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Horror Cult Classic

Atomic science collides with bug-eyed invaders and a missing memory at Soledad Flats.

KILLERS FROM SPACE

The last word in science-fiction thrills!

1954 · 1h 11m · NR · Horror / Mystery / Science Fiction · IMDB TMDB

An atomic scientist claims he was abducted by aliens after being injured in a plane crash. Bug-eyed beings from Astron Delta bring a nuclear scientist back to life as a spy.

Quick Answer

What is Killers from Space about?

Killers from Space is a 1954 American horror, mystery, and science fiction film directed by W. Lee Wilder about an atomic scientist who claims he was abducted by aliens after surviving a plane crash.

Programmer's Pick

Bug-eyed aliens, atomic paranoia, and Peter Graves in a daze—this is 1950s sci-fi at its least subtle and most sincere. Toss in an underground lair and memory wipes for a B-movie cocktail with a radioactive aftertaste.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Dr. Douglas Martin, a nuclear scientist conducting atomic bomb tests, becomes the center of suspicion after walking away unscathed from a mysterious aircraft crash at Soledad Flats. Sporting an unexplained scar and a new set of erratic behaviors, Martin finds himself under investigation by both the USAF and the FBI, who fear he may not be who he claims to be. Temporarily sidelined from his work, Martin resists his exclusion from atomic research just as crucial operations ramp up in his absence. Unanswered questions swirl around his recent memory loss, unsettling demeanor, and the possibility of outside tampering—all set against a backdrop of atomic anxiety and the unknown.

Details & Specs

Director
W. Lee Wilder
Writers
Myles Wilder, William Raynor
Release
1954
Runtime
1h 11m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Also Known As
Guerra tra i pianeti

Why This Matters

Produced by W. Lee Wilder's Planet Filmplays, Killers from Space was an independent science fiction film distributed by RKO Radio Pictures, with a screenplay commissioned from Wilder's son and frequent collaborator, reflecting the family's ongoing contributions to 1950s genre filmmaking.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

View all →
Director: W. Lee Wilder Writers: Myles Wilder +1 more

Why Cult

Atomic Sci-Fi Paranoia

The film fuses Cold War atomic anxieties with classic alien invasion tropes, centering on secret bomb tests gone awry.

Bug-Eyed Aliens

Classic bug-eyed creatures from Astron Delta deliver the era’s signature uncanny extraterrestrial menace.

Giant Creature Menace

Expect giant insects and reptiles powered by atomic radiation—science run amok in true B-movie style.

Memory Loss Mystery

An unexplained scar and a vanished chunk of memory keep both protagonist and audience guessing.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Plane crash and atomic bomb test

Threat

Alien invaders from Astron Delta using atomic-powered monsters

Effect

Plan to exterminate humanity via giant insects and reptiles

Countermeasure

Power outage disrupts alien base and destroys their equipment

Setting

Underground alien base near atomic test site

Questions from the Vault

Who directed Killers from Space? +

Killers from Space was directed by W. Lee Wilder.

How long is Killers from Space? +

Killers from Space has a runtime of 71 minutes.

What genre is Killers from Space? +

Killers from Space is a horror, mystery, and science fiction film.

Where can I watch Killers from Space? +

Killers from Space is available to stream on SassyFlix.

How are the giant insects and reptiles controlled by the aliens? +

The bug-eyed aliens from Astron Delta use power stolen from the electric grid and atomic radiation to grow and control their giant insects and reptiles.

Trailers & Clips