15 B-List Sci-Fi Movies from the 80s That Became Unlikely Cult Classics

The 80s were a golden age for sci-fi movies, and while the blockbusters grabbed all the headlines, there were plenty of B-list movies that quietly built up their own fan followings over time; these are the movies that didn't have the biggest budgets or the most famous stars, but they had heaps of creativity and a knack for storytelling that resonated with a dedicated group of fans.

1. Lifeforce (1985)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 56%

A joint space mission discovers a trio of humanoid aliens in a state of suspended animation aboard an alien spacecraft; when brought back to Earth, they awaken and start draining life energy from humans, causing a catastrophic epidemic in London.

2. Ice Pirates (1984)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 17%

In a future where water is the most valuable commodity, a ragtag group of space pirates embarks on a daring mission to hijack a large ice cube from the galaxy's most feared tyrant, encountering robots, time warps, and exotic creatures along the way.

3. Night of the Comet (1984)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 79%

After a comet wipes out most of life on Earth, two Valley Girls discover they are among the few survivors; as they navigate a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, they battle zombies and a sinister group of scientists.

4. Earth Girls Are Easy (1988)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 68%

A quirky comedy where a Southern California girl befriends three furry aliens after their spaceship lands in her swimming pool; she gives them makeovers and introduces them to the local dating scene, with hilarious consequences.

5. Brainstorm (1983)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 57%

Scientists develop a groundbreaking device that can record and play back human experiences, but when one of them records her own death, the project takes a dangerous turn, leading to ethical dilemmas and corporate intrigue.

6. Space Hunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 27%

A bounty hunter on a mission to rescue three stranded women from a plague-infested planet faces myriad dangers, navigating treacherous landscapes and battling a tyrannical overlord to complete his quest.

7. Cherry 2000 (1987)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 28%

In a post-apocalyptic future, a man hires a tough female bounty hunter to find a replacement for his malfunctioning robot wife, leading them on a perilous journey through a wasteland filled with oddball characters and dangerous factions.

8. Hell Comes to Frogtown (1988)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 56%

In a post-nuclear wasteland, one of the last fertile men on Earth is forced on a mission to rescue a group of women from mutant frogmen and ensure humanity's survival, encountering bizarre cultures and overcoming numerous challenges.

9. Batteries Not Included (1987)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%

Elderly tenants of a doomed apartment building are on the verge of eviction when they encounter small alien mechanical life forms that help them save their building and bring the community together in unexpected ways.

10. Mom and Dad Save the World (1992)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 12%

A suburban couple is unwittingly transported to a planet ruled by a tyrannical dictator who plans to conquer Earth; using their wits, they must save themselves and ultimately the planet from destruction.

11. Slipstream (1989)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 43%

After a global environmental disaster creates a powerful wind known as the Slipstream, a bounty hunter captures a fugitive, and as they travel through the treacherous landscapes, they encounter various groups and individuals trying to survive in the new world.

12. Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%

A young farmer recruits mercenaries from different planets to help defend his peaceful planet against the threat of an evil tyrant and his armada, leading to a massive space battle for freedom.

13. Liquid Sky (1982)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%

In New York's underground scene, a small alien spaceship lands on a penthouse inhabited by a drug-addicted model; the aliens feed on the euphoria produced by humans during sex, leading to bizarre and deadly encounters.

14. Le Dernier Combat (1983)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%

In a post-apocalyptic world where humans have lost the ability to speak, a lone man struggles for survival, encountering various survivors and seeking connection in the silence that dominates the Earth.

15. Brother from Another Planet (1984)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%

An alien with the appearance of a black human man escapes to Earth, landing in Harlem, New York, where he is pursued by alien bounty hunters; using his ability to repair machines, he silently observes human nature and forms connections with the locals, all while evading capture.