Worlds of Wonder: Sci-Fi Goodness (and a bit of goofy fun)
by grendelkhan | created - 23 Jun 2013 | updated - 04 May 2016 | PublicI'm a sucker for worlds of imagination, so sci-fi has always been a favorite, even when it's been a bit cheesy (some of us have a sense of humor about this stuff). These are movie and tv show favorites; some are groundbreaking, some awe inspiring, some puzzling, and many are just plain silly. What's the point of having a future if it isn't at least fun? I'm skipping superheroes, if you don't mind, as I have covered them on another list.
Now, "Mr. Sulu, ahead warp factor 10!" "Aye, aye, Captain!" "If anyone needs me, I'll be in my parent's basement."
Some spoilers ahead...
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101. Silent Running (1972)
G | 89 min | Drama, Sci-Fi
In a future where all flora is extinct on Earth, an astronaut is given orders to destroy the last of Earth's botany, kept in a greenhouse aboard a spacecraft.
Director: Douglas Trumbull | Stars: Bruce Dern, Cliff Potts, Ron Rifkin, Jesse Vint
Votes: 31,462 | Gross: $0.69M
Bruce Dern stars in this tale of ecology and obsession, as he becomes the lone caretaker of an agricultural ship, with only three robots as companions. Douglas Trumball directed and the robots were played by amputees. Very much of its time.
102. Mazinger Z (1972–1974)
30 min | Action, Animation, Sci-Fi
Teenager Koji Kabuto pilots the amazing super-robot Mazinger Z to avenge its inventor (his grandfather) against the Mycene Empire, led by the evil mad scientist Doctor Hell.
Stars: Jôji Yanami, Hiroya Ishimaru, Isamu Tanonaka, Osamu Katô
Votes: 1,509
One of the early anime series to come to the US. It was a redubbed version of Go Nagai's Mazinger Z, about a giant robot piloted by a human. It was highly groundbreaking and spawned many imitators (though it was preceded by Gigantor and Johnny Sokko).
103. Genesis II (1973 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 74 min | Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
A scientist who has been preserved in suspended animation wakes up to find himself in a primitive society in the future.
Director: John Llewellyn Moxey | Stars: Alex Cord, Mariette Hartley, Ted Cassidy, Percy Rodrigues
Votes: 1,119
Alex Cord stars in this failed pilot for a sci-fi series, from Gene Roddenberry. Cord is a scientist who tests a procedure for suspended animation, for potential long range space travel. The test occurs in an underground lab complex. An earthquake interrupts the experiment and seals Cord inside the lab until he is awakened in the future. the world has been devastated by nuclear war, and the scientist must decide who to trust. It has a lot of interesting ideas, but they never quite seem to gel. A couple of unproduced episode scripts would be used for another tv movie (with John Saxon in the role) and a low budget film (again with Saxon).
104. Soylent Green (1973)
PG | 97 min | Crime, Mystery, Sci-Fi
A nightmarish futuristic fantasy about the controlling power of big corporations and an innocent cop who stumbles on the truth.
Director: Richard Fleischer | Stars: Charlton Heston, Edward G. Robinson, Leigh Taylor-Young, Chuck Connors
Votes: 70,565 | Gross: $7.92M
Adaptation of Harry Harrison's "Make Room, Make Room," with a massively overpopulated world. Charlton heston and edward G Robsinso star. I think most people know the twist, without ever seeing the film.
105.
The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie (1972–1974)
Episode:
Lost in Space
(1973)
60 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
An animated version of the much loved 1960's TV series. This time the Jupiter 2 is a space shuttle on its way from Earth to Saturn, commanded by Commander Craig Robinson and crewed by Robon... See full summary »
Director: Charles Nichols | Stars: Jonathan Harris, Sherry Alberoni, Michael Bell, Ralph James
Votes: 45
The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie was a showcase for animation pilots, with work from Hanna-Barbera, Filmation, Rankin-Bass, and others. This pilot featured an animated Lost in Space, complete with Jonathan Harris as Dr. Smith. However, noone else came along and it focused a bit too much on monsters. A series did not follow. Alex Toth did create the designs, though.
106. Fantastic Planet (1973)
PG | 72 min | Animation, Sci-Fi
On a faraway planet where blue giants rule, oppressed humanoids rebel against their machine-like leaders.
Director: René Laloux | Stars: Barry Bostwick, Jennifer Drake, Eric Baugin, Jean Topart
Votes: 36,820 | Gross: $0.19M
French animated sci-fi film that used to be shown a lot on cable. I've only seen bits and pieces and couldn't make much sense out of them. If you like Moebius, you might enjoy this.
107. Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973–1975)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The further adventures of Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise, as they explore the galaxy and defend the United Federation of Planets.
Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, George Takei
Votes: 8,181
Filmation produced this animated Star Trek, complete with the original cast. Majel Barrett and James Doohan voiced other parts, as did Nichelle Nicols. However, Walter Koenig was left out, but contributed via an episode script. There were some sequels to previous episodes (Harry Mudd, tribbles and the Guardian of Forever all reappeared) and some new ideas. Animation allowed for aliens who didn't look like people in make-up and rubber masks. Unfortunately, the lackluster voice directing (common to Filmation shows) reduced the cast to a rather wooden delivery, at times.
108. Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)
G | 93 min | Action, Sci-Fi
Ten years after a worldwide series of ape revolutions and a brutal nuclear war among humans, Caesar must protect survivors of both species from an insidious human cult and a militant ape faction alike.
Director: J. Lee Thompson | Stars: Roddy McDowall, Claude Akins, Natalie Trundy, Severn Darden
Votes: 33,742 | Gross: $8.84M
Things are pretty tired by this point and the budget leads to everything being done cheaply, which kills any decent ideas, although we see the early form of the mutants.
109. Westworld (1973)
PG | 88 min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
A robot malfunction creates havoc and terror for unsuspecting vacationers at a futuristic, adult-themed amusement park.
Director: Michael Crichton | Stars: Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, James Brolin, Norman Bartold
Votes: 62,955 | Gross: $16.06M
Michael Crichton created this tale of a resort where robots help people act out their fantasies, with a Medieval World and Westworld. James Brolin and Richard Benjamin are friends who go to Westworld and play cowboy. However, glitches start occuring and the resort turns deadly. Yul Brynner plays a robot (based on his character from the Magnificent Seven) who goes on a killing rampage, years before Arnold donned sunglasses and assault rifles. Crichton reworked the plot into the bestseller Jurassic Park.
110. Zardoz (1974)
R | 105 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
In the late 23rd century, a savage trained only to kill finds a way into the community of bored immortals that alone preserves humanity's achievements.
Director: John Boorman | Stars: Sean Connery, Charlotte Rampling, Sara Kestelman, John Alderton
Votes: 24,558 | Gross: $0.07M
Any attempt at explaining this thing generally leads to a migraine; but, here goes. Sean Connery runs around in a diaper! OK, not exactly. The film features an advanced society that is separated from a barbaric one by an energy shield. They lord it over there wilder bretheren with images of stone gods. Connery somehow breaches the barrier and ends up on the other side, causing havoc and having plenty of sex. Connery at his most testosterone charged (and hairiest!).
111. Dark Star (1974)
G | 83 min | Comedy, Sci-Fi
In the far reaches of space, a small crew, 20 years into their solitary mission, find things beginning to go hilariously wrong.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Dan O'Bannon, Dre Pahich, Brian Narelle, Cal Kuniholm
Votes: 27,243
Basically, about a crew of a space tug, but there's not much coherence in the story. It was influential in showcasing a dirtier, more lived in world, which influenced Star Wars and Alien, but the story is all over the place.
112. Planet of the Apes (1974)
TV-PG | 47 min | Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Two astronauts and a sympathetic chimp friend are fugitives in a future Earth dominated by a civilization of humanoid apes.
Stars: Roddy McDowall, Ron Harper, James Naughton, Mark Lenard
Votes: 5,417
Tv series that followed the films, but turned everything into a primitive Fugitive. It suffers from less than charismatic leads (apart from Roddy McDowell) and bland scripts. It didn't last long.
113. Land of the Lost (1974–1977)
TV-G | 30 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
A family finds themselves fighting to survive in a land populated by dinosaurs and otherworldly beings.
