As far as science fiction is concerned, the ’80s was the decade where modern sensibilities where the previous decades’ progressive ideas flourished. Also, It was the decade that gifted the sci-fi genre an extensive breakthrough in the entertainment business. There were so many great 1980 Sci-Fi movies that it was hard to determine the best of the best 1980s Sci-Fi Movies.
The ’80s continued down a brilliant adventure of imagined futures, artificial intelligence, possible pasts, virtual realities, piercing satires, and a lot more. The decade had a gold standard of the genre in ways that kept the fans talking long after the credits rolled. It further brought about flawless eclectic genres like sci-fi horror and sci-fi comedy. Dexterous filmmakers like James Cameron, Terry Gilliam, John Carpenter, Ridley Scott, and so on, brilliantly harnessed the best of their available resources.
Choosing the top 10 Sci-fi movies of the ’80s decade is not all that easy and simple. However, this list provides you with the spectacular ones that undoubtedly deserves to be on this list. Enjoy!
Presenting the best 1980s Sci-Fi Movies!
10. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
“Where is he from, Uranus? Get it? Your anus?”
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is one sci-fi movie that brilliantly articulates how a child’s mind works, how families function, and how supposed adults lose sight of wonder. It is very intimate in tone. Even though it is surprisingly small in scale, Spielberg’s E.T attracted an amazing box-office success. It makes the list’s number 10 for its imaginative, magical, huge-hearted, and of course, vastly funny scenes.
Here, there is an alien who is so far away from home, stranded. It made friends with a ten-year-old Elliott (Henry Thomas). Eliot’s elder brother, Michael (Robert MacNaughton), together with his little sister Gertie (Drew Barrymore), discovered that Elliot has an alien as his best friend. Now, they have to help get this stranger home. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial presents us with one of the nicest family films. It is emotional, sublime, and evenhanded.
9. Ghostbusters (1984)
“…Do you believe in UFOs, astral projections, telepathy, ESP, clairvoyance, spirit photography, telekinetic movement, full trance mediums, the Loch Ness monster, and the theory of Atlantis?”
Ghostbusters is one of the best sci-fi movies from the ’80s. It is also unarguably one of the greatest comedies to ever come out of the American movie industry. So, this film is a brilliant sci-fi comedy classic! The dialogues in the film were beautifully written by co-starsDan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. And they were excellently delivered by the actors. Then, the special effects in this movie are very catchy. Ghost Busters presents an intelligent merry-go-round plot that is heavily diluted with rumbling apocalyptic meanings.
Ghost Busters is a tale of scientists Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, who lost their positions at a university in New York City. They did not take it quite well. So, they resorted to being ‘Ghostbusters.’ Their new role entails waging a high-tech war against the supernatural, for money. They soon come across a gateway that could release evil and doom on the city. Therefore, they have to save New York from destruction.
8. Brazil (1985)
“Why? I came into this game for the action, the excitement. Go anywhere, travel light, get in, get out, wherever there’s trouble, a man alone. Now they got the whole country sectioned off, you can’t make a move without a form.”
Terry Gilliam is undoubtedly one of the most fantastic, creative, and unique filmmaking minds in the movie industry. His movie production skills have birthed some truly bizarre films. Brazil happens to be one of such masterpieces from Terry. It was very much the perfect project to showcase and further explore his talent as a great storyteller. This highly detailed, dense, and visually compelling sci-fi fantasy has a nostalgic retro-future. One would find ‘everyman’ Sam Lowry (Jonathan Pryce) as nothing but a simple cog in an Orwellian governmental machine. Brazil is a brilliant ‘bureaucracy gone mad’ sci-fi movie!
It presents a rich and compelling story, set in a futuristic society runs by incompetent bureaucracy and technology. Here, a worker (Jonathan Pryce) becomes the state’s enemy after he attempts to correct an error then ends up with stuffed up bizarre visuals. Hence, this is a must-watch ’80s sci-fi movie!
7. The Terminator (1984)
“Listen, and understand. That terminator is out there. It can’t be bargained with. It can’t be reasoned with. It doesn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead.”
This list is incomplete without James Cameron’s sophomore film, Terminator. This gritty sci-fi thriller established him as an exciting filmmaking force to reckon with. This very movie is unarguably Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most recognizable and greatest role. Thus, Terminator launched him to the eyes of the world as one of the world’s biggest action stars. This sci-fi is beautifully filled with twists and thrills.
Arnold stars as a killer cyborg. He has been sent from the post-apocalyptic future to kill a lady, Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). This is because she will somehow give birth to the leader of the human race resistance. Luckily for her, she is gifted with a helper who is also sent back from the future to teach her all she needs to know about the Terminator and the possible future. This movie is sure to keep you coming back!
6. The Thing (1982)
“I don’t know what the hell’s in there, but it’s weird and pissed off, whatever it is.”
The Thing is a brilliant sci-fi horror that happens to be one of John Carpenter’s movie masterwork. The scientific brilliance accompanies the dread, tension and claustrophobic feelings all through the film is in no way easy to bear. The creature designs are so fantastic that it still holds up today. No doubt, The Thing is hideously impressive.
The story features an isolated research facility in the Arctic. A small crew of scientists finds themselves in a situation where a deadly alien haunts them. Worse still, the alien can become the very form of any being it victimizes. A brilliant sci-fi horror that is technically executed with excellence.
