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Creature Film

A type of horror or science fiction movie in which a horrible creature, often of gigantic proportions, causes havoc and mass destruction on society. Often taking place in densely populated urban areas, these stories focus their action on humanity's efforts to destroy the creature and restore natural order. Heroes who destroy the threat are often scientists and/or the military. Origins of these forces vary, from outer space (Alien), from human construction (Frankenstein), from failed scientific experiments (The Fly), from the negative impact of technology (Godzilla), or from nature (Jaws, Them!). These films usually feature spectacular special effects, and their success depends primarily on a convincing monster. Action, stunts, destruction and chaos are primary elements, with character development and narrative generally secondary considerations. This said, on occasion the form is used as an allegorical plea for tolerance or is used metaphorically, sympathetically representing monsters as outcasts (Frankenstein, King Kong). If successful, monster films will mutate and spawn sequels and/or remakes as typified by Godzilla.

Major Works
Rating
Year
 Title
 
 Director
  9 Stars 1951 The Thing   Christian Nyby
  9 Stars 1925 The Phantom of the Opera   Rupert Julian
  9 Stars 1933 King Kong   Merian C. Cooper
  9 Stars 1931 Frankenstein   James Whale
  9 Stars 1935 The Bride of Frankenstein   James Whale
  9 Stars 1979 Alien   Ridley Scott
  8 Stars 1982 The Thing   John Carpenter
  8 Stars 1939 Son of Frankenstein   Rowland V. Lee
  8 Stars 1932 The Mummy   Karl W. Freund
    8 Stars 1932 Island of Lost Souls   Erle C. Kenton
  8 Stars 1986 The Fly   David Cronenberg
  8 Stars 1986 Aliens   James Cameron
  7 Stars 1941 The Wolf Man   George Waggner
  7 Stars 1954 Them!   Gordon M. Douglas
  7 Stars 1944 House of Frankenstein   Erle C. Kenton
  7 Stars 1942 Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman   Roy William Neill
  7 Stars 1958 The Fly   Kurt Neumann
  7 Stars 1954 Creature from the Black Lagoon   Jack Arnold
  6 Stars 1990 The Phantom of the Opera   Tony Richardson
  5 Stars 1999 The Item   Dan Clark
    5 Stars 1956 The Werewolf   Fred Sears
  5 Stars 1920 Der Golem   Paul Wegener
  5 Stars 1969 Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed   Terence Fisher
  5 Stars 1957 Attack of the Crab Monsters   Roger Corman
  5 Stars 1932 White Zombie   Victor Halperin
  5 Stars 1943 The Phantom of the Opera   Arthur Lubin
    5 Stars 1944 The Mummy's Curse   Leslie Goodwins
  5 Stars 1957 The Monster That Challenged the World   Arnold Laven
    5 Stars 1964 The Gorgon   Terence Fisher
  5 Stars 1956 Godzilla, King of the Monsters   Terrell O. Morse
  5 Stars 1957 The Curse of Frankenstein   Terence Fisher
  5 Stars 1953 The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms   Eugène Lourié
  4 Stars 1997 Alien Resurrection   Jean-Pierre Jeunet
  4 Stars 1958 The Revenge of Frankenstein   Terence Fisher
    4 Stars 1942 Dr. Renault's Secret   Harry Lachman
    4 Stars 1922 A Blind Bargain   Wallace Worsley
  4 Stars 1974 Phase IV   Saul Bass
  4 Stars 1981 Wolfen   Michael Wadleigh
  4 Stars 1935 The Werewolf of London   Stuart Walker
  4 Stars 1959 The Wasp Woman   Roger Corman
    4 Stars 1942 The Undying Monster   John Brahm
  4 Stars 1933 The Son of Kong   Ernest B. Schoedsack
  4 Stars 1959 The Mummy   Terence Fisher
    4 Stars 1957 I Was a Teenage Werewolf   Gene Fowler
  4 Stars 1945 House of Dracula   Erle C. Kenton
  4 Stars 1961 Gorgo   Terence Fisher
  4 Stars 1942 The Ghost of Frankenstein   Erle C. Kenton
  4 Stars 1990 Frankenstein Unbound   Roger Corman
    4 Stars 1944 Cry of the Werewolf   Henry Levin
  4 Stars 1992 Alien ³   David Fincher
  3 Stars 1956 Rodan   Ishiro Honda
  3 Stars 1986 Monster in the Closet   Bob Dahlin
  3 Stars 1961 The Manster   George Breakston
  3 Stars 1968 Destroy All Monsters!   Ishiro Honda
    3 Stars 1956 The Creature Walks Among Us   John Sherwood
  3 Stars 1982 Cat People   Paul Schrader
    2 Stars 1957 I Was a Teenage Frankenstein   Herbert L. Strock
  2 Stars 1971 Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster   Yoshimitsu Banno
  2 Stars 1965 Godzilla vs. Monster Zero   Ishiro Honda
  2 Stars 1946 The Brute Man   Jean Yarbrough
  2 Stars 1958 Attack of the 50 Foot Woman   Nathan Juran
  2 Stars 1973 Flesh for Frankenstein   Paul Morrissey
 
 
 
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