# Plan 9 from Outer Space

> 1959 film directed by Ed Wood

**Wikidata**: [Q257515](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q257515)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plan_9_from_Outer_Space)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/plan-9-from-outer-space

## Summary
Plan 9 from Outer Space is a 1959 American science fiction horror film directed by Ed Wood, widely recognized as one of the most famously "bad" films ever made. Originally titled "Grave Robbers from Outer Space," the film was produced by RKO Pictures and has achieved cult status as the quintessential example of a Z movie—low-budget productions with intentionally poor production qualities that fall below B-movie standards.

## Key Facts
- **Title**: Plan 9 from Outer Space
- **Director**: Ed Wood
- **Release Year**: 1959 (publication dates: March 15, 1957; July 22, 1959; June 2, 1995)
- **Alias**: Grave Robbers from Outer Space
- **Production Company**: RKO Pictures (founded October 23, 1928)
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Wikidata Description**: 1959 film directed by Ed Wood
- **Wikipedia Sitelink Count**: 41
- **Genre Classifications**: Science fiction film, horror film, action film, zombie film (subtype of monster film), speculative fiction film, Z movie

## FAQs
**What genre does Plan 9 from Outer Space belong to?**
Plan 9 from Outer Space spans multiple genres, including science fiction, horror, action, zombie (as a subtype of monster film), and speculative fiction. It is also classified as a Z movie, denoting its low-budget production values that fall below B-movie standards.

**Why is Plan 9 from Outer Space considered significant in film history?**
Despite—or perhaps because of—its poor production quality, awkward dialogue, and obvious budget constraints, the film has become a cultural touchstone. It is frequently cited as one of the worst films ever made, yet this notoriety has granted it a lasting place in cinematic history and cult film appreciation.

**What is the connection between Plan 9 from Outer Space and RKO Pictures?**
RKO Pictures, an American film production and distribution company founded in 1928, produced and distributed Plan 9 from Outer Space. RKO was known for producing various films across different genres and budget levels during its operational period.

**How does Plan 9 from Outer Space relate to other films about outer space?**
The film shares thematic connections with other science fiction films from its era and beyond. Interestingly, it shares a naming connection with Plan 9, a distributed operating system designed by Bell Labs as Unix's intended successor, though these are entirely unrelated entities. Additionally, Gayniggers from Outer Space (1992) by Morten Lindberg represents a later comedic homage within the science fiction genre.

## Why It Matters
Plan 9 from Outer Space matters because it represents a unique phenomenon in film culture—where a film's failure to meet basic production standards becomes its defining characteristic and source of enduring appeal. The film demonstrates how artistic merit is not solely determined by technical proficiency or budget, as Plan 9 has maintained a devoted following for decades and continues to be screened, discussed, and referenced in popular culture.

The film's significance extends beyond mere "so bad it's good" entertainment. It serves as a historical document of 1950s American science fiction filmmaking, reflecting the era's anxieties about alien invasion and nuclear annihilation while showcasing the creative ambitions that could emerge from limited resources. Ed Wood's direction, though technically flawed, demonstrated a genuine passion for the genre that resonated with future generations of filmmakers and film enthusiasts.

Furthermore, Plan 9 from Outer Space has influenced how we perceive and appreciate cult cinema, encouraging audiences to find value in works that defy conventional standards of quality. This shift in perspective has allowed numerous other unconventional films to find their audiences and has contributed to the broader appreciation of independent and low-budget filmmaking.

## Notable For
- Being cited as one of the worst films ever made while simultaneously achieving cult classic status
- Originally being titled "Grave Robbers from Outer Space" before being renamed
- Representing the quintessential Z movie with production values below B-movie standards
- Featuring elements of multiple film genres: science fiction, horror, action, zombie, and speculative fiction
- Being produced by RKO Pictures, a major American studio despite the film's low budget
- Maintaining relevance for over six decades since its release, with continued screenings and cultural references
- Demonstrating how poor production quality can become a film's most distinctive feature

## Body

### Production and Release History
Plan 9 from Outer Space was released in 1959, though source material indicates publication dates spanning March 15, 1957, July 22, 1959, and June 2, 1995—the latter possibly referring to a re-release or home video version. The film was produced by RKO Pictures, an American film production and distribution company established on October 23, 1928, and headquartered in Hollywood, California. RKO was known for producing films across various genres and budget levels during its decades of operation.

