The 1980s introduced a diverse mix ofscience fictionTV shows, ranging from lighthearted sitcoms to darker, thought-provoking dramas. Many of the best ’80s sci-fi TV shows have lasting legacies within pop culture and even influence some ofthe greatest sci-fi series today. What makes these series truly great is their ability to use the genre’s tropes to tell deeper, more meaningful stories that often have something of importance to say about humanity.
While the genre can sometimes feel inaccessible due to its use of futuristic themes, these shows ensured audiences could confidently approach them, easily investing in the inventive worlds created on the small screen.Compelling, character-driven narratives combined with innovative visuals and memorable protagonists, results in entertaining and timeless sci-fi series that hold up years later as the best the decade has to offer.
Max Headroom
Cast
Max Headroom is a British-produced American satirical science fiction series that aired on ABC in 1987. Adapted from a Channel 4 pilot, the show combines futuristic themes with media critique, featuring the titular AI character navigating a dystopian world influenced by media and technology.
The excitement surrounding Max Headroom and his eponymous sci-fi series may have faded as the years have gone by, but they were a hit in the ’80s. Portrayed by Matt Frewer, Max was first introduced in the 1985 cyberpunk TV movieMax Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future. The character’s humorous quips and computer-generated appearance captivated audiences at the time.
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Combining prosthetics and simple changes to Frewer’s natural appearance with a pitch-shifting voice,Max was a slight cultural phenomenon unlike anything else before. ThoughMax Headroomis named after him, Max isn’t a prominent character in the show. Instead, the series, set in the future where an oligarchy of TV networks has control over the world, follows reporter Edison Carter (Frewer), who risks his life exposing the unethical practices of his superiors.
Terrahawks
Terrahawks is a 1983 science fiction series by Gerry Anderson, set in the 21st century. It follows the defense organization Terrahawks as they combat alien threats, including the malevolent Queen Zelda, and face challenges such as potential exposure by an investigative reporter.
Visually,Terrahawksis unlike any other sci-fi series mentioned. Created by Christopher Burr and Gerry Anderson —the latter being known for telling futuristic stories using marionette puppets— the show’s character designs can be quite jarring to those unfamiliar with Anderson’s previous work. Still,the show presents a compelling story about aliens and has a sense of humorthat is much more ironic than his earlier work.
Despite being given a lower budget compared to his other TV shows, Anderson andTerrahawks' creative team found a way around it and delivered a truly one-of-a-kind sci-fi show.
Fusing together elements from Anderson’s other series likeThunderbirdsandCaptain Scarlet and the Mysterons,Terrahawksfollows its titular organization as they carry out their mission protecting Earth from potential alien invasions. Despite being given a lower budget compared to his other TV shows, Anderson andTerrahawks' creative team found a way around it and delivered a truly one-of-a-kind sci-fi show.
Red Dwarf
Set in the distant future aboard the mining spaceship Red Dwarf, this British sci-fi sitcom follows the misadventures of Dave Lister, the last known human survivor, and his companions: a hologram of his dead bunkmate, a creature that evolved from his cat, and a neurotic android. Isolated in deep space, they encounter bizarre phenomena and alien creatures as they traverse the galaxy.
With multiple seasons spanning over three decades,Red Dwarfhas earned a passionate cult following. The sci-fi sitcom follows technician Dave Lister (Craig Charles) after he wakes up from suspended animation, only to find he’s the last living human on the titular mining spacecraft. Lucky for Dave, he is kept company by a hologram of his former bunkmate and a creature named Cat.
The sci-fi elements take somewhat of a backseat to the series’ beloved character-driven narrative, makingRed Dwarfan easy series to digest and get invested in. The core elements of the series have remained intact, but the story has been expanded throughout the years, and additional characters have been added into the mix, resulting in heated debates among fans about whether the earlier seasons are better than those more recent.
ALF
ALF is a television series that debuted in 1986, featuring a wisecracking alien named ALF who becomes part of a suburban family after crash-landing in their garage. The show mixes science fiction with domestic comedy as the family navigates the challenges of hiding their extraterrestrial guest.
One of the more bizarre, yetbeloved ’80s sitcomswasALF. The series' title character is sure to have a special place in the hearts of those who grew up watching the sci-fi sitcom, due to Paul Fusco’s compelling performance as ALF’s voice and puppeteer. The show revolves around the titular alien who crash lands on Earth and into the garage of the Tanner family.
DID YOU KNOW:The show’s creator, Paul Fusco, was also the voice of ALF (viaIMDB).
With the Tanners welcoming ALF into their home, the series details the day-to-day life of the alien as he learns more about Earth and becomes familiar with those around him.The heart of the series is ALF’s humorous and heartfelt relationship with the Tanners, but the series also features plenty of signature elements of the sci-fi genre, including the Alien Task Force ALF is kept hidden from.
War of the Worlds
War of the Worlds, released in 1988, follows a group of diverse individuals, including an astrophysicist and a military officer, who join forces to combat Martians that reawaken after years of dormancy. This formation must navigate new threats to protect humanity following the Martians' previous defeat in the 1950s.
