1980s Robot Movies

From Irvin Kershner, starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
Rated PG

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner and written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, based on a story by George Lucas. It is the second installment in the original Star Wars trilogy, and stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, and Frank Oz. The film sees the Rebels of the Rebel Alliance make a risky move to escape the Galactic Empire by setting up a base on the remote ice world of Hoth. However, the Empire is soon on their trail and the group is forced to flee once again. The group is then pursued by Darth Vader as they seek help from a mysterious and ancient Jedi. The movie culminates in a climactic confrontation between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, as Luke discovers the shocking truth of his parentage.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover
Rated PG

Back to the Future is a 1985 American science fiction comedy film directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, and starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, and Thomas F. Wilson. It follows teenager Marty McFly as he is accidentally sent back in time from 1985 to 1955, where he must make sure his teenage parents-to-be meet and fall in love to ensure his own existence. Along the way, Marty must also find a way to return to his present-day 1985. Meanwhile, an eccentric scientist,Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown, must help Marty repair the damage to time caused by his time machine. Through a series of comedic misadventures and near-disasters, Marty and Doc ultimately succeed in their mission, and Marty returns to his own time. The film was a huge commercial success, grossing over $381 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1985. It was the recipient of several awards and nominations, including the Academy Award for Best Sound Effects Editing. The film's success spawned two sequels, Back to the Future Part II (1989) and Back to the Future Part III (1990).

From James Cameron, starring Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn, Paul Reiser
Rated R

Aliens is a 1986 science fiction action horror film directed and written by James Cameron. It is the sequel to the 1979 film Alien, and stars Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley. In the film, Ripley crash-lands on Fiorina 161, an inhabited planet, and is reunited with the survivors of the Nostromo, including the now-adult Newt, who has been trapped on the planet since her parents were killed by the alien. Ripley, Newt, and the survivors of the Nostromo must now fight for their lives against a horde of hostile aliens. They enlist the help of a platoon of marines to help them destroy the aliens and protect the survivors. They soon find that the aliens are more powerful and dangerous than they ever imagined, and must employ every strategy and weapon at their disposal to survive. With a thrilling blend of horror, action, and suspense, Aliens is a cinematic classic and considered one of the greatest sequels in film history.

From Richard Marquand, starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
Rated PG

Return of the Jedi is the final installment in the original Star Wars trilogy, directed by Richard Marquand. The story follows the continuing adventures of Luke Skywalker and his allies as they attempt to rescue Han Solo from the clutches of the crime lord Jabba the Hutt. Meanwhile, the rebel alliance launches an attack on the second Death Star in order to destroy it and bring an end to the Galactic Empire. As Luke struggles to confront his destiny as a Jedi Knight, the fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance. The movie culminates in an epic battle between the forces of good and evil, and ultimately leads to the triumphant return of the Jedi Order.

From John Carpenter, starring Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David, Richard Masur
Rated R

The Thing is a 1982 horror film directed by John Carpenter and starring Kurt Russell. The film follows a team of American researchers in Antarctica as they are confronted by a parasitic extraterrestrial life form that is able to assimilate and mimic any other organism. The creature infiltrates the camp, and the researchers must find a way to stop it before it can reach the rest of the world. The film is considered one of the greatest horror films ever made and is renowned for its special effects and creature design.

From Ridley Scott, starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos
Rated R

Blade Runner is a science fiction neo-noir film directed by Ridley Scott in 1982. Set in a future Los Angeles, the film follows Rick Deckard as he searches for a group of replicants, rogue androids who have escaped to Earth from an off-world colony. While on the hunt for the replicants, Deckard must confront his own mortality and the philosophical implications of the replicants’ existence. The film features a combination of science fiction and film noir elements and is widely considered to be one of the greatest sci-fi films of all time.

From James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, Paul Winfield
Rated R

The Terminator is a 1984 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator, a cyborg assassin sent back in time from 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), whose son will one day become a savior against machines in a post-apocalyptic future. Sarah is targeted by another Terminator, a more advanced model, sent to protect her. With the help of a soldier from the future sent to protect Sarah, the two Terminators engage in a battle that puts the fate of humanity at stake. In the end, Sarah and her protector must find a way to stop the Terminator and protect the future of mankind.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote, Dee Wallace
Rated PG

"E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" (1982) is an iconic sci-fi adventure directed by Steven Spielberg. When an alien from outer space is accidentally left behind on Earth, he befriends a young boy named Elliott and his siblings. Together they embark on a journey to help E.T. find his way home, while also trying to keep him hidden from the government agents who are searching for him. Along the way, they discover that E.T. holds the power to bridge two worlds and experience friendship, courage, and the bonds of family.