5. Blade Runner (1982)
“It’s too bad, she won’t live. But then again, who does?”
This sci-fi movie by Ridley Scott finds its place in the fifth position. It is one of the highlights of the ’80s. The technicalities employed is not only fantastic but highly memorable. It hints at what it means to be human. For instance, you will find the paradoxical incompetence of human beings. Blade Runner was brilliantly accentuated with music, style, and mood. Ridley Scott was very successful in birthing a dark, fascinating, yet, beautiful futuristic world with apt attention to details and nuances.
Blade Runner is a tale set about the future. It features replicates which are androids but look very much like humans. With Earth having an overpopulation problem, there is a rare option of moving to foreign planets as Tyrell Corporation designed humanoids with a limited lifespan. Soon, they go AWOL, and blade runner has to hunt them. Here, Harrison Ford Plays the role of a complex cop hero who is tasked with running after the ‘rebellious’ runaway replicants and hunting them down. Rutger Hauer was also phenomenal as he played the role of the frightening yet sympathetic lead replicant.
4. Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
“Patience. Soon, he will seek you out, and when he does, you must bring him before me. He has grown strong, only together can we turn him to the dark side of the Force.”
For as long as sci-fi will be mentioned in the ’80s, Star Wars has got to be part of the top considerations! The very first trilogy of Star Wars came to a fulfilling end with Return of the Jedi. This sci-fi is a kid-friendly adventure that is so much fun. It begins with the breathtaking prologue at Jabba’s palace then continues to the epic battle on Endor, down to the final scene. George Lucas did create an excellent end of this chapter.
In this episode, the Rebel Alliance heroes went to battle against the Galactic Empire. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) battles both Jabba and his father, Darth Vader. Love was rekindled and reaffirmed, as forces were combined to aid the Dark Side’s disruption to ultimately defeat the evil emperor.
3. Aliens (1986)
“They’re coming outta the walls. They’re coming outta the goddamn walls. Let’s book!”
For our number 3, James Cameron comes up again with a superb sci-fi horror packed up with action! No other movie but Aliens. Well-fleshed and distinct personalities spice the film. Brilliant actors who oozed flawless attitudes and distinctive peculiarities out of every drop of sweat accentuated the scenes. This sci-fi feels like an expressionistic work of art.
In this story, having floated for 57 years, the Weyland-Yutani Corporation recovers Lt. Ripley’s (Sigourney Weaver) shuttle. Meanwhile, on LV-426, a colony that the corporation founded after the events of the original movie, finds itself in a dire situation. By the time that assistance arrives, only a 9-year-old girl, Newt (Carrie Henn), manages to survive the present danger. However, the problem is that despite the battle-hardened marines now available with the best of weaponry, they are still no match for the multiple aliens that have invaded the colony.
2. Back to the Future (1985)
“Wait A Minute, Doc. Are You Telling Me You Built a Time Machine…Out of A DeLorean?”
Back to the Future makes the grand entrance as our number 2 from the ’80s. Anyone would agree that this sci-fi is rich with great writing, fantastic acting, brilliant directing, top-notch editing, effective special effects, and of course, a beautiful story structure! The sense of wonder instilled into the audience by Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale, and Steven Spielberg adds to this movie’s awesomeness. Being a blockbuster, this movie further represents a heightened watermark for director Robert Zemeckis. The production team flawlessly delivered brilliant special effects and production designs. The movie sits proudly as one of the best science fiction of the ’80s!
In this endless sci-fi comedy, one can never get enough of its brilliance. A young teenager, Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox, is accidentally sent back in time. Having altered his timeline, he must now work with Doctor Brown (Christopher Llyod) to help him set things right and return to his present time.
1. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
“Yes, run! Yes, a Jedi’s strength flows from the Force. But beware of the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will, as it did Obi-Wan’s apprentice.”
Sitting boldly at the top of the list is Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. It is the first Star Wars sequel that yields an outstandingly simplistic sci-fi formula! Episode V is one the best 1980s Sci-Fi movies to ever be made, if not the best. We believe it to be the best. However, most agree that even if this movie is not the best, it is one of the best 1980s Sci-Fi movies. This movie was able to create an emotionally satisfying space. It is not only rich in philosophies but also special effects. By so doing, it gave birth to a delirious level of thrills and entertainment. The deep dark tone of the movie makes an even more thrilling adventure space. Many still vastly regard Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back as the best of the entire Star Wars franchise.
The tale of this story reveals Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and his comrades, facing attacks from the Imperial forces as well as its AT-AT walkers that habit the ice planet, Hoth. While Han (Harrison Ford) and Leia (Carrie Fisher) manages to escape in the Millennium Falcon, Luke journeys in search of Yoda. But, only the Jedi master’s help can gift Luke a chance of survival when the dark side catches up with him. Now, the ultimate duel is with his father, Darth Vader (David Prowse).
Conclusively…
…the ’80s was a great era/decade for the science fiction movie genre. A vast array of brilliant sci-fi movies filled the decade. The top 10 on this list are movies that many would agree served as major highlights of the ’80s. So, this movie list does raise the bar for excellence in the movie world and the entertainment business.
Author: Chris Ingledue
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Bio: I’m the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year; scouring the internet – like we did the Sears Catalog of yesteryear – for the next great treasure, awaiting the arrival of the postman as if he was Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their own versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!