Top 10 80s Science Fiction Movies

By David Campbell

As I wrote in my last article, Science Fiction ruled the 80s Box Office, because of the breakthrough special effects and innovative flimmaking techniques of Star Wars, audiences were clamoring for more journeys into fantastic worlds, dazzling high technology’s and more up close and personal encounters with extraordinary creatures. So Hollywood responded with an ever evolving slew of Science Fiction films that continued to expand on photorealistic Special Effects and complex storytelling. There are many films to choose from, but here are (in no particular order) what are widely considered the Top Ten Best and most seminal films of the decade that defined Special Effects!

1. E.T

While not exactly the most exciting or action packed of films, this simple story of a little lost alien and the fatherless boy who befriends him became a worldwide smash and one of the top films not only of the decade, but of all time! Director Steven Spielberg created real magic here with an exceptional cast (particularly the all too real performance from E.T himself, as well as the remarkable Henry Thomas as his friend) and a hauntingly beautiful and emotionally soaring score from John Williams (who won an Oscar for his work). The result struck a chord with audiences all over the world and its resonance continues to this day.

2. Aliens

The exact opposite of “E.T” and sequel to the 1970s Science Fiction/Horror classic “Alien”, this is the Big, Bad a– action film that set the template for years to come and that officially kick started director James Cameron on the path to Blockbuster success! Fueled by a great cast of memorable Bad A– characters (including returning series star Sigourney Weaver, in one of her best performances) and some of the most kinetically exciting and terrifying action scenes ever filmed!

3. The Empire Strikes Back

The second film in the Star Wars Trilogy, is considered by many fans and critics alike as the best and certainly the darkest of the films, thanks to even more amazing Special Effects than the groundbreaking original and more serious themes and character development, resulting in a richly satisfying adventure, complete with another excellent John Williams score and one of the great (for the time) surprise plot twists in film history!

4.  The Terminator

Yep another Cameron one! This was his groundbreaking debut and while very low key and low budget, it became one of the pivotal films in Science Fiction and Action/Suspense Thriller history, thanks to a dark and relentless story involving time traveling robot assassins, reluctant predestined hero’s and the end of the world, caused by all powerful machines! The film also jump started bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger into  superstardom, largely because of his unforgettable portrayal of the titular killing machine!

5.  Robocop

In the wake of the dark and gritty tone left by “The Terminator”, comes this unique and off putting blend of Science Fiction and Action/ Thriller about a gunned down street cop, who gets refurbished into an unstoppable cyborg policeman. Strongly directed with a  strangely winning combination of dark and violent action and outrageous black humor, as well as sporting a fantastic performance by Peter Weller in the title role and a great supporting cast of both noble and deranged characters!

6. Blade Runner

Though a misunderstood failure in its day, this essential Science Fiction classic has stood the test of time as one of the most important and influential films of the genre.

A triumph of production design and moody atmosphere, director Ridley Scott’s (Alien) ambitious and ambiguous  Sci-Fi/Noir tale of a burnt out and disillusioned android hunter (played by Star Wars star, Harrison Ford) and the mysterious robots he must hunt down (two of them mesmerizingly played by Rutger Hauer and Darryl Hannah) ,has almost singlehandedly influenced every Science Fiction film that came after it, with sets and Special Effects that still hold up!

7. Star Trek 2 The Wrath of Khan

Of all the hit Star Trek films throughout the decade, this is truly the best of them! Bringing back a memorable villain from the cult TV show (Ricardo Montalban in a juicy performance) and going for the gusto with riveting action and suspense, tight direction and great performance’s from the long loved characters, as well as a glorious score from newcomer James Horner, this second film in the series has everything a Sci-Fi or Star Trek fan could want!

8. Ghostbusters

One of the most unusual and wildly popular films not only of the Sci-Fi and Comedy genre, or the 80s, but of all time, is a surprising and unique blending of crazy comedy and Sci-Fi/Horror, written by Saturday Night Live’s Dan Aykroyd and writer/actor Harold Ramis and starring comedy legend Bill Murray in one of his signature performance’s. As a trio of kooky down on their luck professors, Murray, Aykroyd and Ramis decide (after creating technology that can track and catch ghosts) to open their own paranormal pest control business and not a moment too soon, because the gates of hell are about to burst wide open on the Big Apple! Featuring a standout supporting cast including Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis in show stealing roles, along with evenhanded direction by comedy stalwart Ivan Reitman, great special effects (look out for that giant Marshmallow Man) and a smash hit theme song, when it comes to 80s classics, comedy classics or classic catchphrases “Who You Gonna Call?”

9. Back to the Future

Another one of (if not) the most loved films of the 80s, this warm hearted and energizing classic is again a perfect blend of Sci-Fi/Comedy, as well as a high school vehicle, a rock n roll musical and a celebration of 50s and 80s youth culture all rolled into one! In his winning film debut, Micheal J Fox stars as Marty McFly, a typical 80s kid thrust back in time to the good ol 50s,  thanks to his eccentric scientist friend Doc Brown’s Time Machine!  Fueled by one of the tightest scripts ever conceived, surefire direction from Robert Zemeckis and some wonderful performance’s and characters (particularly Christopher Loyd as the loony, but lovable Doc and Thomas F Wilson as the bigger than life town bully, Biff.), this charming and exhilarating blast to the past, is one trip you wont soon forget!

10. Batman

The one that started it all! Not only did it officially jump start director Tim Burton’s illustrious career, but it launched the Blockbuster Superhero film craze! Burton’s bizarre and atmospheric visual style helped reinvent the comic book genre for good, taking it in a powerful, more serious direction, but often adding a wicked dose of humor (sometimes too wicked), thanks to film legend Jack Nicholson’s unforgettable portrayal of Batman’s greatest nemesis, the Joker, the theatrically sadistic and maniacally crazy “Clown Prince of Crime”, while comedy star Michal Keaton gives a surprisingly perfect performance as the brooding and mysterious “Caped Crusader”. The two leads magnetic personalties, paired with Burton’s moody direction, dark and creative Oscar Winning production design (including a killer Batmobile) and composer Danny Elfman’s superb score (heightening the drama with thundering power), combine to create one of the great 80s masterpieces!

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