8 Underrated 80s Sci-Fi Movies Worth a Second Look

Drew Dietsch
Movies Sci-Fi
Movies Sci-Fi

’80s sci-fi movies are some of the best in the entire genre. From The Empire Strikes Back to The Thing to Blade Runner and many more, the decade was defined by many classics that have withstood the test of time. But, there are a plethora of ’80s sci-fi movies that have either slipped through the cracks, been somewhat forgotten, or aren’t as hailed as they probably should be.

We’ve pulled together eight such films that deserve to be rediscovered and reevaluated. Give ’em a look!

Xtro (1983)

This Alien knockoff has begun to gain the cult status it deserves, but many viewers will only see Xtro as a gonzo mishmash of super weird ideas. It’s much more than that. The story revolves around a boy whose father disappeared one day when a mysterious light appeared in the sky. Three years later, the father returns but he’s been transformed into an alien being who is intent on taking his son back with him.

Xtro is a masterful exercise in tone and atmosphere. It’s full of genuinely creepy moments and shocking special effects that are unlike anything you’ve seen before. Xtro is not for the faint of heart but it is for anyone who wants to check out a truly disturbing and unique sci-fi/horror gem.

Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1983)

Halloween III: Season of the Witch got unfairly dismissed when it was released due to its disconnected nature with the previous films in the series. Gone was Michael Myers and the slasher format. Instead, this film decided to explore the origins of Halloween itself and tied it in with a diabolical company that plans to sacrifice thousands of children by utilizing special computer chips implanted in the Halloween masks they produce.

It’s nuts but in the best way possible. There are evil killer androids, a magical rock from Stonehenge, and heads that melt into bugs and snakes. This is a wacky one but it’s also surprisingly eerie and just as enjoyable as its two preceding entries.

The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)

Maybe this eclectic sci-fi adventure will find some new viewers thanks to its shoutout in Ready Player One, but we’re still going to call it underrated at this point. It’s tough to summarize the plot of Buckaroo Banzai as it involves dimensional travel, rock and roll, alien conflict, and the threat of nuclear war. To be honest, it all makes perfect sense when you watch it unfold, and that’s part of the kooky magic of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.

If you’re looking for a genre mashup that’s as singular as it is silly, this is a movie you absolutely must track down.

Enemy Mine (1985)

It’s disappointing how much this movie has left the conversation. Enemy Mine is a sci-fi riff on The Defiant Ones in which two enemies in an intergalactic war crash on a barren planet. They end up having to depend on each other to survive and form an unexpected friendship. The story expands and twists from there into one of the most emotional and inspiring sci-fi character dramas ever made.

Enemy Mine is a wonderful film with gorgeous direction, superb acting, and a compelling story that uses its sci-fi setting to its fullest. Don’t let this one be forgotten.

Lifeforce (1985)

Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chain Saw MassacrePoltergeist) directs this unhinged effects bonanza about space vampires that come to Earth to feed on all of humanity. That’s right. Space vampires. If it sounds ridiculous, that’s because it is. Lifeforce is light on plot but heavy on visual splendor and exorbitant special effects. The big monsters and standout sequences are some of the best you can see in any of the ’80s sci-fi movies.

Lifeforce might get some laughs but it’s hard not to vibe with its particular brand of insanity. If the prospect of space vampires doesn’t entice you, we don’t know what will.

Critters (1986)

Another flick that has finally begun to be recognized for its merits, but it still needs to be highlighted at any possible opportunity. Critters is usually dismissed by many as a simple Gremlins ripoff, but it’s so much more than that. It’s the story of a group of carnivorous aliens that terrorize a small Kansas farm. Two shape-shifting bounty hunters are tasked with hunting them down and the shenanigans explode from there.

Critters is an incredible balance of horror, humor, and genuinely well-crafted sci-fi world-building. If you’ve never seen it or haven’t given it a second look, hunt down a copy. You might be surprised just how good it really is.

The Hidden (1987)

Talk about a “hidden” gem! The Hidden is an über-violent action film about a parasitic alien that inhabits human bodies and uses them to cause chaos and discord. Once the body has been killed, it simply possesses someone else and continues its endless rampage. Another alien is sent to Earth to find it and ends up having to team up with the human detective that’s been following the crimes.

The Hidden is a cavalcade of ’80s action with a neat sci-fi twist. The over-the-top action is almost nonstop and the sci-fi alien bits are equally amusing. Plus, you get Dale Cooper himself as the heroic alien police officer. There’s just no losing with this movie!

Miracle Mile (1988)

Of all the films on this list, Miracle Mile is the one that hits the hardest. It’s a straight-faced dramatic thriller about the rapid decline of society when a nuclear attack is launched. It’s the most terrifying of science fiction concepts and Miracle Mile tells its story with absolutely no punches pulled. In the midst of this catastrophe, we follow two characters who meet and fall in love. It’s a tragic but poignant tale that is guaranteed to leave you shaken.

Miracle Mile is an unheralded classic. It’s a tough but rewarding watch that you will never forget.

Drew Dietsch
Drew Dietsch has been professionally writing about entertainment for over a decade. His bylines include FANDOM - where he was a founding contributor and Entertainment Editor - Bloody Disgusting, SYFY WIRE, and more. He created and hosts GenreVision, a weekly film discussion show at genrevision.com.