The 80s seems to have been a special decade for weird, sci-fi movies, as there are just so many of them. We don’t see movies like these being made today, as it appears that the appetite of audiences has changed, but many of them still hold some classic, cult status, even if it is for just how weird they are.
Here’s a list of 21 of the weirdest, sci-fi movies from the 1980s:
The Fly, 1987
A scientist creates a teleportation device and decides to try it out on himself, however, unbeknown to him, a housefly is also present during his teleportation. Slowly but surely, the scientist (Jeff Goldblum) begins turning into a giant fly.
If you’ve ever seen this film, you’ll never forget its storyline as it’s quite weird. However, the movie is generally a good film, and it still has a rating of 7.6 stars on IMDB.
Dune, 1984
40 years later, this movie was recently remade (2021), and Dune Part II was released this year. The new version looks quite good with its updated special effects, and a great cast, starring Timothy Chalalmet, and Zendaya.
But in 1984, this sci-fi film was considered to have a weird plot, and we can see why. Set in the year 10191, a spice called Melange is the most valuable asset in the Universe, and the subsequent cause of many conflicts, and power struggles.
Videodrome, 1983
This horror, sci-fi, thriller was a controversial film in the 80s as it deals with several deep themes such as the boundaries between reality and consciousness, the effect of technology on the human senses, and a fascination with sex, and violence.
This film confused audiences with its trippy, psychedelic scenes, and we can fully understand why, as it is a weird movie. IMDB even has an entire page dedicated to explaining this film.
The Dark Crystal
As much of a hit as this film was in the 80s, it was also a first of its kind, and audiences had never witnessed this level of sophisticated special effects before, and some of the creatures looked so realistic, that viewers were very creeped out by this movie.
Due to the intricate creation process of the monsters, and goblins which involved teams of prosthetics, props, designers, and robotics, this film took five years to make. But, it was, and remains, a groundbreaking piece of cinematic genius.
Critters, 1986
This horror sci-fi is about rat-like, round football-shaped animals that land on Earth and can shoot spines like a porcupine. Weird, already isn’t it?
The “Critters” are followed by bounty hunters who have traveled across space to find and kill the pests. Cue some very odd, but hilarious scenes as the bounty hunters also appear to have Jon Bon Jovi, 80s hairstyles.
Flash Gordon, 1980
As a space tyrant called Ming the Merciless begins attacking Earth because he is “bored”, and this film follows the adventures of football star Flash Gordon who travels to planet Mongo to stop Ming’s attacks, and save Earth.
Re-Animator, 1985
A new medical student arrives on campus, and he starts experimenting with the re-animation of dead tissue. This movie was creepy, and definitely considered a bit weird and “out there”, especially in 1985.
The Dead Zone, 1983
Created by the legendary Stephen King, this film is a little weird and creepy. Its plot follows a man who awakens from a coma, only to find that years have passed and he now has psychic abilities.
After meeting a politician, the man foresees the future, and the devastation that this man’s rise to power will cause, so he embarks on a mission to kill him.
Scanners, 1981
Directed by David Cronenberg, this sci-fi, horror, thriller is one of the weirdest movies you will ever watch.
Scanners is about a world where people have telepathic and telekinetic powers, while most people exercise restraint on how they use their supernatural skills, there is a renegade group who seek to take over the world with theirs.
Total Recall, 1990,
Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, this movie was filmed right at the end of the 80s, but technically, it has such a weird, 80s, sci-fi vibe that we’re still including it.
Based on the idea of a man who has virtual memories of a visit to Mars implanted in his brain, this film is so weird, that it’s hard to explain it all here.
Krull, 1983
Set on the planet Krull, this movie tells the story of an evil Beast that’s decimating the planet, and who kidnaps a lovely Princess. Her savior, Prince Colwyn (Ken Marshall) must find a mystical weapon to slay the Beast and save his beloved.
This film has lots of weird, sci-fi themes, the set, costumes, and make-up all give it an eerie feel.
Heavy Metal, 1981
A fantasy, sci-fi film that is based around the concept of a giant, green glowing sphere that is evil and dominating. The film takes the audience through different worlds, and stories, where from planet to planet, and war to war, the powers of this force appear to permeate.
Night of the Creeps, 1986
A horror, sci-fi film whose plot sees students on a University campus turn into zombie-like slugs as alien parasites take control of their brains. Nothing weird to see here (side eye).
Pulse, 1988
Pulse is a Japanese techno, horror, sci-fi film directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa that depicts a world where a group of people discover that spirits may be trying to invade the Earth through the internet.
Labyrinth, 1986
Starring David Bowie, and Jennifer Connolly, this film follows the adventures of a teenage girl who must rescue her baby brother from a world of goblins, and monsters by completing a massive labyrinth challenge.
Similar to the film, The Dark Crystal in its use of special effects, and puppets, this movie has a very fantastical feel, and in the 80s it was a striking, new type of sci-fi film that audiences did find a bit weird.
The Blob, 1988
A blob-like alien creature arrives on Earth from space and begins consuming everything in its path. This film is definitely odd, and we’re not sure that there has been anything like it ever since.
Cocoon, 1985
This cult classic, and Oscar award-winning sci-fi, fantasy movie Cocoon has quite a weird plot. It’s based on an alien “fountain of youth” that appears on Earth, which starts healing, and rejuvenating a group of old people who live in a retirement home.
She, 1984
She is a warrior, Princess type of character, and the movie sees her embark on a quest to help two brothers rescue their sister who has been kidnapped by evil creatures. A sci-fi, fantasy, adventure movie, and its plot is mystical and quite weird.
The Fly II, 1989
The 80s didn’t just bring us the weird, sci-fi horror of The Fly, it also brought us its sequel, The Fly II. This time the movie follows the son of “Brundlefly” as he searches for a cure for his mutated genes. The only problem is that he’s being studied by a devious government lab that seeks to continue his father’s experiments.
Lifeforce, 1985
A race of vampires from space arrive on Earth and begin infecting the entire population. The City of London descends into chaos as the human race becomes a race of vampires.
Robocop, 1987
A critically acclaimed movie, Robocop has legendary status amongst cinephiles, but it is also recognized for having some weird sci-fi vibes.
Set in the dystopian, crime-ridden city of Detroit, we see an ex-cop, who was mortally wounded, resurrected as a cyborg. The only thing is that Robocop is haunted by memories in his subconscious brain. The movie depicts the struggle between technology, and human emotion.
