Science fiction movies were incredibly popular in the 1980s. While the genre has always been well-loved, the 80s saw a real surge in fantastic sci-fi blockbusters. Building on the success of films like Star Wars and Star Trek: The Motion Picture from the late 70s, science fiction flourished throughout the decade. Early hits such as The Empire Strikes Back, Flash Gordon, and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial firmly established sci-fi as a major draw at movie theaters worldwide. With so many films doing well, it’s clear why filmmakers were eager to create even more science fiction stories.
While the 1980s produced a lot of great science fiction, its popularity also has a drawback. Not only were there some bad movies made, but many excellent films from that era have been overlooked. With so much sci-fi being released at the time, some truly exciting and smart movies slipped under the radar and are now underrated, meaning many fans haven’t even discovered them.
7) Night of the Comet (1984)
Though it’s gained a dedicated following and is even said to have influenced the creation of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Night of the Comet remains largely undiscovered by modern audiences. This 1980s sci-fi comedy follows two teenage sisters who are the only survivors of a comet-induced apocalypse filled with zombies, and it’s a shining example of the decade’s fantastic science fiction films. Despite being a truly clever post-apocalyptic comedy, Night of the Comet has unfortunately become an overlooked classic.
6) Enemy Mine (1985)
Though not always ranked among the greatest sci-fi films, Enemy Mine is a hidden gem that deserves more recognition. This 1985 movie tells the story of a human and an alien soldier who crash-land on a harsh planet and must work together to survive. While a new remake might bring it renewed attention, Enemy Mine is a classic that many have unfortunately forgotten.
5) The Hidden (1987)
Kyle MacLachlan is famous for his work with director David Lynch, but he also starred in some popular science fiction films of the 1980s. One lesser-known movie from that era is The Hidden, where he plays a detective partnered with another officer to track down a dangerous alien criminal. The Hidden cleverly combines the classic buddy cop formula with science fiction elements, and while it’s gained a cult following, it really deserves wider recognition today.
4) The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)
Fans often consider The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension a brilliant, overlooked sci-fi film that could have launched a whole series. Instead, it’s become a beloved cult classic. The movie is unique and features a fantastic cast, but remains surprisingly unknown. It’s baffling that such a good film hasn’t gotten more recognition, though its long and complicated title might be part of the reason.
3) Death Watch (1980)
Even with a talented cast, the sci-fi film Death Watch didn’t find a large audience in North America. The movie centers on a woman who agrees to have her final days documented with new technology after receiving a fatal diagnosis. Death Watch is a thoughtful and quietly unsettling film about the erosion of privacy, and it’s a surprisingly good slow-burn story that deserves more recognition.
2) Somewhere in Time (1980)
The 1980s featured a number of time-travel films, though none achieved the widespread success of classics like Back to the Future and The Terminator. Somewhere in Time is a lesser-known romantic story about a playwright who falls in love with a woman from 1912 after seeing her photograph. He uses self-hypnosis to travel back in time and find her. While it has a dedicated fanbase, it remains a relatively obscure romantic science fiction film.
1) Brazil (1985)
As a lifelong sci-fi fan, I’ve seen a lot of movies that accidentally predicted the future, but Terry Gilliam’s Brazil really stood out to me. Released in 1985, it painted this incredibly unsettling picture of a world crushed by bureaucracy and a totally controlling system – it’s very similar in tone to George Orwell’s work, actually. It’s a brilliant film, honestly, and I always feel like it doesn’t get nearly enough attention. If you’re into sci-fi and somehow haven’t seen Brazil, you absolutely need to check it out – it’s one of the best the 80s had to offer.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
https://comicbook.com/movies/news/best-sci-fi-movies-1990s-ranked/embed/#
Read More
- Ashes of Creation Rogue Guide for Beginners
- Best Controller Settings for ARC Raiders
- Meet the cast of Mighty Nein: Every Critical Role character explained
- How To Watch Call The Midwife 2025 Christmas Special Online And Stream Both Episodes Free From Anywhere
- Arc Raiders Guide – All Workbenches And How To Upgrade Them
- Emily in Paris soundtrack: Every song from season 5 of the Hit Netflix show
- Tougen Anki Episode 24 Release Date, Time, Where to Watch
- Avatar: Fire and Ash’s Biggest Disappointment Is an Insult to the Na’vi
- Avatar 3’s Final Battle Proves James Cameron Is The Master Of Visual Storytelling
- Apple TV+’s Severance Is the Perfect Holiday Binge
2025-12-30 17:11