Stars: Wesley Eure, Kathy Coleman, Spencer Milligan, Phillip Paley
Votes: 3,340
A family gets pulled through a dimensional gateway and ends up in a prehistoric world. There, they encounter dinosaurs, hominoids, and lizard bipeds, while searching for a way home. The stop motion miniatures and puppets were rarely convincing, but the sleestacks were genuinely scary (mostly played by basketball players from UCLA and USC). One of the better Sid and Marty Krofft shows.
114. Rollerball (1975)
Approved | 125 min | Action, Sci-Fi, Sport
In a corporate-controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of its powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game.
Director: Norman Jewison | Stars: James Caan, John Houseman, Maud Adams, John Beck
Votes: 29,278 | Gross: $30.00M
This one was both "of its time" and ahead of it. James Caan stars as Jonathan E, top star of the futuristic (and violent) sport of Rollerball. This is a world of total corporate control, long before the birth of cyberpunk. The corporations control society and sponsor their own Rollerball teams. The sport is designed to show the futility of individual action and provide "breads and circuses" for the controlled masses. Executives are the elite and they get what they want. They want Caan to retire because he continues to disprove the idea that an individual can't matter. No matter what obstacle they throw in his way, he triumphs. The movie had an underserved reputation for violence. The game is brutal, but no more so than many a football game and seems positively tame, now. It's very prescient when it comes to the domination that conglomerates have over everyday life Definitely worth checking out. Skip the remake; it offers nothing.
115. Death Race 2000 (1975)
R | 80 min | Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi
In a dystopian future, a cross country automobile race requires contestants to run down innocent pedestrians to gain points that are tallied based on each kill's brutality.
Director: Paul Bartel | Stars: David Carradine, Sylvester Stallone, Simone Griffeth, Mary Woronov
Votes: 30,895 | Gross: $8.00M
Very dark comedy about a violent road race, in a future society that mirrors the decadence of Ancient Rome. Gladiators ply their trade in souped up cars, targetting pedestrians and each other, while a group of rebels seek to use the race to overthrow the repressive government. It's total satire, with an exploitation gloss. Great fun.
116. Space: 1999 (1975–1977)
TV-14 | 50 min | Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
The crew of Moonbase Alpha must struggle to survive when a massive explosion throws the Moon from Earths orbit and into deep space.
Stars: Martin Landau, Barbara Bain, Nick Tate, Zienia Merton
Votes: 9,433
Gerry Anderson live action series, with the moon blown out of Earth orbit. Martin Landau leads the residents of Moon Base Alpha as the careen through space, without suffering the ill effects of the gravitational upheavals that would occur. The series was inventive, but the human element is a bit lacking, as Anderson is too in love with his models and special effects.
117. Return to the Planet of the Apes (1975–1976)
TV-G | 324 min | Animation, Adventure, Sci-Fi
While on a mission, three astronauts in their spaceship get caught in a time vortex. They return to Earth in the year 3979 A.D. and discover that intelligent apes are now the highest form of life.
Stars: Austin Stoker, Philippa Harris, Henry Corden, Richard Blackburn
Votes: 1,823
Imaginative animated addition to the Apes franchise. The series featured designs from Doug Wildey, which, artistically, put it on par with Jonny Quest. Animation allowed the ape civilization to be as sophisticated as in Boulle's original novel, with vehicles, radio, and television. Where it failed was in flat voice acting and bad in-jokes, like a movie called The Apefather.
118. The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)
R | 139 min | Drama, Sci-Fi
An alien must pose as a human to save his dying planet, but a woman and greed of other men create complications.
Director: Nicolas Roeg | Stars: David Bowie, Rip Torn, Candy Clark, Buck Henry
Votes: 28,670 | Gross: $0.10M
Bizarre doesn't begin to describe this film, with David Bowie as an alien who comes to Earth to save his people; but, he is seduced by the culture. The alien is there to ship water back to his planet, which is struck by a severe drought, and uses advanced technology to build a business empire via patents based on that tech. It' s more social commentary than sci-fi alien and weird only scratches the surface. Suffice to say, Bowie is in his element here.
119. Futureworld (1976)
PG | 108 min | Sci-Fi, Thriller
Upon uncovering the dirty secret of futuristic theme-park Futureworld, an ex-employee is killed after he tips off two other reporters who decide to do an undercover investigation.
Director: Richard T. Heffron | Stars: Peter Fonda, Blythe Danner, Arthur Hill, Yul Brynner
Votes: 11,782 | Gross: $8.72M
Less-than-classic sequel to Westworld. Peter Fonda and Blythe Danner are journalists who are at the reopening of Dellos, the resort where the robots went amok. The soon uncover a sinister purpose behind the scenes at the resort. Nowhere near as good as the first, but it benefits from scenes shot at the Johnson Space Center, which give scope to a rather hackneyed script.
120. Ark II (1976)
25 min | Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi
Three young scientists travel around the country in the 25th century after the world has been ravaged by pollution. In their hi-tech RV (called Ark II), they study the land and help out those in need.
Stars: Terry Lester, Jean Marie Hon, José Flores, Moochie
Votes: 518
A team of scientists crosses a post-apocalyptic earth, looking for survivors and offering help. Keeping with the biblical theme, all are named after figures in the bible. The acting is a bit stiff, but the vehicles are the stars, with a super RV, often mistaken for the vehicle in Damnation Alley, as well as an ATV and a jetpack. It was just a little too bland.
121. Holmes and Yoyo (1976–1977)
30 min | Comedy, Crime, Sci-Fi
The cases of a hard luck police detective and his android partner.
Stars: John Schuck, Richard B. Shull, Bruce Kirby, Andrea Howard
Votes: 267
John Schuck starred as a robot in this police comedy. It was an interesting idea but the execution left a lot to be desired.
122. Logan's Run (1976)
PG | 119 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A police officer in the future uncovers the deadly secret behind a society that worships youth.
Director: Michael Anderson | Stars: Michael York, Jenny Agutter, Richard Jordan, Roscoe Lee Browne
Votes: 61,026 | Gross: $25.00M
Film based on the novel by William F Nowlan and George Clayton Johnson. Logan 5 is a Sandman, a policeman in a hedonistic world. You can pretty much do what you want, until you hit 30. Then, everything ends and you must try to renew your life on Carousel (a grand ceremony with floating people who try for rebirth). There are people who don't like the system and go on the run, in search of Sanctuary. Logan is tasked to find Sanctuary and stop the runners. He gets help from a young woman named Jessica, but his journey outside the domed city opens his eyes. The film effects are dated now, but looked spectacular then (apart from some shots of the model city). The plot is great and the performances are mostly good. The book had a different take, with Logan deciding to runon his own and the nation as a playground for the young. 21 was the final age of the society.
123. Capricorn One (1977)
PG | 123 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
When the first manned flight to Mars is deemed unsafe and scrubbed on the launch pad, anxious authorities must scramble to save face and retain their funding - and so an unthinkable plot to fake the mission is hatched.
Director: Peter Hyams | Stars: Elliott Gould, James Brolin, Brenda Vaccaro, Sam Waterston
Votes: 24,723
James Brolin, Elliot Gould, and OJ Simpson star in this paranoid tale about a faked NASA mission, and a reporter who has uncovered the truth. Now, someone wants the witnesses and evidence to disappear. The film is basically a bible for every moon landing conspiracy theorist and has just as many holes in logic as the actual theories. Man went to the moon; deal with it!
124. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
PG | 121 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.
Director: George Lucas | Stars: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness
Votes: 1,449,439 | Gross: $322.74M
The film that probably did more to launch a sci-fi boom than any other (apart from 2001). George Lucas brought back Saturday matinee adventure, with a modern eye, and delivered a film that captured the imagination of a generation. Filmed on a modest budget, it proved a quantum leap in special effects and editing techniques, though not so much in the writing or acting. It's a fairy tale, so give it a break. Still vastly superior to the prequels.
125. Logan's Run (1977–1978)
TV-G | 60 min | Adventure, Sci-Fi
In a futuristic society where reaching the age of 30 is a death sentence, a rebellious law enforcement agent goes on the run in search of Sanctuary.
