Somescience fiction moviesfeature deep , complex characters and multilayered stories that make do to cater a spellbind commentary on society while also exploring the hold back realities of human nature . Others do n’t ; nor do they endeavor to . While there were plenty ofgreat sci - fi motion picture in 2024 , those of the eighties were an absolute blast for the audience , regardless of the seriousness ( or lack thereof ) of their plots . While some1980s sci - fi movie did n’t age well , others did . What these flick miss in nuance , they make up for in awesome fight scenes , lovable lineament , and out - of - this - world configurations .

now , much of the science fiction film world is dominated by big - budget franchise like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and theDuneseries . While these franchises are sure enough beloved by many , they do draw tending off frommore alone sci - fi films . Eras like the 1980s , however , feature article tons of outlandishsci - fi flick made without any thoughts of next sequelsin mind . This allow for film producer to go all - in on their bizarre concepts , giving hearing plentifulness of futuristic craziness . Even though ( or perhaps because ) their concept are a spot bizarre , these ' 80s sci - films assure nonstop fun for their viewers .

10The 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 Eighth Dimension is a 1984 science fable film that follows the adventures of Buckaroo Banzai , a physicist / rock musician / superhero act as by Peter Weller . The celluloid follows Buckaroo as he hold start the world from the evil alien Lord John Whorfin , who is threatening to demolish the Earth .

Sometimes , every condemnation say about a generate movie just have it sound crazier and sick . This is doubtlessly the case for W.D. Richter ’s off - the - wall sci - fi comedy , The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the eighth Dimension .

Using everything from black holes to quantum loop , these sci - fi movies harness sentence travel with naturalistic feeler rather than commodious devices .

Matthew McConaughey tearing up in Interstellar and Nacho Vigalondo wearing green goggles in Time Crimes

The film stars Peter Weller as the fabled brain surgeon / adventurer / rock star , Buckaroo Banzai , who must utilize his wide - rove acquisition to stop an alien encroachment after an otherworldly creature latch onto his Jet Car during an interdimensional test cause . What makesBuckaroo Banzaiso nurse is the way it wholeheartedly comprehend the absurdity of its plot .

The celluloid never direct itself too badly , even with its cast of characters of acclaimed thespian ( include John Lithgow , Jeff Goldblum , and Christopher Lloyd).Buckaroo Banzaimay not have all the qualities of an Oscar - winning feature of speech , but it does have plenty of sappy part , awesome vehicles , mesmerise costumes , and even a rock music concert . For devotee of unique takes on the skill fabrication musical style , it is almost impossible to not have a in force prison term withBuckaroo Banzai .

9The Ice Pirates(1984)

Directed by Stewart Raffill

The Ice Pirates is a 1984 science fiction photographic film set in a time to come where water is scarce . It follows place pirates on a mission to challenge an oppressive regime controlling the galaxy ’s water supply , which was hidden in the wake of the astronomic craft wars .

What would happen if a film about futurist space travel was combined with a film about pirates?For the result 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 define , water has become an implausibly rare and valuable resource . This go out 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 abduct a princess while raid a starship for its ice .

8Flash Gordon (1980)

Directed by Mike Hodges

Flash Gordon ( 1980 ) is a science fiction film direct by Mike Hodges , featuring Sam J. Jones as the nominal hero . Flash , a football participant , battles the evil Ming the Merciless ( Max von Sydow ) who threaten Earth . Accompanied by Dale Arden ( Melody Anderson ) and Dr. Hans Zarkov ( Topol ) , Flash navigate an intergalactic struggle . The film is observe for its vibrant visuals and a memorable score by Queen .

Based on the comics of the same name , Flash Gordonfollows the nominal football player as he gets wrapped up in an intergalactic conflict to prevent the destruction of the planet Earth by the vicious Emperor Ming . Early in the cinema , Flash lead control of an airplane after it is happen upon by a shooting star , and smash - lands it at the residence of Dr. Hans Zarkov , a former NASA scientist who has been building his own starship so as to confront the aliens he believes to be round Earth . uncalled-for to say , the plot of ground is not very down - to - ground in any sense .

Flash Gordoncontains 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 picture includes thing like eminent - velocity spaceships and sword fights is purely an added fillip . Quirks and all , Flash Gordondid actually receive at least some praise from critic , who admire its world - construction and loveable , camp nature . Whether you take its account earnestly or not , Flash Gordonis bind to be a long ton of fun for anyone watching .

imagery-from-Alien-and-Upgrade

7Lifeforce(1985)

Directed by Tobe Hooper

Lifeforce is a skill fiction horror film directed by Tobe Hooper . The story follow a crowd of astronauts who break a derelict starship control android creatures in suspended vivification . Upon return to Earth , they inadvertently loose a malevolent foreign force that imperil to run out the lifeforce of humanity . Starring Steve Railsback , Mathilda May , and Peter Firth , the film flux element of infinite geographic expedition with supernatural terror .

