Some of the most memorable science fiction and horror classics came from television series in the 1980s and 1990s! These programmes not only received widespread acclaim, but they also demonstrated that riveting, exciting tales did not require massive budgets. In truth, all that was required was a captivating subject and excellent writing.
However, despite having a unique narrative and an amazing cast, the series that we will discuss in depth in this video did not receive a second opportunity. So get ready for today’s video, when we’ll discuss 14 lost science fiction and horror television programmes from the 1980s and 1990s that deserved to be resurrected.
Monsters (1988)
Despite having launched in 1988, Richard P. Rubinstein and Mitchell Gallin’s syndicated horror anthology series still has an IMDb rating of 7.3. The narrative centres around a family of monsters that watch various horror movies every week on their television, which spans three seasons and 72 episodes.
The series opens with an aerial panorama of a middle-class suburban area, followed by a close-up of a father and daughter in front of an antique television. The mother, a horned Cyclops, enters the room with a food cart and declares that it is family time. Next, the daughter who is otherwise dressed in a dungaree is also revealed to be a horned Cyclops, one with green, molting hands.
As she uncovers the dish, she is remarkably excited to find her favorite candied critters. Soon, the mother and daughter make themselves comfortable and the father is revealed to be a potato-like humanoid with root-shaped, molting green hands.
The mother is overjoyed to see their favorite show, ‘Monsters’ being screened on TV. As the camera gives us a closer shot of the father’s face, his giggle transforms into a scary, high-bass chuckle and the title appears in bold, overwhelming the screen.
This series is one of the several shows from the 1980s that managed to capitalise on the anthology craze of the decade by creating its own wild version. Each episode is a stand-alone storey with dense fear, dark humour, and an ironic conclusion.
It also doesn’t skimp on the variety of terrifying monsters on display! ‘The Match Game’ from the first season, ‘Far Below’ from the second season, ‘The Hole,’ ‘The Waiting Game,’ and ‘The Waiting Room,’ all from the third season, merit special attention as some of the series’ greatest and most memorable episodes.
One of the show’s highlights has to be the celebrities that appeared as guest stars, many of whom went on to become major names. We are stressing on Matt LeBlanc who starred in the 8th episode of the third season named “Shave and a Haircut, Two Bites”; Chris Noth in Season 1 episode 22 titled “Satan in the Suburbs”; Lili Taylor in Season 2 episode 13 named “Habitat” and Steve Buscemi in the 14th episode of the second season, “Bed and Boar”.
There’s no denying that the show is a rare gem and Donald Rubinstein’s musical expertise takes it notches higher. Fans of the show and genre can only wonder why there wasn’t a fourth season. To witness this highly entertaining show fade into obscurity and without a reboot is truly heart-breaking!
Automan (1983)
Glen A. Larson conceived and produced this superhero series, which aired on ABC from 1983 to 1984 and had 12 spectacular episodes. The tale revolves around Walter Nebichar, a local police officer and computer whiz, whose superiors hold him in low regard, especially when it comes to his contributions to the department.
To guarantee that he is properly credited, Walter creates an AI crime-fighting software that looks, sounds, and is capable of leaving the computer domain at night to combat crime. While in the real world, Automan impersonates a government agent by the name of ‘Otto J. Mann’. This was a secret to all but Walter’s close associate, Roxanne Caldwell.
Walter was also capable of integrating with the Automan to emerge as a single person and battle crime in the city along with his sidekick, Cursor. Cursor was a floating, shifting polyhedron with the ability to draw and generate any object required. The duo at times even partnered up with Walter’s superiors, Lieutenant Jack Curtis and E. G. Boyd, who believed Automan to be a friend of Walter’s from the FBI.
This series is a genuine product of its time, and it can still captivate a wide range of fans across genres. Many of you may not realise it, but Larson based this series on Steven Lisberger’s 1982 sci-fi action-adventure film “Tron.”
Automan was the embodiment of the vintage 80s aesthetic, with a multitude of visual pleasures and a slew of exhilarating action moments. The featured automobiles have to be one of the series’ highlights. A modified Lamborghini Countach LP400 was on exhibit, capable of performing 90-degree bends without losing control.
