Film

Zapped!

Name: Zapped!
Genre: Comedy
Released: 1982
Cast: Scott Baio, Willie Aames, Robert Mandan, Felice Schachter, Scatman Crothers

Other titles called Zapped!: the 2014 film.

A cheerful 1982 teen comedy where a high school kid accidentally gains telekinetic powers through a science experiment and uses them for the kind of mischief you'd expect. It's earnest, silly, and deeply of its era—broad comedy about a dorky kid suddenly able to move things with his mind. For anyone who loves early-80s teen movies or wants to see what passed for cutting-edge special effects shenanigans back then.

TMDb rating

2.6

If you liked this

Weird Science1985

Two geeks accidentally create a woman using a computer and chaos follows. Same DNA as Zapped!—teen wish-fulfillment comedy with heart, practical effects wizardry, and that exact 80s charm of kids getting in over their heads.

But The gender politics are distinctly of 1985 in ways that haven't aged gracefully. Also genuinely uneven; some bits land, others don't.

The Last Starfighter1984

An arcade champion discovers the game was a recruitment tool and gets swept into an actual space war. Shares Zapped!'s magical-realism-meets-teen-comedy tone and features mind-bending practical and early digital effects that still impress.

But The pacing drags in stretches. CGI that was revolutionary then looks pretty dated now, even if it's still charming.

Better Off Dead...1985

A heartbroken teenager navigates high school misery with surreal, deadpan humor and genuine sweetness. Captures that same era's teen-movie spirit but with a darker, weirder edge and a protagonist you actually root for.

But Deliberately weird in a way that doesn't always connect. Some jokes land in the margins and you might miss them entirely.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Zapped!

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Ghostbusters II1989

Both are comedy-fantasy hybrids where special effects are the real star and the plot is basically a framework for showing off what's possible on screen.

The Ghostbusters reassemble five years later to fight paranormal corruption in New York. Doesn't match the original, but shares that mid-80s comedic energy where effects sequences ARE the entertainment and the tone stays light even when reality bends.

But Many consider it a step down; it's more effects-driven and less funny than the first film. Some dated '80s production choices wear poorly.

Explorers1985

Three friends build a flying machine in their backyard after getting inspiration from dreams. Dreamy, romantic teen adventure that understands the real magic is friendship and imagination, not just the spectacular effects.

But The final act pulls toward sentimentality and sci-fi plotting that undercuts the wonder. Pacing can feel slack for modern viewers.

Real Genius1985

Brilliant teens at a prestigious science academy build a laser for what they think is peaceful research. Sharp, funny, and actually smart about how clever people think, with genuine warmth and surprising depth.

But Comedy-drama balance doesn't work for everyone. Some setups go nowhere and the ending is sentimental in a way that might feel unearned.

My Science Project1985

A slacker student finds a mysterious device that opens a rift in spacetime. Perfect companion piece to Zapped!—low-stakes teen adventure with practical effects and that specific mid-80s magic where anything seemed possible.

But Thin plot stretched over 94 minutes. Effects sequences don't always justify the runtime and the drama feels obligatory.

Revenge of the Nerds1984

Bullied college kids fight back against the social hierarchy in genuinely clever ways. Shares Zapped!'s underdog-power fantasy but with sharper writing, actual stakes, and a vindication that feels earned.

But Sexual harassment played for laughs. The college-set tone means less of the innocence that makes Zapped! charming.

Sixteen Candles1984

A girl's birthday gets forgotten but she falls for a popular guy; John Hughes captures the real emotional texture of teenage life with humor and honesty. Gold standard for the era that inspired comedies like Zapped!.

But Some supporting characters haven't aged well, especially in their treatment and portrayal. The plot hinges on a setup most viewers will find uncomfortable.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High1982

An ensemble cast navigates sex, drugs, and growing up in Reagan-era Southern California with surprising warmth. Released the same year as Zapped! but grounded in reality; shows what serious teen comedy looked like.

But Episodic structure means some characters vanish for long stretches. Tone veers between comedy and genuine sadness in ways that can feel jarring.

Matinee1993

Both celebrate practical effects wizardry and the pure fun of watching impossible things on screen. Matinee is literally about the culture that made films like Zapped!.

A young film geek's week unfolds as a legendary B-movie showman arrives in Key West during the Cuban Missile Crisis. It's a love letter to exactly the kind of 1980s escapist filmmaking Zapped! represents—earnest, effects-happy, deeply sincere about the joy of watching magical nonsense happen.

But Deeply nostalgic in a way that only works if you already love that era. The actual plot is slight; it's a mood and a vibe, not a tight story.