When it comes to the 1980s, there is no shortage of iconic sci-fi films that are still enjoyed and celebrated to this day; films like Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Blade Runner, Back to the Future, Ghostbusters, The Terminator, Aliens, and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan all came out during the era. It is certainly a golden age, but in the pre-streaming era of film, many releases flew under the radar and were masterpieces in their own right. These movies were sometimes ahead of their time or were just overshadowed on release by other titles that dominated theaters.
We understand that there are many sub-genres and different aesthetics that fall under the banner of sci-fi, which is part of the reason these titles are not discussed today, aside from the ‘classics’ of the genre. These eight films, though, are masterpieces, ranging from lush sci-fi landscapes to contemplative thought pieces to family-friendly, chaotic fun. So, let’s go back to the 80s and check out eight films that deserve masterpiece status.
‘Brazil’ (1985)
Taking a cue from George Orwell’s 1984, Terry Gilliam would craft his own hyper-bureaucratic dystopian world in Brazil. The movie follows a low-level government employee with lofty ambitions, Sam Lowry (Jonathan Pryce), who gets caught in a nightmarish maze of surrealism and corruption after a clerical error. Notably, he falls for the wrongfully accused Jill Layton (Kim Greist), who also offers him the chance to push his romantic fantasies of heroism under an oppressive regime.
As far as visual worldbuilding goes, there is no comparison to Brazil, well, other than the highly influential Blade Runner. Still, the movie is a visual feast from start to finish, imbued with the sharp satirical wit for which Terry Gilliam excels. The theme of government overreach remains relevant in today’s cultural landscape, with its exploration of authoritarianism hitting just as hard. Ultimately, there is nothing that blends dystopian sci-fi with clever surreal humor quite like Brazil.
‘Tetsuo the Iron Man’ (1989)
For fans of Japanese cult cinema, Shinya Tsukamoto’s Tetsuo the Iron Man certainly remains well remembered and celebrated. Yet, as far as the general movie fandom goes, it remains pretty obscure. This can largely be attributed to its experimental approach, which was first marketed to Western audiences as a more energetic David Lynch, along the lines of Eraserhead; this does not capture the film’s essence, but is a good gauge of its abstract nature. This one is certainly a trip, with a noisy industrial score made using scrapyard parts. It is an intense experience, but one that should be visited at least once.
Despite its abstract nature, the story itself is pretty simple. A couple does a hit-and-run on a man, who returns as a sort of metal-obsessed ghost that slowly transforms the man into a machine. The rest of the story is told in subtext and visuals, commenting on everything from the pressures of masculinity to urban isolation in Japan. The movie is sci-fi, but its transformation sequences also place it among the best body horror movies of all time.
‘Xtro’ (1983)
While Xtro would kind of tarnish its reputation with a series of sequels that saw diminishing returns (the latter entries are nigh-unwatchable), the first packs a punch and is the perfect marriage of sci-fi and horror. This comes down to the character creation of Xtro, played by mime artist Tim Dry, whose contortions gave a ghastly vision of a killer alien. Moreover, the movie excels at the abstract and surreal, delivering an alien threat beyond human understanding.
The story here starts with a father being abducted in front of a young child. No one believes the young kid; people think he abandoned the family. Years later, when he returns, there is something different about him. A series of murders and a condition that sees the young kid manifest his own nightmarish creations slowly leads others to draw the conclusion that they are being threatened by a creature from beyond the stars.
‘The Lathe of Heaven’ (1980)
Based on Ursula K. Le Guin’s novel, which blends Taoist philosophy with science fiction, The Lathe of Heaven centers on George Orr (Bruce Davison), who discovers he has “effective dreams” that can change reality. Out of fear, he consults a psychiatrist, Dr. William Haber (Kevin Conway), who tries to use his power to manipulate reality and shape it into a Utopian society. Each change brings its own problems, leading to disastrous results.
Originally a TV movie for PBS, The Lathe of Heaven was once considered lost media before it was restored in 2000. Viewing it now, one can see why PBS shelved it, as even though it was popular on release, the movie is as microbudget as they come and needs some nuance to appreciate. However, for sci-fi purists, the movie is the best adaptation of the original novel and sets aside spectacle to deliver an ethical sci-fi film that is smartly scripted and performed. It is conceptually haunting and profoundly introspective sci-fi.