It could even be overcome solely by strafing! On the other side, the Autochopper was a Bell Jet Ranger that could land almost anywhere. The event also included futuristic planes and motorcycles that were a visual pleasure. It would also be a shame not to notice Automan’s kicking outfit.
The retro reflective sheeting produced by 3M was the reason why the costume appeared to shine on screen. The sole fact that the Automan had the prowess of wrapping himself around Walter as a means of safeguarding him is commendable.
Coming back to the episodes featured, there were a total of 13 shot for the series but only 12 of them aired. As per the earlier reports, Automan was cancelled mostly because of its poor ratings and the usage of some rather expensive special effects. But thanks to the American Home Video and the music company, Shout!
Factory, the complete series was released; very much including the 13th episode along with some added bonus features in 2015. It’s disappointing that this charismatic sci-fi TV series only lasted 13 episodes and one can only wish that this short-lived forgotten treasure is brought back in a much-needed reboot!
Misfits of Science (1985)
Misfits of Science, created by James D. Parriott, began on NBC in 1985 and ran for 16 episodes until 1986. This heroic science fiction TV show followed the antics of a talented group of people against crime. Dr. Billy Hayes, a researcher at a scientific think tank who specialises in “human anomalies,” assembles the team.
The squad includes Dr. Elvin ‘El’ Lincoln, who is capable of shrinking down to nearly 11 inches; Gloria Dinallo, a telekinetic teen and Johnny Bukowski, a rock and roll musician who could conjure lightning bolts with his hands.
In France, the series was known as “Superminds”, in Germany as “Die Spezialisten unterwegs”, in Brazil as “Curto-Circuito”, and in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and the rest of Latin America as “Los Cientificos Rebeldes”.
The series benefited from the premise of having individuals that aren’t grounded in society, each with distinct, supernatural abilities, and who must learn to work together to overcome their weaknesses and embark on thrilling missions. From drama, action, suspense, wild humour, interesting characters, and one of the finest theme tunes ever recorded, the programme had it all.
‘Feels Like Science,’ by Karen Lawrence, will undoubtedly be stuck in your brain for a long time. Also, the evergreen Courtney Cox as Gloria gives another compelling reason to watch the series, with her unforgettable performance which was quite intense. Episodes such as ‘Deep Freeze’, ‘Twin Engines’, ‘Against All Oz’, ‘Grand Theft Bunny’ and ‘The Avenging Angel’ certainly deserve a good word, for being some of the best ones.
Sadly, just as the fans were awaiting a series revival, actor Dean Paul Martin who essayed the role of Dr. Billy Hayes, met with an unfortunate and untimely end, in a plane crash. Soon after this, Kevin Peter Hall who played the role of Dr. Elvin ‘El’ Lincoln also passed away due to worsened medical conditions, bringing all hopes for a reboot to a halt.
Darkroom (1981)
“You’re in a house,” says the narrator. ” Maybe your own… maybe one you’ve never seen before. You feel it, something evil. You run, but there’s no escape… nowhere to run. You feel something beckoning you… drawing you into the terror that awaits you in the Darkroom!”
Who can willingly forget James Coburn narrating this terrifyingly spooky opening sequence, which included a series of dolly views down a house’s halls to a safe-light darkroom in a tunnel beneath the stairs? Produced by Universal Television, this 1981 thriller anthology aired on ABC for a very brief span featuring just seven episodes.
With a running time of 60 minutes, every episode showcased two or more stories of varying lengths with an entirely new story and cast as well as Coburn hosting the wraparound segments in his signature style.
The double-billing episodes are without a doubt the series’ best point. The third episode, which includes the stories “Needlepoint” and “Siege of 31 August,” is particularly noteworthy. The first tale is about an elderly widow who uses voodoo to get revenge on a pimp who exploits her granddaughter from beyond the dead, while the second storey is about a Vietnam veteran turned farmer who gives his kid a military playset only to realise that the little toy soldiers are still alive.
It goes without saying that these stories were capable of terrifying even the most hardened of hearts. The series is spooky, fascinating, and most importantly, successful in all of its portions. The stories possess a pleasant variety in terms of tone and length, especially with the creative twists and turns and of course the climax!