Stars: Gregory Harrison, Heather Menzies-Urich, Donald Moffat, Randy Powell
Votes: 3,033
Gregory Harrison stars in this slightly altered version of the film. Logan goes on the run after failing to kill a runner. Francis is tasked to go after him by an unknown (to the city population) council of elders. Logan and Jessica encounter an Android, named REM, who journeys with them in a solar-powered vehicle. They encounter various groups along the way, while evading Francis and other Sandmen. The scripts were overseen by DC Fontana and have a very Star Trek feel, combined with a Fugitive chase. On the whole, it is rather like the Planet of the Apes tv series. There are many holes in logic, such as why none of the other Sandmen who leave the domed city ever start to question their mission, or why Francis is so ready to work for the council of old men, in a society that taught him that life ended at 30, or faced renewal. Even he isn't that much of a fanatic. The series never got a chance to answer these questions.
126. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
PG | 138 min | Drama, Sci-Fi
Roy Neary, an Indiana electric lineman, finds his quiet and ordinary daily life turned upside down after a close encounter with a UFO, spurring him to an obsessed cross-country quest for answers as a momentous event approaches.
Director: Steven Spielberg | Stars: Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon
Votes: 216,854 | Gross: $132.09M
Stephen Spielberg was the only one challenging George Lucas in the summer of '77, with this tale of alien encounters. It played heavily on UFO lore, though it did so skillfully. Spielberg hasn't made a movie this good in years. It was followed by a Special Edition, which had some extra footage and a new ending, showing inside the mothership.
127. The Fantastic Journey (1977)
60 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Travelers are stranded in the Bermuda Triangle. On an island, they meet Varian, a man from the future, and Liana, an Atlantean. Together, they journey through different worlds, in hopes of returning home.
Stars: Jared Martin, Carl Franklin, Ike Eisenmann, Katie Saylor
Votes: 743
A group of people become lost in the Bermuda Triangle and find themselves in another dimension. Decent ideas, but the series didn't have much of a life.
128. Man from Atlantis (1977–1978)
60 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
The adventures of an amphibious man, the last survivor of the legendary sunken city.
Stars: Patrick Duffy, Alan Fudge, Belinda Montgomery, Richard Laurance Williams
Votes: 2,768
Starting as a series of movies, this soon became a regular series, with Patrick Duffy as an amnesiac amphibian. There were hints that he was actually an alien, not just a lost member of an underwater civilization, but definitive answers never came. Duffy was good in the role and the series had many good moments, but it was a little lacking in action, at times. the best episodes featured Victor Buono as Mr. Schubert, who first appeared in the pilot movie.
129. Quark (1977–1978)
221 min | Comedy, Sci-Fi
The misadventures of an outer space garbage collector and his crew.
Stars: Richard Benjamin, Tim Thomerson, Patricia Barnstable, Cyb Barnstable
Votes: 788
Sci-fi comedy about a space-going garbage scow, captain by Richard Benjamin. The series was created by Buck Henry and was pretty entertaining, but extremely short-lived.
130. Space Academy (1977)
30 min | Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi
The adventures of the students of an outer space military school.
Stars: Jonathan Harris, Pamelyn Ferdin, Ric Carrott, Ty Henderson
Votes: 316
A group of young people, mentored by Jonathan Harris, have adventures while developing their skills and knowledge in science and space exploration. Great fun, though the scripts and acting could be wooden, at times.
131. Damnation Alley (1977)
PG | 91 min | Sci-Fi
In a post-apocalyptic world, a group of survivors travel and find other settlements in huge custom designed all terrain vehicles.
Director: Jack Smight | Stars: Jan-Michael Vincent, George Peppard, Dominique Sanda, Paul Winfield
Votes: 5,872 | Gross: $8.72M
George Peppard and Jan Michael Vincent cross a devastated US, in a super vehicle, looking for signs of survivors. They find mutants, killer bugs, storms, deadly rednecks, and a lot of wasteland.
132. Blake's 7 (1978–1981)
Not Rated | 50 min | Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
A group of convicts and outcasts fight a guerrilla war against the totalitarian Terran Federation from a highly advanced alien spaceship.
Stars: Michael Keating, Paul Darrow, Peter Tuddenham, Jan Chappell
Votes: 4,492
BBC series about a crew of rebel space travellers who fight against an evil empire. Not necessarily much on the visual scale, but very good in both the drama and idea scales. Greatly influential on Babylon 5.
133. Starcrash (1978)
PG | 92 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
An outlaw smuggler and her alien companion are recruited by the Emperor of the Galaxy to rescue his son and destroy a secret weapon by the evil Count Zarth Arn.
Director: Luigi Cozzi | Stars: Marjoe Gortner, Caroline Munro, Christopher Plummer, David Hasselhoff
Votes: 7,961
Cheap Italian Star Wars rip-off, with Caroline Munro, Marjoe Gortner, and David Hasselhoff. It's kind of a "so bad it's good," film.
134. The Time Machine (1978 TV Movie)
99 min | Adventure, Sci-Fi
A scientist builds a machine that will enable him to travel back and forth in time, but when he puts it in motion, he gets more than he bargained for.
Director: Henning Schellerup | Stars: John Beck, Priscilla Barnes, Andrew Duggan, Rosemary DeCamp
Votes: 453
TV movie version of the HG Wells story. It was pretty good, as I recall, though not as visually exciting as the George Pal movie.
135. Battlestar Galactica (1978–1979)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
After the destruction of the Twelve Colonies of Mankind, the last major fighter carrier leads a makeshift fugitive fleet on a desperate search for the legendary planet Earth.
Stars: Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, Herbert Jefferson Jr.
Votes: 17,411
Epic series about a group of twelve human colonies that have been all but wiped out by a sneak attack, by a cyborg enemy. The humans take to the stars in whatever ships they can find, protected by the human's last warship, the Galactica. Commander Adama leads these people on a quest to find the mythic 13th colony, Earth. Well done series that quickly found itself struggling for ideas, since there wasn't a detailed plan for where the story would go, after the initial batch of episodes. They quickly fell into a formula of creating homages to classic films from other genres, including Guns of Navarone (and the Dirty Dozen), Towering Inferno, Patton, Shane, and the Magnificent Seven. It quickly ran out of steam and cost a fortune, which killed it, despite high ratings. The pilot was eventually re-edited into a theatrical film, as was "The Living Legend." It would spawn a sequel series, Galactica 1980, and a remake in the new millennium.
136. Jason of Star Command (1978–1981)
30 min | Action, Adventure, Family
A young Space Command officer fights the evil space lord Dragos and his minions in his jurisdiction of the universe.
Stars: Craig Littler, Sid Haig, Charlie Dell, Susan Pratt
Votes: 407
Debuting as part of the Tarzan and the Super 7 show, this was a serial adventure, about a heroic adventurer and his battles with the sinister conqueror Dragos (Sid Haig). James Doohan was the original commander, though he left the show and John Roberts replaced him, as a blue-skinned alien. It was fun and exciting, if done on the cheap. It was one of Filmation's better live action shows.
137. Mork & Mindy (1978–1982)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi
A wacky alien comes to Earth to study its residents and the life of the human woman he boards with is never the same.
Stars: Robin Williams, Pam Dawber, Ralph James, Conrad Janis
Votes: 12,668
Goofy situation comedy that barely qualifies as science fiction. robin Williams is an alien (introduced in an episode of Happy Days) who is on Earth to further study its people. Pam Dawber is Mindy, the Earth woman who tries to help, along with her disapproving father, played by Conrad Janis. It's great comedy, for a while, but not a whole lot of sci-fi. The pair are eventually married and have a child, played by Johnathan Winters.
138. The Return of Captain Nemo (1978 TV Movie)
102 min | Sci-Fi
After a century of being in suspended animation, the mysterious submarine commander is revived in modern times for new adventures.
Directors: Alex March, Paul Stader | Stars: José Ferrer, Burgess Meredith, Mel Ferrer, Horst Buchholz
Votes: 444
Another pilot for a series that never came to pass. Jose Ferrer is the science pirate, who has been locked in a form of suspended animation, before being revived. He aids the US government in battling a new science pirate, played by Burgess Meredith. Not bad, not great.
139. Battle of the Planets (1978–1980)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A five-member superhero team called G-Force fights to defend Earth and its space colonies from the threat of the planet Spectra.
