Invasion of the Body Snatchers was loved by some and hated by others. Several critics say that the 1956 version is a classic presentation of the theme of alien possession. Science fiction became big box office, and the decade that followed saw a fantastic diversity in quality, scope, subject matter, and acceptance on many different levels. One critic of the 1956 version stated that it was "a direct stab at communism."

Adults found this film and others like it to be silly and pointless. They did not anticipate the metaphoric expertise of the film. It was of course the kids that made the movie so popular, not the adults. They loved this and the other science fiction of the day. This particular film had such an affect on younger voters that it actually helped Eisenhower get reelected. This showed the profound influence this film could have on peoples opinions. This film will definitely be a classic for a long time to come.