8 Cheesy '80s Sci-Fi Shows That Somehow Still Hold Up

3 days ago 8

Diego Pineda has been a devout storyteller his whole life. He has self-published a fantasy novel and a book of short stories, and is actively working on publishing his second novel.

A lifelong fan of watching movies and talking about them endlessly, he writes reviews and analyses on his Instagram page dedicated to cinema, and occasionally on his blog. His favorite filmmakers are Andrei Tarkovsky and Charlie Chaplin. He loves modern Mexican cinema and thinks it's tragically underappreciated.

Other interests of Diego's include reading, gaming, roller coasters, writing reviews on his Letterboxd account (username: DPP_reviews), and going down rabbit holes of whatever topic he's interested in at any given point.

There was no time like the 1980s when it came to science fiction. From movies like Blade Runner to books like Ender's Game to shows like Star Trek: The Next Generation, this decade had a unique blend of nostalgic science fiction that has mostly aged quite well. Of course, there's also a general cheesy tone that a lot of '80s sci-fi shows have, but in the case of many classic gems, that only contributes to their charm.

For the most part, "cheese" is considered something that you don't want in a show, but when it comes to '80s sci-fi in particular, there's something about the way these shows are so unapologetically themselves that's quite refreshing in the era of streaming. From underrated classics like Small Wonder to genre paragons like Quantum Leap, these series prove that '80s cheesiness in no way prevents a show from aging like fine wine.

8 'Automan' (1983–1984)

The underappreciated gem Automan was a superhero series very clearly inspired by the visuals and style of Disney's Tron. In it, a computer-generated superhero and his human creator fight crime in the city. In the age of AI, older shows like this one feel remarkably ahead of their time; and though Automan isn't really concerned with saying anything novel or hard-hitting about technology or artificial intelligence, it's an absolute blast from start to finish nonetheless.Due to low ratings and very high costs, Automan was sadly canceled after twelve of its thirteen episodes had aired. But as far as single-season genre shows from the '80s go, it doesn't get much more entertaining than this. Sure, its style and visuals are dated, and its storylines can get more than a bit silly, but that distinct '80s charm is precisely what some people are looking for when searching for a new sci-fi series to get into.

7 'Small Wonder' (1985–1989)

Vicki the robot, a young boy, and a nosy neighbour trying to get into the house in Small Wonder.

A surprise hit across the globe, especially among younger audiences, Small Wonder is one of the best sci-fi sitcoms of the 1980s. It follows the quirky andzany adventures of a suburban family, their next-door neighbors, and a robot designed to look like a human child. Some harsh critics have called itone of the worst low-budget sitcoms of all time, but you don't remain on the air for four seasons without having some kind of hidden special sauce.

Indeed, even setting all nostalgia aside, this is one of the best forgotten shows of the 1980s. Sure, it's not revolutionary stuff, but it's a show aimed at kids whose ambitions never included dethroning Star Trek. It's simple, it's goofy, and its corny sense of humor is unique, making for a show that may not be perfect, but is irresistibly charming more often than not.

6 'Misfits of Science' (1985–1986)

Before she stole the world's heart with Family Ties and Friends, Courtney Cox was a key part of the ensemble of Misfits of Science, a sci-fi dramedy following the adventures of a team of misfit superheroes who fight crime for a scientific think tank. Due to low ratings and the tragic passing of star Dean Paul Martin in a plane crash, the series was tragically canceled after only one season.It may not be one of the best shows of the '80s, but Misfits of Science sure is a charming cheese-fest inspired by the style and team dynamics of Ghostbusters. It's funny, it has some cool action, and though its plotting can sometimes be a little generic, its delightful '80s tone often picks things back up. It would have been wonderful to find out what this could have become if it had been given a longer time to really find its voice.

5 'The Twilight Zone' (1985–1989)

Jean Reed (Jackie Burroughs) with bandaged eyes in 'The Twilight Zone' 1985 episode "Many, Many Monkeys."

As one of the most iconic, most groundbreaking, and most influential sci-fi TV shows of all time, Rod Serling's 1959 classic The Twilight Zone needs no introduction. It's a masterpiece of an anthology series that hasn't really aged a day, but even still, it has been revived a total of three times. The first of those times is undoubtedly the best: '80s Twilight Zone, one of the decade's best genre shows. As creative, vibrant, and original as the legendary series that originated it, this classic may not be quite as great, but it sure can be every bit as entertaining and creepy when it sets its mind to it.

