15 Best Cheesy ’80s Sci-Fi Movies, Ranked

Summary

• Cheesy ’80s sci-fi movies are perfect for watching with friends. Embrace the over-the-top charm and enjoy the nostalgia.
• Sci-fi comedies succeed by prioritizing humor over accuracy. Cheesy movies that don’t take themselves seriously are fan favorites.
• Appreciate ’80s box office flops for their campy charm. Dive into the nonsensical storylines for a fun movie night experience.

Cheesy ‘80s sci-fi movies are perfect for watching with friends. The 1980s have produced some of the best movies of all time, and the era is often considered to be a launching point for the increasing popularity of the sci-fi genre. However, some titles haven’t had the same success as others. Many audience members now love plenty of ‘80s box office flops, mainly because they are receiving the much-needed appreciation that they deserve years after their initial release.

Science fiction is often perceived as deeply serious and full of intricate details that need to be completely accurate. However, this isn’t always true, and sci-fi comedies are incredibly successful because they focus on humor over factual information. Cheesy movies are loved because the titles don’t take themselves seriously, so when combined with sci-fi, they quickly become some of the best films to kick back and enjoy with friends.

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15 Hell Comes To Frogtown (1988)

A Fight Against Some Strange Froggy Aliens

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Hell Comes To Frogtown (1988) RSci-FiActionComedy

Director Donald G. Jackson , R.J. Kizer Release Date January 29, 1988 Writers Donald G. Jackson , Randall Frakes Main Genre Sci-Fi Runtime 88 Minutes

Hell Comes to Frogtown is a quintessential ’80s movie that perfectly encapsulates the over-the-top and camp charm of the overall genre. Roddy Piper’s wild Mad Max rip-off is fantastic, and his portrayal of Sam Hell and his battles against the amphibian villains are brilliant throughout. It’s remembered for its amazing blend of action-packed sequences, eccentric characters, and wacky special effects, all of which make it a memorable and enjoyable watch in the sci-fi genre. Hell Comes to Frogtown is ridiculously self-aware, but even paired with its low budget, it’s still a fun experience because of its nonsensical storyline.

14 Trancers (1984)

Hilarious Dialogue In A Noir World

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Trancers (1984) PG-13Sci-FiCrime

Director Charles Band Release Date November 7, 1984 Writers Paul De Meo , Danny Bilson Main Genre Sci-Fi Runtime 77 Minutes

Trancers beautifully blends sci-fi and 1940s-style noir to create a compelling story about a time traveler who goes back to the ‘80s to bring his enemy to justice. Tim Thomerson’s portrayal of the gritty and sarcastic protagonist, cop Jack Deth, is a particular stand out in the film.

What’s so fascinating about
Trancers
is that the mix of the dystopian future and the 1980s makes it so engaging, even if it is a bit cheesy.

What’s so fascinating about Trancers is that the mix of the dystopian future and the 1980s makes it so engaging, even if it is a bit cheesy. Trancers is full of cringey one-liner jokes and an absurd plot, but that’s what makes it such a great piece of ‘80s B-movie cinema.

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Many great cult sci-fi movies slipped under the radar in the 1980s, but several of them hold up today and are still worth checking out.

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13 The Running Man (1987)

A Creepy Yet Hysterical Take On Reality TV

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The Running Man 4.0 R Sci-FiThrillerAction

Director Paul Michael Glaser Release Date November 13, 1987 Writers Steven E. de Souza Runtime 101 minutes

The Running Man is rife with action and comedy. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic performance as Ben Richards is one of the most notable parts of the film, and it also highlights his various abilities as an actor. The Running Man often jumps between classic camp humor and being deeply serious, which is jarring sometimes, but it also works well with the film’s story. The titular game show is eerie and unnerving, but it interestingly reflects modern society. Hopefully, The Running Man remake will achieve the same success as the original, which leaves audiences both satisfied and thoughtful after the credits roll.

12 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

A Heartwarming Tale That Transcends Species

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E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial pg Sci-FiAdventure Where to Watch

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Director Steven Spielberg Release Date June 11, 1982 Cast Drew Barrymore , Henry Thomas , Robert MacNaughton Runtime 1h 55m Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Melissa Mathison Expand

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is an incredible piece of ‘80s cinema and a staple of the era in general. The film famously contains one of Steven Spielberg’s best action scenes, which encapsulates the overall message and emotion of the piece. The story is both feel-good and deeply profound, which is a result of the characters’ compelling quest to keep the titular alien safe from the government. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a movie that is easy to invest in – a timeless tale about seeking justice and being fair to those who are different, but it’s amazingly cheesy, too.

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11 Ghostbusters (1984)

Who You Gonna Call?