From Terry Gilliam, starring Jonathan Pryce, Kim Greist, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond
Rated R

Brazil is a 1985 dystopian black comedy film directed by Terry Gilliam, written by Gilliam, Charles McKeown, and Tom Stoppard. The film stars Jonathan Pryce as Sam Lowry, a low-level bureaucrat in a futuristic society who is trying to find a woman he keeps dreaming of. He discovers that she may not actually exist, and his search leads him into a web of bureaucracy, corruption, and political intrigue. Along the way, he encounters a variety of strange characters, including his overbearing mother and a runaway terrorist. Brazil paints a bleak picture of a society that has been consumed by its own bureaucracy, and its themes will resonate with audiences in any era.

From Nicholas Meyer, starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan
Rated PG

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is an action-packed science fiction adventure set in the 23rd century. The film follows Admiral James T. Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise as they battle their old foe Khan Noonien Singh and his ship, the USS Reliant. After being exiled on the desolate planet Ceti Alpha V, Khan has sworn revenge on Kirk and intends to use the powerful weapon known as the Genesis Device to destroy him. Meanwhile, the crew of the Enterprise must find a way to stop Khan and protect the Federation from his sinister plans. With the help of Spock, Dr. McCoy, and the rest of the crew, Kirk embarks on a thrilling mission to save the galaxy.

From George Miller, starring Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Michael Preston, Max Phipps
Rated R

The Road Warrior follows protagonist Mad Max (Mel Gibson) as he battles a ruthless gang of motorcycle marauders in a post-apocalyptic Australian Outback. After a nuclear holocaust has left the world reduced to a desert wasteland, Max is drawn into a fight to protect a small refuelling station and its inhabitants from the marauders, who intend to take the station's fuel for themselves. Max eventually triumphs against the marauders, but at a heavy cost. The movie is a thrilling and action-packed portrayal of a broken world in which resources are scarce and survival is a hard-won victory.

From David Cronenberg, starring Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, John Getz, Joy Boushel
Rated R

The Fly is a 1986 science-fiction horror film directed by David Cronenberg. The movie stars Jeff Goldblum as Seth Brundle, a brilliant but eccentric scientist who accidentally fuses his DNA with that of a fly while demonstrating his teleportation machine. The fusion results in Seth becoming increasingly insect-like, both mentally and physically, as the fly's genes take over. As his transformation progresses, Seth is forced to struggle with his own humanity and the morality of his actions. With the help of his romantic interest, played by Geena Davis, Seth must confront the monster he has become before it's too late.

From Leonard Nimoy, starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan
Rated PG

From David Cronenberg, starring James Woods, Debbie Harry, Sonja Smits, Peter Dvorsky
Rated R

From John Carpenter, starring Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence
Rated R

From Michael Radford, starring John Hurt, Richard Burton, Suzanna Hamilton, Cyril Cusack
Rated R

From John Carpenter, starring Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Jaeckel
Rated PG

From Jack Sholder, starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Nouri, Claudia Christian, Clarence Felder
Rated R

From Terry Gilliam, starring Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, John Cleese, Katherine Helmond
Rated PG

From Randal Kleiser, starring Joey Cramer, Paul Reubens, Cliff De Young, Veronica Cartwright
Rated PG

From John Sayles, starring Joe Morton, Daryl Edwards, Rosanna Carter, Ray Ramirez
Rated R

From Wolfgang Petersen, starring Dennis Quaid, Louis Gossett Jr., Brion James, Richard Marcus
Rated PG-13

From Joe Dante, starring Dennis Quaid, Martin Short, Meg Ryan, Kevin McCarthy
Rated PG

From David Cronenberg, starring Jennifer O'Neill, Stephen Lack, Patrick McGoohan, Lawrence Dane
Rated R

From Steven Lisberger, starring Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, David Warner, Cindy Morgan
Rated PG