Despite the show’s brief run, the stories featured were in fact so disturbing, that its terrifying impact remained with fans, even after 40 years. So, if you happen to be a fan of horror anthologies, there’s simply no reason for you not to get hooked onto this one. Go ahead, pick any episode of the “Darkroom” and give it a shot.
Who knows you might even end up binging the whole season and even wish for a reboot? Just don’t complain if you wind up having nightmares for the next couple of years. After all, you have been warned!
Perversions of Science (1997)
This science fiction/horror TV series, which aired on HBO in 1997 and produced 10 episodes, was treated more like a spin-off of the 1989 horror anthology series “Tales from the Crypt.” The series was presented by a very sexualized CGI female robot named Chrome, voiced by Maureen Teefy, and was based on William Gaines’ Weird Science.
With Chrome concluding every episode with a comment, and Danny Elfman’s spectacular theme song, it would not be wrong to point out that the format of the series bore a striking resemblance to William Gaines’ and Steven Todd’s “Tales from the Crypt”.
Each of the 10 episodes takes viewers on a journey to the edge of the unknown, where one’s certainty and verities transform into something horrible and unpredictable. Every episode, which lasted around half an hour, had something pleasantly odd about it. Consider the first episode, which was directed by Walter Hill and written by David S. Goyer.
The plot of ‘Dream of Doom’ revolved around Arthur Bristol, a 40-year-old childless, divorced college professor who couldn’t seem to get out of his nightmares. In fact, every time he thought he’d figured it out, he’d wake up in a new dream. We can’t say we blame him; the specifics of his visions appear to be astonishingly accurate.
It’s no wonder that he was losing his mind, unsure of the difference between what was real and what wasn’t. The mere thought of being trapped in a succession of nightmares and unable to wake up sends shivers down one’s spine. One of the other episodes that are remarkable is the sixth one, ‘Planely Possible’, directed by Russell Mulcahy and written by Peter Atkins.
The narrative revolves around a man whose wife is murdered and he decides to mourn in a bar.That’s when he learns about the multiple-universe theory and a machine that was capable of leading him to a different reality, one where his wife may still be alive. No wonder, he offers himself up as the guinea pig of the test.
Although he is strictly cautioned not to interfere with the alternate timeline, he ends up doing what he is told not to and the real story begins. Surely an episode to remember and a series that deserves a reboot! One can only keep their fingers crossed.
Tales from the Darkside (1983)
“Man lives in the sunlit world of what he believes to be reality.
But… there is, unseen by most, an underworld, a place that is just as real, but not as brightly lit… a dark side.”
Tales from the Darkside, directed by George A. Romero, has been on the big screen for 38 years. But a brief listen to Paul Sparer’s unsettling beginning, accompanied by Donald Rubinstein’s equally unsettling entrance music, and you’re back at square one. Oh! It was the most terrifying opening theme I’d ever heard!
One with shots of a forest and countryside that eventually become a negative image as the foreboding title appears on screen in dripping bold red letters. This series can be remembered as the best horror chapter ever created, including aspects of horror, fantasy, science fiction, and even dark humour to some level.
It starts off with a pilot episode back in 1983 and showed how it wasn’t afraid of delving into unknown realms. No wonder the series spawned about 89 thrilling episodes, spanning across four seasons from 1984 to 1988. Every episode ended with an equally disturbing voice over by none other than Sparer himself – “The dark side is always there, waiting for us to enter… waiting to enter us. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.”
“Tales from the Darkside” has unquestionably some of the most terrifying episodes ever. The fact that each episode had a twist added to the intrigue. ‘Inside the Closet’ and ‘Anniversary Dinner’ from the first season, ‘Halloween Candy’, ‘The Devil’s Advocate’, ‘Ursa Minor’ and ‘The Last Car’ from the second season, ‘Seasons of Belief’ and ‘The Geezenstacks’ from the third season, and ‘Sorry, Right Number’ from the fourth season are categorically some of the best chapters, chapters that continue to terrify to this day.
Right from the engrossing script, the quick pace, the healthy dose of imagination in the exceedingly unsettling sinister atmosphere, everything works well when it comes to spooking out the audience. Given that the series never really made a reboot although we feel that they should have, we’d suggest you to watch these episodes right away to revive some rather nostalgic nightmares.
Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future (1987)
The 1987 Canadian-American sci-fi action film, created by Gary Goddard and Tony Christopher, combined live action with animation based on computer-generated graphics, resulting in 22 highly entertaining episodes. The story is set on 22nd century Earth, following a cybernetic revolt known as the Metal Wars, which leads to the human race’s subjugation by sentient machines.
Captain Jonathan Power along with a small team of guerilla fighters who address themselves as the ‘Soldiers of the Future’ battle against Lord Dredd, the dreaded ruler of the new world and his Bio-Dreads.
The latter are Dredd’s monstrous machine creations known to hunt down human survivors and digitize them. Power and his soldiers form the most powerful fighting force with a mission to protect all life and end the lord’s tyrannical rule.
For a variety of reasons, the series is still remembered. To begin with, it was the first television show to combine live action, CGI, and digital effects. Next, the idea of morphing into an armoured hero utilising a codeword and body language worked nicely for the series.
Third, what was billed as a children’s programme really appealed to young adults as well — you can’t dispute that the tone and content of the plot were mature. Fourth, how do you recall Jessica Steen’s portrayal of Corporal Jennifer ‘Pilot’ Chase, the key female protagonist? Who knows how many of them had a thing for her!
Lastly, episodes such as ‘Flame Street’, ‘Gemini and Counting’, ‘And Madness Shall Reign’, ‘Judgement’ and ‘A Summoning of Thunder, Part II’ were conclusively the top episodes of the series. All these make one wonder why a show with infinite potential and an incredible creative force, lasted barely a period of just seven months?
However, fans of the series were excited when plans to bring the series back, set 28 years after the events of the first series was declared in July, 2016 with co-creator Gary Goddard’s Goddard Film Group being one of the development teams of the new series. One can only wait and while you do, why not re-watch the episodes and take that trip down memory lane?
The Stand (1994)
This 1994 television post-apocalyptic horror mini-series, commonly known as Stephen King’s “The Island,” is based on Stephen King’s 1978 post-apocalyptic, dark fantasy novel The Stand. The tale revolves around a top-secret government facility in rural California that mistakenly releases a weaponized version of influenza, with the script written by King himself and directed by Mick Garris.
The majority of the world’s population dies as a result of this. The remaining survivors begin having visions of either the kindly Mother Abagail or the demonic ‘Dark Man’ Randall Flagg. The dreams respectively direct the survivors to travel either to Nebraska to meet Abagail or to Las Vegas to join hands with Flagg.
With the story following various people, we as viewers begin to realize that the two figures represent the essential forces of good and evil and the platform is set for an ultimate face-off between the representatives of each.
The mini-series was shot in many locations and on as many as 225 sets, with a cast of more than 125 speaking characters. You’ll be astonished to learn that each of the four episodes was allocated a $6 million budget, and The Stand was shot entirely on 16mm film to save money.
This series may be described as a tour de force, demonstrating how a solid plot combined with a talented ensemble can achieve incredible results. The musical composition by W. G. Snuffy Walden puts this series in a whole new light, and seeing the characters bring so much emotion and reality to the narrative is nothing short of a delight.
For instance, the characters featured are regular human beings with their set of problems but to see them grow into who they want to be makes you connect with them. When they die, we as the audience feel their loss.
The series boasts an outstanding cinematography work by Edward J. Pei and his work is bound beguile you. A two time recipient of the Primetime Emmy Awards, one for makeup and one for sound mixing, us fans can’t help but wish for a reboot!
Manimal (1983)
The 1983 action-adventure television series Dr. Jonathan Chase, created by Glen A. Larson and Donald R. Boyle, followed a shape-shifter named Dr. Jonathan Chase. While battling criminals, he could physically shift into whatever animal he wished. Only two people knew about it: Brooke Mackenzie, a police detective, and Jonathan’s friend Ty Earl.
Jonathan frequently transformed into a hawk and a black panther during the eight-episode series. Also, in some cases he would transform into animals like horse, dolphin, bear and even bull but with the transformation taking place off-screen.
However, the sixth episode, ‘Scrimshaw’ put on display a new transformation scene, where Jonathan was shown becoming a snake. Well, we have the late Stan Winston to give credits to, for designing and creating such ornate transformation scenes.
