[Competition: This list contains a competition - see the details at the bottom. Hot on the heels of our list of “serious” sci-fi films from the 50s, we are presenting a list of some of the best of the 60s – containing some of my own personal favorite movies. In a decade where sci-fi offerings ranged from the truly bad (Santa Claus Conquers the Martians) to the laughably stupid (Barbarella), there were actually plenty of worthy serious standouts, including three of the all-time greats. Please note that this is a list of “great” 60s movies, not “the greatest” (although if it were the latter, numbers 1, 2 and 3 would remain where they are).
The Van Allen radiation belt has caught on fire and a US nuclear sub attempts to extinguish the “skyfire.” Although the science is thoroughly discredited (the Van Allen belt had recently been discovered and the science in the movie was largely speculation), the story told in Voyage remains popular.
In this adaptation of the Bradbury classic, “firemen” are employed to burn books in a dystopian future. Fascinating note: According to Bradbury — who naturally knew better than anyone else! — the novel was about how television destroys interest in books. But fans and English teachers have continually claimed that it was about censorship.
Fugitives stumble upon a secret facility filled with children engineered to be released “when the time is right.” This initially heavily-censored British film starts slow but the ultimate premise is creepy.
This short French film features a post-nuclear war world that sends people back in time to recover food, medicine, etc. One of the time travelers seeks to know what happened during a violent incident in the past. The Bruce Willis/Brad Pitt vehicle The Twelve Monkeys drew heavily from this film.
A mentally retarded man receives experimental treatments to make him smarter. Cliff Robertson won a best actor Oscar for his performance.
Marooned is a terrific original and fictional story of an emergency in space during the Apollo program. If you liked Apollo 13, you should see this earlier work, released four months after the first moon landing. Hokey in parts, but well worth seeing.
Alphaville is an intriguing French film that combines film noir with a harsh dystopian world where an artificial intelligence rules Paris by outlawing all emotion and free thought.
While some parts are utterly illogical—for example, wouldn’t certain “abandoned” items returned to normal size, thus killing the patient?—on the whole, Fantastic Voyage is a fun and fascinating romp.
The first version of Richard Matheson’s novel “I Am Legend” was quite good. Vincent Price plays the title protagonist in this Italian film, a scientist who hunts vampires by day and tries to find a cure to the plague by night. Not to be outdone until Will Smith’s 2007 version.
A somewhat more faithful adaptation of an H.G. Wells’ novel than 1953’s War of the Worlds, 1960’s The Time Machine adds some contemporary elements to produce a notable, entertaining and thrilling adventure through time. I love the last part where the time traveler’s friend, Philby, wonders what books you would take to the future to begin civilization anew.
“Get your dirty stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape!” OK, if you don’t know that line nor know of this movie’s shocking surprise ending, you NEED to watch this film. It’s far superior to any of its sequels (with the exception of “Conquest”) and the 2000 Tim Burton version. It’s different from the original novel, yet iconic in its own right.
You knew this would be number 1, didn’t you? It’s the granddaddy of all “serious” sci-fi movies and resides on a level far above most other sci-fi movies of any decade.
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Contributor: STL Mo
Nice list, and yes, we knew it would be Odyssey in the 1st spot
awesome list
kewl!
Of course, 2001: A Space Odyssey. I still love it, even after seeing it too many times.
The one that interested me most on this list was Fahrenheit 451. Never seen the movie or read the book (and I’m a huge fan of reading EVERYTHING, what a bugger, right?)
I’ve also been meaning to try and watch The Last Man on Earth, maybe I’ll get to that and Fahrenheit 451 ASAP!
Thanks for the list.
Hmm, never heard of 10 though 6. But I love 5 through 1. So it’s a great list as far as I’m concerned.
Haven’t heard of a lot of these but they look great! I’ll have to check them out next time I hit up Blockbuster.
Don’t forget that when you buy a DVD from a list you help Listverse
As a developing Kubrick fan, I’m really looking forward to when I can get the chance to see 2001: A Space Odyssey. It looks phenomenal! I’m not much for science fiction, usually, but these movies all sound like ones that I’d like to see.
I also like Vincent Price; The Last Man on Earth is on my ‘to-watch’ list now as well.
