Only 8 Sci-Fi Movies in the ‘80s Can Be Considered True Masterpieces

The 1980s produced many of the most popular sci-fi films of all time, including some that inspired massive, internationally successful franchises. Combining high-concept storytelling with groundbreaking special effects, these movies revolutionized the genre and cinema in general, becoming iconic pop culture landmarks that are still beloved by legions of fans today. But of all the sci-fi movies of the ’80s, only a handful can truly be called masterpieces.

These are the films that deliver absolute perfection in every department, from performances, writing, and direction to cinematography, costumes, make-up, and more. Their legacy is undeniable, and their influence on modern cinema is foundational, making them some of the most important films of all time. So, without further ado, here’s our selection of 1980s sci-fi movies that can be considered true masterpieces.

1

‘Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980)

Image via Lucasfilm

Directed by Irvin Kershner, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back is the second film of George Lucas’s Star Wars franchise, set three years after 1977’s legendary Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. Taking audiences back to the galaxy far, far away, the movie explores the ongoing battles between the ruthless Empire and the Rebel Alliance, following rebel hero Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) as he seeks out Jedi Master Yoda (Frank Oz) so he can train to master the Force and finally face the evil Darth Vader. The film also stars Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, James Earl Jones, and more in key roles.

Though its blockbuster predecessor may have started the franchise, The Empire Strikes Back is the movie where Star Wars became what it is today. A cinematic masterpiece with a mature narrative, fascinating worldbuilding, epic battles, and one of the most shocking plot twists ever seen on screen, the film is widely regarded as the best of the franchise to date. While its initial critical reception was mixed, The Empire Strikes Back still became the highest-grossing film of 1980, earned two Academy Awards, and, in 2010, was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the United States Library of Congress.

Image via Universal Pictures

Directed and produced by Steven Spielberg and written by Melissa Mathison, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (or simply E.T.) is a classic sci-fi adventure movie that explores the friendship between 10-year-old Elliott (Henry Thomas) and a stranded extraterrestrial creature he names E.T. With a government task force hunting for E.T., Elliot and his siblings attempt to hide the alien and find a way to help him return to his home planet. The film also features Dee Wallace, Peter Coyote, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore, and more in supporting roles.

A timeless sci-fi classic, E.T. is a beloved family movie that has entertained several generations of viewers, both young and old. Easily one of Spielberg’s greatest films, the movie changed the way alien stories were told on screen and gave us one of the most adorable and iconic movie aliens of all time. E.T. also received numerous awards in its day, including four Academy Award wins out of nine nominations, and the Golden Globe for Best Picture.

3

‘The Thing’ (1982)

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Inspired by John W. Campbell Jr.’s 1938 novella Who Goes There?, The Thing is a sci-fi horror-thriller directed by John Carpenter and written by Bill Lancaster, set in an Antarctic research base. The film revolves around a group of American researchers who find themselves targeted by a shapeshifting alien life-form, and soon begin to turn on each other. The ensemble cast includes Kurt Russell, A. Wilford Brimley, T. K. Carter, David Clennon, Keith David, Richard Dysart, Charles Hallahan, and more.

A chilling creature-feature, The Thing is widely regarded as a sci-fi masterpiece nowadays, but back when it first premiered in 1982, the movie was a critical and commercial failure. In the years since, the film has received the credit it deserves for its powerful performances, psychological narrative, and impressive special effects. Exploring a fascinating story at the junction of science and psychology, The Thing is a definitive sci-fi horror film, and in 2025, it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

4

‘Blade Runner’ (1982)

Image via Warner Bros.

Adapted from Philip K. Dick‘s 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Blade Runner is a cyberpunk noir thriller directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford. Set in a dystopian future where synthetic humans called replicants are bio-engineered to work on space colonies, the film follows former cop Rick Deckard (Ford), who is hired to hunt down fugitive replicants who have escaped to Los Angeles. The movie also features Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos, M. Emmet Walsh, Daryl Hannah, William Sanderson, Brion James, Joe Turkel, Joanna Cassidy, James Hong, and more in supporting roles.

