Some science fiction movies feature deep, complex characters and multilayered stories that manage to provide a gripping commentary on society while also exploring the concealed realities of human nature. Others don’t; nor do they try to. While there were plenty of great sci-fi films in 2024, those of the 1980s were an absolute blast for the audience, regardless of the seriousness (or lack thereof) of their plots. While some 1980s sci-fi movies didn’t age well, others did. What these films lack in nuance, they make up for in awesome fight scenes, lovable characters, and out-of-this-world settings.
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Nowadays, much of the science fiction cinema world is dominated by big-budget franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Dune series. While these franchises are certainly beloved by many, they do draw attention away from more unique sci-fi films. Eras like the 1980s, however, feature tons of outlandish sci-fi movies made without any thoughts of future sequels in mind. This allowed filmmakers to go all-in on their bizarre concepts, giving audiences plenty of futuristic craziness. Even though (or perhaps because) their concepts are a bit bizarre, these ’80s sci-films promise nonstop fun for their viewers.
10 The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)
Directed by W.D. Richter
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The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984) PG
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension is a 1984 science fiction film that follows the adventures of Buckaroo Banzai, a physicist/rock musician/superhero played by Peter Weller. The film follows Buckaroo as he saves the world from the evil alien Lord John Whorfin, who is threatening to destroy the Earth.
Director W.D. Richter Release Date August 15, 1984 Writers Earl Mac Rauch Cast Peter Weller , John Lithgow , Ellen Barkin , Jeff Goldblum , Christopher Lloyd , Lewis Smith , Rosalind Cash , Robert Ito , Pepe Serna , Ronald Lacey Runtime 103 Minutes
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Sometimes, every sentence said about a given movie just makes it sound crazier and crazier. This is undoubtedly the case for W.D. Richter’s off-the-wall sci-fi comedy, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.
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The film stars Peter Weller as the legendary brain surgeon/adventurer/rock star, Buckaroo Banzai, who must use his wide-ranging skills to stop an alien invasion after an otherworldly creature latches onto his Jet Car during an interdimensional test drive. What makes Buckaroo Banzai so entertaining is the way it wholeheartedly embraces the absurdity of its plot.
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The film never takes itself too seriously, even with its cast of acclaimed actors (including John Lithgow, Jeff Goldblum, and Christopher Lloyd). Buckaroo Banzai may not have all the qualities of an Oscar-winning feature, but it does have plenty of wacky characters, awesome vehicles, mesmerizing costumes, and even a rock concert. For fans of unique takes on the science fiction genre, it is almost impossible to not have a good time with Buckaroo Banzai.
9 The Ice Pirates (1984)
Directed by Stewart Raffill
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The Ice Pirates PG
The Ice Pirates is a 1984 science fiction film set in a future where water is scarce. It follows space pirates on a mission to challenge an oppressive regime controlling the galaxy’s water supply, which was hidden in the wake of the galactic trade wars.
Director Stewart Raffill Release Date March 16, 1984 Cast Mary Crosby , Robert Urich , Michael D. Roberts , Anjelica Huston , John Matuszak , Ron Perlman , John Carradine , Natalie Core , Jeremy West , Bruce Vilanch , Alan Caillou , Marcia Lewis , Daryl Keith Roach , Robert Symonds , Gary Brockette , Rockne Tarkington , Ian Abercrombie , Dolores Albin , Hank Worden , Bonnie Campbell-Britton , Carmen Filpi , John Gillespie , Patty Maloney , Shane McCamey , Ralph Meyering Jr. Runtime 91 minutes Expand
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What would happen if a movie about futuristic space travel was combined with a movie about pirates? For the answer to this question, look no further than Stewart Raffill’s 1984 sci-fi film, The Ice Pirates. In the futuristic galaxy in which the film is set, water has become an incredibly rare and valuable resource. This leaves those with access to water to try hoarding it all to themselves, and those without it to try stealing it at any cost. Craziness ensues when an “ice pirate” named Jason impulsively kidnaps a princess while raiding a spaceship for its ice.
