’80s Sci-Fi Cartoons That Deserve A Modern Reboot

Ah, the 1980s: The neon-drenched decade of sugary cereals, Saturday morning cartoons, and synth-heavy theme songs that easily got stuck in your head. It was also the golden age of after-school cartoons. As many Gen Xers will surely tell you, as soon as that bell rang, they raced home to catch the latest episodes of “Transformers,” “G.I. Joe,” and “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.” Those animated hits — along with “Thundercats,” “She-Ra: Princess of Power,” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” — have all had their fair share of reboots and re-imaginings throughout the years. 

But there were also a handful of underrated ’80s science-fiction cartoons that always stood in the shadows of these juggernauts — and many of them have never had a shot at a makeover. These weren’t just low-effort toy adverts, either. Some were surprisingly inventive sci-fi outings packed with horrifying monsters, high-tech battle suits, and mind-bending world-building that pushed weekday afternoon television to its absolute limits. The problem was that there was just too much competition at the time. These are five forgotten ’80s sci-fi cartoons that totally deserve their shot at a modern-day revival.

Long before the Avengers assembled, 1986’s “Defenders of the Earth” delivered the ultimate ’80s team-up of classic superheroes — and coincidentally, it had some involvement from Marvel royalty: Stan Lee actually wrote the lyrics to the theme song. The show was a joint effort between Marvel Productions and King Features Entertainment, who teamed up to unite some legendary comic strip icons: Flash Gordon, The Phantom, and Mandrake the Magician. There was also Lothar — a Caribbean ninja who served as Mandrake’s loyal bodyguard. The foursome fought alongside their teenage children to protect a futuristic 2015 Earth from Flash’s arch-nemesis, Ming the Merciless. 

Operating from their volcano base, the Defenders battled everything from alien invasions and dark magic to high-tech world threats. In an age where streaming is oversaturated with content from Marvel Comics and DC, “Defenders of the Earth” is practically tailor-made for today’s crossover-obsessed audiences, especially ones that put the spotlight back on classic superheroes of yesteryear. Perhaps blending that classic pulp comic heritage with modern sci-fi storytelling — and leaning into the multi-generational team dynamics with a touch of complex family drama a la “Invincible” — would be a great way to reintroduce “Defenders of the Earth” to a whole new generation of sci-fi action lovers.

If you asked an ’80s kid which cartoons gave them nightmares, there’s a strong chance they’d say “Inhumanoids” — a 13-episode series that was pretty much like H. P. Lovecraft for kids. This Hasbro-backed series — which was actually set in the same universe as “Transformers” and “G.I. Joe” — followed Earthcorps, a team of scientists clad in heavy environmental suits, as they battled giant, demonic elemental monsters dwelling deep within the Earth’s crust. Monsters like the lava-spewing Metlar, the plant-like Tendril, and the skin-rotting D’Compose brought a level of genuine body horror and cosmic dread that was completely unheard of in weekday morning television.

As for a modern-day arrival, “Inhumanoids” would be best aimed at mature audiences, perhaps something in the vein and style of “Castlevania” or “Blood of Zeus” that could further push the envelope on the gore and body horror. Horror-adjacent animated hits such as “Love, Death, & Robots” prove that there is an audience that craves Lovecraftian nightmare fuel — and “Inhumanoids” is prime material for a modern sci-fi creature feature. Leaning into cosmic horror, subterranean exploration, and high-tech mech armor would make this an instant hit for older animation fans looking for something far grittier than standard superhero fare.

The ’80s sure loved its inventive acronyms. Produced by DIC Enterprises, “M.A.S.K.” (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand) debuted in September 1985 and aired 75 action-packed episodes over two seasons before wrapping up its original broadcast run in November 1986. The series feels like a cross between “G.I. Joe” and “Transformers,” and a dash of “The Fast and the Furious.” The story centered on billionaire Matt Trakker and his secret underground task force as they battled V.E.N.O.M. (Vicious Evil Network Of Mayhem). Both the heroes and villains wore helmets (“masks,” hence the title) that granted specific superpowers, and they drove everyday vehicles — like sports cars, pickup trucks, and semi-rigs — that could transform into secondary battle modes, such as high-tech fighter jets, helicopter-bikes, submarines, and armored assault weapons.

With all of the advances in auto engineering and technology since the show was first conceived, a modern reboot would be an absolute slam dunk for today’s audience. Writers and showrunners could have a field day with ideas, such as updating all the secret-agent gadgetry, sleek vehicle designs, even adding high-tech drones and artificial intelligence into the mix. With the right creative team, a modern-day “M.A.S.K.” series could easily become an explosive, binge-worthy animated spectacle.

Premiering in September 1985, “Sectaurs: Warriors of Symbion” did for insects what “Thundercats” did for felines. Set on the distant, bio-engineered world of Symbion, the story centered on a genetic experiment gone wrong that turned the planet’s inhabitants into insect-like humanoid hybrids. These beings, known as Sectaurs, evolved alongside a planet full of gigantic insects, who they could link with telepathically (called telebonding). The planet is split into two factions: the heroic Shining Realm (led by Prince Dargon) and the hideous Dark Domain led by the evil General Spydrax. The original series, produced by Ruby-Spears alongside a notoriously expensive Coleco toy line, was short-lived, running for only five episodes during its initial fall run.

Despite its short time on TV, “Sectaurs” carved out a cult following thanks to its strangely dark, biological sci-fi aesthetic and its cool-as-hell toy line. Sadly, the series was squashed like a bug due to all the competition at the time. Its second wave of action figures — which were pricey for its time — never even saw the light of day. In a streaming age where mature, hard-edged animated projects are luring in viewers, a modern “Sectaurs” reboot could thrive as a serialized, PG-13 animated drama on a platform like Prime Video or Netflix. Imagine modern anime-style animation detailing giant bug-riding gladiators fighting for survival on a lush, terrifying alien planet. Fans might actually get their wish. According to a 2022 press release, The Nacelle Company has a reboot in development.

In September 1986, Rankin/Bass followed up their highly successful “Thundercats” with “SilverHawks,” but, unfortunately, lightning didn’t strike twice. Set in the 29th century within the far-off Limbo Galaxy, this space-opera series followed Commander Stargazer and his team of cybernetically enhanced human heroes — as the catchy theme song calls them “partly metal, partly real”— equipped with wings and laser cannons. Together, they defended the galaxy from the terrifying mob boss known as Mon*Star, an alien warlord who transformed into a giant armored demon whenever he bathed in the light of the Moonstar.

“SilverHawks” only lasted one season composed of 65 episodes, but it had some cool things going for it. There was the visual aesthetic of the polished chrome armor, the guitar-shredding themes, and, of course, all the epic space battles. The series also had a motley crew of memorable villains who are all begging for a comeback. A modern X-Men ’97-style revival utilizing sleek 2D animation that mostly retains the original designs — while also keeping the campy charm and a synth-wave soundtrack — with a story that picks up where the original left off would work wonders here. According to a 2021 report from Deadline, The Nacelle Company is teaming up with Super7 to reboot the series, but there have been no major updates since.