Science fiction is often perceived as deeply serious and full of intricate details that need to be completely accurate. However, this isn’t always true, and sci-fi comedies are incredibly successful because they focus on humor over factual information. Cheesy movies are loved because the titles don’t take themselves seriously, so when combined with sci-fi, they quickly become some of the best films to kick back and enjoy with friends.

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15 Hell Comes To Frogtown (1988)

A Fight Against Some Strange Froggy Aliens

Hell Comes to Frogtown is a quintessential '80s movie that perfectly encapsulates the over-the-top and camp charm of the overall genre. Roddy Piper’s wild Mad Max rip-off is fantastic, and his portrayal of Sam Hell and his battles against the amphibian villains are brilliant throughout. It's ed for its amazing blend of action-packed sequences, eccentric characters, and wacky special effects, all of which make it a memorable and enjoyable watch in the sci-fi genre. Hell Comes to Frogtown is ridiculously self-aware, but even paired with its low budget, it’s still a fun experience because of its nonsensical storyline.

14 Trancers (1984)

Hilarious Dialogue In A Noir World

Trancers beautifully blends sci-fi and 1940s-style noir to create a compelling story about a time traveler who goes back to the ‘80s to bring his enemy to justice. Tim Thomerson's portrayal of the gritty and sarcastic protagonist, cop Jack Deth, is a particular stand out in the film.

What’s so fascinating about Trancers is that the mix of the dystopian future and the 1980s makes it so engaging, even if it is a bit cheesy. Trancers is full of cringey one-liner jokes and an absurd plot, but that’s what makes it such a great piece of ‘80s B-movie cinema.

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13 The Running Man (1987)

A Creepy Yet Hysterical Take On Reality TV

The Running Man

R

Sci-Fi

Thriller

Action

8/10

Release Date

November 13, 1987

Runtime

101 minutes

Director

Paul Michael Glaser

Writers

Steven E. de Souza

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The Running Man is rife with action and comedy. Arnold Schwarzenegger's iconic performance as Ben Richards is one of the most notable parts of the film, and it also highlights his various abilities as an actor. The Running Man often jumps between classic camp humor and being deeply serious, which is jarring sometimes, but it also works well with the film’s story. The titular game show is eerie and unnerving, but it interestingly reflects modern society. Hopefully, The Running Man remake will achieve the same success as the original, which leaves audiences both satisfied and thoughtful after the credits roll.

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

A Heartwarming Tale That Transcends Species

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is an incredible piece of ‘80s cinema and a staple of the era in general. The film famously contains one of Steven Spielberg’s best action scenes, which encapsulates the overall message and emotion of the piece. The story is both feel-good and deeply profound, which is a result of the characters’ compelling quest to keep the titular alien safe from the government. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a movie that is easy to invest in – a timeless tale about seeking justice and being fair to those who are different, but it’s amazingly cheesy, too.

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11 Ghostbusters (1984)

Who You Gonna Call?

Ghostbusters is a defining sci-fi movie title and the beginning of one of the biggest film franchises of all time. The original titular group set a standard for sci-fi that many other movies have borrowed from, using a blend of silly comedy and zany responses to Ghostbusters’ unique storyline to connect with audiences. Ghostbusters is one of The Ghostbusters movies are all legendary ‘80s pieces, even the installments from recent years, which have plenty of nostalgic elements.

10 Spaceballs (1987)

The Very Best Star Wars Parody Of All Time

Spaceballs is one of the best sci-fi comedies ever made, and not just because it’s a fabulous Star Wars comedy. The 1987 movie is packed with wacky humor and features top-notch performances from stars like Rick Mornais and Joan Rivers. Even director Mel Brooks features as two characters. Spaceballs is a film that is relevant even in the present day. The use of slapstick comedy and the ridiculous mocking of sci-fi movie tropes is what makes the film so cheesy, but it’s also the reason why it has continued to be so popular decades after its initial release.

9 Back To The Future (1985)

The Time Travel Movie That Started It All

Back to the Future is easily the most important time travel movie in existence. Many other films and TV shows rip off Back to the Future because of how it redefined the sci-fi genre and introduced the concept in a way that other projects hadn’t before. Doc Brown and Marty McFly are both massive ‘80s figures, and even in later Back to the Future movies, they always bring a sense of nostalgia for the time period. From the DeLorean to typical ‘80s slang and phrases, Back to the Future continues to be a timeless cheesy classic.

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8 Flash Gordon (1980)

Visually Lacking, But Still Feel-Good

Flash Gordon is a ridiculously cheesy ‘80s film, but it’s also one of the most notable films of the era. It’s hard not to find Gregory “Flash” Gordon’s journey to a far-away planet and fight against intergalactic supervillain Ming the Merciless as cringy at times, especially with Flash Gordon’s poor special effects, but it also adds to the overall charm of the film. Flash Gordon’s movies and TV shows all follow the same concept, but the 1980 film is the best in of embodying the bright and camp atmosphere of the comic book source material.

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7 Tron (1982)

A Breakthrough Title For Special Effects

Tron is a terrific movie about playing video games. The film is best ed for its bold creativity and groundbreaking CGI for its time, but the story is generally considered to be cheesy because of Kevin Flynn’s shift from video game designer to one of its characters. Video arcade gaming is both corny and nostalgic of the ‘80s, and the space-age imagery throughout Tron makes it that much more immersive. Tron’s neon landscaping and iconic costuming are staples of popular culture, even nowadays, but it’s also why the film is cheesy.

6 Masters Of The Universe (1987)

The Best Theatrical Version Of He-Man

Masters of the Universe truly embraces its camp qualities in a fascinating blend of comedy, sci-fi, and fantasy. However, the cheesiest part of the film is its cast. Dolph Lundgren's scene-stealing performance as He-Man is an intriguing replication of the original cartoon character, and Frank Langella’s role as the baffling and diabolical Skeletor is perfectly cringeworthy.

Despite its low-budget visual effects, Masters of the Universe’s costuming makes up for it, although the combination of the two gives off a brilliant ‘80s vibe overall. He-Man and Skeletor provide a fantastic battle between good and evil, which creates a compelling watch.