30 Best Sci-Fi TV Shows Of The 1980's, Ranked By Fans

Gene Roddenberry brought back the television with a new crew on the USS Enterprise-D, captained by Jean-Luc Picard. Patrick Stewart anchors the cast, featuring characters like the android Data and Klingon officer Worf. This series shifted from the 1960s format to explore tough diplomacy and moral choices across the Alpha Quadrant. The show became a syndication hit, winning multiple Emmy Awards during its seven years, and fans value the smart writing and the introduction of villains like the Borg and Q.

This television event starts with massive starships hitting major world cities. Kenneth Johnson made the miniseries to show resistance against an alien force claiming peace. Marc Singer and Faye Grant lead freedom fighters who find the Visitors are reptilian invaders wanting human meat. The Red Dust and alien masks imagery became a major part of the early 80s pop culture. Its success spurred a follow-up miniseries and a weekly show that expanded the conflict's story.

Though the original series started in the late 70s, its reruns and influence shaped 80s sci-fi. Lorne Greene plays Commander Adama, the human fleet leader escaping mechanical Cylons after the Twelve Colonies fell. John Dykstra provided impressive special effects, and Stu Phillips scored the show with a grand orchestra. Glen A. Larson designed the show as a large-scale space opera using Egyptian looks and complex mythology.

Dr. Sam Beckett gets stuck in a time travel experiment, forcing him to jump into different people's lives across the 20th century. Scott Bakula plays the sharp scientist who fixes history to earn his next jump. Dean Stockwell plays Al Calavicci, a womanizer appearing as a hologram only Sam sees. The show uses its sci-fi premise to tell real human stories about family and justice in different times.

The longest sci-fi series in history kept going through the 80s, featuring three actors as the Doctor. Peter Davison, Colin Baker, and Sylvester McCoy each gave the Time Lord a different feel that decade. The show struggled with budgets and changing timeslots, but it kept delivering imaginative stories with the Daleks and Cybermen. Companions like Tegan and Ace joined the Doctor on time and space trips in the TARDIS.

Gil Gerard plays a NASA pilot frozen in space for 500 years before returning to a changed Earth. He works with Colonel Wilma Deering to defend the planet against the Draconian Empire and other space threats. Mel Blanc voices the robot sidekick Twiki. The computer brain Dr. Theopolis appears often. NBC used disco costumes and silly action to define early 80s sci-fi.

Michael Knight fights for the law with his Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, KITT, a sentient Pontiac. David Hasselhoff adds charm to this Glen A. Larson show that ran on NBC for four seasons. The car has advanced AI and tech like turbo boost and molecular shell armor. The duo helps the Foundation for Law and Government stop criminals who think they are above the law.

Bill Bixby plays Dr. David Banner, a man seeking control over the beast inside him after a lab accident. Lou Ferrigno gives the Hulk his look, using green makeup for strength feats. The CBS series centers on Banner's lonely life as a fugitive, hunted by reporter Jack McGee. Each episode shows the weight of power and the sorrow of a man who finds no home.

This British sitcom follows Dave Lister, the last human, and his misfit crew millions of years in the future. Craig Charles stars as the curry-loving technician who travels through deep space with a holographic friend and a cat-like creature. The BBC series mixes hard science fiction with lowbrow humor and sharp character talks. Writers Rob Grant and Doug Naylor built a world where isolation causes silly things and big questions.

This TV show adapts the 1988 film, following Detective Matthew Sikes and his alien partner, George Francisco. Gary Graham and Eric Pierpoint play the duo solving crimes in a Los Angeles filled with Newcomers, a race of former slaves from another world. The series uses its sci-fi setup to examine social issues like integration, bias, and cultural gaps. FOX aired it, and the grounded approach to the procedural genre earned it a loyal audience. Several TV movies followed the series to finish the stories left after its one season.

Robin Williams became Mork, an alien from the Ork planet who lands in Boulder, Colorado, in an egg-shaped ship. Pam Dawber plays Mindy McConnell, the human who takes him in and teaches him Earth ways. The show started as a spin-off ofHappy Daysand quickly became a ratings hit for ABC. Williams' improvisational skill and his character's phrases, like nanu nanu, create much of the comedy.

Jan-Michael Vincent plays Stringfellow Hawke, a reclusive pilot flying a supersonic military helicopter. He takes secret missions for the Firm government agency, seeking help finding his missing brother. The show features an electronic score and exciting aerial fights. Ernest Borgnine brings a warm presence as Hawke’s mentor and co-pilot, Dominic Santini. This show fit the mid-80s trend of advanced vehicles and government conspiracies.

This American version of the Japanese anime Science Ninja Team Gatchaman became a big syndication hit. Five young heroes, the G-Force, protect Earth from Spectra's alien forces. A robot narrator, 7-Zark-7, appeared in the American version to give context and connect footage.

The original show started in the 60s, but the 1980s brought dozens of new episodes for syndication. These new segments updated George, Jane, Judy, and Elroy's adventures in their world of flying cars and robot maids. The Hanna-Barbera animation team kept the optimistic view of technology, adding characters like Orbitty the alien. Viewers enjoyed the space-age humor and the bright look of a world where everything is automated. The 80s revival cemented the brand as a classic future animation.

