The 80s gave us blockbuster juggernauts like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Back to the Future, but not every franchise managed to stick the landing. Some burned bright and then faded, while others never really caught fire to begin with. Yet, in their moment, these movie series felt like they could be the next big thing. They brought excitement to the big screen and left us wondering why they never lived up to their potential—or just quietly vanished without a trace. Let’s revisit 13 forgotten movie franchises from the 80s that made a splash before disappearing into the cinematic ether.
1. The NeverEnding Story
This fantastical tale of Atreyu, Falkor, and the world of Fantasia felt like pure childhood magic. The original movie in 1984 was a hit, but the sequels—released in 1990 and 1994—never recaptured the same wonder. It’s ironic that something called “never-ending” fizzled out, but we’ll always have Bastian’s triumphant yell echoing in our memories.
2. Short Circuit
Who didn’t love Johnny 5, the adorable robot who just wanted to be alive? The first movie in 1986 charmed audiences, and the 1988 sequel had its moments, but the franchise quietly powered down after that. Fans were left wondering why Hollywood never recharged Johnny’s batteries for another adventure.
3. Flight of the Navigator
This 1986 sci-fi adventure had everything: a cool alien spaceship, a time-travel twist, and a touching story about a boy out of time. It felt like the start of something bigger, but no sequels ever materialized. For fans, its disappearance felt like losing a little piece of the future we were promised.
4. The Last Starfighter
This 1984 cult favorite gave us the dream of every arcade kid: being recruited by aliens to save the galaxy! It was thrilling, groundbreaking with its early CGI, and ripe for more. Yet, despite talk of sequels or reboots, the story of Alex Rogan’s intergalactic adventures ended as quickly as it began.
5. Gremlins
Sure, Gremlins isn’t forgotten, but the franchise feels like it was prematurely abandoned. The 1984 original was a dark holiday classic, and Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990) hilariously poked fun at sequels. Then, nothing. Fans of Gizmo and his mischievous counterparts were left clutching their popcorn in disappointment.
6. The Dark Crystal
Jim Henson’s 1982 fantasy epic dazzled with its intricate puppetry and haunting world-building. It seemed destined to become a sprawling series, but the next chapter didn’t come until a prequel Netflix series in 2019. Back in the 80s, fans of the film were left holding their breath—and wondering if the prophecy would ever be fulfilled.
7. Conan the Barbarian
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Conan the Barbarian (1982) was a gritty, epic slice of sword-and-sandal fantasy, followed by the lighter Conan the Destroyer in 1984. Despite talks of King Conan for years, the franchise vanished, leaving fans to mourn what could have been as Arnold moved on to Terminator. The film is inspired by written material, of which there is plenty, so Conan fans at least have past literature they can thumb through if they need some more sword and sorcery goodness.
8. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
This 1984 cult classic was a quirky mix of sci-fi, comedy, and action. Buckaroo and his eclectic team of scientists and rock stars were set up for more adventures, but no sequels ever materialized. Fans who adored its offbeat charm were left wondering if Buckaroo ever made it to the 9th dimension.
9. The Beastmaster
This 1982 fantasy flick about a warrior who could communicate with animals didn’t exactly rake in the box office bucks, but it found a second life on cable TV. It spawned two sequels, but the magic (and budget) dwindled, leaving Beastmaster fans hungry for more epic tales.
10. The Cannonball Run
This star-studded car-racing comedy series brought Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, and a cavalcade of celebrity cameos to the screen in 1981 and 1984. It felt like pure 80s fun, but the wheels came off the franchise after the less successful third entry in 1989 (Speed Zone!).
11. Romancing the Stone
The 1984 rom-com adventure paired Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas in a thrilling treasure hunt with sparks flying. The sequel, The Jewel of the Nile (1985), kept the chemistry alive, but the franchise faded away. It’s a shame because we could have used more globe-trotting with Joan and Jack.
12. The Police Academy Series
Starting in 1984, Police Academy churned out seven films in as many years, taking us from the streets to Miami Beach and even to Moscow. The humor was hit-or-miss, and by the end, it felt like even the franchise itself was tired of the endless antics. Still, for fans, its abrupt stop in 1994 was a bittersweet goodbye.
13. Masters of the Universe
This 1987 live-action take on the He-Man cartoon and toy line had Dolph Lundgren swinging his sword as Prince Adam. While it didn’t wow at the box office, it developed a cult following. Skeletor promised, “I’ll be back!” in the end credits, but that return never came. Fans of Eternia were left wondering, “What if?”
These forgotten franchises remind us of the ambitious creativity of 80s cinema—and the heartbreak of what could have been. But even if they never reached their full potential, they’ll always hold a special place in our memories. After all, who can forget the feeling of stepping into the theater, popcorn in hand, and watching these larger-than-life adventures unfold for the first time?
