12 Most Underrated 1980s Sci-Fi Movies

This critically panned box office flop from the hands of Michael Crichton is absolutely not as bad as has been made out. While the promotional trailers for the film did a woeful job of advertising the film's story arc, there is actually a stack of decent ideas here that are, like many entries on this list, years ahead of its time. The movie stars Albert Finney as Dr. Larry Roberts, a plastic surgeon for the stars whose clients start dying in mysterious fashion.

The film is good fun and actually has a fair bit to say, serving as an allegory for the modern day modelling industry. The antagonist of the film sees the legendary James Coburn take on the role of John Reston, the chief executive of Digital Matrix research firm, who are using everything in their power to create 'the perfect female body' for their models. The firm's techniques have an eery parallel with photoshopping methods of today, while the focus on making the 'perfect' female figure when the models are already stunning is an extremely resonant message.

The film does dissolve into cliches at times, especially when Dr. Roberts becomes a murder suspect and the introduction of the 'LOOKER' gun. The finale is delightfully bonkers, with Dr. Roberts involved in a shootout to the death with the villainous Resden that unfolds on the set of one of Digital Matrix's advertising campaigns, in front of a live audience!