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Filled with everything from pirate shenanigans to robot butlers, The Ice Pirates is a ton of fun for anyone looking to relax and have a bunch of good laughs. The film is boosted by its charming supporting performances by Golden Globe winners Angelica Huston and Ron Perlman. If nothing else, The Ice Pirates provides a creative answer to the question of what would happen if Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean were combined into one delightfully bonkers film.
8 Flash Gordon (1980)
Directed by Mike Hodges
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Flash Gordon PG
Flash Gordon (1980) is a science fiction film directed by Mike Hodges, featuring Sam J. Jones as the titular hero. Flash, a football player, battles the evil Ming the Merciless (Max von Sydow) who threatens Earth. Accompanied by Dale Arden (Melody Anderson) and Dr. Hans Zarkov (Topol), Flash navigates an intergalactic struggle. The film is noted for its vibrant visuals and a memorable score by Queen.
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Director Mike Hodges Release Date December 5, 1980 Cast Sam J. Jones , Melody Anderson , Max Von Sydow , Topol , Ornella Muti , Timothy Dalton , Brian Blessed , Peter Wyngarde , Mariangela Melato , John Osborne , Richard O’Brien , John Hallam , Philip Stone , Suzanne Danielle , William Hootkins , Bobbie Brown , Ted Carroll , Adrienne Kronenberg , Stanley Lebor , John Morton , Burnell Tucker , Robbie Coltrane , Peter Duncan , Ken Sicklen , Tessa Hewitt Runtime 111 Minutes Expand
Based on the comics of the same name, Flash Gordon follows the titular football player as he gets wrapped up in an intergalactic battle to prevent the destruction of the planet Earth by the evil Emperor Ming. Early in the film, Flash takes control of an airplane after it is struck by a meteor, and crash-lands it at the residence of Dr. Hans Zarkov, a former NASA scientist who has been building his own spaceship in order to confront the aliens he believes to be attacking Earth. Needless to say, the plot is not very down-to-Earth in any sense.
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Flash Gordon contains just about everything that audiences want to see in movies; action, romance, a daring hero, an imposing villain, the list goes on. The fact that the movie includes things like high-speed spaceships and sword fights is purely an added bonus. Quirks and all, Flash Gordon did actually receive at least some praise from critics, who admired its world-building and lovable, campy nature. Whether you take its story seriously or not, Flash Gordon is bound to be a ton of fun for anyone watching.
7 Lifeforce (1985)
Directed by Tobe Hooper
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8.8/10 Lifeforce (1985) RSci-FiHorrorActionThriller
Lifeforce is a science fiction horror film directed by Tobe Hooper. The story follows a crew of astronauts who discover a derelict spaceship containing humanoid creatures in suspended animation. Upon returning to Earth, they unwittingly unleash a malevolent alien force that threatens to drain the lifeforce of humanity. Starring Steve Railsback, Mathilda May, and Peter Firth, the film combines elements of space exploration with supernatural terror.
Director Tobe Hooper Release Date June 21, 1985 Writers Colin Wilson , Dan O’Bannon , Don Jakoby , Michael Armstrong , Olaf Pooley Cast Steve Railsback , Peter Firth , Frank Finlay , Mathilda May , Patrick Stewart , Michael Gothard , Nicholas Ball , Aubrey Morris , Nancy Paul , John Hallam , John Keegan , Chris Jagger , Bill Malin , Jerome Willis , Derek Benfield , John Woodnutt Expand
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In 1985, Tobe Hooper, director of horror classics like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Poltergeist, decided to try fusing some science fiction elements into his typical work with horror. He did this with Lifeforce, a movie which presents a unique cross between space travel and vampire attacks. The film follows the chaos that ensues after three vampire-like creatures are recovered from a destroyed spaceship and brought back to Earth by scientists unaware of the massive threat they pose.
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While reviews of the film covered a wide range of opinions, all critics seemed to agree about at least one thing: Lifeforce is absolutely bonkers. The key difference is that some make this claim in a negative way, while others use it as an indicator of the film being nonstop fun from beginning to end. With space travel, vampire battles, and even a pre-Star Trek performance from Patrick Stewart, Lifeforce promises to be unlike any movie you’ve seen before, making it an exciting option for viewers looking for something they can enjoy with a big bowl of popcorn.