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Director Ivan Reitman Release Date June 8, 1984 Cast Bill Murray , Dan Aykroyd , Sigourney Weaver , Harold Ramis , Ernie Hudson , Rick Moranis Runtime 105 Minutes Distributor(s) Columbia Pictures Writers Dan Aykroyd , Harold Ramis , Rick Moranis Expand

Ghostbusters is a defining sci-fi movie title and the beginning of one of the biggest film franchises of all time. The original titular group set a standard for sci-fi that many other movies have borrowed from, using a blend of silly comedy and zany responses to Ghostbusters’ unique storyline to connect with audiences. Ghostbusters is one of Bill Murray’s best movies, and Peter Venkman’s hilarious antics throughout the film are one of the best parts. The Ghostbusters movies are all legendary ‘80s pieces, even the installments from recent years, which have plenty of nostalgic elements.

10 Spaceballs (1987)

The Very Best Star Wars Parody Of All Time

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Spaceballs PGAdventure Sci-FiComedy Where to Watch

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Director Mel Brooks Release Date June 24, 1987 Cast John Candy , Daphne Zuniga , Mel Brooks , Rick Moranis , Bill Pullman Runtime 96 minutes Studio(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributor(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Writers Mel Brooks , Ronny Graham , Thomas Meehan Expand

Spaceballs is one of the best sci-fi comedies ever made, and not just because it’s a fabulous Star Wars comedy. The 1987 movie is packed with wacky humor and features top-notch performances from stars like Rick Mornais and Joan Rivers. Even director Mel Brooks features as two characters. Spaceballs is a film that is relevant even in the present day. The use of slapstick comedy and the ridiculous mocking of sci-fi movie tropes is what makes the film so cheesy, but it’s also the reason why it has continued to be so popular decades after its initial release.

9 Back To The Future (1985)

The Time Travel Movie That Started It All

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Back to the Future PGAdventureComedyFamilySci-Fi Where to Watch

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Director Robert Zemeckis Release Date July 3, 1985 Cast Claudia Wells , Christopher Lloyd , James Tolkan , Thomas F. Wilson , Michael J. Fox , Wendie Jo Sperber , Crispin Glover , Marc McClure , Lea Thompson Runtime 116 minutes Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Robert Zemeckis , Bob Gale Main Genre Sci-Fi Expand

Back to the Future is easily the most important time travel movie in existence. Many other films and TV shows rip off Back to the Future because of how it redefined the sci-fi genre and introduced the concept in a way that other projects hadn’t before. Doc Brown and Marty McFly are both massive ‘80s figures, and even in later Back to the Future movies, they always bring a sense of nostalgia for the time period. From the DeLorean to typical ‘80s slang and phrases, Back to the Future continues to be a timeless cheesy classic.

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8 Flash Gordon (1980)

Visually Lacking, But Still Feel-Good

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Director Mike Hodges Release Date December 5, 1980 Runtime 111 Minutes Writers Alex Raymond , Lorenzo Semple Jr. Main Genre Sci-Fi

Flash Gordon is a ridiculously cheesy ‘80s film, but it’s also one of the most notable films of the era. It’s hard not to find Gregory “Flash” Gordon’s journey to a far-away planet and fight against intergalactic supervillain Ming the Merciless as cringy at times, especially with Flash Gordon’s poor special effects, but it also adds to the overall charm of the film. Flash Gordon’s movies and TV shows all follow the same concept, but the 1980 film is the best in terms of embodying the bright and camp atmosphere of the comic book source material.

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7 Tron (1982)

A Breakthrough Title For Special Effects

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TRON PGActionAdventureScience Fiction

Director Steven Lisberger Release Date July 9, 1982 Runtime 96 minutes Studio(s) Disney Distributor(s) Disney Writers Steven Lisberger Expand

Tron is a terrific movie about playing video games. The film is best remembered for its bold creativity and groundbreaking CGI for its time, but the story is generally considered to be cheesy because of Kevin Flynn’s shift from video game designer to one of its characters. Video arcade gaming is both corny and nostalgic of the ‘80s, and the space-age imagery throughout Tron makes it that much more immersive. Tron’s neon landscaping and iconic costuming are staples of popular culture, even nowadays, but it’s also why the film is cheesy.

6 Masters Of The Universe (1987)

The Best Theatrical Version Of He-Man

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Director Gary Goddard Release Date August 7, 1987 Runtime 106 Minutes Studio(s) The Cannon Group, Inc. Distributor(s) The Cannon Group, Inc. Writers David Odell Franchise(s) Masters of the Universe Expand

Masters of the Universe truly embraces its camp qualities in a fascinating blend of comedy, sci-fi, and fantasy. However, the cheesiest part of the film is its cast. Dolph Lundgren’s scene-stealing performance as He-Man is an intriguing replication of the original cartoon character, and Frank Langella’s role as the baffling and diabolical Skeletor is perfectly cringeworthy.

