There are so many classics from each decade that are timeless and hold up better than most newer movies. But where it's easy for period dramas and gangster movies to become iconic, sci-fi flicks have a harder time remaining relevant. As most of them feature poorly-aged visual effects and silly narratives, very few sci-fi movies stand the test of time, and even The Matrix's effects look a little ropey by today's standards.
But just because they're cheesy doesn't mean they don't have potential. There are tons of sci-fi properties lying dormant just waiting to be remade. Between a despised Marvel movie, a quarterback in space, and "the worst movie ever made," there's so much cheesiness just waiting to be turned into something great.
Flash Gordon (1980)
Though the movie came after the 1977 classic, it was the comic strip of Flash Gordon that influenced Star Wars, so it wasn't long until the space opera was adapted after A New Hope's success. The 1980 adaptation of the comic was a fun, light-hearted spin on the character. But while it is a classic, it still comes off a little dated.
The movie is hammy and over-the-top theatrical, which is also why many people love it, but the source material deserves a great and cinematic retelling of the story. There is actually a Flash Gordon remake in development, and it has none other than Taika Waititi at the helm.
Masters Of The Universe (1987)
Movies based on toys don't have a great reputation, whether it's Transformers or Battleship. They often have narratives that are stretched so thin that it's almost as if there was never any narrative based on the characters to begin with. But Masters of the Universe has rich lore and the world is so detailed.
The movie has found a huge fanbase in the 30+ years since its release. And that's because of how detailed the setting is and how much depth there is to characters' backstories. If a remake was thrown into production, it could make for one of the most entertaining sci-fi action movies of recent times. Skeletor has the potential to be an iconic movie villain up there with the likes of Darth Vader and Joker too.
Critters (1986)
Not many people will have heard of Critters, as the 1986 movie wasn't a massive hit upon release and it hasn't built a huge fanbase since, but that's part of why it should be remade. The film is too unique to just disappear into obscurity. The movie is based on creatures that are similar to Gremlins both in their appearance and their behavior, but Critters is much more tongue in cheek.
There was a reboot in 2019 called Critters Attack, but it was critically scathed and completely missed the mark about what made the original so special. Where the original Critters bordered on parody, the remake lacked that campy fun. But a new reboot could reimagine the comedy in inventive new ways.
The Blob (1958)
The Blob is B-movie 50s sci-fi at its finest. The movie is about a giant alien amoeba that devours anything in its path and grows to the size of a small American town. It's one of the most famous 50s sci-fi flicks, and it's known for featuring Steve McQueen's first major role.
Though McQueen elevates the material with his first of many incredible performances, it's still one of the foundations of corny science fiction cinema. There was a remake 30 years later, but it changed the story completely by making the blob a product of a government experiment gone wrong instead of an alien life form. A new reboot should be produced that's more faithful to the original.
Attack Of The 50-Foot Woman (1958)
Just like The Blob, the premise of Attack of the 50-Foot Woman is simple but eye-catching. And because there wasn't much of a compelling narrative in the original, a sequel could expand on the source material and turn it into something more exciting and thrilling.
The closest there has been to a remake of the classic is when it was referenced in Dude, Where's My Car. The 2000s stoner movie intertwined dumb jokes with sci-fi, as a 50-foot woman caused destruction in the climax of the story. But a proper remake of the movie could work well today.
Forbidden Planet (1956)
Forbidden Planet is actually a great movie. The scope and scale of the film, and even its social commentary, is what made Forbidden Planet feel ahead of its time. But it still suffers from the same problems as all the other movies. It's still cheesy and the special effects will make any viewer laugh when watching today.
With so many technically proficient directors working now, any one of them could elevate the 65-year-old movie into something special. In the hands of Christopher Nolan or Denis Villeneuve, who appears to be the greatest sci-fi director of this generation, the movie could be turned into a sci-fi epic.
Plan 9 From Outer Space (1957)
Plan 9 From Outer Space is often regarded as the worst movie of all time, and the making of it is well documented in the Tim Burton biopic Ed Wood, which is about the titular eccentric writer and director. However, as bad as it is, there are a lot of great ideas in it.
As outrageous as it sounds, the movie's narrative of extraterrestrials attempting to stop humanity from creating a doomsday device that could destroy the universe is oddly relevant. With so much war and nuclear weapons that could be detonated at any time, a Plan 9 From Outer Space could be shockingly dramatic and could play out like an episode of Black Mirror.
Soylent Green (1973)
There's a lot going on in Soylent Green, as the movie is as much a police procedural as it is a sci-fi flick. It's also another movie that's heavy on social commentary too, as the Earth's oceans are dying and there's year-round humidity because of the greenhouse effect.
It leads to one of the most interesting and unique sci-fi movies of the 70s, but the effects and the performances keep the film from being an all-timer. As the movie tackles overpopulation, pollution, and poverty, it's a potential remake that could have a lasting effect on audiences.
Howard The Duck (1986)
Of all the Marvel characters that exist, it's hilarious that Howard the Duck was the very first of them to get their own movie. The film was nonsensical and the physical appearance of the titular character was hilarious. And as cheesy as it was, Howard The Duck was much darker than advertised.
However, Howard the Duck has been making some cheeky appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He's in the post-credits scene in Guardians of the Galaxy, and he's in the final battle in Avengers: Endgame. In each appearance, he is animated and it actually looks impressive. So here's to hoping that he'll eventually get a solo movie in the universe.
Logan's Run (1976)
One year before Star Wars changed the world with its special effects, Logan's Run was somewhat of a landmark in visual effects too. In that regard, for its time, the movie looked spectacular, but it's still a time capsule for everything cheesy about the 70s, and that's hard to overlook when watching it. The movie has such a great premise, as people are killed when they turn 30 so the consumption of resources can be maintained, and it'd make for an exhaustingly scary sci-fi flick in today's landscape.
According to Hollywood Reporter, a remake of Logan's Run has been in development hell for years now, and at this rate, it's looking like it'll unfortunately never see the light of day. At one point, Alex Garland was attached to write the remake, which would have made for a fascinatingly darker film, as the writer is responsible for Ex Machina and Annihilation.