{"id":132556,"date":"2026-06-25T16:31:25","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T16:31:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2026\/06\/25\/6-strange-80s-movie-rip-offs-you-didnt-know-existed\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T16:32:41","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T16:32:41","slug":"6-strange-80s-movie-rip-offs-you-didnt-know-existed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2026\/06\/25\/6-strange-80s-movie-rip-offs-you-didnt-know-existed\/","title":{"rendered":"6 strange ’80s movie rip-offs you didn\u2019t know existed"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Eighties noticed a plethora of revolutionary motion pictures, resembling Aliens<\/em>, E.T.<\/em>, Raiders of the Misplaced Ark<\/em>, and Halloween<\/em>, to call a couple of. Thus, the last decade additionally produced quite a few oddball motion pictures to copy the success of these extra critical cinematic productions.<\/p>\n

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Whereas there are a lot of strange 1980s movies<\/a> on the market, there are much more rip-offs floating round within the cineverse. These are a few of the most blatant rip-offs discovered all through the Eighties \u2014 some you didn\u2019t even know existed \u2014 and the highest choose is probably the most infamous instance of rip-off success.<\/p>\n

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\n 6 <\/span>
\n
\n Ghoulies
\n <\/span>
\n <\/h2>\n

\n Mini monsters of the darkish arts
\n <\/h3>\n

After the 1984 success of Gremlins<\/em> got here Ghoulies<\/em><\/a>, which, due to its notorious VHS cowl that depicted a creature rising from a rest room, recouped its funds after which some earlier than video gross sales of the campy horror comedy had been even taken under consideration. Like fellow mini-creature options Munchies<\/em> and Critters<\/em>, it\u2019s simple to inform what film impressed all of them.<\/p>\n

Whereas it’s maybe a bit too centered on the occult to be a monster film like Gremlins<\/em>, Ghoulies<\/em> options loads of silly-looking monstrosities. It additionally marks the movie debut efficiency of Regulation & Order: Particular Victims Unit<\/em>\u2019s Mariska Hargitay. True story.<\/p>\n

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\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n \"ghoulies-1985-poster.jpg\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\n \t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGhoulies
\n\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t<\/h5>\n

<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n

\n Launch Date<\/strong>\n <\/dt>\n
\n <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJanuary 18, 1985
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n

\n Runtime<\/strong>\n <\/dt>\n
\n <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t81 Minutes<\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/span>\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n

\n Director<\/strong>\n <\/dt>\n
\n <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLuca Bercovici<\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/span>\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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\n <\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

\n 5 <\/span>
\n
\n Explorers
\n <\/span>
\n <\/h2>\n

\n A reverse E.T.
\n <\/h3>\n

One yr after directing Gremlins<\/em>, Joe Dante got here out with Explorers<\/em><\/a>, which appears like an try to copy the success of E.T.<\/em> It options pleasant aliens of an unnamed species, however as an alternative of them crash-landing on Earth, a bunch of youngsters crash-lands on an alien planet after they assemble a spaceship of their very own design. In that sense, the film capabilities because the reverse of E.T.<\/em><\/p>\n

Explorers<\/em> is a perfect companion piece on any double-feature night time, and its forged members \u2014 together with Ethan Hawke in his first film position, in addition to the late River Phoenix \u2014 are simply as likable, if no more, than Henry Thomas is in E.T.<\/em><\/p>\n

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\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n \"01127474_poster_w780.jpg\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n
\n \t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tExplorers
\n\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t<\/h5>\n

<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n

\n Launch Date<\/strong>\n <\/dt>\n
\n <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJuly 12, 1985
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n

\n Runtime<\/strong>\n <\/dt>\n
\n <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t109 minutes<\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/span>\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n

\n Director<\/strong>\n <\/dt>\n
\n <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJoe Dante<\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/span>\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n

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\n <\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

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\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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\n
\n
\n
\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n \"Apple\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWorking System<\/strong> \t\t\t\t\t<\/dt>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttvOS<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDecision<\/strong> \t\t\t\t\t<\/dt>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4K<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n<\/p>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n <\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

\n 4 <\/span>
\n
\n Mac and Me
\n <\/span>
\n <\/h2>\n

\n A mysterious alien\u2013creature knockoff
\n <\/h3>\n

Although fairly poorly constructed, Mac and Me<\/em><\/a> is an oddly candy film that could be a blatant rip-off of E.T.<\/em> When you watch it, you\u2019ll shortly discover parallels, together with comical similarities in tone, story beats, and imagery. As such, the film grew to become probably the most talked-about imitators of Spielberg\u2019s smash hit.<\/p>\n