Stars: Alan Young, Keye Luke, Ronnie Schell, Janet Waldo
Votes: 2,235
This actually appeared earlier, in Japan, as Kagaku Ninjatai Gatchaman, or Gatchaman, for short. It tells the story of 5 teenagers who act as super-agents for the ISO (International Science Organization) and battle the forces of Galactor, and its alien benefactor. The Galactor forces use advanced mecha and alien science to try to conquer the world, while Gatchaman tries to stop them. It was a huge hit in Japan and spawned the live action sentai shows, which were later brought to the US, as the Power Rangers. Sandy Frank brought the rights to bring it to the US, but had to cut out a large portion of the violence to get past American restrictions. New, inferior animation was added and the whole thing was redubbed by American voice actors, including Casey Kasem (Scooby Doo, America's Top 40), Janet Waldo (Jetsons, Penelope Pitstop), Ronnie Schell (Gomer Pyle), Alan Young (Mr. Ed, Duck Tales), Keye Luke (Charlie Cha, Kung Fu), and Alan Dinehart (various Super Friends shows). The action was changed to space, with Earth locals now alien planets, and Galactor now the armies of the planet Spectra, led by Zoltar. There are plenty of sci-fi elements, which were more at the forefront than the superhero cliches. It was great stuff, though it was missing the original series' finale.
140. Message from Space (1978)
PG | 105 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
An embattled planet, which is on the edge of doom, sends an S.O.S. and an intergalactic team comes to its rescue.
Director: Kinji Fukasaku | Stars: Vic Morrow, Shin'ichi Chiba, Philip Casnoff, Peggy Lee Brennan
Votes: 1,647
Japanese Star Wars rip-off that is so blatant that it's a wonder they didn't get sued. Vic Morrow is the closest they come to Han Solo.
141. The Shape of Things to Come (1979)
PG | 98 min | Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Some time in the future, man has set up colonies on the Moon, when Earth becomes uninhabitable. A madman decides to destroy the Moon colonies with his robots and automated ships, and only three people and their robot can stop him.
Director: George McCowan | Stars: Jack Palance, Carol Lynley, Barry Morse, John Ireland
Votes: 1,325
Very cheap knock-off of Star Wars, with Jack Palance embarrassing himself. It's allegedly a sequel to Menzies' Things To Come; but only in the title. Beyond dull and cheesy in the worst possible way. Star Crash looks like Empire Strikes Back, by comparison.
142. Alien (1979)
R | 117 min | Horror, Sci-Fi
The crew of a commercial spacecraft encounters a deadly lifeform after investigating a mysterious transmission of unknown origin.
Director: Ridley Scott | Stars: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Veronica Cartwright
Votes: 950,477 | Gross: $78.90M
Ridley Scott's tale of sci-fi horror, when a parasitic alien lifeform infiltrates a mining ship, taking down the crew one by one. very claustrophobic and terrifying, turning Sigourney Weaver into a star. Still makes more sense than Prometheus.
143. The Black Hole (1979)
PG | 98 min | Action, Sci-Fi
A research vessel finds a missing ship, commanded by a mysterious scientist, on the edge of a black hole.
Director: Gary Nelson | Stars: Maximilian Schell, Anthony Perkins, Robert Forster, Joseph Bottoms
Votes: 27,983
Disney attempted to jump on the Star Wars bandwagon and nearly went bankrupt (with help from the Black Cauldron). A group of space travellers discovers a massive ship, and a missing scientist/explorer. However, he is hiding a dark secret. It has moments here and there, but not many. A decent cast is wasted in this muddled film. It's watchable, at least.
144. Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979–1981)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A 20th-century astronaut emerges out of 500 years of suspended animation into a future time to become Earth's greatest hero.
Stars: Gil Gerard, Erin Gray, Felix Silla, Mel Blanc
Votes: 10,391
After the theatrical release of the Buck Rogers pilot movie, the series debuted on tv. About the only change (apart from some sets) was Michael Ansara appearing as Kane in the series, rather than Henry Silva. The series started out well, with Buck reluctantly recruited to become a sort of intergalactic James Bond. At first, they kept up the premise that the Earth was still devastated, as in the movie. However, this soon changed, after the initial half dozen or so episodes, and the idea that much of Earth was a wasteland was dropped. It's a lot of fun for about the first half of the first season; but, it starts unravelling as the production seemed to run out of ideas that they could produce on a budget. The second season saw them revamp the entire premise, turning it into a sort of "reverse Battlestar Galactica meets Star Trek." It died soon after. I enjoyed things up to the War Witch episodes (with Julie Newmar), but not much from that point on.
145. Flash Gordon (1979–1982)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The adventures of the comic strip space hero and his friends as they battle the tyranny of Ming the Merciless on the planet Mongo.
Stars: Robert Ridgely, Alan Oppenheimer, Diane Pershing, Allan Melvin
Votes: 1,067
Also known as The New Adventures of Flash Gordon. This Filmation series looked great. It had been conceived as a primetime movie, with a decent budget. The use of rotoscoping gave a fluidity to action scenes and aerial battles. NBC was so impressed with the footage that they commissioned a series, which closely followed the original strips, with updates here and there. The stock footage made it a bit repetitive at times, but it was great. Then, they through out the serial format, in the second season, and added a cute dragon. It was the kiss of death.
146. Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
G | 143 min | Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi
When an alien spacecraft of enormous power is spotted approaching Earth, Admiral James T. Kirk resumes command of the overhauled USS Enterprise in order to intercept it.
Director: Robert Wise | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan
Votes: 96,605 | Gross: $82.26M
The Star Trek gang got a revival, thanks to Star Wars and the space shuttle. The gang is back in an adventure adapted from the pilot for a proposed sequel Star Trek tv series. Kirk must lead his crew to meet a cloud in space that is destroying everything in its path. storywise, there is little new here, but the effects were a jump forward. It was nice to see the gang back but the film is known as Star Trek, the Motionless Picture, in some crowds. Oscar winner Robert Wise directed.
147. Mad Max (1979)
R | 88 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
In a self-destructing world, a vengeful Australian policeman sets out to stop a violent motorcycle gang.
Director: George Miller | Stars: Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Steve Bisley
Votes: 222,314 | Gross: $8.75M
Mel Gibson stars as a police officer in a world gone mad. Violence is everywhere and marauders rule the roads, except in Max's territory. After a while, though, it becomes too much and Max wants to escape with his family. Tragedy makes him put his bronze badge back on and get behind the wheel of the "Last of the V-8 interceptors," and seek justice. Very violent, mixing exploitation and vigilante genres into a metaphorical mix. It helped establish Mel Gibson as an actor to watch, though it would take Galipoli and Year of Living Dangerously to make him an international star.
148. The Secret Empire (1979)
20 min | Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
In 19th century Wyoming, a U.S. marshal discovers a secret futuristic underground city run by a supervillain bent on conquering the surface. Originally aired as part of NBC's Cliffhangers TV series which featured three revolving serials.
Stars: Geoffrey Scott, Carlene Watkins, Tiger Williams, Pamela Brull
Votes: 62
Actually, the tv series was called Cliffhangers, and The Secret Empire was one of three segments. This one features an old west setting, with a marshal chasing after a mysterious group of writers. OK, really it's a remake of the Phantom Empire, with homages to several sci-fi serials of the past, including Flash Gordon. It was the most fun of the three segments (Curse of Dracula was the best written and performed).
149. Time After Time (1979)
PG | 112 min | Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
H.G. Wells pursues Jack the Ripper to the 20th Century when the serial murderer uses the future writer's time machine to escape his time period.
Director: Nicholas Meyer | Stars: Malcolm McDowell, Mary Steenburgen, David Warner, Charles Cioffi
Votes: 20,635
Malcolm McDowell stars as HG Wells. Wells has built the time machine of his novel and finds it stolen by a friend; a friend who turns out to be Jack the Ripper. Wells follows him into the future, to San Francisco of the late 70s. He meets Mary Steenburgeon and falls in love. Together, they try to stop Jack (David Warner) and keep the woman alive. Very imaginative and very romantic, from Nicholas Meyer.
150. Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979)
PG | 89 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A 20th century astronaut emerges out of 500 years of suspended animation into a future time where Earth is threatened by alien invaders.
Director: Daniel Haller | Stars: Gil Gerard, Erin Gray, Pamela Hensley, Henry Silva
Votes: 6,869 | Gross: $21.67M
Originally conceived as the pilot for a tv series, the film was actually debuted in theaters. It looked great, and at least had a story that was different from Star Wars, yet had the same sense of adventure. The tv series would follow. Gil Gerard was likeable as the lost hero and Pamela Hensley sizzled as Ardala, while Erin Grey made a suitable third part of a love triangle. Fun stuff, if you don't take it too seriously.
151. Star Blazers (1979–1984)
22 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
In the year 2199, a starship must make a dangerous voyage to the distant planet Iscandar and back to save Earth from an alien invasion.
