The 1980s were a fantastic time for entertainment, filled with amazing stories in both movies and television. While movies – especially sci-fi adventures, epic battles, and scary alien films – often get the most recognition, there were also plenty of exciting and unforgettable TV series to enjoy.
The 1980s were full of popular sci-fi shows like Star Trek: The Next Generation, Knight Rider, and V. Because of this, some great series were overlooked, even though they’re still enjoyable today. Here are some of the biggest and best forgotten sci-fi shows from the decade that have stood the test of time, ranging from action-packed cop dramas to funny parodies.
Starman Is a Heartwarming Sequel to a John Carpenter Classic
This isn’t about the DC Comics character. It refers to John Carpenter’s 1984 film, Starman, which tells the story of a romance between an alien, played by Jeff Bridges, and a woman named Jenny, played by Karen Allen. In the movie, the alien creates a child with Jenny through cloning, as she couldn’t have children naturally. The TV series picks up the story fifteen years later.
The show follows Starman, now portrayed by Robert Hays, as he comes back to Earth and takes on the identity of a journalist who recently passed away, Paul Forrester. He reconnects with his son, Scott (Christopher Daniel Barnes), and together they search for Jenny, all while trying to evade the US government.
Starman continues the story of the beloved sci-fi film with a charming and lighthearted series. Each episode features a new adventure for the main characters. Though it may not be the most thrilling show on television, its 22 episodes offer a deeper look into the world of Starman.
Automan Brought Neon Visuals to the Small Screen
Out of all the sci-fi shows from the 1980s, Automan would be a perfect candidate for a modern remake. The series centers around a computer expert (Desi Arnaz Jr.) who designs an artificial intelligence program that transforms into a real-life superhero (Chuck Wagner) to fight crime.
Automan is a fun, sci-fi take on the buddy-cop formula, and it’s known for its bright, colorful visuals. The show features a lot of memorable gadgets – like a car that breaks the laws of physics and a holographic helicopter – and blends over-the-top superhero action with the familiar structure of a police show. It’s lighthearted and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Red Dwarf Is a Classic British Sci-Fi Comedy
Red Dwarf centers around Dave Lister, played by Craig Charles, who is the last human alive. He wakes up after being in suspended animation for three million years aboard the ship Red Dwarf. His only companions are a hologram of his dead friend, Arnold Rimmer (Chris Barrie), and a creature (Danny John-Jules) that evolved from his cat.
Red Dwarf is definitely not meant to be a serious show, but it’s consistently funny and enjoyable. Like many sci-fi series from the same era, such as Star Trek, each episode follows a mismatched crew as they journey through space, looking for a place to call home. Expect plenty of space battles and encounters with strange aliens! The show is full of witty satire and spoofs of classic space operas, just like when it first aired in 1988.
The Martian Chronicles Is an Allegorical NBC Miniseries
The NBC miniseries The Martian Chronicles is based on Ray Bradbury’s short story collection of the same name and tells the story of humans trying to settle on Mars. Written primarily by Richard Matheson, though often associated with Rod Serling, the series uses the colonization effort as a symbolic representation of the historical treatment of Native Americans. It’s known for its poetic and dreamlike style.
Beyond its thought-provoking themes, this sci-fi miniseries offers a lot to enjoy. It stands out with its stunning visuals – particularly the creative and forward-thinking production design – a fantastic score by Stanley Myers, and a unique atmosphere created by its haunting desert settings instead of the typical high-tech future.
Beyond the compelling story, The Martian Chronicles features a fantastic cast, with stars like Roddy McDowall, Rock Hudson, and Bernadette Peters.
ALF Is a Family-Friendly Alien Sitcom
ALF was a popular NBC show that put a unique spin on the classic family sitcom. The series centers around ALF, an alien played by Paul Fusco, who ends up living with the Tanner family after his spaceship crashes in their backyard.
ALF is a sweet and funny sci-fi show that the whole family can enjoy. Though it’s not packed with action, you’ll likely love watching the charming alien get into mischief over the four seasons – whether he’s trying to sneak a bite of the cat, avoiding the neighbors, or making clever and sarcastic comments.
Amazing Stories Is a Lighthearted and Entertaining Sci-Fi Anthology
Don’t mistake it for the newer Apple TV+ show! Amazing Stories was a classic anthology series, similar to The Twilight Zone. Over two seasons, each episode presented a standalone, 24-minute science fiction story, and while most were fun and light, they were always engaging.
Each episode features imaginative stories, from characters with telepathy to the use of black magic, all presented in a way that families can enjoy together. The show also attracted many famous directors, including Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, and Joe Dante, who each directed an episode.
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2026-05-24 02:10