So if you’re a fan in search of a new hobby, you could reverse phone lookup every phone number that’s ever called you. Or, you could devote your efforts to raising the banner for these well-known films that have never quite developed the level of fandom that they deserve.

1. Scanners (1981)

Telekinesis is at the top of many a superpower wish list, and with Scanners, David Cronenberg provided something of a wish-fulfillment/revenge fantasy with loads of explosive gore for good measure. Even if you’ve never seen it, you’ve probably at least encountered a clip or two of this movie’s more memorable moments through an Internet meme. Add in a little social commentary about the fear of human deformity, and you’ve got all the ingredients of a cult piece in search of a massive fanbase.

2. Heavy Metal (1981)

It may surprise you to hear that Mr. Ghostbusters himself, director Ivan Reitman, produced this ode to the dark, kitschy side of metal/fantasy. Instead of being a single storyline, Heavy Metal is comprised of several episodes that are tied together by “Loc-Nar,” a cosmic apparition, who exercised his influence in each episode. The movie got a sequel in 2000, but it was universally panned. The original maintains a smallish number of cult followers, but it may be time for a fan revival.

3. The Thing (1982)

John Carpenter’s nail-biting classic is getting a prequel-that-might-be-a-remake (it’s not entirely clear) this October, but true devotees of the original are wondering why it’s necessary to taint with a horror film so perfect in its execution. It’s the ultimate “body snatcher”: an alien creature that consumes living things and then takes on their forms — not to mention their intellect. The alien can switch between guises at will, and its library of creatures is truly frightening. The film’s cutting edge visual effects and makeup have held up surprisingly well over time.

4. The Last Dragon (1985)

Corny? Yep. Campy? Heck yeah. Funny? Mm-hmm. The Last Dragon is a tribute to the classic martial arts films of Bruce Lee, but viewers without a sense of humor — not to mention an appreciation for a quirky, unique brand of moviemaking — need not apply.

5. Young Sherlock Holmes (1985)

Most geeks worth their salt already know that this was the first movie to ever utilize a CGI character. The infamous “stained glass window” scene introduced a CGI knight, made up of pieces of glass. The film boasts an impressive pedigree of filmmakers — Chris Columbus wrote it, Barry Levinson directed it, and its producers’ credits include big names like Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall, Henry Winkler (yep, Fonzie), Mark Johnson, and more. A fun romp through the young adult years of Holmes and Watson, the movie features a supernatural villain and that “80s teenager” vibe.

What unsung 1980s movie would you nominate for cult status?

Today I still check TV scheduling to see if Boomerang is showing cartoons from the 80′s, I love watching them again especially when feeling nostalgic or having nothing to do. I can’t appreciate modern cartoons nor the modernizations of older cartoons with newer technique and drawings so I never watch them.

Here follows an infographic with some facts and Saturday morning schedule of the last two decades of cartoons.

I know all those cartoons with the exception of Crusader Rabbit and Barbie. I used to watch all those over the course of my childhood plus more like Speed Racer, Candy Candy, ThunderCats, Heidi and of course the classics of Looney Tunes and Merry Melodies.

I read some weblogs of geeks who introduce their kids to all Star Wars movies so that they too can enjoy what their parents enjoyed. Most kids do end up liking it very much too. I think if I had kids I would get them DVD’s of really classic cartoons and movies that where done before computer animations like we have today became standard.

Not to say I have yet to watch that DVD of Casablanca I bought ages ago.

The problem’s simple: it involves a man known from things such as this. Or this and more recently this even.

Here at FG we prefer to remember him for his awesome in Knight Rider though. K.I.T.T.’s awesomeness we mean, pardon the lapsus linguae. If this were the early 80s, we would probably all want to look like this and things could always have been worse.

So before you go ahead and judge me, keep for a second these three factors in mind: 80s, Knight Rider and Dirk Benedict.

Great now I can post this actually totally awesome video and not be worried to be judged. Remember: Dirk Benedict!

Now with Cyborg technology it can’t be long anymore before we can improve the Hoff.

If these were still available they would be on the shelves among the Pockies, Wispas and Pot Noodles in the indie coffeeshop I _also_ manage.

Via Jason Liebig who does an awesome job archiving pictures 80s packages on his Flickr.

Then there were the rest…some featured celebrities, some were thinly veiled knock offs of other successful shows…others were just plain crap. After careful consideration, and knowing full well that there this list could spark a debate that could burn as eternally as the Springfield tire fire, I present to you…the 10 Worst 80s Action Cartoons.

10. Dinosaucers

Anthropomorphic Dinosaurs that can “Dinovolve” into regular looking Dinosaurs?!? What’s not to love! It’s like Transformers…but 100% Dino-tastic!!! Dinosaucers last only 1 season in the 80s, but those 65 episodes would be broadcast well into the mid-90s on networks desperate for cheap content. The show as so unsuccessful that the toyline based on it was cancelled before it even hit the shelves.

9. Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs

Attempting to capitalize on the success of shows like Galaxy Rangers and Bravestarr, WEP, the company behind Voltron, decided to grab a moderately successful anime series called Star Musketeer Bismarck, and rework it as Saber Rider.

They did manage a catchy theme song that I will occasionally still burst out into song over, and you have to love their giant robot RAMROD, but overall…it was lame as lame can be.

8. Voltron Vehicle Force

Speaking of WEP and their sucktastic line-up, the Vehicle Voltron Force will forever earn a spot on lists like this if for no other reason than because the entire voice cast was the same as the Voltron Lion Force, and no one even bothered to TRY and sound different. Kids would sit down to something that sounded EXACTLY like the Voltron they knew…even the music was the same…but everyone looked different. It was confusing as all hell.

The robot did look pretty bad ass, though…but that alone is not enough to keep it off our list.

7. Dino-Riders

The second, and last, “Dinosaurs meet Technology” cartoon on our list are the Dino-Riders. 14 episodes of this show were produced, solely for the purpose of launching the Tyco toyline of the same name.

While the toy line met with limited success, and high enough praise that the Smithsonian released the Dinosaur figures (minus futuristic weapons) themselves as a toy line, the cartoon show blew.

6. Bionic Six

“They are a family…and they make me wanna puke…” those aren’t EXACTLY the words from the cartoon theme song…but damn they should be. I always liked the toys in this line because of their transparent bionic parts, but this show, which admittedly looks like it had high production values was just god awful…

5. Rambo – The Force of Freedom

Why, dear lord why, would you take an exceptionally violent film series (Rambo III is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most violent film EVER) and turn it into a cartoon where I shirtless man can fly through a glass window without scratch on him? Oh yeah…to sell toys. I forgot.

4. Mr. T and the All American Team

Speaking of things that ought not be turned into television shows…just why the hell is Mr. T traveling around the country with a bunch of gymnastics kids fighting crime? I mean seriously…is the because of all the cocaine in the 80s? Is that where this came from?

3. Tigersharks

What would happen if the guys behind Thundercats decided to do a show JUST LIKE Thundercats…but with sea life? THIS!

2. Gobots

These little bastards wanted to be Transformers so bad it hurts. Just look at them…they’re just waiting for the day when Hasbro buys them up so they can join the “real” transforming robots on a successful show.

1. Turbo Teen

Turbo Teen wanted to be Knight Rider so bad it could almost taste it. The horrible, horrible excuse for a cartoon aired duing the height of Knight Rider’s popularity, and mimicked the show in every way legally possible.

This terrible excuse for an animated series only last one terrible, terrible season.

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So there you have it. I’m sure you can think of shows that you think would be better suited for this list, so feel free to mention them in the comments below…