Stars: Eddie Allen, Michael Bertolini, Amy Howard Wilson, Lydia Leeds
Votes: 1,569
A reworking of the Japanese show Space Battleship Yamato. The Earth is devastated by radiation, following attacks by aliens. Their one hope is a device in the possession of an alien princess, across the galaxy. The battleship Yamato is raised from its ocean grave and refitted as a spaceship, carrying envoys from Earth, who are racing against the clock. It was all quite epic, with space battles, romance, honor, duty, friendship and other dramatic elements. Names were changed, but the essential plot remained, with the two sequel series added as later seasons. It was another cornerstone in the future popularity of anime in the US.
152. Beyond Westworld (1980)
60 min | Action, Crime, Mystery
The security chief of an android manufacturing company must stop a mad scientist, who's sending the failed theme park's androids to infiltrate society for his own ends.
Stars: Jim McMullan, James Wainwright, William Jordan, Connie Sellecca
Votes: 358
Short-lived tv series, based on the film.
153. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
PG | 124 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
After the Rebel Alliance are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.
Director: Irvin Kershner | Stars: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
Votes: 1,379,571 | Gross: $290.48M
Be vewy, vewy qwiet, Darth Vader is hunting webels! He,he,he,he! The gang is back and the ante is upped. Leia swings towards Han in the retroactively twisted love triangle, while Luke trains to be a Jedi, with a previously unknown Muppet Jedi master. This is the rare sequel that is good as, if not better than the original. Irvin Kirschner worked with the actors to bring better performances and a script by someone other than Lucas gives them something to work with.
154. Flash Gordon (1980)
PG | 111 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A football player and his friends travel to the planet Mongo and find themselves fighting the tyranny of Ming the Merciless to save Earth.
Director: Mike Hodges | Stars: Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Max von Sydow, Topol
Votes: 61,521
Dino De Laurentis kept George Lucas from doing Flash Gordon, which is why this ends up rather cheesy. It's still entertaining, capturing the look of the classic strips, if not the drama. Sam Jones is a bit stiff but Max Von Sydow is a great Ming. Melody Anderson is mostly eye candy, though not as much as Ornella Muti. The supporting cast make the film fun, especially Brian Blessed as Vultan and Peter Wyngarde as Klytus.
155. Thundarr the Barbarian (1980–1981)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Thundarr the Barbarian and his companions Ookla the Mok and Princess Ariel wander a devastated future Earth and fight evil wherever they find it.
Stars: Henry Corden, Robert Ridgely, Nellie Bellflower, Dick Tufeld
Votes: 1,803
Excellent animated show, conceived by Steve Gerber (creator of Marvel's Howard the Duck) and featuring designs from Alex Toth and Jack Kirby. 10, 000 years into the future, after a cosmic cataclism, the earth is a primitive world, built on the ruins of the old. Thundarr, Ariel and Ookla are wanderers and adventurers, helping to protect people from sorcerors, who are essentially using advanced science and artifacts and weapons from the past. Visually stunning and brimming with great ideas.
156. The Final Countdown (1980)
PG | 103 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A modern aircraft carrier is thrown back in time to 1941 near Hawaii, just hours before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Director: Don Taylor | Stars: Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, Katharine Ross, James Farentino
Votes: 26,933 | Gross: $16.65M
The USS Nimitz enters a bizarre storm and finds a portal opened, which takes it back to December, 1941. The crew find themselves in a dilemma, to stop the attack on Pearl harbor, before it occurs, or let history take its course. It sounds like a recipe for a terrible B-movie, but with people like Martin Sheen, Kirk Douglas, and Charles Durning, it's a great little film; highly underrated.
157. Galactica 1980 (1980)
60 min | Adventure, Sci-Fi
When the Battlestar Galactica finally arrives at Earth, they find they must subtly raise its tech level while protecting it from the Cylons.
Stars: Kent McCord, Barry Van Dyke, Robyn Douglass, Lorne Greene
Votes: 4,092
Battlestar Galactica returned to tv, with a leaner budget and smaller cast. Unfortunately, it was also devoid of much in the way of interesting plots. After discovering Earth, Adama learns that the planet is not advanced enough to help them. He tasks two officers to undertake a covert mission to try to help nudge the planet further along technologically. Meanwhile, a renegade colonial scientist decides to do things at a faster pace by tampering with Earth's past, allying himself with the Nazis in WW2. After this pilot, the series mostly got bogged down into the routine of the Colonial duo trying to hide their identities, while trying to advance their mission. Aside from the pilot, the only episode of note features the story of Starbuck's disappearance.
158. Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)
PG | 104 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A farm boy recruits a band of outlaws to save the planet Akir from forces that threaten to wipe them out from the face of the universe. A battle stretching beyond the stars begins here.
Directors: Jimmy T. Murakami, Roger Corman | Stars: George Peppard, Robert Vaughn, Richard Thomas, John Saxon
Votes: 10,222
Roger Corman produced this Star Wars rip-off, which uses the plot of the Seven Samurai (or Magnificent Seven, take your pick). The Walton's Richard Thomas is Shad, an adventurous young man from an agrarian world, who must pilot an old ship to find mercenaries to protect the world from John Saxon and his mutants. He finds George Peppard (a spacegoing cowboy), Robert Vaughn (playing his character from The Magnificent Seven), Sybil Danning (a space valkyrie, with an outfit that looks like hands clutching her breasts), and some aliens. For Corman, this is pretty good, with effects and model work from James Cameron and a script by John Sayle. Gale Ann Hurd also worked on the film.
159. Outland (1981)
R | 109 min | Action, Crime, Sci-Fi
A federal marshal stationed at a mining colony on the Jupiter moon of Io uncovers a drug-smuggling conspiracy. He gets no help from the workers or authorities when he finds himself marked for murder.
Director: Peter Hyams | Stars: Sean Connery, Frances Sternhagen, Peter Boyle, James Sikking
Votes: 32,367 | Gross: $17.37M
Peter Hyams directs this sci-fi homage to High Noon. sean Connery is a security officer on a mining colony, who is investigating drug trafficking, which seems to have the blessing of the mining company. He eventually paints a bullseye on himself and finds that a cynical doctor is his only ally. Very tense thriller, with great sci-fi trappings.
160. Escape from New York (1981)
R | 99 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
In 1997, when the U.S. president crashes into Manhattan, now a giant maximum security prison, a convicted bank robber is sent in to rescue him.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence
Votes: 157,478 | Gross: $25.24M
John Carpenter directs this film, which is a pseudo-Western/sci-fi hybrid. Kurt Russell is Snake Plisken, an ex-soldier turned criminal. He gets caught and is about to be sent to the US maximum security prison: the island of Manhattan! He is offered a way out, if he undertakes the location and rescue of the missing president. Plisken must find his way through this barbaric landscape, while the clock is ticking on a time bomb, inserted in his arteries. Done on a low budget but making use of every dollar, the film works. There is a sense of urgency throughout. The sequel was little more than a big budget remake, with little to offer. Stick with this.
161. Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
R | 96 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
In the post-apocalyptic Australian wasteland, a cynical drifter agrees to help a small, gasoline-rich community escape a horde of bandits.
Director: George Miller | Stars: Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Michael Preston, Max Phipps
Votes: 193,675 | Gross: $12.47M
Max is back, as he travels and even more decayed wasteland, in search of fuel. he comes across a besieged encampment, with a surplus of petroleum and a need for his help. Together they try to bring the fuel out, so they can relocate to a better area. First, though, they must get through the band of marauders, led by the Lord Humumgous. It's wilder than the first, but Max becomes an even more complex character, as he has grown to be more amoral. He is forced to find his humanity and help these people, whether he likes it or not.
162. Scanners (1981)
R | 103 min | Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
A scientist trains a man with an advanced telepathic ability called "scanning" to stop a dangerous Scanner with extraordinary psychic powers from waging war against non scanners.
Director: David Cronenberg | Stars: Jennifer O'Neill, Stephen Lack, Patrick McGoohan, Lawrence Dane
Votes: 61,745 | Gross: $14.23M
More horror than sci-fi, as we follow a grou of people with powerful psychic abilities.
163. The Phoenix (1981–1982)
60 min | Sci-Fi
An ancient and powerful human-like alien is pursued on modern Earth while he searches for his long lost partner.