‘Explorers’ (1985)
Despite having Joe Dante in the director’s seat, Explorers remains one of his least discussed and celebrated works. At the box office, it was beaten down by stiff competition (Back to the Future), and only really got recognition on the rental circuit, developing a cult following. Dante himself was never happy with the final cut of the film. Still, there is a lot to love here, from the particle effects that craft bizarre alien creatures, the celebration of the imagination of youth, and an aptly awesome score from Jerry Goldsmith.
The family-friendly movie should not be slept on; it features a great cast, including future stars Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix. The story here is also pure fun, as three teenage boys use blueprints found in one of their dreams to create a device to welcome alien life to Earth. They end up meeting Neek and Wak, who have been learning about humanity from TV, which makes their interactions with the boys hilarious as they view humanity through the media’s lens.
‘Firefox’ (1982)
A sci-fi film starring and directed by Clint Eastwood landing on this list? Firefox does sound slightly bizarre for an Eastwood film, with the story following Mitchell Gant (Eastwood), tasked with stealing a jet that is controlled through a pilot’s thoughts via a neural interface. It is a mix of high-tech intrigue and Cold War paranoia, delivered with suspense and action from aerial dogfights. And… critics were not very kind to it on release. Yet it is the film’s so-called ‘weaknesses’ that later came to be appreciated.
Not only is the premise here ahead of its time, but for Eastwood, it was a step back from his generally hardened heroes as he crafted a more vulnerable protagonist delving into an intense secret mission. The movie also has a certain restrained style, with its two-hour-plus runtime now more palatable than on its initial release, when viewed with appreciation for Eastwood’s meticulous direction. Nostalgia also helps here, as while the film was initially released during heightened U.S.-Soviet tensions, it can now be viewed in retrospect. Certainly one of Eastwood’s more underrated works, and a gem of 80s sci-fi.
‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ (1981)
I’m saying it: the 2005 adaptation of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is subpar in every way, particularly when compared to the often overlooked TV series from 1981. The movie captures Douglas Adams’ bizarre, satirical tone as intended, staying close to the source material and less concerned with creating spectacle. Simon Jones as Arthur Dent and David Dixon as Ford Prefect are the best pairing as well. The release just hits every note the way fans would want, feeling like a production for nerds made by nerds.
We are cheating a bit here, as this was originally a six-episode TV miniseries in the UK, but it was cut and remade as a film for American audiences. Even with the cuts, it remains the definitive movie that captures the brilliance of Adam’s writing. You can celebrate it as a secret sci-fi show masterpiece, or as a finely tuned cut-movie to deliver the maximum amount of humor and inventive sci-fi concepts; also, the version of Marvin the Paranoid Android is peak comedic gold.
‘On the Silver Globe’ (1998)
On the Silver Globe had a nightmare production, making its mere existence an exercise in determination in the face of an impressive government. The film, initially shot in 1976, was censored for its critique of the Polish government, and it was not until 1988 that director Andrzej Żuławski was able to release it, though it ran shy of its intended four-hour runtime at 151 minutes instead. The plot here spans generations: a sole survivor of a space mission finds himself on a planet, having kids with its primitive inhabitants. This sets up the arrival of another astronaut, generations later, who is seen as a messianic figure.
The plot is essential, along with the themes it explores; it was not banned by the Polish government for no reason. Yet what makes the movie a sci-fi masterpiece is its surreal yet visionary worldbuilding, constructed over generations of humanity. The movie builds its own mythology, carrying with it unmatched philosophical and existential depth. The visual approach here is admittedly chaotic, which has also made it a hidden masterpiece, with its long shots and sharp cuts intended more for the arthouse crowd than the general audience. Still, the movie is an undeniable masterpiece worth visiting.
There are plenty of hidden gems from 80s sci-fi that can be called masterpieces in their own right. So, make sure you let us know what your favorite 80s sci-fi masterpiece is that no one else really talks about.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
