Explore the enduring legacy of H.G. Wells’ classic novel, The War of the Worlds, through its various film adaptations. This article ranks the top five movies inspired by this iconic story, highlighting their unique contributions to the sci-fi genre.
Ranking the Best War of the Worlds Movies
(Photo by Amazon/Courtesy Everett Collection. WAR OF THE WORLDS.)
H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds has consistently inspired adaptations since its publication in 1898, showcasing an alien invasion that serves as an allegory for the destructive nature of colonial empires. The novel’s public domain status has further fueled its adaptations.
Originally penned by British author Wells during the Victorian era, War of the Worlds has deeply infiltrated American culture, becoming a staple of paranoia. This phenomenon began in 1939 when Orson Welles crafted a realistic radio dramatization that fooled countless listeners, a legacy that grows with each passing year.
In the early 1950s, a race ensued to produce the first sci-fi film. The contenders were George Pal’s The War of the Worlds and 20th Century Fox’s Invaders From Mars. Ultimately, despite a close finish, Mars could not compete with the apocalyptic tone, striking spacecraft design, and impressive special effects of War of the Worlds.
Fast forward to 2005, when Steven Spielberg directed a $132-million adaptation featuring Tom Cruise. This film connects to earlier works like A.I. Artificial Intelligence and Minority Report, exploring anxieties surrounding the post-9/11 era. In 2025, we are presented with the COVID-themed War of the Worlds, an Amazon production that critiques contemporary issues, featuring Ice Cube.
1. Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds (2005)
Critics Consensus: Spielberg’s adaptation captures the thrill and paranoia of Wells’ novel while updating the action and effects for modern audiences.
Synopsis: Dockworker Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) struggles to connect with his children, Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and Robbie, amidst an alien invasion.
2. The War of the Worlds (1953)
Critics Consensus: Although dated in parts, this version retains an unnerving power, effectively updating Wells’ tale for the Cold War era with exceptional 1950s special effects.
Synopsis: Scientist Clayton Forrester (Gene Barry) and Sylvia Van Buren (Ann Robinson) are the first to encounter the alien threat.
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3. War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave (2008)
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: Astronomer George Herbert (C. Thomas Howell) investigates reports of meteors crashing near New York.
4. War of the Worlds: Goliath (2012)
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: Fifteen years after the initial Martian attack, human resistance fighters utilize captured technology to fend off a second invasion.
5. H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds (2005)
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: A U.S. government security analyst’s life is disrupted by an alien attack.