Stars: Judson Scott, Richard Lynch, E.G. Marshall, Carmen Argenziano
Votes: 342
Judson Scott is a man found frozen in an archeological sight. He awakes and soon goes on the run, as government agents try to discover the secret to the special abilities he exhibits. Scott tries to discover the secret of his origins, which seems to be tied to alien visitors to ancient Incan or Mayan civilization. The series owed a lot to Erich Von Daniken and Jack Kirby, but didn't last for more than a dozen or so episodes.
164. Tron (1982)
PG | 96 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A computer hacker is abducted into the digital world and forced to participate in gladiatorial games where his only chance of escape is with the help of a heroic security program.
Director: Steven Lisberger | Stars: Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, David Warner, Cindy Morgan
Votes: 129,263 | Gross: $33.00M
Probably the first film to explore computers, beyond just being a tool. Jeff Bridges is a hacker, trying to find evidence that his game ideas were stolen by a rival (David Warner). He is aided by Bruce Boxleitner and an old girlfriend. he ends up discovering a whole cyberworld, where programs reflect the personalities of their creators. It's mostly an excuse to showcase computer graphics, which were cutting eedge, at the time. Now, you could create better work on a desktop, but there's enough story there to keep it interesting.
165. The Thing (1982)
R | 109 min | Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi
A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David, Richard Masur
Votes: 466,551 | Gross: $13.78M
John Carpenter remakes the Howard Hawks classic and creates his own classic tale of paranoia and Arctic monster hunting.
166. Blade Runner (1982)
R | 117 min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
A blade runner must pursue and terminate four replicants who stole a ship in space and have returned to Earth to find their creator.
Director: Ridley Scott | Stars: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos
Votes: 822,996 | Gross: $32.87M
Harrison Ford stars and Ridley Scott directs this adaptation of Phillip K Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" Ford is a detective, tasked to hunt down and kills genetically engineered slaves, who have been limited with a 4 year lifespan. The Replicants want more life, while Ford wants the bounty on them. Over time, the Replicants demonstrate more humanity than the humans. Visually stunning, but rather convoluted in story. It has been the subject of much debate, with people still refusing to believe the director's answer as to the true reality. The Dick novel was more subtle and philosophical. Scott's is more driven by the visuals, with the performances rather neglected. It became a huge influence on the look of sci-fi to come.
167. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
PG | 113 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
With the assistance of the Enterprise crew, Admiral Kirk must stop an old nemesis, Khan Noonien Singh, from using the life-generating Genesis Device as the ultimate weapon.
Director: Nicholas Meyer | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan
Votes: 129,201 | Gross: $78.91M
After a successful, bit uneven feature debut, Star Trek returned with a film that harkened back to what was best about the series. The film adresses that everyone is getting older, as they face their legacy, in the form of Khan (from the tv episode "The Space Seed") to Kirk's son David, creator of a device that can terraform a planet in minutes. Khan seeks his revenge against Kirk, via his son's creation. The film has great character moments and breathtaking visuals. It gets hammy at times, but the story allows for it. The best of the Trek films.
168. E.T. (1982)
PG | 115 min | Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi
A troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape from Earth and return to his home planet.
Director: Steven Spielberg | Stars: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote, Dee Wallace
Votes: 437,458 | Gross: $435.11M
Cute aliens and little kids star in this syrupy tale from Stephen Spielberg. Kids love it, but it gives me indigestion.
169. Automan (1983–1984)
70 min | Adventure, Comedy, Crime
A computer-generated superhero and his human creator fight crime in the city.
Stars: Desi Arnaz Jr., Chuck Wagner, Heather McNair, Gerald S. O'Loughlin
Votes: 2,104
Rather silly sci-fi police show, starring Desi Arnaz Jr. The premise was that he was a computer expert, who is aided by a computer program come to life. The idea was basically a swipe of Tron, rith down the the light accenting on Automan's body. It had a couple of decent episodes but died quickly. Pop singer Laura Branigan appeared in one episode.
170. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
PG | 131 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
After rescuing Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, the Rebel Alliance attempt to destroy the second Death Star, while Luke struggles to help Darth Vader back from the dark side.
Director: Richard Marquand | Stars: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
Votes: 1,121,301 | Gross: $309.13M
Lucas was constantly frustrated that Irvin Kirschner was taking so long to film that he used a glorified puppet for the director. This one mostly just sails along to wrap up dangling plot threads and proves that Lucas was making things up as he went along, as plot points contradict elements of the previous films. It looks great, though, and the space battle and lightsaber duel are suitably exciting. The "Care Bears Save the Universe," aspect of the ewoks is another matter. had they been viscious little fighters, it would be one thing, but Lucas spent to much time trying to make them look cute for the little kids (and toy companies). The weakest of the three films, but a decent end to things. Still Citizen Kane, compared to the prequels.
171. V (1983)
Unrated | 99 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
When aliens come to Earth to ask for our help, a few suspicious humans discover their horrific true intentions and prepare to resist.
Stars: Jane Badler, Michael Durrell, Faye Grant, Peter Nelson
Votes: 17,142
Excellent mini-series from Kenneth Johnson. A group of aliens appear in ships above Earth's major population centers, including Los Angeles. The soon make contact with Earth governments and send down emmisaries to help the Earth progress technologically, in exchange for water resources. However, a tv journalist and a group of scientists discover the Visitors true purpose. The series was an allegory of Nazi Germany, with the scientists taking the role of the Jews. A resistance if formed, with a young woman thrust into the role of leader, whether she likes it or not. extremely well done, with excellent effects. A sequel mini-series and a regular series would follow, them a remake 20+ years later.
172. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983–1985)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The most powerful man in the universe, He-Man, goes against the evil forces of Skeletor to save the planet Eternia and to protect the secrets of Castle Grayskull.
Stars: John Erwin, Alan Oppenheimer, Linda Gary, Lou Scheimer
Votes: 20,038
This was mostly fantasy, with some sci-fi trappings; but, close enough. I was a bit too old for this when it debute, but I enjoyed animation, so I gave it a try. It had it's moments of fun, but the repition and juvenile humor were a bit much for a high schooler. They did a decent job with it, all things considered.
173. Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)
PG | 101 min | Horror, Sci-Fi
Four horror and science fiction segments, directed by four famous directors, each of them being a new version of a classic story from Rod Serling's landmark television series.
Directors: Joe Dante, John Landis, George Miller, Steven Spielberg | Stars: Dan Aykroyd, Albert Brooks, Vic Morrow, Doug McGrath
Votes: 41,183 | Gross: $29.50M
Attempt to recreate the tv series, which ended in tragedy, as Vic Morrow was killed, along with two two child actors by a crashing helicopter. Landis and some of the crew stood trial for involuntary manslaughter, but were acquitted. A civil suit, brought by the families was settled. The movie itself is a mixed bag, with Joe Dante's segment one of the best elements, though the remake of "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" is also great.
174. Dune (1984)
PG-13 | 137 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A Duke's son leads desert warriors against the galactic emperor and his father's evil nemesis to free their desert world from the emperor's rule.
Director: David Lynch | Stars: Kyle MacLachlan, Virginia Madsen, Francesca Annis, Leonardo Cimino
Votes: 179,407 | Gross: $30.93M
David Lynch adapts Frank Herbert's epic novel. The basic plot is there, though Lynch deviates in a lot of places. It looks great, but some of the performances are a bit dodgy. Gene Siskel called it the worst film of the year, but I still like it. It was re-edited for cable tv broadcast, with additional footage, different scen takes, and a new prologue that gives a wider background to the conflict between the Harkonen and Atreides Houses, as well as historical detail about the spice mining, the Bene Geserit Sisterhood, the Mentats, and the Spacing Guild. However, it also slows the pace. Lynch disowned that cut, so it was assigned the Alan Smithee label. The theatrical film is an interesting failure, at worst.
175. The Terminator (1984)
R | 107 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A human soldier is sent from 2029 to 1984 to stop an almost indestructible cyborg killing machine, sent from the same year, which has been programmed to execute a young woman whose unborn son is the key to humanity's future salvation.
Director: James Cameron | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, Paul Winfield
Votes: 924,061 | Gross: $38.40M
James Cameron directed this film, which uses elements from Harlan Ellison's "Soldier" and "Demon with a Glass Hand;" as well as Westworld's robot gunfighter. Cameron denied this in commentary, but it's pretty blatant in the film. Arnie is the unstoppable assassin from the future, while Michael Biehn is the soldier trying to save the eventual mother of the savior of the human race (Linda Hamilton). Rather violent, but at least it is in service to the story.