6 Night of the Comet (1984)
Directed by Thom Eberhardt
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Night of the Comet PG-13 Director Thom Eberhardt Cast Robert Beltran , Catherine Mary Stewart , Kelli Maroney , Sharon Farrell , Mary Woronov , Geoffrey Lewis Runtime 95 minutes
When the planet Earth travels through the tail of a passing comet overnight, all humans who weren’t in reinforced steel containers are mysteriously transformed into zombie-like creatures. This eerie event sets the scene for Night of the Comet, a 1984 sci-fi horror-comedy by Thom Eberhardt.
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The film follows Reggie and Sam (played by Catherine Mary Stewart and Kelli Maroney, respectively), a pair of sisters who must learn to survive in the new red-skied version of the world they live in. The lack of depth in the concept of Night of the Comet is actually part of what makes the film so enjoyable.
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It doesn’t dwell unnecessarily long on trying to rationalize its story. It merely takes a moment or two to clearly establish what’s happening – a comet has turned almost everyone into zombies – and then gets to spend the rest of its runtime making the most of this concept. With a satisfying blend of horror and comedy thrown in as well, Night of the Comet is a science fiction film that is lastingly fun regardless of its minimally explained concept.
5 Hell Comes to Frogtown (1988)
Directed by Donald G. Jackson and R.J. Kizer
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Hell Comes To Frogtown R
Hell Comes to Frogtown is a 1988 post-apocalyptic film directed by Donald G. Jackson and R. J. Kizer. Starring Roddy Piper as Sam Hell, the film follows his journey through a dystopian world where mutant frogs have captured fertile women. Tasked with rescuing the captives to repopulate the human race, Hell navigates a treacherous landscape filled with unique challenges and adversaries.
Director Donald G. Jackson , R.J. Kizer Release Date January 29, 1988 Cast Roddy Piper , Sandahl Bergman , Cec Verrell , William Smith , Rory Calhoun , Nicholas Worth , Kristi Somers , Cliff Bemis , Brian Frank , Eyde Byrde , Julius LeFlore , Suzanne Solari , Lee Garlington , Dan Coplan Runtime 88 Minutes
With a name like Hell Comes to Frogtown, it is no major surprise that Donald G. Jackson and R.J. Kizer’s 1988 feature has a bit of a bonkers premise. In the world of the film, most of humanity has become infertile following the events of a massive nuclear war. Because of this, the few remaining fertile humans have become massively important. This includes Sam Hell, a scavenger who becomes tasked with a crucial mission: to rescue a group of women from a city run by a society of anthropomorphic frog-like beings.
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In order to make such a crazy plot as enjoyable as it is, Hell Comes to Frogtown needed a charismatic leading man to help captivate the audience throughout the zany story. Fortunately, the filmmakers managed to find one in the form of none other than wrestling legend, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. The popular wrestling champion’s natural charm translated directly from the ring to the screen, with his performance bringing nonstop entertainment throughout the off-the-wall adventure. For a film dominated by Roddy Piper and a battalion of mutant frogs, Hell Comes to Frogtown does not disappoint in terms of fun.
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4 The Last Starfighter (1984)
Directed by Nick Castle
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The Last Starfighter ActionAdventureFamilySci-Fi Director Nick Castle Release Date July 13, 1984 Writers Jonathan R. Betuel Main Genre Action
Although there are clear similarities to Star Wars, The Last Starfighter is not nearly as well-known in the world of science fiction cinema. The film primarily follows the story of a teenager named Alex Rogan, who is suddenly abducted from his trailer park home on Earth after achieving the high score on the arcade game, Starfighter, which secretly exists as a training mechanism for an intergalactic army. The Last Starfighter is the final film of The Music Man star Robert Preston’s career, and the second film directed by Nick Castle, best known for his portrayal of Michael Myers in Halloween.
