The 1980s introduced a diverse mix of the 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.

10 Max Headroom (1987-1988)

A Brave Journalist Keeps A Powerful Organization In Check

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 movie Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future. The character's humorous quips and computer-generated appearance captivated audiences at the time.

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. Though Max Headroom is 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.

9 Terrahawks (1983-1986)

An Alien Force Protects Earth From Enemies On Mars

Visually, Terrahawks is 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 humor that is much more ironic than his earlier work.

Despite being given a lower budget compared to his other TV shows, Anderson and Terrahawks' 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 like Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, Terrahawks follows 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 and Terrahawks' creative team found a way around it and delivered a truly one-of-a-kind sci-fi show.

8 Red Dwarf (1988-2020)

A Sitcom Revolving Around The Last Human On A Spaceship

With multiple seasons spanning over three decades, Red Dwarf has earned a ionate 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, making Red Dwarf an 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.

7 ALF (1986-1990)

The Sarcastic, Yet Lovable Title Character Adapts To Life On Earth

One of the more bizarre, yet beloved '80s sitcoms was ALF. 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 (via IMDB).

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.

6 War Of The Worlds (1988-1990)

Aliens Are Determined To Seize Earth As Their Own

H. G. Wells' The War of the Worlds is 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 titled War 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 Worlds season 1 is up there with the best sci-fi TV shows had to offer in the '80s.

5 V (1983)

A Group Of Aliens Seeks To Control Earth

An alien invasion in the miniseries V is 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. The fascinating power dynamics between the resistant humans and aliens make for some thought-provoking and often tense narratives that grab hold of the audience's attention.

4 The Transformers (1984-1987)

Clashing Groups Of Robots Battle On Earth

An '80s sci-fi cartoon that's held up well over the years, The Transformers is 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 Decepticons after 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.

3 Alien Nation (1989-1990)

A Race Of Extraterrestrials Co-Exists With Humans

Science fiction is often used to tell deeper stories that explore the differences between individuals in a society, and Alien Nation might 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 follows Detective Matt Sikes (Gary Graham), who grudgingly works alongside an extraterrestrial detective, George Francisco (Eric Pierpoint).

George is one of the many extraterrestrials, known as Newcomers, to immigrate to the U.S. It is through the Newcomers that Alien Nation explores 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.

2 Quantum Leap (1989-1993)

A Man Travels Through Time Hoping To Return Home

To the dissatisfaction of many, Quantum Leap ended on a cliffhanger that 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 Leap is centered around physicist Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula), who takes it upon himself to test his time travel project on 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 Leap provides a fresh narrative in the sci-fi genre.

1 Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)

A Successful Follow-Up To The Original Series

While its earlier seasons were a bit rocky, Star Trek: The Next Generation eventually found its footing and is now considered to be the best Star Trek series in the franchise. Suring The Original Series in quality isn't an easy feat, but to the delight of Star 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 the Star Trek universe had.

As many of the following series would do, TNG built upon the fan-favorite aspects of TOS, earning higher levels of success while on air than 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 the Star Trek universe had.