176. The Last Starfighter (1984)
PG | 100 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
High schooler Alex Rogan conquers the Starfighter video game, only to find out it was just a test, and is transported to another planet. He has been recruited to join a team of the best starfighters to defend their world from the attack.
Director: Nick Castle | Stars: Lance Guest, Robert Preston, Kay E. Kuter, Dan Mason
Votes: 46,019 | Gross: $28.73M
Lance Guest stars as a young man who seems to be stuck in a trailer park, when he dreams of the stars. Fate intervenes, in the form of Robert Preston, who whisks him away to become a pilot in a battle against an invading army. It's very "old school," in terms of its space opera story, but it is charming enough to get away with it. The ships are CGI and looked good at the time, but seem very dated now. This is a fun film.
177. 2010 (1984)
PG | 116 min | Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi
A joint USA-Soviet expedition is sent to Jupiter to learn exactly what happened to the "Discovery" and its H.A.L. 9000 computer.
Director: Peter Hyams | Stars: Roy Scheider, John Lithgow, Helen Mirren, Bob Balaban
Votes: 57,237 | Gross: $40.20M
Arthur C Clarke wrote a sequel to his novel and Peter Hyams directs the sequel to Kubrick's film. Scientist Heywood Floyd must journey to the derelict Discovery to find out what happened to Hal and the crew. he is forced to tag along with a Russian crew, while tensions between their governments grow. Floyd doesn't know if he can trust Hal or his creator, let alone the Russian crew. Meanwhile, the monolith adds more to the mystery. The cast is great and the story more straightforward, while providing some answers to Kubrick's masterpiece.
178. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
PG | 105 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Admiral Kirk and his bridge crew risk their careers stealing the decommissioned U.S.S. Enterprise to return to the restricted Genesis Planet to recover Spock's body.
Director: Leonard Nimoy | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan
Votes: 86,160 | Gross: $76.47M
The grieving crew learns that Genesis wasn't what it first appeared and that there is a glimmer of hope to their mourning a fallen comrade. This one gets a bit convoluted, but is mostly a great film, so forget that odd number Trek nonsense. Christopher Lloyd is excellent as the obsessed Klingon patriot.
179. V: The Final Battle (1984)
TV-14 | 91 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A small group of human resistance fighters fight a desperate guerilla war against the genocidal extra-terrestrials who dominate Earth.
Stars: Jane Badler, Michael Durrell, Robert Englund, Faye Grant
Votes: 9,304
In this sequel mini-series, the human resistance has discovered the Visitor's weakness and work to spread the knowledge around the globe. Meanwhile, a human teen gives birth to a Visitor's child, who begins to show amazing abilities. The series picks up where the other left off, mostly dropping the Nazi allegory for a more straightforward alien invasion plot. The humans get nastier and must face the thought of losing their humanity. It builds to a finale that has a bit of deus ex machina to resolve things.
180. Voltron: Defender of the Universe (1984–1985)
TV-Y7 | 24 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
This series focuses on five lion robots and their pilots as they fight the evil forces of King Zarkon and Prince Lotor.
Stars: Peter Cullen, Michael Bell, Jack Angel, Lennie Weinrib
Votes: 5,180
Inspired by the robot shows of Go Nagai (Tranzor Z) and the sentai shows (Power Rangers), this series featured young operators of a battleship that protects their world from invaders. It was a huge hit in the US and paved the way for the anime boom of the 90s.
181. Runaway (1984)
PG-13 | 99 min | Action, Crime, Sci-Fi
In the near future, a police officer specializes in malfunctioning robots. When a robot turns out to have been programmed to kill, he begins to uncover a homicidal plot to create killer robots... and his son becomes a target.
Director: Michael Crichton | Stars: Tom Selleck, Cynthia Rhodes, Gene Simmons, Kirstie Alley
Votes: 14,500 | Gross: $6.77M
Rather bland film from Michael Crichton. It's not Jurassic Park! Tom Selleck is a police officer who deals with malfunctioning and dangerous robots (runaways), in a futuristic society where robots do just about everything. However, someone is causing these things to go haywire on a grand scale. Gene Simmons (yes, he of the Demon make-up and long tongue) plays an assassin, with homing bullets. Kirstie Alley, in her more svelte days, is along for the ride. Chrichton makes sure there is a reason for her to strip to her undies, in a rather pointless scene. It's a mess.
182. 1984 (1984)
R | 113 min | Drama, Sci-Fi
In a totalitarian future society, a man, whose daily work is re-writing history, tries to rebel by falling in love.
Director: Michael Radford | Stars: John Hurt, Richard Burton, Suzanna Hamilton, Cyril Cusack
Votes: 79,002 | Gross: $8.40M
There is endless debate as to whether this is sci-fi or not. It's specualtive and allegorical, which is good enough for me. A future Englad is in a perpetual state of war and under the thumb of a repressive collective society. The book is an allegory of Stalinist Russia, though there is also plenty of metaphor that applied to capitalist societies, as well. Winston Smith finds himself questioning his world of surveillance and constant social revision. he falls in love with a woman and tries to create a relationship, despite restrictions. No one can be trusted in this world and Big Brother is watching. Time and time again this classic provides apt warnings of the state of our society, with "wars on terror," and "evil empires", as well as constant surveillance in an alleged free society. History faces revision to bring it in line with political thought and dissent is stamped out. Winnie the Pooh this ain't!
183. V (1984–1985)
TV-PG | 1,088 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A year after Liberation Day, courtesy of the red-dust bacteria, the humanoid, lizard-like aliens develop a resistance to the micro-organism and try to regain control of the Earth--only now, some humans are knowingly working with them.
Stars: Marc Singer, Faye Grant, Michael Ironside, Jane Badler
Votes: 14,040
A tv series followed the two mini-series. The Visitors have discovered an antidote to the chemical that forced them to leave and return in force, thrusting the humans back on the defensive. Unfortunately, they don't really have any place to go with the story, so it petered out quickly.
184. Robotech (1985)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
An alien spaceship crash lands on Earth and the technology and secrets she bears lead Earth into three destructive interplanetary wars.
Stars: Steve Kramer, Tom Wyner, Robert Axelrod, Bill Capizzi
Votes: 4,023
Three different Japanese series were combined to create a grand epic of Earth fighting alien threats. All the elements of great drama were present, as well as a ready-made toy line. It was a huge hit, alongside Voltron, and paved the way for the anime boom of the 90s.
185. Enemy Mine (1985)
PG-13 | 108 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
During a long space war, the lives of two wounded enemies become dependent on their ability to forgive and to trust.
Director: Wolfgang Petersen | Stars: Dennis Quaid, Louis Gossett Jr., Brion James, Richard Marcus
Votes: 51,430 | Gross: $4.27M
Interesting little film from Wolfgang Peterson (Das Boot), with Dennis Quaid and Lou Gossett. Quaid is a human whose crew has been wiped out when their ship is crippled in combat. Gossett is an alien who has been at war with the humans. They find themselves alone on a hostile planet and are forced to work together to survive. It's basically a remake of the WW2 film, Hell in the Pacific. It came out of left field but proved to be a modest hit and is actually quite good.
186. The Twilight Zone (1985–1989)
TV-PG | 45 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
A collection of tales which range from comic to tragic, but often have a wicked sense of humor and an unexpected twist.
Stars: Robin Ward, Charles Aidman, Richard Mulligan, William Atherton
Votes: 12,252
New version but not up to the standards of the classic.
187. Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)
PG-13 | 107 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
After being exiled from the most advanced town in post apocalyptic Australia, a drifter travels with a group of abandoned children to rebel against the town's queen.
Directors: George Miller, George Ogilvie | Stars: Mel Gibson, Tina Turner, Bruce Spence, Adam Cockburn
Votes: 147,619 | Gross: $36.20M
Max finds himself in trouble in Bartertown, domain of Aunty Entity. He becomes a sort of Yojimbo, then finds himself sent out into the wasteland to die. He is found by a group of children who think he is a missing plane captain, from a black box recording, destined to lead them to paradise. This one is a bit weaker, as the story is stretched a bit too much and the violent visuals don't have the dramatic underpinning that sustained the previous two movies.
188. Back to the Future (1985)
PG | 116 min | Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.
