10 Best Horror Movies Set On Different Planets

4. Forbidden World (1982)

Ghosts of Mars Natasha Henstridge
New World Pictures

Receiving three nominations at the 1983 Saturn Awards, Allan Holzman's Forbidden World was produced by Roger Corman - "the Pope of Pop Cinema," as he is known, due to his support for independent cinema. Originally slated upon release, the film has went on to be seen as more than an exploitative, gratuitous Alien rip-off and is now seen in several quarters as an amusing addition to sci-fi horror.

A genetic research lab on the distant world of Xarbia plays host to a mutant creature designated "Subject 20" (which was also the original title of the film). It gets loose (because it wouldn't be much of a movie if it didn't) and begins feeding on the lab crew. Originally conceived as a solution to world hunger, the race is suddenly on to terminate Subject 20 before it can cause any more harm.

Starring Jesse Vint and Dawn Dunlap among others, and featuring a noteworthy electronic music score by Susan Justin, the film recycles some footage from the 1980 movie Battle Beyond the Stars, which is also a Corman production. Forbidden World was later remade by Fred Gallo in 1991 under the title Dead Space, with Corman serving as executive producer.

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I write regularly about all things pop culture, and am an individually approved critic on Rotten Tomatoes. I am the Film News Editor for FILMHOUNDS Magazine and a Senior Writer for Starburst Magazine UK. My other credits include bylines in The Guardian, The Quietus and The Indiependent.