Sci-fiand cinema have been working in tandem for generations, exploring distant worlds, universes, andbringing the far futureonto TV screens for all to admire. The 80s were an amazing time to be around for so many reasons, and when it comes to the world of film, there is no shortage of classic franchises and blockbuster masterpieces that are still remembered, respected, and remade even today, nearly 50 years later.
With such a broad scope to cover, there is pretty much something for everyone. From giant spaceships to super-advanced robots, sci-fi is an open genre that has always been a medium for imagination and exploring universes without the confines of actual reality. Plenty of laughs, scares, and gasps along the way, with the ever-improving quality of film technology like CGI, sometimes it’s nice to return to a simpler time with a bit more ingenuity and charm that is rarely seen in the modern day.
An iconic actor with an even more iconic movie,The Terminatorredefined science fiction cinema by blending relentless action with a chilling vision of technological apocalypse, which may be even scarier to think about now than it was back then. The machines are rising up and looking to get back at humanity, sending a nearly indestructible cyborg assassin back in time to alter history by killing Sarah Conner, to prevent her son from leading the war against the robots. Its gritty, low-budget aesthetic only heightened the sense of inevitability and dread, contrasting sharply with the polished look of earlier sci-fi films and leaning more into a thriller at times.
At its core,The Terminatorthrives on its relentless pacing, innovative practical effects, and a now-legendary soundtrack that captured the mechanical heart of its dystopian future to a T. Cameron’s world-building, combined with thrilling chase sequences and tightly focused storytelling, made thefilm both an immediate hit and a lasting genre classicthat continues to make waves several decades later. Few movies from the era managed to match its perfect balance of science fiction concepts and nonstop intensity, firmly securingThe Terminatora place among the greatest sci-fi films not just of the 1980s, but of all time.
A different kind of sci-fi movie that opts for emotion over action,E.T.is one of the most beloved sci-fi films of the 1980s, and arguably one of the most emotionally resonant entries in the entire genre. The film follows a young boy named Elliott who discovers and befriends a stranded alien creature, forming a deep bond that transcends species. What setsE.T.apart from other science fiction films of the decade is its focus on childhood wonder, empathy, and the quiet magic of connection, rather than spectacle or dystopia, instead posing a more grounded narrative that explores personality and character as opposed to grand spectacles and giant scenes of CGI.
Visually charming and emotionally rich, the film is a masterclass in practical effects and storytelling, combining heartfelt performances with a soaring score by John Williams that became instantly iconic. E.T.itself, with its unique yet expressive design, has become somewhat of a figurehead for the genre, and it is hard to wander too far into the world of television and movies without encountering a least a subtle nod to the lovable alien from another world. With its balance of warmth, tension, and awe,E.T.not only dominated the box office but helped redefine what science fiction could be: deeply human, accessible, and profoundly moving.
Keeping both feet on Earth this time,Ghostbustersis one of those movies that has had such a cultural significance that even the faintest utterance of the theme song is enough to get a whole crowd humming along in unison. Set right in the heart of New York, the movie tells the story of a crew of paranormal exterminators whose job is to take out any and all threats from beyond the human realm, with their arsenal of wacky and wild ghost-fighting weapons.
The film has the perfect combination of sci-fi action and comedic beats that are aided in part by the stellar cast of Hollywood titans like Bill Murray, who delivers a performance that sounds more like another day at work than a fight to save a city. Iconic scenes, villains, tools, and more,Ghostbustersisn’t just any old sci-fi flick. It is a full-blown cultural phenomenon that continues to make movie lovers smile and laugh all these years later.
One action franchise just wasn’t enough for Arnie, so he had to jump back into action withPredator.A dense, unknown jungle full of danger around every corner, the movie sees a rescue crew that set out on a simple-sounding mission, which quickly turns sour thanks to the eponymous villain that roams through the forest looking for its next prey. Leaning heavily into the action at times, then switching over to horror, the pacing is near perfection, and there is never a dull moment throughout the run time of the movie.
Part of what makes the movie so much fun, with such a simplistic setting and environment, is the excellence with which the creation itself was designed. A human-shaped creature with super-human abilities combined with a hunting style that is far more animal than anything from humanity, the constant feeling of tension never truly goes away, as in a matter of moments, the predator can strike and find its prey with one slice.
Horror and sci-fi have always been thebest of buds in fiction, and there are very few films that capture that pairing better thanThe Thing. An isolated research base deep in Antarctica, the setting itself is scary enough alone, but bringing in a shapeshifting alien threat of unknown origin that can take on all manner of disgusting and grotesque forms and shapes, elevates the horror and fear to a whole new level.
The movie explores far more than just a simple alien threat, as the crew feels more and more isolated as the movie goes on, and trust becomes their own guide to surviving the otherworldly threat that could be hiding inside any one of the crew. It has an intensity like no other, and the use of practical effects in the film is one of the best examples of perfecting the craft, delivering an unforgettable sci-fi ride that continues to deliver right until the final credits roll.
Back To The Futureis the perfect example of a movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously and usesthe genre as more of a guidethan a set of rules to abide by. A mad scientist and a schoolboy who races back into the past, it’s an amazing movie that doesn’t need hours of conjecture to explain the inner workings of time travel, and instead leans far more into comedy and fun.
Diverging away from interplanetary travel and alien threats from worlds beyond, the movie explores the consequences of actions and how certain events can play out very differently given a slightly altered set of circumstances. A titan of cinema and a must-watch for any sci-fi fans who prefer more laid-back movies that delve into the human aspects of reality and attempt to tackle issues that are much closer to home.
The end of the first leg of the saga that defines an entire genre,Return of the Jedi,is a masterful climax to one of the most beloved trilogies in all of cinema and paved the way formany other stories to be toldwithin the same universe. It’s a fight of good against evil that needs no introduction, and having trained and fought his way through all the threats up to this point, Luke is ready to take on the biggest challenge yet.
It’s a sci-fi fanatic’s dream, full of spaceship fight sequences and enough lightsaber slashing to satisfy for a whole lifetime. Many fans may have their favorites between the prequels, originals, or even the newer generation, but the impact and importance of the original trilogy cannot be understated and the final entry in the series stands as both an achievement in the world of sci-fi, but also in the world of cinema as a whole.
The follow-up to one of the most adored and respected movies of all time,Alienstakes all the amazing aspects of the original that made it so great, and brings in a whole new set of problems and obstacles that Ripley and her new crew must tackle, now with more than one intergalactic threat. It retains all of the same gritty feel that the firstAlienmovie captured, and builds on the universe with even more tension and even more fear that continues to build in every single scene.
The universe of the franchise is just perfect, and the xenomorphs themselves are quite possibly the most widely recognizable sci-fi villain of all time, having so much horror, awe, and even beauty built into their design, combined with a motivation that is just as horrifying as their appearance. A standout achievement in the sci-fi space and a movie that continues to hold up in quality and caliber after many sequels and additional films in the genre, none of which can hold a candle to the exceptional experience that is found inAliens.