Gordon Shumway, an alien from Melmac, crashes his ship in the Tanner family's garage. Paul Fusco voices and puppeteers the witty creature who loves Earth culture and wants the family cat. The show mixes family sitcoms with the absurdity of an alien living in Los Angeles suburbs. NBC got a huge hit with the character, leading to spin-offs and lots of merchandise.

Steven Spielberg brought his movie style to the small screen with this NBC anthology series. Every episode features a new story, from ghost tales to science fiction adventures. Martin Scorsese and Robert Zemeckis joined the top directing talent during its two seasons. Amblin Entertainment provided high production values; viewers liked the whimsical storytelling.

The 1980s kept this 70s classic popular through heavy syndication and renewed interest in its prehistoric setting. The Marshall family finds themselves in an alternate dimension full of dinosaurs and the Sleestak lizards. Writers like Larry Niven and Theodore Sturgeon added complex science fiction ideas to the series. The show used stop-motion animation and practical sets to create wonder and danger. Its mix of survival drama and high-concept sci-fi themes kept viewers hooked for years.

Douglas Adams adapted his radio series and books into a six-part BBC television show. Simon Jones plays Arthur Dent, an ordinary man who survives Earth's destruction with his friend Ford Prefect. The show uses cheap effects and green computer graphics to show entries from the guide. Viewers follow the pair as they travel with the two-headed Zaphod Beeblebrox and the depressed robot Marvin.

This time-travel show has Jon-Erik Hexum as Phineas Bogg, a member of a history-keeping society. Jeffrey Jones, played by Meeno Peluce, joins him after they accidentally picked up the boy during a jump to 1982. The pair use the Omni device to travel eras and make history happen as planned. Each episode teaches history inside a sci-fi adventure for younger viewers. NBC aired the show; it remains a charming 80s educational program.

Joel Hodgson made this unique series where a man and his robot pals mock cheesy movies. The show started on a Minneapolis station in 1988, then moved to networks like Comedy Central. Each episode traps Joel on the Satellite of Love by mad scientists who force him to watch bad sci-fi films. Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot give jokes and cultural references during the screenings. It became a cult hit, changing how audiences saw low-budget genre movies.

This NBC series follows young people with superpowers working for a research institute. The team includes a man who shrinks, a woman with telekinetic powers, and a rock star who shoots lightning. Courteney Cox played the telekinetic Gloria Dinallo in one early TV appearance. The show focuses on the funny, human side of having powers, often avoiding typical superhero tropes. Its light tone and 80s look make it a fun mid-decade TV relic.

This spin-off of Battlestar Galactica shows the fleet finally reaching Earth in the late 20th century. Kent McCord and Barry Van Dyke play pilots Troy and Dillon who lead scout missions to prepare humanity for the Cylons' arrival. The show shifts focus to modern Earth spots, allowing fish-out-of-water comedy and lessons. The series had a different tone than the first, but it gave fans closure seeing the fleet arrive. Lorne Greene's return as Adama kept a link to the original series.

This HBO anthology series explores dark human nature using suspense and science fiction. The Hitchhiker, played by Page Fletcher, introduces each episode. The show mixes psychological thrillers and supernatural stories, often ending with a twisted moral. Guest stars and directors joined because they wanted to work in the new cable TV format. Mature themes and atmosphere set this show apart in the crowded 80s anthology market.

Simon MacCorkindale stars as Dr. Jonathan Chase, a man who can change into any animal. He uses this power to help the police solve tough cases, sometimes turning into a hawk or a panther during the climax. Special effects legend Stan Winston designed the elaborate shapeshifting sequences. NBC aired only eight episodes, but the unique premise left a lasting impression.

Gerry Anderson returned to puppet work for this 2020 science fiction series. The story tracks a secret defense organization, led by Doctor Tiger Ninestein, protecting Earth from the alien queen Zelda. The production uses Supermacromation, which employs detailed hand puppets and scale models. Each episode shows high-stakes battles on Mars and Earth using various special vehicles.

Joanna Lumley and David McCallum play interdimensional agents fighting Time's malevolent forces. The show has an eerie atmosphere and minimalist sets that build dread and mystery. Each story arc has the pair investigating supernatural or temporal problems in normal British spots. The series avoids action tropes, focusing instead on tense talk and psychological thrills. ITV aired the British series, and it remains a cult classic for its unique sci-fi take.

Matt Frewer plays the world's first computer-generated TV host in this cyberpunk series. The story takes place in a future dystopia where TV networks control society and cameras are everywhere. Max is the digital version of investigative reporter Edison Carter, who works for Network 23 to expose corruption. The show features a dark visual style and examines media manipulation and corporate greed.

Judson Scott plays Bennu, an ancient astronaut awakened from a sarcophagus in a Peruvian tomb. He has immense psychic powers and must find his partner while a government agent pursues him. The show deals with ancient history and alien intervention on Earth. ABC aired it and built a small but dedicated following during its short run.

Something Is Out ThereThis show masterfully blends science fiction and police procedure for a gripping, unique TV experience. A human police officer partners with a beautiful, mysterious alien agent. The series explores trust, cooperation, and grasping the unknown. Inventive plots and engaging characters drive the provocative themes.Something Is Out ThereThis show remains an example of 1980s sci-fi television's creative potential.

The Sterling family visits the Great Pyramid of Giza and enters Thel, a parallel dimension. They move through zones with unique laws and social structures. Kommander Kroll hunts the family while they seek Earth. Aired on CBS, the show mixed family drama with high-concept world-building.