With classic films like Back to the Future setting the highest specifications for 1980s sci-fi, many great movies from the generation that did n’t reach comparable theater hills were given the little funds they deserved. The creativity and innovation that went into 1980s sci- vector also transformed the entire film industry and time travel films were never left behind. Movies like The Final Countdown and Timerider, which were n’t quick hits when they were released, have continued to gain popularity in recent years as more people are beginning to appreciate the beauty of 20th-century imagination. These underappreciated 80s moment travel movies have received the credit they deserve in forums like IMDB thanks to the rise in demand for traditional gems from the century. For a modern audience wishing to travel back in time, the attraction from the past has to be something more than a typical time travel narrative, which is why these films have earned a cultic following for their eccentric stories and impressive cinematography that makes them feel like they were way ahead of their time…Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann ( 1982 ) While testing a new bike, Lyle Swann ( Fred Ward ), a dirtbike racer, strays into the field of a time travel experiment in the desert and is thrust back in time, finding himself in November 1877. The obstinate horse is initially blinded by a group of criminals who would really like to give their hands on the great ride from the future until he is set upon by one of them. As Swann adjusts to his new truth, he finds shelter in San Marcos, where he must now find a way to protect the city from the criminals and survive long enough for the scientists to save him. Directed by William Dear, Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann has all fans may expect from a traditional Western, while also telling the intriguing history of a period traveler. Despite having a low rating, the movie features strong action scenes and Fred Ward’s charismatic performance that awakens the character. The intricately written film is balanced by the blending of romance, crime, and sci-fi, making it a worthy cult classic. My Science Project ( 1985 ) Michael Harlan ( John Stockwell ) has nothing to submit for his final science project, so he breaks into a government aircraft boneyard and steals a strange- looking globe hoping to use it to impress his teachers. When he plugs the globe into a power source, he discovers that it has strange abilities, including causing time travel and drying up the power grid. His project, which causes chaos in his hometown and school, turns out to be alien technology. This is a coming- of- age comedy with a touch of Sci- Fi that transcends the traditional premise of time travel films to tell the human story. My Science Project, which was directed by Jonathan R. Betuel, offers a humorous perspective on time travel. The film’s unusual premise and endearing characters make it a fun watch for people of all ages, which explains its enduring appeal. With its blend of adventure, humor, and nostalgia for 1980s high school culture, the film offers a delightful trip down memory lane. A serial killer traveling through time takes the concept of dark humor and time travel to a whole new level, which explains why Trancers is now a franchise. Serial killers still make the most dreaded villains in TV and movies. In this case, Martin Whistler ( Michael Stefani), a 23rd-century criminal mastermind who discovers a way to turn people into conceited killers known as Trancers, whom he wants to use to use to end humanity, is the serial killer. When his evil plans are thwarted by the relentless detective Jack Deth ( Tim Thomerson ) the serial killer uses a special drug to travel back in time to 1985 to continue his reign of terror, but Jack Deth wo n’t let him off that easily. Trancers, which was directed by Charles Band, incorporates time travel and zombies into its action-packed plot, keeping a straightforward plot interesting. In addition, despite having a low IMDb rating, the movie has gained a cult following over the years, which is praised for its imaginative plot and entertaining acting. With its blend of gritty noir elements, futuristic dystopia, and time travel shenanigans, the film offers a unique and enjoyable experience for viewers craving a dose of 1980s nostalgia. Peggy Sue Got Married ( 1986 ), starring a young Nicolas Cage and Kathleen Turner, is the comedic tale of the 43-year-old Peggy Sue who plans to divorce her cheating husbands but feels trapped and regrets the choices she made in her teenage years. Peggy collapses while attending her high school reunion party and is taken aback. She is given the chance to go back in time and make better decisions all over again. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, this charming romantic comedy offers a whimsical take on the time travel genre. One of Cage and Turner’s best romantic comedy performances can be found in Peggy Sue Got Married. The movie offers a delightful blend of humor and sentimentality that a modern classics fan will enjoy thanks to its nostalgic 1950s setting, witty dialogue, and heartfelt exploration of regret and second chances. The Final Countdown ( 1980 ) Filmed on the real- life aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, The Final Countdown tells the story of sailors and a civilian observer on the nuclear- powered aircraft carrier that gets sucked back in time to December 7, 1941, just a day before the Pearl Harbor attack, while on a training exercise. The commanders and the sailors are torn between changing history by preventing the