The 1980s delivered some of the most memorable films for science fiction enthusiasts, featuring classic sci-fi adventures such as “The Terminator,” “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan,” and “The Road Warrior,” among others. With such a wealth of classics, it’s no surprise that several sci-fi films from that era went unnoticed. Many of these nearly-forgotten sci-fi gems from the ’80s are absolutely worth checking out if you haven’t seen them yet.
All the films included here represent various sci-fi sub-genres. Besides being entertaining, they showcase the vastness, diversity, and adaptability of sci-fi cinema. Furthermore, without falling into preachiness or monotony, they frequently grapple with real-world issues through the lens of imaginative storytelling. The fact that most of them are enjoyable to watch (or, when they aren’t fun, at least captivating) is an added perk.
**Altered States (1980)**
1980’s “Altered States” (featuring the late, great William Hurt) takes the quintessential sci-fi warning, “Exercise caution with your scientific endeavors!”, and applies it to the realm of psychedelics. In the film, whose screenplay and source novel drew inspiration from genuine scientific research, Hurt delves into the recesses of his own subconscious in a sensory-deprivation chamber while under the influence of hallucinogens. As his experiments develop, the visions and “altered states” he experiences within the sensory deprivation tank start to make their way into the real world.
There’s a reason this relatively obscure science fiction film has found its place in the esteemed Criterion Collection. Although the special effects may seem a bit outdated, the visuals during the psychedelic sequences tap into subconscious symbolism and spiritual themes, resulting in a breathtaking visual journey. Meanwhile, a handful of body-horror moments ensure that the film fully embraces its genre, delivering genuine thrills and chills in equal measure. “Altered States” also endures over time because, like many exemplary works of sci-fi, it explores profound concepts. This tale of an inquisitive scientist pushing the limits of reality poses, among other inquiries, “What truly is reality?”
**Trancers (1984)**
“Altered States” firmly aligns with “hard sci-fi,” at least in terms of its concept, if not the execution. “Trancers,” the first film in what would become a modest franchise, embodies the B-movie aspect of the genre. However, that doesn’t imply it lacks its own intriguing ideas.
“Trancers” is among the various 1980s sci-fi films that explore time travel. Its rendition of the well-known trope is entirely unique: to travel back in time, characters ingest a drug that, instead of moving their physical bodies to the past, transfers their consciousness into the body of an ancestor. The storyline follows a retired policeman in 23rd-century Los Angeles named Jack Deth (yes, really), who employs this specific time-travel technique to track down a criminal madman named Martin Whistler back to 1985 to prevent him from using his psychic abilities to convert victims into “trancers” who obey his every sinister command.
If that seems like a “so bad it’s good” setup, note that “Trancers” currently boasts an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It serves as an excellent example of how sci-fi can draw from other genres to inject flavor and depth into an imagined universe. Specifically, “Trancers” can be considered, in many aspects, a Philip Marlowe detective tale clad in sci-fi attire, grounding what could easily be a campy movie in noir-inspired character development.
**Threads (1984)**
1984’s “Threads” is as horrifyingly realistic as science fiction films can get. Although some may argue it doesn’t even fit within the genre, its exploration of common sci-fi themes (such as nuclear catastrophe) justifies its inclusion on this list. However, prospective viewers should be forewarned that they are in for a profoundly sobering encounter.
“Threads” is a television film that provides an almost painfully realistic portrayal of what could unfold for ordinary people and society at large in the event of nuclear war. While the film’s representations of the initial nuclear devastation are striking and staggering (considering the TV-movie budget), “Threads” becomes truly chilling when it depicts how swiftly and effortlessly civilization collapses following a nuclear conflict. As survivors in Britain confront horrors like radiation sickness, food scarcity, and the destruction of essential infrastructure, the world around them rapidly reverts to the Dark Ages.
“Threads” accentuates sci-fi’s capacity to deliver a poignant message. Similar to how Rod Serling did with “The Twilight Zone” and Gene Roddenberry with “Star Trek,” the creators of “Threads” utilized a fictional narrative to ignite a serious dialogue. “Threads”