15 Best Sci-Fi Movies of the '80s, Ranked

While the 1980s isn’t generally regarded as one of the better decades for film, it was a gold mine for the science-fiction genre. From "T he Empire Strikes Back" to "S tar Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," here are all the genre's essential entries from the '80s. You're welcome.

15. 'Tron' (1982)

This uneven cult-favorite paved the way for then-revolutionary computer graphics, as viewers took a trip to The Grid -- a place full of Light Cycles and Identity Discs.

14. 'The Abyss' (1989)

James Cameron's 1989 tale of underwater roughnecks who discover some technicolor aliens at the bottom of the sea wasn't a hit when it first came out. But over the years, fans have come to appreciate the film for its emotional storytelling, claustrophobic tension and then-revolutionary visual effects.

13. 'Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home' (1986)

“Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” was more adventurous and light-hearted than its predecessors, with its time travel plot centered on saving two humpback whales. In addition to being the funniest "Trek" movie ever, it also delivered an important message about mankind’s treatment of its home planet.

12. 'Predator' (1987)

What happens when you send a team of the roughest, toughest, most muscle-y action heroes into the jungle to battle an invisible alien hunter? You get "Predator," another iconic mashup of sci-fi, action, and horror. Its endlessly quotable and rewatchable. In fact, we're gonna watch it right now...

11. 'RoboCop' (1987)

“RoboCop” offered its own view of a dystopian future, one overrun by ruthless gang violence and mindless consumerism. The good news is that it also introduced RoboCop, a nigh-invulnerable police officer who tries to uncover his human past when he isn’t too busy gunning down evildoers.

10. 'Brazil' (1985)

"Brazil" is every bit as weird and surreal as you’d expect from a sci-fi film directed by one of the former Monty Python crew. Basically a satirical, post-modern take on George Orwell’s “1984,” this film established Terry Gilliam as one of the most unique voices in the film industry.

9. 'The Thing' (1982)

If you want proof that remakes can indeed outclass the original, look no further than this sci-fi/horror film (arguably the best of the many team-ups between director John Carpenter and actor Kurt Russell). “The Thing” chronicles the terrifying plight of a group of Antarctic researchers trapped with a shape-shifting monster. Nightmare fuel ensues.

8. 'The Terminator' (1984)

Both director James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger cemented their superstar status with this gritty sci-fi action flick. The movie traded nicely on Schwarzenegger’s hulking, imposing presence as it explored Sarah Connor's struggle to escape Skynet's unstoppable murderbot.

7. 'Blade Runner' (1982)

More gritty neo-noir than epic space fantasy, this sci-fi landmark offered a captivating vision of a future where androids run amok in an eternally rain-soaked Los Angeles.

6. 'The Road Warrior' (1981)

The "Mad Max" franchise resurfaced in a big way this year with "Fury Road", but for many fans of dystopian, post-apocalyptic sci-fi, nothing can top the second film in this venerable series.

5. 'E.T.: The Extraterrestrial' (1982)

Director Steven Spielberg already had one successful sci-fi outing, with 1977’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” But he really outdid himself with this more family-friendly film about a young boy who bonds with a wayward alien. You’ll believe a boy and his wrinkly new best friend can fly.

4. 'Back to the Future' (1985)

Both Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd enjoyed career-defining performances in this time-travel classic. Their journey only grew progressively stranger and more complicated over the course of two sequels.

3. 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan' (1982)

"KHAAAAAN!" Ricardo Montalban reprises his role of villain Khan Noonien Singh to battle Kirk and the Enterprise crew in this much-loved sequel, which features one of cinema's greatest rivalries.

2. 'Aliens' (1986)

When James Cameron was tapped to deliver a sequel to 1979’s “Alien,” his solution was to go bigger and louder. Rather than focusing the film on one unstoppable Xenomorph hunting a terrified crew, Cameron depicted all-out war between a hive of the creatures and the best-trained soldiers in the galaxy. It was a wise choice.

1. 'The Empire Strikes Back' (1980)

The decade certainly started off on the right note with this much-anticipated sequel. “Empire Strikes Back” offers a much darker and more dramatic view of that galaxy far, far away. It features Han Solo and friends on the run from a vengeful Galactic Empire, and Luke Skywalker learning the horrible secret about the Skywalker family.