This month we are exploring the history of space horror on Lunatics Radio Hour. Here are some of the best horror movies that take place in space!
Listen to episode 153 of the Lunatics Radio Hour podcast for more.
Alien (1979): This one is an obvious choice. Any discussion of space horror (or space films in general) always centers around the Alien series. The first one in particular is a perfect sci-fi horror film. The build up of suspense and the crushing claustrophobia of this film never fails to amaze me no matter how many times I rewatch it.
Event Horizon (1997): Event Horizon blends together elements of the paranormal with science fiction, leading to an abundance of hellish scenarios for its characters. This cult classic tries hard to build a complex and terrifying world. Whether it succeeds at doing so is still up for debate, but it sure is fun.
Planet of the Vampires (1965): Once I got past the 60s hairdos I really enjoyed this film. This plot carries on as a typical 1960s horror film, but because the setting is space the audience feels the added danger of the environment. It moves slowly, but the visuals are stunning and it is clear this was a big inspiration for the Alien movie.
Life (2017): Another alien is loose on a spaceship, you’d think scientists would learn by now. Although this film is clearly inspired by the success of the Alien franchise, it does a decent job of standing on its own. Life is a good mix of the horror and disaster genres, and leaves the audience with a sense of excitement and dread.
Apollo 18 (2011): As someone who really appreciates a found footage horror film, I was happy to find one that takes place in space! Watch as astronauts deal with a moon landing conspiracy cover up that no one saw coming. Apollo 18 combines so many different aspects of horror; found footage, monsters, conspiracy theories, and paranoia, to create a truly entertaining movie.
Jason X (2001): A controversial pick as Jason X is quite possibly one of the most ridiculous movies I’ve seen, but hey we all need a little absurdity sometimes. Friday the 13th in space, Jason Voorhees cryogenically frozen for four hundred years, cyborgs, and futuristic space murder! How could you not check out this film?
High Life (2018): High Life is a visually stunning horror film that shows the lives of a “community” on a space station. This movie is bleak, but the characters are well fleshed out and the atmosphere is immediately alluring. This film plays out in a nonlinear narrative so I don’t want to give too much away, but I recommend this film to anyone who is more into psychological horror films.
Gravity (2013): Ever watch Cast Away and think, “this isn’t that scary, he’s just on an island. It’s not like he’s in the crushing vacuum of space.”? Well I’ve got just the film for you! While not technically a horror film, Gravity’s plot is a horrifying situation. This film really captures what is so scary about space, the isolation. There is nothing to survive on, you have a limited amount of air, and no one is coming to rescue you. You are all on your own, with no landmarks and nothing familiar to cling onto. Just drifting through the never ending vastness of space