Was The Damned the one where the children’s eyes glowed blue and they made people go crazy? I think I might have seen part of that, if I’m not thinking of Children of the Corn or something.
I need to rewatch all of these. It has been far to long since i saw most of them.
another science fiction list! there have been far too many
Definitely deserved first.
Though I have only seen Planet of the Apes and 2001, really should try some of those other movies.
Correct me if Im wrong, but isn’t “charly” the main character in the novel “Flowers for Algernon”. The book was so captivating, and as I recall, the movie didnt mention my favorite part! His love affair with “Fey” or something like that. Good book though.
Oh and great list, Are we counting down (or up) the decades?
I just finished reading Fahrenheit 451 and would love to see a movie for it. Side note: The book has way too many parts where emotions take up like 2 pages.
Love sci-fi lists! It would be interesting to see a list on 2000′s sci-fi movies or remakes…
Number 8 – Charly, is surely based on Flowers for Algeron by Daniel Keyes
Althought ive not seen the film im assuming is it from the brief description and the main protagonists name.
And i now realise after actually reading thru the comments that maximuz04 said the exact same thing just what i just did. Duh
Vintage-lace: at the risk of offending people who love remakes – I am not so sure the 2000s have given us any decent sci-fi films
I look forward to the best sci-fi films list that gives us blade runner!
sure did, and im still up too… hahahaha
The movie wasnt that great, but I might have seen the 2000 strait to TV version
jfrater, I strongly disagree, and for one very important reason.
I think the sci fi genre is one of few which rely on what the future holds right. On that note, what people think the future holds in the 60s, is way off from what we think now, since we have seen the changes in technology.
For this reason, sci fi is possibly the only genre which is anything but “timeless” and with new cine graphic technology, only gets better with time. Remakes or not, movies from the 2000s are far better, if nothing else because of better movie making technology, which is what sci fi is all about.
(sorry for the 3 posts, making a point)
Consider the model looking original star trek compared with the star ship fights of Deep space nine of voyager? No contest.
I recall in an old TNG episode where you can literally SEE the cables coming out of an apparent “levitating” robot… RIDICULOUS!
Space odyssey, a true classic miles ahead of its time
Happy new year! It just turned
I really dont get sci fi movies it all seems fake and overdone. I prefer reading sci fi. Sometimes
by my last comment I meant it was new year here – so happy new year to all southern hemispherians who are enjoying the champers right now!
Happy new year to New Zealand!!! I’m American but I will be ringing in the new year in Toronto for a change of pace. I also agree with the top 3… especially Kubrick at Number 1… Did anyone know that it is also the Pope’s favorite film?
paradoxo – if it is the pope’s favorite film it must be the best film ever as God has this deigned it
The only problem is… I forget if that list was Benedict’s or John Paul’s. I’m a terrible Catholic.
It is sad that I have only seen 1 of these films. I guess I better start watching the rest! I think #4 sounds really interesting. I enjoyed I Am Legend, but much prefer Vincent Price as an actor to Will Smith.
Odyssey is one of my all time favorite movies, in any genre.
While I agree that Barbarella is laughably stupid, I think it should be considered a classic based on the opening credits alone.
I could say that the picture chosen for Planet of The Apes spoils the “Shocking surprise ending” right there! oops! Did I say that?
What I meant was that “There is NO Ginormous floating Chimpman on the ocean’s horizon (Is there a name for the ocean’s horizon, by the way?anyone anyone?)
Absolutly no Ginormous Floating Chimpman Head in Planet of The Apes. Honest for real.
Favorite title of the bunch? Conquest OF THE Planet OF THE Apes! I luv the double ”of the”.
No mention to the kids that La Jette is made up of still photographs? It takes a different sensibility in viewing that is completely absent from today’s Sci-fi fare. Chris Marker is a cinematic poet. Still living and still politically active with a deep curiosity in the human being. Although I’ve never heard it stated, I think he may have played a major part in the collective known as “”La Mexicaine de Perforation”. The underground film group that literally were underground.
If the cultural undercurrent of 50’s sci-fi had something to do with the fear of the bomb, radiation, science beyond control or in the control of madmen, the fear of being attacked,ect.
Then 60’s sci-fi extended science of fear to science of exploration. internalizations and civilizations.