Despite its low-budget visual effects, Masters of the Universe ’s costuming makes up for it, although the combination of the two gives off a brilliant ‘80s vibe overall. He-Man and Skeletor provide a fantastic battle between good and evil, which creates a compelling watch.

Lundgren was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Diamond Award at the CineRockom International Film Festival in 2013.

5 Weird Science (1985)

Two Teenage Boys Achieve Their Ultimate Dream

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Weird Science PG-13 Sci-FiComedyRomance Where to Watch

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Director John Hughes Release Date August 2, 1985 Runtime 94 minutes Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Budget $7.5 million Writers John Hughes Expand

Weird Science’s plot is unlikely to land well nowadays, but even though the story is quite outdated, it’s still generally a funny and enjoyable ‘80s film. The movie combines typical ‘80s humor and a tale about two teenage boys creating their perfect woman to form an all-around goofy title.

In a world that relies on technology and the power of the internet, Weird Science is a refreshing change of pace because of how it mocks such concepts. Of course, its story is nothing short of ridiculous, and it’s wildly over-exaggerated at times, but that’s why Wild Science is so great.

Related 10 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Making Of Weird Science

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4 Howard The Duck (1986)

A Completely Quackers Protagonist

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Director Willard Huyck Release Date August 1, 1986 Writers Steve Gerber , Willard Huyck , Gloria Katz Runtime 110 Minutes Main Genre Sci-Fi

Howard the Duck is a notoriously bad ‘80s sci-fi movie, to the point that it becomes good again. The Marvel film’s sheer absurdity and its embrace of its cheesy premise creates a bizarre charm in Howard the Duck that is hard not to enjoy. The titular character is one of the wackiest fictional characters ever, and his quirky sense of humor and his lack of self-awareness make him even funnier. Howard the Duck’s special effects aren’t the best, but the film doesn’t take itself seriously, and it adds to its camp tone.

Howard the Duck
’s special effects aren’t the best, but the film doesn’t take itself seriously, and it adds to its camp tone.

Related 10 Funniest Howard the Duck Moments in Marvel History

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3 Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)

Exploring The History Of Humanity For A School Report

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Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure PGAdventureSci-FiMusicComedyRomance Where to Watch

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Director Stephen Herek Release Date February 17, 1989 Runtime 90 minutes Studio(s) De Laurentiis Entertainment Group Distributor(s) De Laurentiis Entertainment Group Writers Chris Matheson , Ed Solomon Expand

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure is another 1980s hit that relies on comedy to bring a wacky sci-fi tale to life. The titular characters’ journey to complete their school report by traveling through time is definitively cheesy by itself, purely because it’s so implausible, but it’s also an interesting concept, too. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’s wacky quotes and parodies of human history are exceptional, but the two teens’ hilarious escapades keep things light-hearted throughout the film. Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves as Bill and Ted, respectively, have fantastic chemistry as well, which makes the film even better.

Keanu Reeves Received the Lance Reddick Legacy Award in 2024

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2 Dune (1984)

David Lynch’s Famous Flop

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Director David Lynch Release Date December 14, 1984 Cast Kyle MacLachlan , Francesca Annis , Brad Dourif , Richard Jordan , sting , Virginia Madsen , Everett McGill , Patrick Stewart , Kenneth McMillan , Jurgen Prochnow , Sean Young Runtime 137 Mins Studio(s) Universal Pictures

Director David Lynch may have disowned Dune after its initial release because of its critical reception, but years later, audiences appreciate the film for what it is. The recent Dune remake achieves the tone and overall vibes of what Lynch attempts to accomplish in the 1984 original, but there is no doubt that the film will forever be remembered for its cheesiness. The movie is absolutely ambitious, and while it isn’t intentional, Dune ’s striking visuals and hilarious performances from the likes of Kyle MacLachlan make it tacky. Despite this, Dune’s worst qualities also provide an entertaining viewing.

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1 RoboCop (1987)

A 1980s Prediction Of The Future

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Director Paul Verhoeven Release Date July 17, 1987 Runtime 102 Minutes Writers Edward Neumeier , Michael Miner Main Genre Action

RoboCop is famous for its cheesy yet action-fuelled dialogue, especially from its titular character. The film delves into what the future could have been, and it’s immediately obvious from RoboCop’s outlook and depiction of the year 2028 that this movie is a product of the 1980s. Although the basic themes of the film of capitalism and law enforcement control are rather deep, Robocop ’s satirical undertones and peculiarly funny characterizations overpower everything else, making it stand out in cinematic history. Robocop is an amazingly cheesy ‘80s sci-fi movie and a delightful title to watch with friends.

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