most devastating attack on US soil in WWII and allowing history to take its course after learning that the Japanese fleet intended to attack the US fleet. The Final Countdown, Don Taylor’s final movie, was a great way to signal out for the talented director because it features an epic blend of action and historical drama. Its impressive special effects and suspenseful storyline keep viewers hooked as they present the thrill of an epic war film as well as a travel drama. The movie looks at the moral ambiguities and the effects of changing history. The group of villagers from 14th-century England who are tunneling through the earth on a mission to make a sacrifice and save the world from the Black Death are unintentionally transported to modern-day New Zealand in The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey ( 1988 ). Struggling to comprehend their new surroundings, the villagers embark on a quest to find a way back home, all this time, relying on the visions of a “gifted boy” called Connor ( Bruce Lyons ). It is a visually stunning movie that seamlessly combines elements of fantasy and science fiction to create a feel that is both way ahead of its time and retains the charm of black-and-white cinema. The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey won numerous awards in Australia and New Zealand for its controversial plot and eccentric acting, but it is only now receiving international recognition as evidenced by its rising IMDB ratings. Flight of the Navigator ( 1986 ) While walking through the woods to pick up his little brother on July 4, 1978, 12- year- old David Freeman stumbles into a canyon and disappears, only to reappear eight years later, having not aged a single day. A study conducted by NASA scientists reveals that David was abducted by aliens who took him to a strange planet and used him as part of a human experiment. David’s time with the aliens turns out to have had more impact on humanity’s future than was previously believed, and his encounters with them are not at all over. Directed by Randal Kleiser, Flight of the Navigator has become a cult classic over the years with Disney announcing that its remake is in the works. One of the first Hollywood movies to employ CGI, producing impressive visual effects that set it apart from other Sci-Fi movies from the 1980s. The movie is still a favorite among classic film fans thanks to its heartwarming themes of friendship and self-discovery. Time Bandits ( 1981 ) Time Bandits is a Terry Gilliam cult classic that has earned a top spot in the fantasy comedy genre over the years because of its innovative approach to telling a time travel story. A group of time-traveling dwarves who have stolen a time-space map from their boss, known as the Supreme Being, are the subject of the movie, a young history nerd named Kevin. Kevin also has the chance to meet legends like Robin Hood and King Agamemnon while reliving some of his best historical moments, including the Napoleonic Wars and the Titanic. However, his fun trip threatens to ruin his life back in 1981 as the stolen map catches the interest of a villain known as Evil. Despite having a moderate IMDB rating, fans of Time Bandits continue to enjoy its witty humor and creative storytelling. The film offers a thought-provoking exploration of themes like greed, mortality, and the nature of reality that still captivates a contemporary audience with its blend of adventure, satire, and philosophical undertones. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home ( 1986 ) Directed by Leonard Nimoy, The Voyage Home is one of the most overlooked Star Trek films as far as ratings go, but it features one of the most captivating storylines with unconventional humor that many people are beginning to appreciate. The USS Enterprise crew travels back in time to 20th-century Earth to protect the planet from an alien probe in this movie. Due to the dedication of the crew of The Challenger Space Shuttle, this movie holds a special place in history. Environmentalism is at the center of the film’s message as the main story rotates around preventing the villains from contacting Humpback whales which are extinct in the year 2286 when the movie is set. Its contemporary themes and engaging plot make it a standout addition to the series. One of the few things that time travel movies can depict is a romantic relationship that transcends time itself, and That is exactly what Somewhere in Time does. The film follows Richard Collier ( Christopher Reeve ) who becomes obsessed with the photo of the actress Elise McKenna ( Jane Seymour ) while residing at The Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island, Michigan. Collier thinks that the woman is his life’s true love, and he must travel back in time to 1912 to see her. Collier manages to manifest himself back in time to the actress with the aid of an old pocket watch and some self-hypnosis, but their romance is n’t as straightforward as he had hoped. Also starring Christopher Plummer, Somewhere in Time is a timeless romantic classic in which the chemistry between Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve is intoxicating. Later, Seymour acknowledged that she fell in love with Reeve on the set of the movie, but that their relationship did n’t end as such as it is with their characters. The movie continues to captivate audiences decades after its initial release with its timeless themes of love, longing, and destiny. SEE ALSO: 10 Most Underrated Sci- Fi Movies of the 1980sWhat 80s time travel movies are worthy of a spot on this list? Let us know via @FlickeringMyth …Billy Oduory on our social media accounts.
