The 80s were a great decade for sci-fi, with many incredible stories unfolding on the big and small screens alike. While the movies do undoubtedly get most of the attention, with space operas, intergalactic wars, and alien horrors dominating the biggest releases of the decade, there’s no shortage of memorable and exhilarating series for fans to sink their teeth into.
With the likes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Knight Rider, and V being among the most popular series of the 80s, it’s understandable how several managed to slip under the radar, no matter how well they’ve aged. From buddy cop dramas to comedic spoofs, these are some of the biggest and best forgotten sci-fis of the decade that still hold up today.
Starman Is a Heartwarming Sequel to a John Carpenter Classic
Not to be confused with the DC Comics character, Starman was a TV sequel to John Carpenter’s 1984 movie of the same name, which followed the relationship between an alien (Jeff Bridges) and a human woman, Jenny (Karen Allen). In the film, Starman clones himself to create a child with the otherwise infertile Jenny, and the TV series takes place 15 years later.
In the series, Starman (now played by Robert Hays) returns to Earth and assumes the identity of a deceased journalist named Paul Forrester. Reuniting with his son Scott (Christopher Daniel Barnes), the two embark on a journey to find Jenny, all while being hunted down by the US government.
Starman is a funny and heartwarming sequel to Carpenter’s sci-fi epic, with each episode following the leading duo’s latest adventure. While not the most exciting of the decade, the series boasts a 22-episode story that will take viewers further into the titular character’s world.
Automan Brought Neon Visuals to the Small Screen
If there was ever an '80s sci-fi series that seemed ready for a reboot, it would be Automan. The story follows a police computer specialist (Desi Arnaz Jr.) who creates an AI crimefighter that becomes the titular superhero (Chuck Wagner).
Automan is a buddy-cop story and sci-fi adventure in one, and is often credited with bringing the neon visuals of 1982’s Tron to the small screen. With a slew of iconic gadgets, including a physics-defying supercar and a holographic helicopter, the series is lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek entertainment that combines ridiculous superhero tropes with classic police-procedural storylines.
Red Dwarf Is a Classic British Sci-Fi Comedy
Red Dwarf follows the last remaining human, Dave Lister (Craig Charles), who wakes up on the titular ship after being in suspended animation for three million years. Alone with only a hologram of his deceased bunkmate Arnold Rimmer (Chris Barrie) and a humanoid (Danny John-Jules) that evolved from his pregnant cat,
Obviously, Red Dwarf isn’t a show to be taken seriously, but is certainly an entertaining one. Similar to others of its time, notably Star Trek, each episode of the BBC series sees this ragtag crew traveling across different worlds and galaxies in search of a home, offering no shortage of intergalactic battles and alien encounters. Packed with satirical humor and space opera parodies, the sci-fi-sitcom is just as funny today as it was back in 1988.
The Martian Chronicles Is an Allegorical NBC Miniseries
Based on Ray Bradbury’s book of short stories of the same name, The Martian Chronicles is a three-part NBC miniseries about humanity’s attempt to colonize Mars. An allegory for the treatment of Indigenous peoples in America, The Martian Chronicles is a poetic and dreamlike series written by Richard Matheson, who wrote many of the best Twilight Zone episodes not penned by Rod Serling himself.
Its themes and timeless social commentary aside, there’s a lot for fans to enjoy in this sci-fi miniseries. This includes, but is not limited to, its impressive visuals (which were undoubtedly ahead of their time, especially its artistic production design), Stanley Myers’ phenomenal musical backdrop, and its eerie, desert landscapes in place of high-tech futurism.
If that’s not enough to convince viewers to watch, The Martian Chronicles also boasts an impressive cast, including Roddy McDowall, Rock Hudson, and Bernadette Peters.
ALF Is a Family-Friendly Alien Sitcom
ALF was one of NBC’s most popular sitcoms of the 1980s, best described as a family show with a twist. The series follows the titular alien (Paul Fusco), who is taken in by the Tanner family after crash-landing in their backyard.
ALF is a heartfelt sci-fi suitable for all ages. While not exactly the most exciting of shows, viewers will undoubtedly enjoy the loveable alien’s antics across its four seasons, including his attempts to eat the family cat, hiding from nosy neighbors, and his constant drops of sarcastic humor and witty remarks.
Amazing Stories Is a Lighthearted and Entertaining Sci-Fi Anthology
Not to be confused with the Apple TV+ reboot of the same name, Amazing Stories was an anthology series in the same style as The Twilight Zone, created by none other than Steven Spielberg. Across two seasons, each episode tells a different 24-minute sci-fi story, most of which are lighthearted yet entertaining.
Episodes range from telepathic magicians to black magic spells, all of which capture viewers’ imaginations with their family-friendly storytelling. The series also brought some pretty incredible names on board, with the likes of Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, and Joe Dante all having their turn in the director’s chair.
