If you were captivated by the eerie and visionary world of 'X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes' (1963), this article is for you. We’ve curated a list of 10 movies and shows that share its themes of scientific obsession, supernatural abilities, and psychological horror. Whether you're a fan of classic sci-fi or modern thrillers, these picks will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Hands of Orlac (1924)
Description: A silent horror masterpiece about a pianist who receives the hands of a murderer, leading to psychological torment and questions of identity and control.
Fact: The film was adapted multiple times, including as 'Mad Love' (1935). Its themes of bodily horror and psychological dread were groundbreaking for its time.


The Ape (1940)
Description: A mad doctor uses the spinal fluid of murdered victims to cure polio, combining medical horror with grotesque violence and moral decay.
Fact: The film was one of many low-budget horror movies produced during the genre's golden age, often dismissed at the time but later appreciated for its campy thrills.


The Devil Bat (1940)
Description: A revenge-driven scientist breeds giant bats to attack his enemies, blending mad science with creature-feature horror.
Fact: Bela Lugosi starred in this film during a period when he was typecast in horror roles, despite his disdain for the genre.


The Mad Monster (1942)
Description: A deranged scientist transforms a simpleton into a werewolf-like creature, exploring themes of unethical experimentation and monstrous transformation.
Fact: The film was one of the earliest to blend science fiction with werewolf mythology, albeit on a shoestring budget.


The Fly (1958)
Description: A chilling tale of scientific experimentation gone wrong, where a man's transformation into a monstrous hybrid reflects themes of hubris and bodily horror.
Fact: The film's iconic 'help me!' scene is one of the most memorable moments in horror cinema. It was remade in 1986 with even more grotesque effects.


The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)
Description: A lurid tale of mad science, where a doctor keeps a severed head alive while searching for a new body, exploring themes of unethical experimentation and grotesque body horror.
Fact: The film was shot in 1959 but shelved for years before release. It gained notoriety for its campy yet disturbing premise.


The Tingler (1959)
Description: A bizarre and unsettling story about a scientist discovering a parasitic creature that feeds on fear, blending psychological terror with visceral horror.
Fact: The film famously featured 'Percepto!'—a gimmick where select theater seats were wired to vibrate during key scenes to startle the audience.


Eyes Without a Face (1960)
Description: A haunting exploration of medical horror and obsession, featuring grotesque surgical experiments and a tragic protagonist whose quest for perfection leads to madness.
Fact: The film was initially banned in several countries due to its graphic content. It later became a cult classic and influenced many modern horror films.


The Man They Could Not Hang (1939)
Description: A mad scientist story where a doctor, wronged by the law, seeks revenge using his experimental resurrection techniques, blending horror with themes of justice gone awry.
Fact: This was one of Boris Karloff's many 'mad scientist' roles, cementing his legacy in horror cinema beyond just Frankenstein.


The Man with Nine Lives (1940)
Description: A chilling narrative about cryogenic experimentation and the blurred line between life and death, featuring a scientist who pushes ethical boundaries too far.
Fact: The film was part of a series of low-budget but influential horror-science fiction hybrids from Columbia Pictures.