For me, reading 451F for english class at a young age, then viewing the movie afterwards in the same class. I was upset with how wrong the movie was., with the experience the words gave my imagination ..and whatayaknow, we watched it on a Tee Vee! So I say Truffaut Shmooffaut .
Then again, it wasn’t until I saw 2001 the third time (with many years apart) before I needn’t suffer through boredom. But.but but but. I hadn’t read the book before, then again both were made concurrently as a form of collabrotive effort.
and Alphaville does have it’s moments.
I can finally bring up Mario Bava’s Planet of The Vampires. It has the coolest black leather space suites ever and “Alien” pulled a lot from it. .. Has a slick *****iness that only the italians could do.
Should mention with Fantasic Voyage, Raquel Welch “Prrrrr prrr, meow”
Less than 16hours till 2009 over here.But heh, if there are others out there celebrating, maybe I should just go to work drunk? heh heh. Cheers. fireworks and all.
Interestingly enough i have not watched any of these movies yet. Ive seen some of the remakes, but not the originals. LOL. But I have read most of the relating books.
Nice list seen # 1 and 2.
Jfrater – I have a list of ’70s sci-fi films almost ready and am working on ones from the 80s and 90s. And I THINK Blade Runner might be on the 80s’ one SOMEWHERE….
Thanks for publishing these, and happy New Year!
I’ve seen most of these and love them all.
I saw Odessey when it first came out, at a matinee where the only people in the theatre were my friend and I and this old man who sat right behind us and ate luncheon meat out of a sack (No lie!) Weirdness.
The Last Man on Earth was a good movie, although I think Vincent Price was a bit too old for the part.
Farenheit 451 – The actor Oskar Werner, who played Montag, hated the director, François Truffaut, so much that he got his hair cut before the shooting of the final scene so the continuity would be screwed up.
The Time Machine (which I also saw in the theatre when it first came out) is my fave.
Diogenes – I agree and I struggled long and hard over it – but a 40 year old film shouldn’t need a spoiler warning surely?
it Is my favorite scene in the series
Woohoo, more sci-fi!!!
I, too, have to admit I hadn’t heard of any of these until #5.
As for 2001: A Space Odyssey, it should be without a doubt #1. It’s so captivating and it has such a high quality of film making, that I often forget it’s from the 60′s! Definitely ahead of its time.
Love Planet of the Apes, 2001 not so much. Maybe I should see it again, the one time I have, it did nothing for me.
I’ve seen most of these multiple times, but never Alphaville, Last Man on Earth, La Jette, or Charley. They are definitely on my list now.
Thanks to Planet of the Apes, I can’t watch the Posieden Adventure without imagining Cornelius the chimp running around the ship. It is Roddy McDowell’s signature roll. Heston may be the hero, but I think that McDowell is the soul of the movie.
Another great list! Now where do I start….
I have seen, read, or seen & read the majority of the list. Great Stuff!
Taze -The Damned was about a group of children being held in a government facilty and knew pretty much nothing of the outside world. They are discovered by a couple who attempt to free them and in the process of interacting with the children learn their secret. Now kids with the glowing eyes, you’re thinking of The Village Of The Damned 1960 I think. It was remade in the 90′s with Christopher Reeves in the lead role,one his last before he had his horse riding accident that left him paralyzed. Also in the remake was a Kirstie Alley, who was still hot at the time.
As for the comment on abandoned items in Fantatic Voyage growing and killing the patient. They would have had the chance. Remember in one of the earlier ventures out of the sub, we are shown a segment where germs or some sort of impurities are attacked by seaweed looking things and are wrapped up and then crushed. It was the same stuff that wrapped and attemped to put the squeeze on the beautiful Raquel Welsh. Also there were the white cells, I mean if they were able to destroy the sub, I don’t think they would have any trouble taking care of a few abandoned items.
Last thing, I would have liked to see Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea score higher on the list.
Nitpick: The original quote was “Get your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape!” You had one extra Dirty” in there.
BTW, ‘Planet of the Apes’ (1968) is by far my favorite sci-fi movie of all time.
31. Diogenes – “Conquest” was great as it was “Planet of the Apes” in reverse. But still inferior to the original. I prefer “Escape” myself as the best of the sequels.