Director: Robert Zemeckis | Stars: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover
Votes: 1,306,608 | Gross: $210.61M
Great comedy, with Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd. Marty mcFly is a slacker and screwup, just like his father. He hangs out with eccentric inventor Doc Brown. The Doc has discovered the secret of time travel and puts it into a Delorean (for a bit of style). Circumstances lead Marty to travel back to the 50s, where he accidentally interferes with his parents' first meeting and must set things straight, before he fades from existence. there is a great ticking clock, some extremely funny gags, and an engaging cast. It was a huge summer hit.
189. Thundercats (1985–1989)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A team of humanoid cats fight evil in their adopted home world.
Stars: Bob McFadden, Larry Kenney, Earl Hammond, Lynne Lipton
Votes: 19,049
Another cartoon series with both fantasy and sci-fi elements, but an excellent one. The animation was much livelier than a lot of the syndicated afternoon offerings and it had strong stories and great characters, to boot. Good stuff.
190. Otherworld (1985)
60 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Thrown into another dimension, a family must keep ahead of a tyrannical state's hunters while searching for a way home.
Stars: Sam Groom, Gretchen Corbett, Tony O'Dell, Jonna Lee
Votes: 584
A family on vacation finds themselves pulled through a dimensional gate, into a parallel world with a repressive government. They attempt to hide from the authorities while finding their way back to their world. It was a nice idea, but it only lasted about 6 or 8 episodes.
191. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
PG | 119 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
To save Earth from an alien probe, Admiral James T. Kirk and his fugitive crew go back in time to San Francisco in 1986 to retrieve the only beings who can communicate with it: humpback whales.
Director: Leonard Nimoy | Stars: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan
Votes: 91,469 | Gross: $109.71M
The gang is headed back to earth to face the consequences of stealing the Enterprise, when they find that the earth is facing destruction, brought on by an alien probe. They determine that they must travel back in time to find an extinct whale species to communicate with the probe. They find themselves dealing with various problems, not least of which is the alien culture of the 20th Century. Lots of great scenes and find character pieces. This restored some of the fun to Trek. The film was dedicated to the fallen Challenger astronauts.
192. Aliens (1986)
R | 137 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Decades after surviving the Nostromo incident, Ellen Ripley is sent out to re-establish contact with a terraforming colony but finds herself battling the Alien Queen and her offspring.
Director: James Cameron | Stars: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn, Paul Reiser
Votes: 762,952 | Gross: $85.16M
James Cameron takes over from Ridley Scott and gives us a WWII film, with Marines fighting aliens, rather than the Japanese. There are plenty of cliches but lots of good characters and thrilling action.
193. Fugitive Alien (1986 TV Movie)
102 min | Action, Sci-Fi
An alien is pursued as a traitor by his own race because he refuses to kill humans.
Directors: Minoru Kanaya, Kiyosumi Kuzakawa | Stars: Tatsuya Azuma, Miyuki Tanigawa, Jô Shishido, Chôei Takahashi
Votes: 873
This is a compilation of episodes of a Japanese sci-fi series, based on the novels of Gardner Fox (creator of the Justice League and Justice Society, at DC Comics). Ken is a Star Wolf, an alien raider who has attacked Earth. He rebels against his compatriots when one of them tries to shot down a woman and her child. He ends up as part of the crew of a starship, where he is at odds with the commander. Things are compressed rather badly and the dubbing isn't great, which led the Mystie gang to savage it twice, in their original incarnation and on Comedy Central. It has some decent moments, whch makes it easier to sit through. The Mystie gang helps with the slow parts.
194. Star Force: Fugitive Alien II (1987 TV Movie)
75 min | Sci-Fi
In this second film compiled from a Japanese TV serial, Captain Joe, the marauder Ken and their crew set off to destroy an alien super-weapon, face off with Ken's vengeful ex-lover Rita and confront the leader of the marauding Star Wolves.
Directors: Minoru Kanaya, Kiyosumi Kuzakawa | Stars: Jô Shishido, Tatsuya Azuma, Miyuki Tanigawa, Chôei Takahashi
Votes: 590
The rest of the Japanese series, combined in a sequel. This brings everything to an end, but isn't quite as fun as the first one. Again, best viewed on MST3K.
195. The Running Man (1987)
R | 101 min | Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
In a dystopian America, a falsely convicted policeman gets his shot at freedom when he must forcibly participate in a TV game show where convicts, runners, must battle killers for their freedom.
Director: Paul Michael Glaser | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Conchita Alonso, Yaphet Kotto, Jim Brown
Votes: 167,653 | Gross: $38.12M
Game shows, reality tv, pro wrestling, sci-fi, and Stephen King collide in this Arnie film. A soldier is framed after refusing orders to fire on civilians and sent to a prison. He escapes, but soon finds himself caught and forced to fight in a bizarre gladiator gameshow, hosted, in a brilliant piece of casting, by Richard Dawson. Various Stalkers try to kill Arnie and his friends, while they try to reach rebels and upload the true footage of Arnie's "crimes" and launch a revolution. The revolution stuff is crap, but the game is good, thanks a lot to Dawson. It has little in common with Stephen King's "Richard Bachman" story.
196. RoboCop (1987)
R | 102 min | Action, Crime, Sci-Fi
In a dystopic and crime-ridden Detroit, a terminally wounded cop returns to the force as a powerful cyborg haunted by submerged memories.
Director: Paul Verhoeven | Stars: Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Dan O'Herlihy, Ronny Cox
Votes: 283,058 | Gross: $53.42M
Paul Verhooven directs what is essentially a rip-off of both Marvel Comics' Deathlok and the UK's Judge Dredd. A cop is killed in a gun battle, but his remains are used for a cybernetic experiment. However, his original personality starts to emerge. The film is a very black comedy, with lots of social satire thrown out like cluster bombs. It's main target is large corporations and their nearly untouchable power. It's rarely subtle, but always entertaining.
197. Masters of the Universe (1987)
PG | 106 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
The heroic warrior He-Man battles against the evil lord Skeletor and his armies of darkness for control of Castle Grayskull.
Director: Gary Goddard | Stars: Dolph Lundgren, Frank Langella, Meg Foster, Billy Barty
Votes: 44,295 | Gross: $17.34M
Dolph Lundrgren and Frank Langella star in this live action adaptation of He-Man. It should be terrible, and some of it is, but it turns out to be a mostly decent movie. It's certainly cliched and aimed at a young crowd, but a funny thing happened in filming. The director was a huge fan of the works of comic book great Jack Kirby, and filtered elements of Thor, Dr. Doom, Darkseid, and the New Gods. It helps elevate what is a rather weak plot and gives the villains something to work with. Unfortunately, the hero needed a better actor.
198. Predator (1987)
R | 107 min | Action, Adventure, Horror
A team of commandos on a mission in a Central American jungle find themselves hunted by an extraterrestrial warrior.
Director: John McTiernan | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Kevin Peter Hall, Elpidia Carrillo
Votes: 454,777 | Gross: $59.74M
Really more of a monster movie, but so was Alien. An alien hunter is in an unnamed Latin American jungle, where he crosses paths with Arnie's spec-ops team, including Jesse Ventura, before his days in politics and bogus conspiracy theories. The team are taken out, one by one, leaving Arnold to face down the monster. Director John McTiernan keeps it chugging along, with plenty of quotable lines. The testosterone gets a bit thick here
199. Spaceballs (1987)
PG | 96 min | Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
A star-pilot for hire and his trusty sidekick must come to the rescue of a princess and save Planet Druidia from the clutches of the evil Spaceballs.
Director: Mel Brooks | Stars: Mel Brooks, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman
Votes: 206,516 | Gross: $38.12M
Sci-fi satire, from Mel Brooks. It sends up everything from Star Wars to Planet of the Apes, but a lot more of the jokes fall flat than in previous films. It's not Young Frankenstein, but it's better than Dracula: Dead and Loving It!
200. Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future (1987–1988)
Not Rated | 30 min | Action, Sci-Fi
A group of guerrilla fighters battles the evil machine forces that dominate a future Earth.
Stars: Tim Dunigan, Peter MacNeill, Sven-Ole Thorsen, Maurice Dean Wint
Votes: 1,457
Basically a kids series, designed to tie into a toy. You bought this ray gun device, which would interact with visual elements of the series (a glowing red patch on certain robots). As such, it should have been throwaway junk. Instead, it had some pretty good writing, from people like Joe Straczynski, with mature characters and great plots.
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