With several of the best performances, the most memorable episodes, and the most disturbing endings of the TWZ franchise, '80s Twilight Zone makes no effort to hide its cheesy '80s heart—and it never needed to. That aesthetic is precisely what makes it stand out and differentiate itself from its predecessor, allowing it to deliver several of the best sci-fi stories of the decade.

4 'Voyagers!' (1982–1983)

One of the most charming time travel series ever made, Voyagers! is about a memberof a league of time travelers and a boy traveling together through time, repairing errors in world history. Praised by critics from the moment it started airing as a cute sort of live-action version of the Mr. Peabody and Sherman cartoons, this has since become one of the decade's most beloved sci-fi cult classics.

NBC canceled the series after only one short-lived season, so it could replace it with a news program, a decision that has made fans irreparably sad since all the way back in '83. Though mostly aimed at kids, Voyagers! could get pretty intelligent with its writing and its treatment of history, without ever sacrificing the entertainment factor that has kept its fans going for decades.Cheesy? Certainly. But you don't need childhood nostalgia to see that this is one of the most universally engaging educational shows ever made.

3 'The Transformers' (1984–1987)

Bumblebee with construction worker in 'The Transformers' (1984)

Today, the Transformers franchise is one of science fiction's most iconic and long-running, but it all had to start somewhere. In the case of this tale about living robots capable of transforming into Earthly vehicles, it was 1984's The Transformers, one of the best-ever shows based on toys. It introduced the world to the conflict between the Autobots and the Decepticons, with some of the most colorful animation and some of the strongest voice acting of any animated show of the 1980s.

It's not just nostalgia: This is a genuinely exciting series, even in spite of stories and dialogue that have only gotten cheesier as the years have gone by. It's the most iconic cartoon of the '80s for a reason. Packed with thrilling action, great character work, and some of the most exciting stories of any show in the genre, it's a captivating classic with writing and visuals strong enough to charm kids and grown-ups alike, even if they never grew up with it.

2 'Quantum Leap' (1989–1993)

Scott Bakula in 'Quantum Leap' finale 'Mirror Image - August 8, 1953'

The majority of its run was contained in the early '90s, but its first season's airing date—as well as its delightfully cheesy and nostalgic tone—make Quantum Leap an '80s show through and through. It's the story of Dr. Sam Beckett, a man who finds himself trapped in time and travels through different periods of the past to help alter different people's futures for the better. It's a funny, romantic, and surprisingly complex cult classic that was never afraid to throw some genuinely compelling social commentary into the mix.All of this makes Quantum Leap one of the most rewatchable time travel TV shows ever, combined with one of the genre's most memorable series finales of the era. The series occasionally takes itself a little too seriously, but whenever it decides to lean back and have fun with its own inherently cheesy premise, that's when it's at its most entertaining. With some great visual effects and a pair of excellent performances by Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell, it's one of the decade's biggest small-screen classics.

1 'V' (1984–1985)

The V franchise is one of the best and most storied in the history of sci-fi television. It all started with the two-part alien invasion miniseries V, which was followed by the 1984 three-part miniseries V: The Final Battle. Despite what the title may indicate, however, that was not the final V outing. The Final Battle was followed by the nineteen-episode series V, a.k.a. V: The Series, which is easily among the best sci-fi shows of the 20th century.

Without ever sacrificing the profound storytelling and compelling social themes that made the first two miniseries in the franchise a success to begin with, V decides to take itself a bit less seriously and delve much more confidently into cheesy camp territory. The decision works brilliantly. This '80s tone gives the show an irresistibly charming air that's allowed it to age beautifully with the years' passage. Tremendous in scope and entirely original, it may not be the best installment in the series, but it sure is a memorable one. It's proof that, even at its cheesiest, '80s small-screen sci-fi could be quite a force to be reckoned with.

V

Release Date 1984 - 1985-00-00

Directors Cliff Bole, Gilbert M. Shilton, Kevin Hooks, Bruce Seth Green, John Florea, Paul Krasny, Earl Bellamy, Victor Lobl

Writers David Braff, Brian Taggert, David Abramowitz, Garner Simmons, Paul F. Edwards, Carleton Eastlake, Mark Rosner, Paul Monash, Steven E. de Souza, Colley Cibber