results of an experiment gone horribly wrong. Seth Brundle, in an attempt to transport matter, accidentally melds his DNA with that of a common housefly. The end results of this accident are messy, goopy and horribly disgusting. The practical makeup effects here are off the charts, and the Brundlefly hybrid is so disgusting, that “The Fly” was made infamous and legendary almost overnight.
#5: “The Thing” (1982)
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John Carpenter’s 1982 horror game-changer was originally saddled with the tagline, “Man is the Warmest Place to Hide.” We actually really like this one more than what was later used on the film’s poster, “The Ultimate in Alien Terror,” because it better describes the horror and paranoia of alien assimilation. Carpenter’s remake of “The Thing from Another World” featured groundbreaking special effects that still look great today, a haunting, minimalist score from Ennio Morricone and a frozen atmosphere unlike any other. The relentless tension that ramps up as each of the crew stationed at this Antarctic outpost get taken, one by one, is harrowing. Then, the final and mysterious finale leaves us with more questions than answers. It’s brilliant.
#4: “Alien” (1979)
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“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” may have served as a fictional ambassador for every potential alien invasion out there in ’82, but aliens have often historically been represented as anything but cute ‘n cuddly. James Cameron’s “Aliens” from ’86 was the bug hunt to end all bug hunts, while the OG “Alien” from ’79 stresses that, in space, no one can hear you scream. This is pure, interstellar terror from director Ridley Scott, a horror film set in space with a relentless atmosphere and a cast full of interesting characters. Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley in particular set the bar high for a new breed of female lead that’s tough and more than capable of taking on any alien threat.
#3: “Jaws” (1975)
Some of the scariest monsters in the world don’t come from the world of fiction, but can live in our own backyards. After all, if the success of Shark Week has taught us anything, it’s that these toothy aquatic wonders can seriously obsess our creative minds. For some, the great white shark in “Jaws” is a thrill. For others, it’s a swimming nightmare. The image of its cold, dead eyes is haunting, and the reveal of the mechanical shark (nicknamed “Bruce” by the crew) is timed perfectly by director Steven Spielberg. Additionally, the character work of Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider elevate “Jaws” far beyond the trappings of genre cinema into the prized realms of an all-time classic.
#2: “King Kong” (1933)
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The character of King Kong is another that’s had some many great appearances over the course of film history. Its 1976 iteration was massive, while director Peter Jackson had a CGI go of it back in 2005. However, you just can’t beat the 1933 original. The special effects of the time weren’t just groundbreaking, but unequivocally definitive. The impact of “King Kong” was so huge that it effectively guided and inspired the careers of future industry titans like Ray Harryhausen. Speaking of “titans,” the legacy of Kong still lives on today within the modern MonsterVerse, proving that this old monkey just may outlive us all. Before we name our number one pick, here are some honorable mentions!
“The Mummy” (1932)
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“Gremlins” (1984)
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“Tremors” (1990)
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“The Descent” (2005)
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“Little Shop of Horrors” (1986)
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#1: “Godzilla” (1954)
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What can we say about the King of the Monsters that hasn’t already been said? The aforementioned Ray Harryhausen actually had a major influence on what would become “Godzilla” with his creature design for 1953’s “The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms.” However, Godzilla has clearly taken on a life of his own in the sixty-plus years since his debut, including an American reboot in 2014. The original “Godzilla” is an allegory for the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II, however, and it is played completely straight. There’s no monster mashes or flying drop kicks to be had here, but instead a haunting and serious allegory for the horrors of war.
