Theme: Atomic Monsters

The Atomic Monster was a series of Monster Movies made during the 1950s in which the explanation for their existence was due to atomic radiation. The 1950s was rife with fears following the unleashing of the atomic bomb in 1945, where tensions between the USA and USSR was seen as heading towards nuclear conflict. Amid this, the atomic monster became a metaphor for the atomic bomb unleashed.

The genre began with The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953) in which a dinosaur is revived in the Arctic by atomic tests and rampaged forth again. Soon after there was Them! (1954) about ants enlarged to giant size near an atomic test site. This was followed by a host of other revived behemoths and enlarged animals and insects throughout this era.

The most famous of atomic monster was Godzilla who made his first appearance in 1954, a Japanese copy of The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, although in successive sequels Godzilla eventually became a hero defending Japan against other monsters. A number of other Japanese Monster Movies also come with atomic origins.

The atomic monster genre largely died away by the end of the 1950s although there has been the occasional throwback made since then. Modern atomic monsters are more likely created by nuclear waste and tend to the schlocky and/or unserious type.