Manimal had a diverse guest cast, including Robert Englund, Ursula Andress, Lloyd Bochner, Richard Lynch, and Terry Kiser, among others. Even the series’ protagonist, the late Simon MacCorkindale, was immaculate in every way. He’s the reason this series worked, and despite the fact that it was short-lived, it was a joy to have him keep us glued to the television.
Yes, the narrative was corny and at times ludicrous, but we’re talking about the 1980s, so that’s to be expected. When it came to the transformation sequences, prosthetic make-up and mechanical effects were used to achieve the desired results.
To see him change into an animal, with the veins in his hands swelling up and the breathing sounds that signaled that he’s about to transform, Jonathan Chase was in a whole new mood. Well, it’s a shame that this series generated only eight episodes and there wasn’t more to relish. It’s high time that fans of the series actually compose a petition for a remake! There’s no reason not to pick up this precious slice of the 80s fun and turn it into a reboot!
American Gothic (1995)
Caleb Temple and the area’s corrupt local sheriff, Lucas Buck, star in Shaun Cassidy’s horror series set in the fictional town of Trinity, South Carolina. The sheriff, who appears to be charming and personable on the surface, is actually a murdering rapist who uses demonic abilities to manipulate people into making bad decisions.
Caleb, on the other hand, is Buck’s biological son, and Buck raped his mother in front of Caleb’s older sister, Merlyn. Buck slaughtered Merlyn and even drove Caleb’s “father” to commit suicide in order to get rid of Caleb’s family and claim him as his own kid in the pilot episode.
But things take a different turn when the new in town Dr. Crower starts probing deeper into the deaths of Merlyn and Merlyn’s father and with the aid of Caleb’s cousin, Gail Emory, struggles to stop Buck from fiddling with the young Caleb. They are also helped by Merlyn’s ghost who keeps appearing before Caleb to keep him away from Buck.
American Gothic, which now has an IMDb rating of 8.1, produced 22 engrossing episodes. Those who have yet to watch this show, from the main tale to episodes like ‘Damned If You Don’t,’ ‘Meet the Beetles,’ and ‘Strong Arm of the Law,’ are certainly missing out on a genuine treat. Those who have seen it can’t deny that it was way ahead of its time.
The combination was genuinely spectacular, with Gary Cole as the enigmatic, wicked sheriff and a youthful Lucas Black as Caleb Temple giving outstanding performances. Sarah Paulson’s portrayal as Caleb’s older sister, Merlyn, added to the intensity of the film.
Also, Sam Raimi’s production values were marvelous, along with special effects that were shockingly pleasing even for a network show. The storyline was an exception and there was tension in almost every scene.
The fact that the entire tone was intentionally kept dark, one that was aided with an unsettling atmosphere, eventually made it a cult show. No wonder, fans of the show just can’t stop talking about it even after 26 years. American Gothic will inevitably remain one of the most memorable TV shows to have graced the TV screen and we hate the fact that a show like this never had a reboot!
SeaQuest 2032 (1993)
By the middle of the twenty-first century, mankind had conquered the seas and established the United Earth Oceans Organization (UEO), which was backed up by a military force. Following the loss of his wife, retired navy captain Nathan Bridger goes to a distant island to research dolphins.
After an attempt is made to take over the UEO’s most powerful undersea vessel, the seaQuest DSV, Nathan, an original designer of the high-tech submarine is persuaded to return to the navy, take charge of it, maintain peace and explore the last frontier on Earth.
The sci-fi TV series starring Rockne S. O’Bannon aired on NBC for three seasons and 57 episodes. Many of you may not be aware that, after expressing interest in the series, Steven Spielberg worked as one of the show’s executive producers for the first two seasons. Even after 28 years, it’s difficult to ignore John Debney’s opening theme music.
Everything about this series was tremendously fascinating, from the compelling idea to the great acting, the on-screen characters, the script, and the production design. Of course, the first season was the greatest of the three, although the second season did introduce a new character who was rather fascinating.
We are talking about Peter DeLuise as Dagwood, a prototype of the genetically engineered life form who served primarily as seaQuest’s guardian. Exploring oceans has always been an exhilarating idea and when it comes to science fiction, the genre gives you great imagination.
