Underrated and unforgettable, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension is a well-hidden superhero sci-fi comedy gem of the 80s. It combines sci-fi action with a healthy dose of absurdist humor making it my favorite movie, and it might become yours as well. This cult classic, written by Earl Mac Rauch and directed by W.D. Richter (of Invasion of the Body Snatchers fame) in his first-ever directorial effort, flopped at the box office but has since found a devoted fan following thanks to its outrageous premise.

Buckaroo Banzai is a neurosurgeon by day, a rock star by night with his rock band The Hong Kong Cavaliers, and an interdimensional alien fighter whenever duty calls. Perfectly portrayed by Peter Weller (pre-RoboCop fame), with such deadpan seriousness, I wonder how he and the rest of the cast kept a straight face while filming.

The plot of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai is best experienced, not explained, so I recommend you watch the film, after reading this.