10 Best Atomic Monster Movies

Over the years, there have been countless monster movies about nuclear radiation and nuclear waste. Some of the world’s most popular movie franchises have spawned from this incredibly niche genre, with monster movies going on to be popular for decades. even today, Monster movies still draw an incredibly large audienceWith franchises like Godzilla And King Cong Continue to release films every few years or so. Still, the kinds of monsters that have made the biggest impact on the genre of kaiju-centric monster films are the ones born from the rise of nuclear power around the world.

Initially gaining popularity in the 1950s, The monster movies first rose to prominence from the desire to depict the horrors of nuclear warfare. After the end of World War II, the terrors of nuclear war were fresh in the filmmakers’ power, and so many of the most iconic monsters of film were born. The golden age was only the beginning, however, with many different atomic monsters coming in the years that would follow.

10

CHUD (1984)

Nuclear waste created horrifying monsters

The film CHUD, short for Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers, is a science-fiction horror film centered around the monsters described in the title. As it turns out, The monsters are once human beings, previously the homeless population living under the city in the sewers. However, after extensive exposure to the radioactive waste dumped in the sewers by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the people are transformed into terrifying monsters.

Although it initially released to less than stellar praise, in the years that followed it gained a relatively strong following as a cult classic. Several sequels to the original film would later be released with countless properties, including The Simpsons, Rick and Morty, And FuturamaEven referencing the film. This cult status shot the film into the cultural lexicon, introducing CHUD Too many more people than it reached upon release.

9

It Came From Under the Sea (1955)

This ’50s monster was the scourge of San Francisco

Originally released as a double feature with Creature with the atomic brain in 1955, It came from under the sea Depicts a giant octopus that was exposed to too much radiation as a result of hydrogen bomb testing in the South Pacific. Throughout the film, the monster attacks several different installations and locations, including a nuclear submarine and the city of San Francisco itself. The monster’s attack on the Golden Gate Bridge is the most famous moment in the movieLater shown as a quick cameo in Godzilla (1998).

The film was one of many monster movies of a similar make to release in the 1950s. despite this, It was well received at the time and a general successWith its special effects and stop-motion animation are the elements of the film that garnered the most praise. The excellent filming and the positive reception of the public to dramatic monster films are shaped to make It came from under the sea An American classic.

8

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Although their origin was unclear

When atomic monsters are brought up, zombies are typically the last monster that comes to mind. typically, Zombies were created as the result of some sort of widespread pandemicReducing the average person to nothing more than an undead creature that hungers for living flesh. Before night of the living dead, Zombies are typically depicted in problematic fashion as the thrills of voodoo magic.

The original Night of the Living Dead From 1968 removes this connotation entirely, separating the zombie from the films that came before. Instead of following the lead of the films that came before, The movie instead implied that the zombies that attacked were a product of radiation from space. Although the implicit explanation for why the zombies came to exist would be removed from later films in the franchise, it still offers a terrifying possibility to think about.

7

The T-Man (1958)

His practical effects were next level

The T-Man It begins in what could be considered a unique manner for atomic monster movies, centering first on a mystery. Set in the rainy streets of Tokyo, everything kicks off when a drug smuggler named Misaki is pronounced dead, with his body somehow disintegrating after being killed. It is possible that this was due to the Radiation lingering in the rain.

After that, a glowing figure is discovered to roam around, destroying innocent people throughout the city. This is one of the eponymous T-MenCreated as a result of deadly radiation from hydrogen bombs. The rest of the film follows the police force as they struggle to hunt down the T-Men in an attempt to save Tokyo, eventually eliminating the threat to the city.

6

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

This Hulk origin film has its fans

As a character, the Hulk has a storied but ultimately rocky history in film. He has been depicted throughout the ages by actors such as Lou Ferrigno and Mark Ruffalo, but perhaps One of the most important performances of the character was Edward Norton’s representing in The Incredible Hulk in 2008. Although divisive, this film has its fans despite mostly being beaten from Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, instead changing direction to Mark Ruffalo’s performance in 2008. The Avengers.

