7 Great Sci-Fi Shows From The 1980s Nobody Talks About

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Sci-fi consistently maintains a significant influence in pop culture, due to its frequent thought-provoking explorations of our world and humanity’s future. These stories often serve as mirrors, reflecting potential directions for mankind. Frequently, they act as cautionary tales, warning about the frightening or disturbing paths we might take. While many famous sci-fi works are well-known, some outstanding science fiction television series don’t receive enough recognition. This trend isn’t exclusive to modern times; it has been present throughout the genre’s history.

During the 1980s, science fiction experienced a boom period, with several notable movies such as “Star Wars,” “Star Trek,” “Alien,” “The Terminator,” and “RoboCop” seeing significant success at the box office. Yet, while sci-fi movies thrived, some remarkable television series from that decade have appeared to be overlooked or forgotten over time.

7) The Phoenix (ABC, 1982)

1982 saw the brief airing of the series titled “The Phoenix”. This followed a TV movie from the previous year, and featured Judson Scott as Bennu of the Golden Light, an ancient alien being discovered in a sarcophagus in Peru and awakened in the 20th century. The show boasted great potential with Bennu’s extraordinary abilities, but it also touched upon themes that wouldn’t become popular for many years to come. As a result, this series has largely slipped into obscurity, and due to its limited run, it’s seldom, if ever, brought up in contemporary discussions.

6) Starman (ABC, 1986-1987)

In contrast, some science fiction TV series have gained a devoted fanbase, leaving others virtually unremembered. Although Starman seemed primed to join the ranks of the former, it unfortunately found its way into oblivion, with few recalling it now. This series was a spin-off from John Carpenter’s 1984 film of the same title and revolved around an extraterrestrial reborn as the clone of a deceased reporter, tasked with guiding the son of his previous existence. The sci-fi concept behind Starman held tremendous emotional weight, but it struggled to resonate with viewers and has hardly been discussed in the years following its broadcast.

5) Something Is Out There (NBC, 1988)

The series titled “Something Is Out There” combines a futuristic concept and an element of suspenseful enigma. It centers around detective Jack Breslin, who is tasked with solving a series of unusual murders displaying unbelievable surgical incisions. As the narrative unfolds, Breslin encounters and allies with a benevolent extraterrestrial to capture the elusive and dangerous alien responsible. Unfortunately, the show didn’t fully capitalize on its premise’s potential, which can be seen in comparison to the later success of “The X-Files“, another sci-fi series that shares similarities with the less-remembered ’80s television show.

4) Alien Nation (Fox, 1989-1990)

In the realm of science fiction television, I found myself immersed in a series called “Alien Nation.” This captivating show envisioned a future where humans and an extraterrestrial race named Newcomers were compelled to share our world. The series was inspired by the film of the same name and focused on two LAPD officers – one human, one Newcomer – as they battled crime together while contending with the widespread bias towards the Newcomers.

“Alien Nation” was a compelling blend of thought-provoking social commentary and exhilarating thrills. However, despite its unique concept and potential, it never quite reached the acclaim it deserved, and has since been largely overlooked.

3) The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers (1986-1989)

Although many sci-fi TV shows from the ’80s didn’t hold up well over time, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers is an exception, although not widely recognized. This animated series blended elements of science fiction and western genres, telling stories about a space law enforcement team called the Galaxy Rangers in a future frontier of space. Despite its interesting concept, the show aired only in syndication, limiting its audience reach, and thus it’s rarely mentioned today.

2) Automan (ABC, 1983-1984)

Not all science fiction television shows focus exclusively on futuristic spaceships in distant settings. Instead, “Automan” depicted a more contemporary world where a computer programmer and police officer created an AI for crimefighting that could enter the real world. The duo had the unique ability to merge into one being, transforming Automan into a superhero with extraordinary abilities and the mind of a human police officer. Despite its innovative concept and advanced visual effects, “Automan” was unexpectedly canceled, which has limited its recognition as a significant contribution to science fiction television history.

1) V: The Series (NBC, 1983-1985)

The 1980s didn’t have a plethora of scary sci-fi TV series, but it did have a few that matched the eerie vibe set by the Alien and Predator movie franchises. One such series was the V franchise, which started with a two-part miniseries, continued with a three-part sequel, and then ran as a weekly show. Although the release format of the franchise wasn’t conventional, its captivating sci-fi storyline about an alien invasion and subsequent war gained it high praise. However, despite being a significant success in the sci-fi genre, V often gets overlooked when discussing its quality or impact on the field.

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2025-09-13 19:14