Altered States
D: Ken Russell (1980) 102m

Paddy Chayefsky was so disgusted with the film version of his novel that he had his name removed from the credits, which many critics agreed was a good move. The story revolves around a scientist (William Hurt) who is able to devolve into an ape using a think tank. Defined the look and feel of a host of movies to follow.

The Road Warrior
D: George Miller (1981) 96m

Australian action-fest with Mel Gibson reprising his role as post-apocalyptic tough guy Mad Max. The hero reluctantly helps a petrol-producing community fight off a gang of depraved nasties who want to swipe their stuff. Stunning visuals of a devastated future are the perfect backdrop for some of the wildest car stunts ever filmed.

Outland
D: Peter Hyams (1981) 109m

High Noon goes sci-fi when Sean Connery plays the new marshall in town - in this case a mining colony on one of Jupiter's moons. When miners inexplicably start going suicidally beserk, Marshall O'Neil tracks the problem to an amphetamine-pushing mine boss. Some hired guns show up and O'Neil is left to take them on alone.

Escape From New York
D: John Carpenter (1981) 99m

In a future where crime is out of control, Manhattan Island has been turned into a prison. After the President's plane is brought down by inmates, Kurt Russell tries his best to act like a nasty one-eyed convict tough-guy and reluctantly helps him to safety. Solid action flick that requires absolutely no deep thinking of any kind to enjoy.

Back to the Future
D: Robert Zemeckis (1985) 116m

An eccentric scientist played by Christopher Lloyd sends '80s teenager Marty McFly (Michael J Fox) back to the 1950s in a time-travelling luxury sports car. Marty inadvertently alters the life-paths of his parents and then has to set things right. The film gives a wonderful 1980s take on 1950s ideological viewpoints. Good family fun.

The Fly
D: David Cronenberg (1986) 100m

Gross-out master Cronenberg delivers a remarkably effective remake of the original 1958 classic. Affable but slightly off-beam scientist (Jeff Goldblum) tests a genetic matter transporter and ends up morphing into a human fly. Geena Davis plays his romantic interest and it becomes obvious that love doesn't always conquer all.

The Abyss
D: James Cameron (1989) 145m

Oil-rig divers with the right equipment try to help a team rescue a sunken nuclear sub. What they find is a lot of floating corpses, then a huge other-worldly neon jellyfish shows up to complicate matters. Big-budget special effects extravaganza with plenty of good old-fashioned interpersonal drama to keep things moving along.

Batman
D: Tim Burton (1989) 126m

The joyously camp Batman of the 1966-68 TV series was replaced by the "Dark Knight" of Gotham City in this faithful rendition of the caped crusader's evolution in contemporary DC Comics. Michael Keaton is appropriately moody and brooding in the lead role, but it is Jack Nicholson's Smilex-gassing Joker that steals the show.