H. G. Wells’The War of the Worldsis a highly influential science-fiction novel, inspiring subsequent writing about Martians and alien invasions. Wells' novel was also adapted into a film in 1953, which was later continued as a sci-fi series in the late ’80s, similarly titledWar of the Worlds.
The series picks up after the events of the 1953 film but alters a few significant details. Rather than being killed, a group of aliens enter a state of suspended animation and are accidentally woken up decades later, returning to society in present-day 1988. Though the shake-up of the series' creative team in season 2 resulted in a less favored season,War of the Worldsseason 1 is up there with the best sci-fi TV shows had to offerin the ’80s.
V
V is a science fiction film released in 1983, featuring fifty massive alien spaceships appearing above Earth’s major cities. The humanoid Visitors offer friendship, but their true intent is to exploit Earth’s resources for their survival, leaving humanity in need of a miracle for its future.
An alien invasion in the miniseriesVis used to tell a heavier story about fascism and resistance. Though it was followed by two additional series in the ’80s and a short-lived remake in 2009, the original TV show stands out as one of the decade’s best pieces of science fiction.
The series sees a race of aliens, referred to as the Visitors, landing on Earth with the initial request for minerals to heal their weakening planet. With the humans complying, the aliens' real, sinister motives behind their arrival on Earth begin to be uncovered. Thefascinating power dynamics between the resistant humans and aliensmake for some thought-provoking and often tense narratives that grab hold of the audience’s attention.
The Transformers
The Transformers is an animated TV series that follows the battle between the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, and the Decepticons, led by Megatron, on Earth and Cybertron. Debuting in 1984, the show blends science fiction and action as both factions of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron vie for supremacy and the future of humankind. It spawned a massive franchise including toys, comics, and movies.
An ’80s sci-fi cartoon that’s held up wellover the years,The Transformersis a seminal animated series within the genre. Accompanied by a beloved toy line, the series features an array of memorable sentient robots,focusing mainly on the ongoing conflict between the Autobots and Decepticonsafter they’ve crash-landed on Earth.
The series has a familiar good versus evil narrative and stylish character designs that have become well-known as the series' popularity has grown. The cartoon characters, too, are recognizable figures in pop culture, most notably Optimus Prime. Eventually turning into a massive, ongoing franchise,The Transformers' story and characters have received a favorable evolution throughout the years, but the excitement surrounding the original ’80s series has yet to fade.
Alien Nation
Alien Nation is a science fiction TV series set in Los Angeles in the near future, where humans and an alien race called “Newcomers” coexist. The show follows Detective Matthew Sikes (Gary Graham) and his Newcomer partner George Francisco (Eric Pierpoint) as they solve crimes while exploring themes of racial prejudice and integration.
Science fiction is often used to tell deeper stories that explore the differences between individuals in a society, andAlien Nationmight just be the best example of this. Premiering in the late ’80s, the sci-fi series is adapted from the film of the same name and followsDetective Matt Sikes (Gary Graham), who grudgingly works alongside an extraterrestrial detective, George Francisco (Eric Pierpoint).
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George is one of the many extraterrestrials, known as Newcomers, to immigrate to the U.S. It is through the Newcomers thatAlien Nationexplores narratives relating to bigotry and assimilation. On top of the series' thought-provoking themes and well-written characters, the character design of the Newcomers is just as impressive.
Quantum Leap
This science fiction series follows a scientist trapped in time due to an experiment, leaping into various people’s lives to solve their problems and alter events. As he navigates each era, he seeks to return to his present, impacting history with every leap.
To the dissatisfaction of many,Quantum Leapended on a cliffhangerthat didn’t provide audiences, or the series' protagonist, with the happy ending they were expecting. Still, the mixed reception to the sci-fi show’s finale isn’t enough to dismiss the quality of the series leading up to its final episode.
Quantum Leapis centered aroundphysicist Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula), who takes it upon himself to test his time travel projecton his own. However, Sam finds that each time he travels through time, he wounds up in the body of someone else. With Sam fixing events in a variety of timelines in hopes he can end up back in his own life,Quantum Leapprovides a fresh narrative in the sci-fi genre.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation follows Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew aboard the USS Enterprise NCC-1701D as they embark on interstellar explorations, seeking out new worlds and civilizations.
While its earlier seasons were a bit rocky,Star Trek: The Next Generationeventually found its footing and is now considered to bethe bestStar Trekseriesin the franchise. SurpassingThe Original Seriesin quality isn’t an easy feat, but to the delight ofStar Trek’s fan base, it’s something that many following series would continue to do.
With its beloved characters and inventive story, the series provided insight into all the potential theStar Trekuniverse had.
As many of the following series would do,TNGbuilt upon the fan-favorite aspects ofTOS, earning higher levels of success while on airthan its predecessor. Set in the 24th century, the show follows the adventures of a crew aboard the USS Enterprise-D. With its beloved characters and inventive story, the series provided insight into all the potential theStar Trekuniverse had.