The film underwent a title change from its original working title "Grave Robbers from Outer Space" to "Plan 9 from Outer Space." This change reportedly occurred to make the title more appealing and memorable to audiences, though the exact reasoning has been debated by film historians.

### Genre Classification and Context
Plan 9 from Outer Space occupies a unique position in film taxonomy, simultaneously belonging to multiple genres. As a science fiction film, it deals with themes of alien invasion from outer space—a popular subject in 1950s American cinema reflecting Cold War anxieties. As a horror film, it incorporates elements designed to frighten and unsettle audiences. The zombie film classification places it within the monster film subgenre, while its action film elements provide pacing and conflict resolution.

The speculative fiction classification encompasses the film's imaginative premise involving extraterrestrial beings and their attempts to conquer Earth. Most distinctively, the Z movie classification identifies Plan 9 as belonging to a category of low-budget films with production qualities intentionally or unintentionally falling below B-movie standards—a designation that has become integral to the film's identity and appeal.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
Despite—or perhaps because of—its technical shortcomings, Plan 9 from Outer Space has maintained remarkable cultural relevance since its release. The film has been screened continuously for over six decades, finding new audiences through home video, streaming platforms, and midnight movie screenings. Its infamous status has made it a reference point in discussions about cinematic quality, artistic intention, and the subjective nature of "good" and "bad" art.

The film's influence extends to other filmmakers and artists who have referenced or parodied its distinctive elements. The very concept of "so bad it's good" entertainment has been shaped significantly by Plan 9's enduring popularity as the archetype of this phenomenon.

### Relationship to Other Entities
While Plan 9 from Outer Space shares its name with Plan 9, a distributed operating system designed by Bell Labs as Unix's intended successor, these are entirely unrelated entities. The operating system, known for its small footprint and unique design philosophy, emerged decades after the film's release and represents a completely different domain of technological innovation.

The film also relates thematically to Gayniggers from Outer Space, a 1992 Danish short film by Morten Lindberg. While tonally different, both films demonstrate the enduring appeal of the "aliens from outer space" premise in independent filmmaking.

### Production Context
The United States serves as the country of origin for Plan 9 from Outer Space, reflecting the American science fiction film industry of the late 1950s. This era saw numerous low-budget science fiction and horror films produced in response to audience demand and the relative accessibility of film production equipment. RKO Pictures, despite being a major studio, participated in producing such films as part of a diverse production slate that included both prestigious releases and more modest genre entries.

The film's production circumstances, including its limited budget and rushed shooting schedule, exemplify the conditions under which many Z movies were created. These constraints, while resulting in technical deficiencies, also allowed for creative freedom that might not exist in higher-budget productions.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=13031.html?nopub=1)
2. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/plan-9-z-kosmosu)
3. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm-136668/casting/)
4. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film372089.html)
5. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/reviews/movies)
6. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052077/)
7. [Source](http://www.ofdb.de/film/891,Plan-9-from-Outer-Space)
8. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052077/fullcredits)
9. [Source](http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/plan-9-outer-space-1970-3)
10. [Source](http://decine21.com/peliculas/plan-9-del-espacio-exterior--plan-9-from-outer-space-19009)
11. [Source](http://www.interfilmes.com/filme_14182_Plano.9.do.Espaco.Sideral-(Plan.9.from.Outer.Space).html)
12. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
13. Virtual International Authority File
14. The Movie Database
15. Plan 9 From Outer Space. Rotten Tomatoes
16. IMDb
17. [Source](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=plan9fromouterspace.htm)
18. [Source](http://www.sfi.se/sv/svensk-filmdatabas/Item/?itemid=20615&type=MOVIE&iv=Basic)
19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
20. Plan 9 from Outer Space
21. Kinopoisk
22. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
23. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2019&s_month=9&e_year=2019&e_month=9&pageID=2)
24. Cineplex
25. mymovies.it
26. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/93556)
27. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/85610)
28. Trakt.tv
29. FilmVandaag.nl