Underrated Sci-Fi Comedies That Deserve Another Look

Directed by Ivan Reitman of Ghostbusters fame, Evolution is a sci-fi comedy about a group of misfits who discover extraterrestrial organisms that evolve at an alarming rate. With an ensemble cast led by David Duchovny, Orlando Jones, Seann William Scott, and Julianne Moore, this film provides plenty of laughs inside of a classic sci-fi premise.

Evolution employs every sci-fi scenario and reference imaginable as it escalates the threat, from a hilariously over-the-top SETI facility to explosive alien battles. The film ultimately works thanks to the actors' commitment in the face of such unapologetic ridiculousness. While it didn't receive much attention during its initial release due to its unconventional approach to alien invasion tropes, Evolution deserves recognition for its unique blend of slapstick humor with high-concept sci-fi.

Mike Judge's Idiocracy presents a dystopian future where society has become incredibly dumb due to centuries of anti-intellectualism. This satirical sci-fi comedy stars Luke Wilson as an average Joe who wakes up 500 years in the future only to find he's now the smartest man on earth.

Upon release, Idiocracy was largely overlooked but has since gained recognition for its biting social commentary and absurd humor. Wilson is perfectly cast as the most average guy imaginable, making his supreme intelligence in the idiotic future society believable and a lasting joke. The ridiculous future society depicted in Idiocracy seems less and less implausible with every passing year, showing Mike Judge’s vision was more on target than anyone realized in the mid 2000s. Its outlandish premise serves as both a hilarious gag and a chilling cautionary tale.

Batteries Not Included is an '80s classic that strikes a perfect balance between science fiction and heartwarming comedy. Produced by Steven Spielberg, this film tells the story of apartment tenants who receive help from extraterrestrial living machines in their fight against greedy developers.

The miniature alien spaceships that come to the tenants' aid are vividly brought to life using cutting-edge special effects for the time. These cute, blinking, cooing creatures are incredibly charming, and the film milks their appearance for maximum wonder and humor as the tenants react to the strange ships and bond with them. Despite being overshadowed by other '80s blockbusters at the time of its release, Batteries Not Included has since gained appreciation ever since for being a fun, family-friendly journey with special effects that still impress to this day.

John Hughes' zany take on Frankenstein, Weird Science stars Anthony Michael Hall and Ilan Mitchell-Smith as teen nerds who use computers to create their dream woman, played by supermodel Kelly LeBrock. Goofy, risqué, and cartoonishly over-the-top, Weird Science completely epitomizes the 1980s teen comedy while giving it a sci-fi twist.

Weird Science stands the test of time due to its sheer embrace of wackiness. Hughes gives the out-there premise everything he's got, packing the movie with sight gags, fantastical moments, and absurd dialogue. While it may not have received as much critical acclaim as Hughes' other hits, Weird Science has since gained a cult following due to its unique blend of adolescent humor with high-concept sci-fi.

Everyone knows Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, but this sequel deserves just as much love. The lovable duo traverses the afterlife, meets alien geniuses, and even challenges Death to a game of Battleship. Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey is everything fans loved about the first film turned up to 11, with amped-up humor, special effects, and absurdism.

This film is packed with the same charm, humor, and outlandish sci-fi concepts that made us fall in love with Bill and Ted in the first place. Bogus Journey has since developed a dedicated fanbase who appreciate its unique blend of comedy and existential philosophy. Its portrayal of Death (played brilliantly by William Sadler) alone is worth giving this movie another look.

This Tim Burton film pays homage to classic sci-fi parodies by bringing the trading card series to life in absurd fashion. With visual gags and an all-star ensemble cast including Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Danny DeVito, and Pierce Brosnan, Mars Attacks! captures Burton's off-kilter sense of humor. Plus, the retro inspiration translates perfectly to Burton's aesthetic, with Martian ships straight from '50s B-movies and absurdly grotesque alien designs.

Despite receiving mixed reviews upon release due to its campy tone and over-the-top mayhem, Mars Attacks! has garnered a cult following for how it blends horror elements with slapstick comedy. Burton piles on the irreverent visual and physical comedy, with the aliens and their cartoonish weapons turning people into inflated balloons and disintegrated skeletons. There are few films that manage this level of camp combined with an A-list cast and big budget. Only Tim Burton could pull it off this well.