The Monster That Challenged the World (1957)

33% of users liked it
(1,191 ratings)

The Monster That Challenged the World is the misleadingly title for one of the more well-regarded second-echelon horror films of the 1950s. An underwater earthquake in the Sargasso sea yields up the eggs of a long-extinct sea monster. Once hatched, the monster's offspring (which resemble huge… More The Monster That Challenged the World is the misleadingly title for one of the more well-regarded second-echelon horror films of the 1950s. An underwater earthquake in the Sargasso sea yields up the eggs of a long-extinct sea monster. Once hatched, the monster's offspring (which resemble huge snails) sustain themselves by sucking the life forces of various unlucky human land dwellers. Even worse, these horrendous creatures procreate at an incredible rate, laying 3000 eggs per sitting. Eventually, the monsters are neutralized by Modern Science, save for one stray snail that very nearly lunches on a little girl.. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: Arnold Laven
Genres: Horror, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1957 Wide
On DVD: Aug 28, 2001

Critic Reviews

Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser
As Fifties monster movies go, the 1957 production isn't bad. There are a couple of good shock cuts, a special attention paid to idiosyncratic supporting players, and the usual mix of romance, military efficiency and doomed teenagers.
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)
Agreeable retro nonsense.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Agreeable sci-fi flick with unusual monster and location.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An enjoyable but poorly made monster film that should satisfy those whose expectations are low.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Francisco G

Not the smartest monster flick of the 50s but an enjoyable ride nontheless. Plays like what you expect it to be but the creature itself is surprisingly creepy looking and menacing. A mix of a snail-shrimp... from outer space? Movie starts out well, with good mistery and situations… More
Not the smartest monster flick of the 50s but an enjoyable ride nontheless. Plays like what you expect it to be but the creature itself is surprisingly creepy looking and menacing. A mix of a snail-shrimp... from outer space? Movie starts out well, with good mistery and situations but unfortunently looses a bit of his focus midway with unnecessary subplots and doesn't have a bagging end as it probably should've. Worth a shot for this type of movie lovers.