In both the 1950s original and a 1980s remake, The Blob became the world's hungriest jello mold, enveloping and eating anyone in its path. The 1950s horror and sci-fi scenes were dominated by giant creatures determined to stomp on and/or consume any unfortunate human being in their path. The most famous example of course being Godzilla, who would go on to become more of an antihero than a villain. Still, the 1950s played host to giant ants, giant spiders, and even giant people.
One of the oddest monsters to emerge from this period was The Blob, which first appeared on the big screen in 1958, opposite no less a movie star than Steve McQueen. The Blob was unlike most other monsters in that it had no recognizable form, and was instead exactly what its name implies, an amorphous, all-consuming blob capable of absorbing just about anything it came into contact with. Needless to say, there was no point in trying to appease or reason with The Blob, as its sole goal is eating.
The Blob would return to terrorize unsuspecting victims in 1972 sequel Beware The Blob, and a 1988 remake, directed by Chuck Russell of A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors fame. The Blob's background is a bit mysterious, but here's what we do know about it.
The Blob's Origin & Powers Explained
The Blob has a slightly different origin depending on the version one watches. In the 1958 film, the gelatinous creature falls to Earth aboard a meteorite, and is unleashed upon humanity when an inquisitive old man pokes at the object with a stick. As seen later in Creepshow, poking a meteorite with a stick is always ill-advised. In the 1988 remake of The Blob, the creature is a result of man messing with nature by sending bacteria up into outer space, which gets mutated by radiation while outside the Earth's atmosphere. It was intended to be a biological weapon, but got so out of control it was sent back into space. Decades later, it returns to Earth on a meteorite, similar to its original introduction.
As one might imagine, The Blob's primary ability is absorbing just about any living being by simply making physical contact and enveloping it. Every victim it absorbs allows the creature to grow bigger in size, making it harder and harder to escape. Additionally, The Blob's amorphous nature enables it to change shape at will, useful for times where its victims are trying to hide from it in, on, or around something. In the 1988 remake, it can even shoot grabbing tentacles out of itself. In all three Blob films, the creature's only real weakness - normal weaponry is entirely useless against it - is extremely cold temperatures. Even then, The Blob seemingly can't be destroyed, only frozen and contained.