Welcome to Scifist, where we review every science fiction movie ever made, in chronological order.

  • A Trip to Jupiter

    A Trip to Jupiter

    (9/10) While derivative of Georges Méliès’ space voyages, Segundo de Chomon’s silent short from 1909 is a tour de force of innovative camera use, seamless special effects and stunning artwork. Now the apprentice becomes the master. A Trip to Jupiter (Le voyage sur Jupiter). 1909, France. Directed by Segundo de Chomón. Supervision: Ferdinand Zecca. IMDb Read more

  • Long Distance Wireless Photography

    Long Distance Wireless Photography

    (5/10) A fun and well-made 1908 short by Georges Méliès about a fantastic camera projecting images in real time of the subjects’ real selves, this French one-reeler mostly rehashes old in-camera film tricks, betraying the director losing the creativity that once made him the greatest fimmaker in the world. Long Distance Photography (Photographie électrique à Read more

  • Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

    Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

    No rating: Lost film The first ever adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in 1908 in many ways marked the beginning for Hollywood. Although filmed in Chicago, it was the first film starring Hollywood’s first two movie stars, for a company that would be the first to permanently set up shop in Los Angeles Read more

  • A Message from Mars

    A Message from Mars

    No rating: lost film New Zealand’s first science fiction film is also the first ever film involving a Martian and an alien visitation to Earth. The 1903 movie was based on a popular stage play, which was successively filmed again in 1913 and 1921.  A Message from Mars. 1903, New Zealand. Written, produced directed and Read more

  • The Electric Hotel

    The Electric Hotel

    (8/10) Stop-motion animation with live actors has probably never been done as well as in Segundo de Chomon’s 1908 film The Electric Hotel. But this tale of a tourist couple getting pampered by an automated hotel room doesn’t transcend the novelty of the trick. The Electric Hotel (El hotel eléctrico/Hôtel électrique). 1908, France. Directed by Read more

  • An Excursion to the Moon

    An Excursion to the Moon

    (6/10) In 1908 Spanish master filmmaker Segundo de Chomon directed a carbon copy of Georges Méliès’ A Trip to the Moon. The result is professional, but uninspired.  An Excursion to the Moon (Excursion dans la lune). 1908, France. Directed by Segundo de Chomon. Inspired by novels by Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. Production design: Vincent Read more

Bela Lugosi Bert I. Gordon Boris Karloff Brigitte Helm Charles Gemora Crash Corrigan Curt Siodmak Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Eiji Tsuburaya Frankenstein Georges Melies George Worthing Yates George Zucco H.G. Wells Haruo Nakajima Invisible Man Irving Block Ishiro Honda Jack Arnold Jack Pierce Jack Rabin Jimmy Sangster John Carradine John P. Fulton Jules Verne Lionel Atwill Lon Chaney Jr. Mary Shelley Morris Ankrum Paul Blaisdell Paul Frees Richard Carlson Richard Denning Robert Louis Stevenson Robert Shayne Roger Corman Sam Katzman Segundo de Chomon Top Lists Top Silents Walter R. Booth Whit Bissell William Alland William Schallert Willis O'Brien