20 Hidden Sci-Fi Movie Gems You Can Watch On Netflix

11. The War Of The Worlds

The earliest picture on this list, the original film version of H. G. Welles' sci-fi masterpiece is a dazzling achievement in Technicolour, notable for its (at the time) innovative use of special effects and background drawing, which were among the greatest uses of it at that point in film history (the film won a special effects Oscar as the only nominee).

It also updates the action to a Cold War setting, an idea that works spectacularly well in hindsight. While it has obviously dated in parts, the essentials (script, idea, editing, execution) remain intact, ensuring that Byron Haskin's film still feels relevant to the sci-fi canon despite bigger adaptations down the line (see next).