The 1980s hold a special position in the world of cinema. Many people still remember them but at the same time, they’re distant enough already to make the viewers feel nostalgic for them. As a result, some of the most popular science fiction movies from this decade, such asStar WarsEpisode VandVI,Blade Runner,E.T.,The Terminator, and others, continue to attract new viewers.
RELATED:Great 80s Sci-Fi Movies That Still Hold Up
However, the 1980s also saw the creation of multiple movies that are mostly forgotten these days even though they also have a lot to offer - from unusual spins of well-known topics to excellent acting performances from popular actors, and simply fascinating stories.
6Death Watch (1980)
This European movie that will mostly be unknown to the American audience comes from France, Germany, and the UK. Its story takes place in a relatively recent time - in 2021. People mostly lead happy lives and there are fewer and fewer scandals. So when a TV team discovers a woman named Katherine (Romy Schneider) is dying of cancer, they send out Roddy (Harvey Keitel) to spy on her and record her via a camera hidden in his eye. Of course, things get more complicated when Roddy begins to like Katherine.
While other movies would have used this as a preamble for romance,Death Watchdoesn’t spare its heroes. The actors are excellent and while the movie got some details wrong, what’s realistic about its portrayal of 2021 is how pervasive media can be and what they’re willing to do to get the one exclusive scoop. As a result,Death Watchcomes across as a chilling story. Unlike other lesser-known science fiction movies from the 1980s, it’s possible tostream this one on Amazon Prime.
5The Last Battle (1983)
Just like other directors, Luc Besson also went on to direct more prominent and better-known science fiction movies, such asThe Fifth Element(1997) with Bruce Willis and Milla Jovovich. However, in 1983, people could have watched Besson’s first major movie, a science fiction tale about a world in which society collapsed. People are living in small colonies and are waging wars with primitive weapons. The main hero meets a few other people and has to fight the attacks of a strong man who’s after him.
RELATED:Underappreciated 80s Horror Movies
What might make the movie difficult to watch for some viewers is the fact that it’s silent. However, even without the characters talking to each other, the story is still understandable and the movie’s black and white picture is beautiful.The Last Battlewill be interesting not just for fans of Luc Besson, but also for Jean Reno, who later went on to appear in many other movies, including American ones. In this movie, Reno plays the main antagonist and is truly intimidating in his role.
4Sexmission (1983)
The 1980s saw the continuation of several already established series, such asStar TrekandStar Wars, but not all the most interesting science fiction movies came from the USA. This Polish piece that’s now mostly forgotten outside its country and Central Europe creates an intriguing vision of the future in which women rule society.
When the two male heroes wake up 50 years in the future, they either have to escape or face death or transformation into women. The story is surprising and the movie has the power to make the audience both think and laugh at times. So if they manage to find it with English subtitles, they’re in for a memorable experience.
3The Return Of Captain Invincible (1983)
With the prevalence of theMCUand theDCEU, it’s easy to forget that superhero movies have been around for decades. AndThe Return of the Captain Invincibleis one of the hidden jewels that deserve more attention than they got from the audience. Alan Arkin shines in the titular role as a superhero who comes back from early retirement when a dangerous villain called Doctor Midnight (Christopher Lee) endangers the world. It’s now up to Captain Invincible to stop Doctor Midnight!
While the plot might sound like something from a B-list movie,The Return of Captain Invinciblesoon charms the audience thanks to its sense of humor, excellent actors in the leading roles - and the music. Yes, the movie is a musical, which makes it evenmore different from other superhero moviesand a must-watch for all fans who like this genre but want to see something fresh and new.
2D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)
The question of what exactly makes somebody human has been relevant in the science fiction genre for a long time. And it’s often addressed when the main hero is an alien or a robot. In this movie, the second case is true. Daryl looks like a ten-year-old boy, and he’s adopted by a family. He finds new friends, but his life gets complicated when the army starts pursuing him, determined to destroy Daryl.
RELATED:Underappreciated 80s Sci-Fi TV Shows
Even if the audience knows the twist in advance,D.A.R.Y.L.is still fun to watch because it’s very easy to sympathize with the main hero and wish him success. The special effects don’t always age well but the most important thing, the strong story, still works even today. Thanks to the age of the main hero,D.A.R.Y.L.is a good movie to watch for parents who want tointroduce their young children to the sci-fi genre.
While this movie has gotten a fair share of reviews on movie databases, it’s nowhere near as known as Peter Jackson’s later work. BeforePeter Jackson became famous for adapting Tolkien’sLord of the Ringsinto the record-breaking Oscar-winning trilogy, Jackson worked on smaller, less expensive movies in New Zealand.
Bad Tasteis one of them, a dark comedy in which aliens land in a city in New Zealand and start eating people. The movie is full of tension, action, and humor, so even though it didn’t cost a lot of money, it’s still a movie no fan of this genre should miss out on watching.