A cult classic sci-fi film, Blade Runner was not a big hit in the ’80s, but it’s since grown a massive following and been critically re-evaluated as a masterpiece. One of the foundational films of the cyberpunk genre, the movie has had a strong influence on several subsequent movies in terms of themes, aesthetics, and narrative style. A complex neon-noir film with powerful performances and striking visuals, Blade Runner has inspired a growing franchise that includes the 2017 legacy sequel Blade Runner 2049, the 2021 anime series Blade Runner: Black Lotus, the 2026 miniseries Blade Runner 2099, and more.

5

‘The Terminator’ (1984)

Image via Orion Pictures

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the titular character, The Terminator is a sci-fi action thriller directed and co-written by James Cameron. The movie explores the events that occur in 1984 Los Angeles when a cyborg assassin from the future arrives in town, seeking to kill a woman named Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) before she can bear a son destined to become instrumental in the fight against the evil AI Skynet. Michael Biehn co-stars as Kyle Reese, a future human soldier sent back in time to protect Sarah, and the film also features Lance Henriksen, Paul Winfield, and Earl Boen in supporting roles.

Despite a mixed initial reception from critics, The Terminator was a massive box-office success of the ’80s and is now regarded as a decade-defining film. The movie helped establish James Cameron’s reputation as an accomplished filmmaker, and spawned an internationally popular multimedia franchise that today includes numerous sequels, games, TV shows, and comics. In 2008, The Terminator’s cultural significance was officially recognized when it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

6

‘Back to the Future’ (1985)

Image via Universal Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

Directed and co-written by Robert Zemeckis, Back to the Future is a classic sci-fi comedy adventure starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. In the movie, teenager Marty McFly (Fox) assists his genius, mad-scientist friend, Emmett “Doc” Brown (Lloyd), with a time-travel experiment, accidentally traveling back in time and causing a dangerous temporal anomaly when he encounters younger versions of his parents. The film also features Crispin Glover, Thomas F. Wilson, and Lea Thompson in other major roles.

A major pop culture landmark of the 1980s, Back to the Future is an energetic, vibrant, and entertaining sci-fi movie that packs time travel, retro aesthetics, hilarious comedy, and thrilling action sequences into one wild journey. A massive critical and commercial success, the movie continues to enjoy the adoration of an international fanbase, and it also inspired two equally fun sequels. Easily one of the greatest time travel movies ever made, the film is ’80s cinema at its best, with great writing, characters, quotes, and props (particularly the instantly recognizable DeLorean).

7

‘Aliens’ (1986)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Written and directed by James Cameron, Aliens is a 1986 film that serves as a sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1979 science fiction horror movie Alien. Sigourney Weaver reprises her leading role as Ellen Ripley, the sole survivor of the xenomorph attack from the previous film, who returns to the moon where her crew first ran into the monstrous creatures to investigate a lost colony. Besides Weaver, the film also features Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen, and Carrie Henn in supporting roles.

Despite a long and tumultuous production, Aliens was a critical and commercial hit when it premiered in 1986, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of the year worldwide. Successfully expanding the world of the original movie, Aliens is the film that truly established the franchise as a sci-fi landmark, and it went on to receive several accolades, including a Best Actress Academy Award nomination for Sigourney Weaver’s performance. The film is now regarded as one of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time and one of the most iconic films of the 1980s.

8

‘Predator’ (1987)

Image via 20th Century Fox

A sci-fi action horror movie, Predator was directed by John McTiernan and stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as Alan “Dutch” Schaefer, the leader of an elite paramilitary unit, tasked with rescuing a high-value target from a Central American rainforest, where they unexpectedly find themselves in the crosshairs of a brutal alien hunter. Elpidia Carrillo, Carl Weathers, Richard Chaves, Sonny Landham, Bill Duke, Jesse Ventura, and Shane Black star in supporting roles, with Kevin Peter Hall as the Predator.

Easily one of the most enduringly popular action films of the 1980s, Predator was a big hit in its day and even earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects. The movie is a major pop culture landmark and a genuinely engaging action thriller, with tense storytelling and great action, not to mention an unforgettable villain. The film has since spawned a sprawling franchise that includes multiple films, novels, video games, and more, and it’s widely regarded as one of the greatest action movies of all time.

Release Date

June 12, 1987

Runtime

107 minutes