Must-see movies are futuristic classics that shouldn't be missed. Of course, not every must-see is perfect. That's why we've rated them 1-5 on the patented "crunchy goodness" scale.

Title: This Island Earth
Date: 1955

Vitals: A scientist discovers plans to build an awesomely-named communications device called an interociter. After setting it up, some suspiciously friendly aliens strike up a conversation with him, initiating an interplanetary red-alert situation.

Famous names: Directed by Joseph M. Newman; starring Rex Reason.

Crunchy goodness: 3

Sight you will never unsee: The aliens' odd oompa-loompa-esque comlexions and pointy white hair.

Bang for your buck: Fantastic destroy-all-planets moment on the alien homeworld Metaluna, which is being ravaged by hydro-eco-pyro-disaster.

Most painfully dated moment: Inter-galactic teleportation is accomplished via what appear to be pneumatic tubes full of pot smoke.

A Comparison of This Island Earth With Its Pulp Origins

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