The 1980s were a pivotal time in the history ofscience fictionfilmmaking, with several iconic filmmakers rising to prominence and changing the form irrevocably. It was a time of huge technological advancements and increased budgets for studio blockbusters, ushering in a new era of sensationalized filmmaking that’s still happening today. Directors like Steven Spielberg and James Cameron were the pioneers of this, and much of this innovation happened in the sci-fi genre. Many of thebest sci-fi movies of all timewere made in the ‘80s, and they had a huge impact on the industry.
For many of these iconic films, it’s the opening scenes that immediately give away how impressive and immersive the rest of the project is going to be. The advancements in visual effects and filmmaking tricks allowed for some incredibly progressive set pieces, and many filmmakers would jump to include these right at the beginning in order to suck the audience right into the film. Eventhe most outlandish ‘80s sci-fi moviesused these techniques in their opening scenes, and many of them have lived on famously ever since.
10Aliens (1986)
Directed By James Cameron
James Cameron’sAliensis the immediate sequel to Ridley Scott’sAlien, following the exploits of Ellen Ripley as she’s employed to help save a terraforming colony from the deadly Xenomorphs that she’d previously encountered.The opening scene follows a salvage team as they work through the wreckage of Ripley’s space shuttle, succinctly reminding audiences of the events of the previous film while setting the scene for the sequel and providing some beautiful neon visuals to go alongside it.
9Back To The Future (1985)
Directed By Robert Zemeckis
Back to the Futurehas aged extremely well, and much of that comes down to the practical effects and timeless storytelling that Zemeckis employs to make his story stand out from the crowd. The opening scene is a perfect example of this, using a long tracking shot to introduce Doc’s scientific equipment without any words. It immediately sets the tone of the film, introduces some important plot devices, and gives the audience a good laugh when Marty is blown away by the enormous amplifier.
8Escape From New York (1981)
Directed By John Carpenter
Escape from New Yorkis a unique sci-fi film for its era, ditching the abstract scientific concepts for a much more grounded, action-packed adventure that just so happens to take place in a futuristic reality.The opening clearly sets the scene for this neon-soaked dystopia, providing an intriguing narration to get the audience up to speed before jumping straight into this prison island and dialing the action up to 11.
7Star Trek II - The Wrath Of Khan (1982)
Directed By Nicholas Meyer
TheStar Trekfranchise has been popular since long before the ‘80s, but this was the era in which it arguably reached its peak with one ofthe bestStar Trekmovies,The Wrath of Khan. The film’s story has been tackled several times throughout the franchise, but this is when it’s truly at its strongest. The opening scene is immediately gripping, presenting the main characters with an impossible problem as they’re forced to decide between their own safety and the survival of those they’re bound to protect.
6The Thing (1982)
Another John Carpenter classic,The Thingopens with an atmospheric scene that doesn’t give anything awayabout the story that’s to follow. The opening merely uses Carpenter’s eerie score and unsettling visuals to create that sense of horror and dread in the audience, giving nothing away about the film’s plot and simply following a chase between the helicopter team and a runaway sled dog.
5Blade Runner (1982)
Directed By Ridley Scott
Blade Runnerhas some of the most immersive and breathtaking world-building of any sci-fi movie from this era, and that’s apparent from the very first scene of the film.Ridley Scott uses the backdrop of his futuristic city to immediately place the audience in his world, allowing the rainy streets and neon skyscrapers to do the storytelling for him. It’s the pure confidence and lack of hand-holding that makesBlade Runnerone ofRidley Scott’s best movies, and it’s apparent right from the beginning.
4E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Directed By Steven Spielberg
One of the many reasons that Spielberg is such a captivating storyteller is his ability to make such complex, emotional narratives seem incredibly simple. He does this withE.T., using intentionally blurred direction and atmospheric music to create this ominous scene in the dark forests. He then briefly introduces the alien and shows him getting separated from his family; this one moment sets up the entire film.
3Akira (1988)
Directed By Katsuhiro Otomo
Akirais widely cited as thegreatest anime film ever made, and much of that comes down to its narrative simplicity. The story itself is nothing too complex or mind-bending, butthe gorgeous visuals and thematic density make it feel completely groundbreaking. The opening scene immediately sets the stakes by blowing up contemporary Tokyo and flashing forward thirty years, presenting the Tokyo of the future. It’s a brilliant way of introducing this futuristic setting without bogging the audience down with too much exposition.
2The Terminator (1984)
The Terminatoris another perfect example of setting the scene of a dystopian, futuristic world without spending too much time explaining the intricacies of the story. From the film’s opening shots of this decimated wasteland where robots shoot down humans and walk over their bodies, everything about the film’s central conflict between humanity and artificial intelligence is immediately clear.
1Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Directed By Irvin Kershner
The Empire Strikes Back’s opening fight on Hoth is undeniably one of thebest scenes in the entireStar Warsfranchise. Following the huge celebrations at the end ofA New Hope,this opening battle immediately brings the stakes back and puts the rebels in dangerwithout undoing any of their earlier victories, using the film’s immense budget to craft an intricate, well-choreographed fight sequence that has since become one of the series’ most recognizable scenes.
