The 1980s was the pinnacle for sci-fi movies, and some of the best '80s classics are quintessential examples of cinema from the decade. Though science fiction has been a popular genre since before the birth of film, the advancements in cinematic technology have made it easier for filmmakers to tell compelling stories with amazing visuals and eye-catching effects. The juxtaposition of strong storytelling and amazing filmmaking craft hit its peak during the 1980s, and the best sci-fi movies from that period are often as well-written as they are technically flawless.

Pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible on the big screen, the sci-fi movies coming out of Hollywood during the 1980s were elevated beyond their B-movie predecessors. Continuing advancements made in the genre in the preceding decade, '80s sci-fi was often made by filmmakers who had a true appreciation for the genre and had grown up with classics from the '50s as inspiration. The result is an incredibly diverse array of major science fiction movies from the 1980s, and they help to prove that no other decade had such an amazing assortment of sci-fi offerings.

10 Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan (1982)

One Of The Greatest Sci-Fi Sequels Of All Time

The Wrath of Khan's literary references help to make it a thinking person's space adventure

After a lackluster first outing in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, the popular science fiction franchise returned with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The compelling story of revenge showed the Enterprise crew growing and changing for the first time, and the heady sci-fi sequel is as much about the characters' inward journey as it is about the outward conflict. Khan is a classic movie villain, and The Wrath of Khan's literary references help to make it a thinking person's space adventure. Despite being a sequel, Star Trek II stands on its own as a brilliant piece of cinema.

9 RoboCop (1987)

A Satirical Sci-Fi That Skewers The '80s

On the surface, Paul Verhoeven's RoboCop sounds like yet another silly sci-fi action film from the '80s with no substance, but it's actually so much more. Cop Alex Murphy is turned into a law-enforcing cyborg, but the film is really a critique of '80s culture and the casual rise of violence. In between exciting action scenes with plenty of over-the-top gore, RoboCop is brutally hilarious and has a lot to say about contemporary culture. While the '80s is often held in high regard because of nostalgia, RoboCop offers the flipside with a humorous critique of the decade's morals.

8 The Thing (1982)

John Carpenter's Ultimate In Alien Terror

Many of the filmmakers of the 1980s were influenced by the science fiction films of the '50s, and some even tried to put their own stamp on the classics. John Carpenter directed a remake of The Thing in 1982, and though it shares a name with the original, it is a wholly different cinematic experience. Anchored by brilliant practical effects from Rob Bottin, The Thing is a claustrophrophic nightmare with a unique alien menace.

The Thing grossed $20 million against a $15 million budget (via Box Office Mojo).

Released the same year as the sci-fi blockbuster E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, The Thing was a notorious flop that tanked at the box office. Fortunately, it has come to be regarded as one of the best '80s sci-fi movies. Not only does it improve upon the original with modern ideas, it's an effective chiller that features unrelenting suspense scenes and some of the most stomach-churning effects ever.

7 Spaceballs (1987)

A Mel Brooks Classic That Spoofs Sci-Fi

Just a few years after the original Star Wars trilogy wrapped up, director Mel Brooks delivered a hilarious spoof of sci-fi in the form of 1987's Spaceballs. Hitting many of the familiar beats seen in the aforementioned trilogy, Spaceballs not only goofs on the content of Star Wars but also dissects its blatant consumerism and the commercialization of movies in the '80s. Only Mel Brooks could deliver such an effective takedown, and Spaceballs continues to be proven correct each time a sci-fi franchise is resurrected in the 21st century.

6 Blade Runner (1982)

A Sci-Fi Noir Classic That Challenges The Viewer

The cinema of the early 1980s struggled to find its signature tone, and bleak sci-fi films like Blade Runner weren't exactly what audiences wanted at that point in history. Ridley Scott's engrossing techno-noir film is one of the '80s most fleshed-out science fiction movies, and Decker's world is as compelling as it is visually appealing. Eschewing rosy sentimentality in favor of gritty noir, Blade Runner's reputation has improved since its initial release.

Though audiences initially rejected it, Blade Runner has grown since the early '80s and has become a small franchise with a large cult following. One of the reasons that it didn't perform well initially was because it hit a bit too close to home, and Blade Runner reflected the mood of the world in the first few years of the 1980s.

5 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

The Second Star Wars Film Is Arguably The Best Ever

After Star Wars revolutionized science fiction in the late 1970s, the first sequel set the tone for the rest of the franchise. Eliminating all the rough edges found in Episode IV, The Empire Strikes Back is a streamlined adventure that further builds on the Star Wars lore. More importantly, it continues the saga of the characters, and offered a deeper and more complex exploration of the force and Luke's hero's journey.

Star Wars exemplified '70s sci-fi, and its sequel did the same for the '80s.

It's difficult to dispute the claim that The Empire Strikes Back is a perfect film, and it represents the confluence of every aspect of filmmaking. From its sweeping score to its beautiful production design, the middle Star Wars movie improved upon the original and also improved upon its own genre. Star Wars exemplified '70s sci-fi, and its sequel did the same for the '80s.

4 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

The Classic Family Sci-Fi Movie

After a few years of gritty sci-fi movies, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial arrived to set the mood for the rest of the 1980s. The optimistic sci-fi film is also a brilliant family feature, and Elliot is an interesting protagonist who was dealing with a lot of the same challenges as his Gen-X contemporaries. Steven Spielberg's deft touch gave the film a magical and nostalgic tone, and E.T. essentially entered the world as a classic even before anyone had seen it yet. While it may not necessarily be accurate, its ideas reflected a hopeful vision, and it made audiences want to watch.

3 Aliens (1986)

James Cameron's Action-Packed Sequel To Alien

The 1980s isn't the only decade with great sci-fi, but Aliens is a perfect example of what the timespan had to offer in of cinema. Instead of copying its predecessor, Alien, James Cameron's Aliens added an action element that adapted the franchise to the sensibilities of the 1980s. Aliens is big, bombastic, and exciting, and it's one of the few sequels that forges a completely different path from the original movie. '80s sci-fi is often larger than life, and never was that more true than in Aliens.

2 The Terminator (1984)

A Gritty Sci-Fi Action Film That Made Schwarzenegger A Star

James Cameron proved himself to be a sci-fi master in the 1980s, and The Terminator is perhaps his greatest contribution to the illustrious filmography of the decade. The violent and downbeat sci-fi noir film combines action and science fiction (something Cameron excelled at), and helped to make a star out of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Though it's the most understated film in the expansive Terminator franchise, the original is strong because it merely hints at a larger universe beyond.

The Terminator is scary and effective because it uses sci-fi to illustrate real fears.

Despite its sci-fi theme, The Terminator also represented common fears that were gripping the United States at the time of release. Rising crime in big cities, and the seemingly random nature of violence helped influence the story's execution, but it doesn't get bogged down in social commentary. The Terminator is scary and effective because it uses sci-fi to illustrate real fears.

1 Back To The Future (1985)

The Quintessential '80s Sci-Fi Movie

Though it may be best ed more as a comedy, Back to the Future is still the quintessential 1980s science fiction film. Marty's trip back to 1955 is an adventure with a simple-but-effective plot, and the time-travel elements are brilliantly explored without alienating the audience. Despite being an obvious nod to the 1950s nostalgia that gripped the '80s, it still feels very rooted to 1985.

The Back to the Future trilogy includes:

Back to the Future is a lesson in strong production design, and nearly every detail has become a part of popular culture. The DeLorean time machine is one of Hollywood's most iconic vehicles, and the use of music makes Back to the Future a multimedia experience. Plenty of sci-fi movies came out in the 1980s, but none represented the decade quite like the 1985 classic.