While critically acclaimed sci-fi hits like Blade Runner continued to be made, the decade definitely had more than its fair share of cheesy sci-fi movies. Thankfully, despite their apparent corniness, a lot of these movies either have a big heart or a story worth sharing, even 40 years later.
8 The Last Starfighter
Life looks bleak for teenager Alex Rogan. He lives in a trailer park with no future ahead of him, but when he reaches a high score on a game called Starfighter, an alien reveals that Alex has been chosen to deliver their people from the treacherous clutches of the Ko-Dan Empire.
A space opera with some obvious Star Wars inspirations, The Last Starfighter is nevertheless a heartwarming sci-fi movie suitable for the whole family (although it’s definitely a bit dated for younger audiences who have grown up with the photorealistic CGI of the 21st century). Atari also nearly released a video game to coincide with the film, but due to the film underperforming at the box office, the game was canceled.
7 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
Steven Spielberg’s childhood classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial has become so ingrained in the culture of cinema that its reputation precedes it, even amongst those who have never seen the film. An endearing story of interspecies friendship and curiosity, E.T. brings an inspiring message for all audiences.
When a friendly alien finds himself stranded in a Southern California suburb, a young boy named Elliott brings “E.T.” home while a team of government agents try to locate Earth’s unwelcome visitor. The legend of E.T. lives on even today, as do the now-confirmed rumors of Atari’s mass-burial of unsold E.T. video game cartridges.
6 Outland
Sean Connery stars in this mysterious space Western. Outland, set in a mining town on a moon of Jupiter, sees Federal Marshal William O’Niel (Connery) investigating a series of crimes that don’t add up. The plot thickens as O’Niel digs deeper, uncovering an underground criminal syndicate that has been taking advantage of the hostile working conditions on the moon.
With many critics noting thematic crossovers with the 1952 Western High Noon, Outland can definitely delve into the cheesy-side of things. With outlandish, clunky space suits and a setting that doesn’t always make that much sense, Outland nevertheless provides an intriguing retrospective into 1980s sci-fi.
5 Forbidden World
Set on a distant planet in the far-off future, Forbidden World is a sci-fi horror whose backdrop of a galaxy-wide food shortage sets the stage for the arrival of its mutant monster. One particular mad scientist has devised a way around the food crisis: a “metamorph,” a fast-mutating food substitute called Subject 20.
Subject 20 can mutate its DNA, quickly adapting to new environments. After it breaks free from its containment, it begins to whittle down the crew of Forbidden World, one at a time. A bit of an Alien knockoff, Forbidden World has some downright cheesy scenes, with characters acting in ways that fly in the face of common sense.
4 Ghostbusters
The subtle (but occasionally over-the-top) comedic genius of Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis comes to life in 1984’s genre-defining Ghostbusters. Starring Aykroyd and Ramis alongside Bill Murray, this team of scientists-turned-ghostbusters are exactly the people you’re gonna call when there’s something strange in your neighborhood.
After some initial success fighting the spooks, specters, and ghosts of New York City, the team comes across an ancient demon named Zuul, who’s out to destroy the city and all who call it home. With a banging soundtrack, an insanely well-written screenplay, and cheesy-looking monsters, Ghostbusters is one cult classic every cinefile needs to experience at least once.
3 Repo Man
Repo Man, the classic film starring Charlie Sheen’s brother Emilio Estevez, is one hell of a ride. An odd assortment of scientists, government agents, and punk rockers vie for control of a Chevy Malibu, whose trunk is loaded with radiation-spewing alien lifeforms.
Otto (Estevez) is at the center of it all, totally oblivious to the dangers that lurk around the corner after taking on an odd job as a repo man. Repo Man has plenty of one-liners, cheesy special effects, and convoluted plotlines on offer, but this cult classic deserves to be kept alive in the minds of sci-fi fans everywhere.
2 Back To The Future
When a bunch of Libyans terrorists foil Doc Brown’s time travel experiment, teenager Marty McFly is sent back in time to 1955. With a broken DeLorean time machine, Marty is stranded in the past, where he soon meets up with some familiar characters: his own parents.
Navigating the cultural divide between 1985 and 1955, Marty embarks on a hilarious journey through the ages, enlisting the help of a younger Doc to get him “back to the future”. Along the way he meets an iconic cast of characters, invents skateboarding, and introduces the past to the future of music (rock and roll). Back to the Future is about as cheesy as movies come, but it’s a comedy classic that holds up great even today — so much so that even Call of Duty likes to drop a Back to the Future easter egg or two.
1 Flash Gordon
It’s hard to find anything cheesier than Flash Gordon, whose cheap special effects and over-the-top costume design make it one of the most iconic films of the era. While the film performed poorly upon release, it’s since become a cult classic. A big part of that is likely down to the phenomenal soundtrack composed and performed by none other than Freddy Mercury’s Queen.
When an intergalactic supervillain called Ming the Merciless begins wreaking havoc on Earth, a football star called Gregory “Flash” Gordon boards an experimental spaceship with a one-way ticket to far-away planet. Flash and his companion Dale Arden are captured by Ming upon arrival, but the pair soon learn how to fight back. Based on the retro comic strip, Flash Gordon has persisted throughout the decades despite its age beginning to show.
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