20 Sci-Fi Movies EVERY Film Fan Should Have Seen

This writer thought long and hard about which version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers deserved a place on this list: The original 1956 classic, or the thrilling 1978 remake? And the answer was, in all honesty, both.

Both films were revolutionary for their time period, offering up thought-provoking allegories alongside some genuinely frightening scares, and they both stood the test of time in spite of the fact that they had to overcome ignorance and contempt following their initial releases.

That said, the latter manages to build upon everything that its inspiration did in such an effective way that it single-handedly made the case for why remakes should actually happen once in a while. It didn't just benefit from the improved special effects and Donald Sutherland's terrifying facial expressions, its overall presentation was just that much more thrilling, as director Philip Kaufman made use of many elements that would enhance many of the great horror films of the '70s and '80s.

From the unnerving close-ups to the perpetually dark filter, the remake masterfully inspired feelings of dread and isolation as the titular alien species quietly eradicated humanity, and it makes for an absolutely chilling watch.