War of the Worlds opens across the U.S. in 1953. The sci-fi horror classic directed by Byron Haskin, updates H.G. Wells’ classic novel from Victorian England to 1950s Los Angeles and is the first film version of the story. The film wins an Oscar for Best Visual Effects. In 2011, it was added to the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry for preservation.
This Day in Halloween: The Oscar-winning "War of the Worlds" opens across the U.S. in 1953. / Illustration by Ashley Oliman.