Whereas E.T.<\/em> showcases a good quantity of product placement, Mac and Me<\/em> amplifies it to a hysterical diploma. It trades a Reese\u2019s Items reference for copious quantities of Coca-Cola and McDonald\u2019s merchandise, with a ridiculous, prolonged dance sequence occurring at one of many latter\u2019s areas. Ronald McDonald himself even makes a short cameo.<\/p>\n

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\n <\/p>\n

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\n \"mac-and-me-1988-film-poster.jpg\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n
\n \t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tMac and Me
\n\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t<\/h5>\n

<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n

\n Launch Date<\/strong>\n <\/dt>\n
\n <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAugust 12, 1988
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n

\n Runtime<\/strong>\n <\/dt>\n
\n <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t95 Minutes<\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/span>\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n

\n Director<\/strong>\n <\/dt>\n
\n <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStewart Raffill<\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/span>\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n

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\n <\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

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\n <\/p>\n

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\n 3 <\/span>
\n
\n Ator, the Combating Eagle
\n <\/span>
\n <\/h2>\n

\n An Italian model of Conan the Barbarian
\n <\/h3>\n

On the heels of Conan the Barbarian<\/em>\u2019s recognition got here Ator, the Fighting Eagle<\/em><\/a>. The sword-and-sandal fantasy narrative follows a warrior who has simply discovered his true heritage and makes an attempt to avoid wasting a kidnapped princess from the spider-worshiper.<\/p>\n

The infamous low-budget Italian rip-off mirrors Conan<\/em>\u2019s tone, aesthetic, plot beats, and protagonist\u2019s journey. It even goes as far as to imitate the hero\u2019s shirtless, muscular physique, however there isn’t any comparability to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s or Jason Momoa’s limitless physique.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n 2 <\/span>
\n
\n Robowar
\n <\/span>
\n <\/h2>\n

\n A shameless Predator<\/em> rip-off
\n <\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\"Screenshot\n <\/picture>Credit score:\u00a0Flora Movie<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Clearly modeled after Predator<\/em>, the Italian motion film Robowar<\/em><\/a> is a couple of army staff being hunted within the jungle by a strong enemy. On this case, the enemy shouldn’t be an alien however \u2014 watch for it \u2014 a rogue, State Division-funded robotic killing machine.<\/p>\n

The shameless, blatant rip-off copies most of Predator<\/em>\u2019s plot, characters, and setting, going as far as to function creature point-of-view pictures rendered as closely pixelated, heat-signature, thermal-vision photographs. It even closely lifts narrative components from one other 1987 basic, Robocop<\/em>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n 1 <\/span>
\n
\n Friday the thirteenth
\n <\/span>
\n <\/h2>\n

\n One of the best instance of rip-off success
\n <\/h3>\n

Whereas Friday the 13th<\/em><\/a> grew to become a business success, it was critically despised<\/a> on the time of its launch. Actually, Gene Siskel hated the film a lot that he ruined the film\u2019s twist ending in his evaluation for the Chicago Tribune<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The rip-off slasher film is likely to be the perfect instance of a flagrant copycat giving delivery to a horror movie franchise<\/a> whose place in cinema historical past is nearly as important because the factor it knocked off\u2014that’s John Carpenter\u2019s Hallowee<\/em>n. Each Cunningham and his screenwriter, Victor Miller, have freely admitted to stealing<\/a> from Carpenter\u2019s trailblazing horror movie. Thankfully for them, Friday the thirteenth<\/em> was such a financially profitable trendsetter that it revolutionized the slasher subgenre and has been ripped off simply as a lot as Carpenter\u2019s basic.<\/p>\n

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\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n \"01140323_poster_w780.jpg\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\n \t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tFriday the 13th
\n\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t<\/h5>\n

<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n

\n Launch Date<\/strong>\n <\/dt>\n
\n <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCould 9, 1980
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n

\n Runtime<\/strong>\n <\/dt>\n
\n <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t95 minutes<\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/span>\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n

\n Director<\/strong>\n <\/dt>\n
\n <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSean S. Cunningham<\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/span>\n <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\n A bygone period
\n <\/h3>\n

Clearly, there are quite a few different unusual Eighties film rip-offs floating round on the market, resembling Alien 2: On Earth<\/em>, which is unrelated to Alien<\/em> however mimics its premise; Girl Terminator<\/em>, which mirrors The Terminator<\/em>\u2019s idea; and Warriors of the Wasteland<\/em>, which replicates the post-apocalyptic setting, automobile fight, and lone warrior construction of Mad Max 2<\/em>. This excludes the numerous slasher rip-offs that additionally exist.<\/p>\n

Whereas a few of these titles didn\u2019t even come near rivaling the standard or field workplace success of the flicks they ripped off, some did turn into classics for underground film lovers. For normal audiences, they supplied an entire new window into low cost filmmaking in a bygone period.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n