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Perhaps the most prominent difference between The Last Starfighter and films like Star Wars or Dune is the way the film is rooted in the story of a human character from Earth. Alex’s humble origins (and eventual return to Earth) keep the story somewhat grounded, even when he is off fighting battles in outer space. By consistently remembering the human element of its story, and being willing to acknowledge the humorous side of its circumstances, The Last Starfighter offers a fun, charming (albeit somewhat bonkers) take on the interstellar warfare idea.
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3 Slipstream (1989)
Directed by Steven Lisberger
Slipstream is another ’80s sci-fi flick from Steven Lisberger, the same mind who created Tron earlier that same decade. The film takes place in a post-apocalyptic version of Earth, one in which the world is essentially controlled by the Slipstream, a massive, powerful wind current worshiped as a god-like entity by many of the remaining humans. Slipstream explores the exciting escapades of various individuals trying to capture a mysterious prisoner in order to receive the bounty that has been placed on him.
While the idea of a wind-dominated Earth is definitely quite a bit unusual, Slipstream is made thoroughly entertaining by its cast. Mark Hamill demonstrates that his abilities as a sci-fi leading man extend well beyond the realm of Star Wars, with Bill Paxton also making the most of his screen time. The audience is also rewarded with brief appearances by various recognizable actors, including Academy Award winners Ben Kingsley and F. Murray Abraham. With a stellar cast and plenty of high-altitude action, Slipstream is a blast for all viewers.
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2 Critters (1986)
Directed by Stephen Herek
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Critters PG-13
A massive ball of furry creatures from another world eat their way through a small mid-western town followed by intergalactic bounty hunters opposed only by militant townspeople.
Director Stephen Herek Release Date April 11, 1986 Cast Dee Wallace , M. Emmet Walsh , Billy Green Bush , Scott Grimes , Nadine Van der Velde , Don Keith Opper Runtime 86 minutes
With a tagline like, “They eat so fast, you won’t have time to scream,” viewers of Critters can rest assured, knowing they are in for some cheesy, sci-fi horror-comedy fun. The film is largely set in a small Kansas town, where the lives of the humble Brown family are turned upside down by the arrival of some mysterious (and rather unfriendly) creatures from outer space called Krites. Matters get even crazier when two shape-shifting bounty hunters arrive, looking to capture the violent creatures and return them to the asteroid prison where they were being held.
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Nothing sets the tone for a wacky ’80s sci-fi movie quite like the appearance of some freaky-looking puppet characters, and Critters surely does not disappoint in that regard. The eerie, sharp-toothed smiles of the Krites are the perfect blend of unsettling and cheesy that people love to see in the films of this era. They may not be quite as menacing as the filmmakers may have originally intended, but that merely adds to the enjoyability of the film.
1 Flight of the Navigator (1986)
Directed by Randal Kleiser
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Flight of the Navigator PG
Flight of the Navigator is a science fiction film directed by Randal Kleiser. Released in 1986, the story follows 12-year-old David, who is mysteriously transported eight years into the future after a close encounter with an alien spaceship. As David tries to understand what happened, he discovers the advanced spacecraft and forms a unique bond with its artificial intelligence, known as Max.
Director Randal Kleiser Release Date July 30, 1986 Cast Joey Cramer , Paul Reubens , Veronica Cartwright , Cliff DeYoung , Sarah Jessica Parker , Matt Adler , Howard Hesseman , Robert Small Runtime 90 Minutes
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Flight of the Navigator may be far from being the most well-known movie made by Disney, but it is nonetheless an enjoyable installment in the science fiction genre, even with its rather unusual concept. The plot is set into motion when twelve-year-old David walks through the woods and returns eight years later, having not aged a day. It is gradually revealed that this is because David was actually abducted by a UFO, and that time passed differently while he was away.
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Flight of the Navigator fuses classic sci-fi tropes with the heartwarming Disney storytelling that audiences have known and loved for many years. Though the film relies on the concept of a random child being abducted by friendly aliens, it does offer a relatively refined take on the idea of time travel, using the concept much more carefully and creatively than many other sci-fi films. With a pleasant story and lovably corny special effects, Flight of the Navigator is a fun, silly film for fans of science fiction everywhere.
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