10 Timeless Sci-Fi Movies From the '80s That Still Hold Up Today

A golden age of science fiction filmmaking occurred in the 1980s.  The decade was full of space adventures, alien encounters, and futuristic thrillers because of a combination of creative special effects artists, forward-thinking filmmakers, and studios ready to capitalize on the popularity of late 1970s blockbusters like ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Alien’.  During this time, science fiction really started to become a Hollywood mainstay.

Despite their convoluted narratives, some of these movies tended toward campiness, while others are now hailed as masterpieces of film.  Regardless of their aesthetic, the most recognizable science fiction films from the 1980s all share the trait of being timeless.  These ten iconic sci-fi movies have endured and solidified their position in both movie history and the hearts of genre fans, whether they were released in theatres, VHS collections, DVDs, or streaming services.

'Aliens' (1986)

'E.T. the Extra-terrestrial' (1982)

Blade Runner (1982)

'The Empire Strikes Back' (1980)

'Back to the Future Part II' (1989)

The Terminator (1984)

Tron (1982)

'Spaceballs' (1987)

'RoboCop' (1987)

Predator (1987)

–Farheen Ali