Movies & Shows Like Starcrash for Sci-Fi Fans

Description: A psychedelic, sexually charged space fantasy with surreal visuals and a playful, irreverent tone, embracing its own absurdity and campiness.

Fact: Based on a French comic series, it was one of the first major sci-fi films to feature a female lead in a dominant, adventurous role. The opening zero-gravity striptease was achieved using carefully hidden wires.

Description: A bizarre, philosophical sci-fi film with surreal imagery, cryptic storytelling, and a mix of high-concept ideas and campy execution.

Fact: Sean Connery wore a red diaper and thigh-high boots for his role, a far cry from his James Bond persona. The film's title is a play on 'The Wizard of Oz,' reflecting its twisted take on fantasy.

Description: A dark, atmospheric space adventure with eerie visuals, a mysterious plot, and a blend of horror and sci-fi elements, often venturing into surreal territory.

Fact: Disney's first PG-rated film, marking a shift toward darker themes. The robot V.I.N.CENT was designed to resemble the popular robots from Star Wars, released two years earlier.

Description: A low-budget but ambitious space adventure with a ragtag crew, inspired by classic tales but filled with quirky characters and creative ship designs.

Fact: Produced by Roger Corman, known for his economical filmmaking. The spaceship designs were created by a young James Cameron, who later became a legendary director.

Description: A campy space adventure with vibrant visuals, over-the-top characters, and a mix of science fiction and fantasy elements, often embracing its own silliness.

Fact: The film's soundtrack was composed and performed by the rock band Queen. It was originally intended to be a much darker and serious adaptation but shifted to a more lighthearted tone during production.

Description: A fantasy-sci-fi hybrid with a heroic quest, strange creatures, and a mix of medieval and futuristic elements, often embracing its own eccentricities.

Fact: Features a unique weapon called the Glaive, a five-pointed throwing star. The film's ambitious effects and sets were costly, contributing to its box-office struggles.

Description: A visually dense, ambitious space epic with intricate world-building, mystical themes, and a mix of grand spectacle and oddball quirks.

Fact: David Lynch's version was heavily edited by the studio, leading to a confusing theatrical cut. The film's production design influenced many later sci-fi works, despite its initial mixed reception.

Description: A comedic space adventure filled with slapstick humor, bizarre alien creatures, and a satirical take on sci-fi tropes, often leaning into its own ridiculousness.

Fact: Features one of the most infamous and bizarre scenes in sci-fi comedy: a space herpes outbreak. The film's low budget led to creative, often hilarious solutions for special effects.

Description: A space opera blending action and adventure with a coming-of-age story, featuring a young hero thrust into an intergalactic conflict, complete with early CGI effects.

Fact: One of the first films to use extensive CGI for space battles, pioneering techniques later used in major blockbusters. The arcade game featured in the movie was a real, playable prototype.

Description: A parody of sci-fi classics, packed with slapstick humor, exaggerated characters, and a self-aware, meta approach to storytelling.

Fact: Mel Brooks' only foray into sci-fi parody. The film famously mocked its own merchandising with the line 'Merchandising, merchandising!' and even sold Spaceballs-branded products.