Fantastic Voyage – Concerning the “abandoned” items, my take is that the white corpusals took these things like a virus and completely destroyed them, thus there was nothing to enlarge.
Other notable 60s sci-fi mentions:
The Illustrated Man (1969)
The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
Godzilla vs Mothra (1964) – I dig those Japanese twins.
I try to watch Blade Running 3 times. I have never lasted more than an hour. It is so boring! One of the most overrated movies of all time! Along with Ridley Scott most overrated directors of all time.
I can say that I have never seen any of these movies. Shame
. I have seen the Planet of the Apes remake but not the one from the 60′s. I have read Fahrenheit 451 more than once. I am excited to see that there are a few French films on here. I would like to check those out for sure. The French just seem to make really interesting movies. I would also like to see number 8, sounds like it wouldmake me cry.
planet of the apes is my fave
Dude, you cant expect me to take you seriously if you think that I Am Legend was “a good film” It stank even Han*****was more watchable, and thats gotta mean something right?
I’ve got a ton of downtime in airports today… This list encouraged me to grab Flowers for Algernon and Fahrenheit 451.
“Charly” was indeed based on Keyes’ short story. Here’s the IMDB link to the film. Check out the Trivia section for an interesting bit about Dale Robertson buying the rights to the story!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062794/
Space Odyssey and the Vincent Price film… I am rather fond.
I HAVE seen some of these, surprisingly. I can’t really say I enjoyed them (other than Planet of the Apes), because, sadly, I’ve fallen to the 21st century and its impeccable graphics and effects. But I still think the classics are good at times.
Good list StlMo.
Personally I never liked The Planet of the Apes but The Time Machine and 2001:ASO are 2 of my favorites.
Also, do people realize that books are not turned into movies to satisfy the people that read the book? Books are used as the basis for ideas that the screenwriters and directors use to create new stories for a movie audience that may not even read books. Sometimes they stick to the original story, sometimes not. It’s happened since Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein. Just because some of the movies suck it’s not gonna change.
Illustrated Man almost made the list.
Resdawg2 and Spoker – From the Wiki article on Fantastic Voyage:
“In the original movie, the crew (apart from the saboteur) manage to leave Benes’ body safely before reverting to normal size, but the Proteus remains inside, as do the remains of the saboteur’s body (albeit digested by a white blood cell), as well as several gallons (full scale) of a carrier solution (presumably saline) used in the injection syringe. Isaac Asimov pointed out that this was a serious logical flaw in the plot, since the submarine (even if reduced to bits of debris) would also revert to normal size, killing Benes in the process. Therefore, in his novelization Asimov had the crew provoke the white cell into following them, so that it drags the submarine to the tearduct. The submarine (or rather, the wreckage of it) then expands outside Benes’ body.”
(ME:) While Azimov did his best to come up with a plausible explanation in his novelization of the movie, it’s still a gaping logic hole.
Ahhh 60s sci fi how do i love(loathe?) thee….no seriously an awesome list. These by far make up for the crap made in that decade.2001 deserves to be on top.Too bad no Star Trek movies were made then(Unless you count the original 2 hour pilot”The Cage”.), Then we would have known a decade sooner just how much of an over the top actor Shatner was.
I am not a huge fan of Stanley Kubrick. I think he is extremely overrated; however, I love 2001: A Space Odyssey because of its abstract storytelling. Anyway, I think it is probably his best (but I do need to see Eyes Wide Shut and Barry Lyndon still).
Darren — “Then we would have known a decade sooner just how much of an over the top actor Shatner was.”
BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Almost made me spit my tea all over the monitor!
Ah yes, Blade Runner… It and Brave New World was all that made senior english decent at school. Even though he only has a small part, love Edward James Almos (sp?). And of course Harrison
Great list! I’ve seen about half of them. Of course 2001 was going to be 1st!
i Dunno man, A clockwork orange is pretty good
i love it and i do consider myself somewhat of a Kubrick fan
Shatner, over the top?? Say it ain’t so!
I loved the depressing Fahrenheit 451.
STL Mo: Blade Runner BEST be on the best ’80s list! That decade was tough, though: most of the movies were fantasy vs. science fiction. Legend, Labrynth, The Dark Crystal, The Neverending Story.
Oh! There is E.T.! and Ghostbusters (maybe?).