This series does exactly that and proves itself as another show that was way ahead of its time. Also, you just can’t miss out on episodes like ‘To Be or Not to Be’, ‘Abalon’ and ‘Sympathy for the Deep’. It’s truly episodes like these that make me dream of a re-launch!
Ghost Stories (1997)
“Come with me to a place of wondrous contradictions. A place that is silent and unstirring yet restless and alive. A place of untold peace and boundless dread. Come with me into the very cradle of darkness, where those who dwell, dwell alone.” – Is it possible that no one will ever forget Rip Torn’s unsettling opening segment? The 1997 horror anthology created 44 terrifying episodes, each of which began with Torn’s terrifying prologue before delving into the narrative.
Ghost Stories, like most other syndicated shows at the time, was allocated a terrible time slot and received little media attention. This missed, underappreciated gem contained not just spooky but also serious and thought-provoking stories. ‘Cold In The Grave,’ ‘Personal Demons,’ ‘All Night Diner,’ ‘Green-Eyed Monster,’ ‘At Death’s Door,’ ‘It’s Only A Movie,’ ‘Consumers,’ ‘You’ll Wake The Dead,’ and ‘Winner Takes All’ were among the most popular episodes.
The show had top-notch camera work, high production values and engrossing stories that were ingeniously scary. A lot of people evaluate Ghost Stories to be a cut above the 1983 “Tales from the Darkside”. It’s disheartening that there was neither a second season nor a reboot.
Space Rangers (1993)
The year is 2104, and the Earth Colony Fort Hope is struggling to survive on Avalon, a faraway planet. A tiny unit of police known as the Space Ranger Corps serves as the colonists’ main line of defence against crimes and risks associated with interplanetary travel.
Pen Densham’s futuristic science fiction drama premiered on CBS back in 1993 but unfortunately, the adventures of the Space Ranger Corps lasted for just six episodes.
The show’s stability, unassuming appeal, funny dialogue delivery, exciting space adventures, and well-thought-out characters made it an immediate cult phenomenon, led by an ensemble of some truly talented performers. They’d be sent on missions to combat aliens, criminals, and a variety of other challenges plaguing the colony.
We know it’s been 28 years, but Hans Zimmer’s fantastic, hammering opening theme tune still reverberates in our minds. Also, the new galaxies and planets not only broadened the show but also added to its uniqueness.
Even the special effects featured were actually of good quality given the time period. So, of course, the fans were highly disappointed when the show got cancelled. A series with so much potential deserved a lot more than just six episodes. We really could use a show like Space Rangers right about now and I’m not giving up hopes for a reboot of this one either!
Alien Nation (1989)
A flying saucer crashed into the Mojave Desert near Los Angeles in 1990. The Tenctonese, a species of extraterrestrial slaves trained to be highly clever and powerful by the ruthless Overseer race, were discovered to be its residents. These Tenctonese, also known as ‘Newcomers,’ appeared to be humanoid in appearance, but with certain physical variations.
They were eventually accepted as immigrants in the U.S. One of them is a police detective called George Francisco who’s partnered with a human detective called Matthew Sikes. The duo fight crime together, while learning to respect each other’s culture and questioning their own at the same time. They also fight against prejudices, as exemplified by the Purists, and fear of the unseen Overseers, who attempt to reclaim control over their slaves.
This science fiction cop TV series, created by Kenneth Johnson, was based on Graham Baker’s 1988 buddy-cop, neo-noir, sci-fi action film Alien Nation. It had 22 episodes. While the series’ idea may have appeared impossible to some, what’s astonishing is how well it managed to pull it off with such realism, making the whole thing appear believable.
But the fact that the series manages to transport you out of your own reality and into a universe filled with compelling narratives, valuable teachings, amusing characters, and, of course, exciting fighting – it’s a complete mood in itself.
Each episode is moving and amusing. As the series unfolds, it was rather enriching to watch people overcoming their flaws and differences to get along and thrive on Earth together. There are a multitude of lessons that can be learnt from this highly underrated sci-fi series here and one can’t put together a commonsensical reason why it lasted for just a single season!