In 1985 , Tobe Hooper , film director of horror classics likeThe Texas Chain regard MassacreandPoltergeist , settle to attempt fusing some scientific discipline fiction element into his typical work with horror . He did this withLifeforce , a movie which presents a unique cross between space travel and vampire attack . The celluloid follows the chaos that ensue after three vampire - like brute are recovered from a destroyed starship and brought back to Earth by scientists unaware of the massive menace they pose .

While reviews of the film covered a all-embracing cooking stove of opinions , all critics seemed to hold about at least one thing : Lifeforceis absolutely bonkers . The primal difference is that some make this claim in a negative way , while others use it as an indicator of the moving picture being round-the-clock merriment from start to end . With space travel , vampire battles , and even a pre - prima Trekperformance from Patrick Stewart , Lifeforcepromises to be unlike any film you ’ve see before , pee-pee it an exciting option for viewers attend for something they can enjoy with a heavy pipe bowl of popcorn .

Collage of Willow and Clash of the Titans

6Night of the Comet(1984)

Directed by Thom Eberhardt

Night of the Comet , released in 1984 , follows two teen babe in a post - apocalyptic Los Angeles after a comet wipes out most of world . They sail a landscape painting of red dust and zombi - like mutants , eventually link force out with a truck driver to combat a malign scientific group .

When the major planet Earth travels through the empennage of a pass comet overnight , all humans who were n’t in reinforced steel container are mysteriously transformed into zombie spirit - like creatures . This eery event set up the scene forNight of the Comet , a 1984 sci - fi horror - comedy by Thom Eberhardt .

An gas constant - rating allows sci - fi movies to construct bleak dystopian futures without having to irrigate down their subject matter for younger audiences .

Imagery from The Adventures of Buckaroo Bonzai Across the 8th Dimension & Flash Gordon

Custom image by Yeider Chacon

The film follows Reggie and Sam ( played by Catherine Mary Stewart and Kelli Maroney , respectively ) , a pair of sisters who must take to make it in the new crimson - skied version of the world they hold up in . The lack of deepness in the concept ofNight of the Cometis actually part of what makes the film so enjoyable .

It does n’t dwell unnecessarily long on attempt to rationalize its account . It only takes a moment or two to clearly launch 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 conception . With a satisfying blending of horror and funniness thrown in as well , Night of the Cometis a science fiction film that is lastingly fun regardless of its minimally excuse concept .

5Hell Comes to Frogtown(1988)

Directed by Donald G. Jackson and R.J. Kizer

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 play along his journey through a dystopian world where mutant frogs have captured fecund women . tax with rescuing the captives to repopulate the human airstream , Hell pilot a treacherous landscape painting filled with unique challenges and opposer .

With a name likeHell Comes to Frogtown , it is no major surprise that Donald G. Jackson and R.J. Kizer ’s 1988 characteristic has a snatch of a bonkers premise . In the world of the film , most of mankind has become infertile following the events of a monumental atomic state of war . Because of this , the few stay prolific humans have become massively crucial . This includes Sam Hell , a scavenger who becomes tasked with a crucial mission : to rescue a grouping of women from a city track down by a society of humanlike frog - like beings .

to make such a crazy plot as enjoyable as it is , Hell come to Frogtownneeded a charismatic leading Isle of Man to serve captivate the hearing throughout the zany account . luckily , the filmmakers manage to notice one in the variety of none other than writhe legend , " Rowdy " Roddy Piper . The democratic wrestle champion ’s natural charm translated directly from the halo to the screen , with his carrying into action 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 Frogtowndoes not disappoint in damage of playfulness .

Buckaroo Banzai Movie Poster

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.

4The Last Starfighter (1984)

Directed by Nick Castle

The Last Starfighter follows Alex Rogan , a skilled telecasting plot player , who is send to another planet after mastering an arcade secret plan . unbeknown to him , the secret plan served as a recruitment tool for actual interstellar pilots tasked with defending a aloof foreign domain from a looming menace .

Although there are clear similarity toStar Wars , The Last Starfighteris not intimately as well - bed in the world of science fiction cinema . The film chiefly follows the story of a teenager named Alex Rogan , who is all of a sudden kidnap from his trailer green home on Earth after achieve the high grade on the colonnade game , Starfighter , which in secret exists as a breeding mechanism for an intergalactic army . The Last Starfighteris the final film ofThe Music Manstar Robert Preston ’s career , and the 2nd picture organize by Nick Castle , best known for his portraying of Michael Myers inHalloween .

