The 1980s were a remarkable time for science fiction movies, with the Alien franchise dominating the scene alongside other extraterrestrial-themed films like The Thing and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. While many of these movies have gained recognition, several lesser-known sci-fi films from the decade deserve more credit. Here are 10 underappreciated sci-fi movies from the 1980s that are worth revisiting:
1. Leviathan (1989): A high-concept sci-fi horror film that takes place on a sunken Soviet cargo ship, where a team of deep-sea miners encounter a mutant creature that grows in mass with the flesh of its victims.
2. Creature (1985): A low-budget sci-fi horror film that follows a team of American scientists on a mission to explore Titan, one of Saturn’s moons, where they encounter a deadly alien creature that begins to eliminate the crew.
3. Contamination (1980): An Italian-made science fiction film that takes place on Earth, where a Martian mission returns and brings with it a sinister secret: alien eggs that threaten to take over the planet.
4. Forbidden World (1982): A low-budget science fiction horror film about a team of scientists who bioengineer a life form capable of rapidly feeding large populations, only to have it mutate into a horrific monster.
5. The Stuff (1985): A satirical horror film by director Larry Cohen, which follows a mysterious dessert that becomes a nationwide craze, only to reveal its deadly consequences when consumed.
6. Arena (1989): A science fiction film that imagines a different future where humans are the underdogs, pitted against an alien species in a brutal intergalactic boxing arena.
7. They Live (1988): A sci-fi film by John Carpenter, which follows a drifter who discovers a pair of sunglasses that allow him to see the evil forces that secretly control the world and manipulate people through subliminal messages.
8. Galaxy of Terror (1981): A sci-fi horror film that features James Cameron as a production designer and follows a rescue mission to a distant planet where the crew encounters a deadly alien force that manifests their deepest fears.
9. The Blob (1988): A reimagining of the 1950s classic, where a government experiment creates a monstrous, alien-like creature that slowly consumes its victims in a series of gruesome and energetic deaths.
10. Phantom of the Paradise (1974): A musical science fiction horror film that follows a musician who makes a Faustian bargain to become a rock star, only to be rebranded as a monstrous, otherworldly creature.
These films showcase a range of sci-fi subgenres, from horror to action to satire, and offer a fascinating glimpse into the genre’s diverse and often overlooked years.
