The year 1986 remains a landmark period for science fiction cinema, offering a diverse array of films that range from high-stakes action to experimental storytelling. As we reach the 40th anniversary of these releases, it is worth looking back at the films that defined the genre during that era.

Quick Facts

  • Aliens: Directed by James Cameron, this sequel earned Sigourney Weaver an Academy Award nomination.
  • Highlander: Features an iconic soundtrack by Queen, including "Princes of the Universe."
  • Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home: The plot involves the crew traveling back to 1986 to save humpback whales.
  • Short Circuit: Introduced the character Johnny 5, who became a pop-culture icon for his sentient machine portrayal.

The Top 10 Sci-Fi Films of 1986

The 1986 film slate provided a mix of massive blockbusters and overlooked thrillers. The following titles are recognized for their lasting influence on the genre:

  1. Aliens: Redefined the action sequel with a focus on survival against the xenomorph hive.
  2. Highlander: A definitive story of immortals battling across centuries.
  3. The Fly: Jeff Goldblum stars in this blend of science fiction, horror, and tragedy.
  4. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home: A mission to save the future by visiting 1980s San Francisco.
  5. Big Trouble in Little China: A John Carpenter classic that plays with traditional action hero tropes.
  6. The Manhattan Project: An overlooked thriller that captured Cold War anxieties.
  7. Short Circuit: A notable early exploration of sentient artificial intelligence.
  8. Flight of the Navigator: A family-oriented adventure featuring an early role for Sarah Jessica Parker.
  9. Black Moon Rising: A high-tech espionage film written by John Carpenter.
  10. Howard the Duck: A Lucasfilm production that embraced its own absurdity to become a cult favorite.

While 1986 was a year of specific technological limitations—before the ubiquity of cell phones and social media—the sci-fi output from this period has largely aged well, maintaining a significant footprint in pop culture four decades later.