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From the beginning, the Hulk was a creature born of radiation. Developing inside Bruce Banner as A result of what would otherwise be deadly gamma radiationThe Hulk would be considered a monster by some and a hero by others. His depiction in the 2008 film is considered to be one of the best in modern times, relying on the comics to tell the story of an unlikely hero.

5

The Hills Have Eyes (1977)

Wes Craven’s original was eventually remade

Following the story of the Carter family when they are stranded in Nevada while on vacation, The hills have eyes Explores a horrifying version of the effects of nuclear radiation. The Carter family unexpectedly wandered too close to an old nuclear testing site, one where The effects of the radiation can still be felt by the people who live there. These people are the same ones who live in the titular hills, cannibalizing any passers-by unlucky enough to stop there.

Paranoid and unpredictable, This film manages to scare its audience while being one of Wes Craven’s first films. Although not a monster movie in the traditional sense, the film shows how monstrous this kind of atomic testing was through the tragedy of its characters, both the protagonists and the villains. It would later be remodeled in 2006, a testament to how good the original really is.

4

They! (1954)

It was one of many ’50s B-movies

Although the premise may initially seem a little silly, They! was a fundamental film during the trend of ’50s monster movies. Created by Warner Bros. in 1954, it was One of the first with a monster that grew to such huge sizes as a result of nuclear radiation. Like many similar movies, it takes place in the New Mexico desert, with a colony of now carnivorous ants that has mutated as a result of atomic bomb testing.

The film was a smash hit at the time and is generally regarded as one of the best monster films of this era in film history. They! would go on to inspire countless other projectsincluding the Japanese kaiju film Roden As well as the video game series It came from the desert. Its special effects earned it an Oscar nomination, and although it was eventually beaten by another contender on the list, it just goes to show how incredible the effects were at the time.

3

Godzilla Minus One (2023)

It is one of many great Godzilla films

When it comes to nuclear-inspired monster films, the Godzilla Series easily takes the cake. Godzilla is not only one of the most famous monsters of all time, but Its creation was also inspired by the nuclear fears which were prevalent in Japan as a result of World War II. Godzilla minus one is the last Japanese-made film in the series, with the 2024 release of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Being made in America.

Godzilla minus one is indeed a testament to how far these sorts of films have come. Set in a 1945 post-war Japan, The film explores the Japanese perspective on nuclear fallout, with Godzilla representing this horrific tragedy. It was released at a similar time to Oppenheimer, Show what would be an alternative perspective to the spectacle that many fans are hoping to see in the film.

2

The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)

It spawned many different monster movies

The beast of 20,000 fathoms is often cited as starting the trend of monster films that would follow in later yearsEven with the titan of the genre, godzilla, Supposedly took inspiration from it. Beginning north of the Arctic Circle at a nuclear testing site, a giant dinosaur once frozen in the ice has awakened from its slumber as a result of several atomic explosions. It would then go on a rampage, making its way all the way down the Hudson River and leaving countless dead in its wake.

Not only was it an incredible film, but it won accolades at the time, stealing the Oscar from They! for the film’s noteworthy stop-motion special effects. It was praised for its science-fiction-flavored drama, a drama that was only heightened by the need for nuclear testing. It was a film influenced by the era it was set in, launching an entire genre along with it.

1

Godzilla (1954)

It set the standard for everything that would come after

Although Godzilla minus one Also briefly mentioned earlier, there is no better nuclear monster movie than the original Godzilla From 1954. Originally living underwater as an ancient sea creature, Godzilla only comes above ground once his peace is disturbed as a result of atomic testing. It then continued to terrorize Japan, taking over the entire Japanese armed forces and leaving countless innocents with radiation sickness as a result of her poisoned breath.

in his heart, Godzilla is a representation of the atomic bomb itself And the terrible carnage that weapon left in its wake across Japan. It’s a bleak story, but also very true to life in a way many science fiction movies can’t capture. Godzilla Is the bomb and the fears that came with it, and because of the direct representation and the legacy it would leave, it is the best atomic movie monster of all time.