Perhaps the most prominent remainder betweenThe Last Starfighterand films likeStar WarsorDuneis the way the cinema is rooted in the story of a human character from Earth . Alex ’s humble origination ( and eventual take to Earth ) keep the narrative somewhat ground , even when he is off struggle battle in outer space . By consistently call back the human element of its story , and being unforced to acknowledge the humourous side of its portion , The Last Starfighteroffers a sport , witching ( albeit more or less bonkers ) take on the interstellar war idea .

HeaDSHOT oF Peter Weller

3Slipstream(1989)

Directed by Steven Lisberger

Slipstreamis another ' fourscore sci - fi flick from Steven Lisberger , the same mind who createdTronearlier that same decade . The picture takes position in a post - apocalyptical version of Earth , one in which the earth is essentially controlled by the Slipstream , a monumental , potent wind stream worshiped as a god - like entity by many of the remaining human race . Slipstreamexplores the exciting dangerous undertaking of various individuals endeavor to capture a mystical captive so as to receive the bounteousness that has been rate on him .

While the idea of a jazz - dominated Earth is emphatically quite a bit unusual , Slipstreamis made thoroughly entertain by its cast . Mark Hamill demonstrates that his abilities as a sci - fi leading man stretch forth well beyond the realm ofStar Wars , with Bill Paxton also get the most of his screen sentence . The audience is also reward with abbreviated appearance by various recognisable actors , including Academy Award winners Ben Kingsley and F. Murray Abraham . With a star mold and plenty of mellow - altitude action , Slipstreamis a blast for all viewers .

2Critters (1986)

Directed by Stephen Herek

A monumental clump of furred creatures from another world wipe out their elbow room through a small mid - western township followed by intergalactic bounty hunters opposed only by hawkish townsfolk .

With a tagline like,“They eat so tight , you wo n’t have time to scream,“viewers ofCritterscan rest assured , knowing they are in for some cheesy , sci - fi revulsion - comedy fun . The film is for the most part gear up in a small Kansas town , where the lives of the humble Brown family are turned upside down by the arriver of some mysterious ( and rather hostile ) creatures from proscribed place call Krites . Matters get even crazier when two shape - shift bounty hunter arrive , looking to capture the violent creatures and return them to the asteroid prison where they were being held .

Nothing set the note for a wacky ' 80s sci - fi movie quite like the appearance of some freaky - look puppet characters , andCritterssurely does not disappoint in that gaze . The eery , knifelike - toothed smiles of the Krites are the perfect blend of unsettling and cheesy that people bang to see in the films of this era . They may not be quite as sinister as the filmmakers may have originally intended , but that just summate to the enjoyability of the film .

Headshot Of John Lithgow

1Flight of the Navigator (1986)

Directed by Randal Kleiser

trajectory of the Navigator is a scientific discipline fiction moving-picture show orchestrate by Randal Kleiser . liberate in 1986 , the storey follows 12 - year - old David , who is cryptically transported eight years into the future after a close encounter with an exotic spaceship . As David seek to understand what happened , he divulge the sophisticated space vehicle and forms a unique bond with its stilted intelligence agency , known as Max .

Flight of the Navigatormay be far from being the most well - have intercourse movie made by Disney , but it is nonetheless an enjoyable installment in the science fiction musical genre , even with its rather strange construct . The patch is set into motion when twelve - year - old David walk through the Sir Henry Wood and return eight years later , having not aged a day . It is bit by bit uncover that this is because David was actually abducted by a UFO , and that time decease differently while he was away .

Flight of the Navigatorfuses definitive sci - fi tropes with the heartwarming Disney storytelling that audience have have sex 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 musical theme of sentence 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 Navigatoris a fun , pathetic motion-picture show for fans of science fiction everywhere .

01398347_poster_w780.jpg

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.

Cast Placeholder Image

flash gordon (1980) - poster

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.

Lifeforce (1985) - Poster

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.

Night of the Comet (1984)

Night of the Comet, released in 1984, follows two teenage sisters in a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles after a comet wipes out most of humanity. They navigate a landscape of red dust and zombie-like mutants, eventually joining forces with a truck driver to combat a malevolent scientific group.

Hell Comes To Frogtown (1988) - Poster

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.

01402133_poster_w780.jpg

The Last Starfighter follows Alex Rogan, a skilled video game player, who is transported to another planet after mastering an arcade game. Unbeknownst to him, the game served as a recruitment tool for real interstellar pilots tasked with defending a distant alien world from a looming threat.

Slipstream - Poster

Headshot Of Mark Hamill In The Premiere of Disney’s Star Wars

Headshot Of Bill Paxton

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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.

Flight of the Navigator (1986) - Poster

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.

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