The Story of Solarbabies
Solarbabies is a 1986 science fiction adventure that drops viewers into a grim future where water has become humanity's rarest resource. A group of orphans imprisoned in a state facility—ruled by an authoritarian regime—discover something extraordinary: a glowing orb with seemingly miraculous powers. What follows is their desperate journey across a parched wasteland, armed with little more than roller skates, determination, and the hope that this mysterious object might restore water to their dying world. It's a premise that sounds absurd on paper. And yet, there's something undeniably earnest about the whole thing.
Behind the Making of Solarbabies
Solarbabies arrived as the second and final directorial effort from Alan Johnson, a figure far better known for his work as a choreographer than a filmmaker. The film was produced by Brooksfilms and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1986, arriving during a particularly experimental era for studio science fiction. The cast included Richard Jordan as the antagonistic Colonel Codar, with younger leads Jami Gertz, Jason Patric, and a then-child Lukas Haas carrying much of the narrative weight. The ensemble also featured James Le Gros, Claude Brooks, and Peter DeLuise—a mix of established character actors and promising newcomers.
The film's theatrical run was underwhelming, to put it mildly. Box office returns totaled just $1,579,260, making it a commercial disappointment that likely contributed to Johnson never directing another feature film. The MPAA rated it PG-13, positioning it theoretically as family-friendly entertainment, though the film's tonal inconsistencies and bleak worldbuilding don't always land that way. Awards recognition was sparse—a single nomination across major ceremonies—and critical reception was harsh. Metascore gave it a 24 out of 100, while Rotten Tomatoes awarded it a 0% rating, and the film currently sits at 4.7 out of 10 on IMDb based on over 5,000 user votes.
What Makes Solarbabies Stand Out
Here's the thing about Solarbabies that critics largely missed: it's genuinely trying to do something different. Yes, it hits familiar post-apocalyptic beats—the water shortage, the oppressive government, the ragtag group of rebels—but it does so with a visual and thematic vocabulary that's distinctly its own. The roller skates aren't just a gimmick; they're a weird, anachronistic choice that somehow works as a metaphor for youth and speed in a world built on stagnation and control. What's striking is how the film commits to this aesthetic without winking at the audience.
The performances carry an earnestness that's easy to mock but harder to dismiss on repeated viewings. Richard Jordan brings genuine menace to his role as the antagonist, while Jami Gertz anchors the ensemble with a quiet intensity that suggests real stakes beneath the surface-level adventure narrative. The younger cast members—Patric and Haas especially—convey a palpable sense of desperation and wonder that grounds the film's more outlandish elements. I keep coming back to the fact that this movie was made for kids but doesn't condescend to them, even when the plotting gets messy or the dialogue creaks.
Tone-wise, Solarbabies is all over the place. It swings from serious dystopian drama to something closer to a Saturday morning cartoon, sometimes within the same scene. That's a flaw, sure—but it's also what makes the film oddly memorable. Audiences who encountered it as children often report genuine affection for the film, even while acknowledging its shortcomings as an adult viewer might see them. The film doesn't quite fit into any single genre box, which is probably why it's aged into cult status rather than fading away entirely.
Where to Stream Solarbabies Online
If you're curious to experience Solarbabies for yourself—whether you're revisiting a childhood favorite or encountering it for the first time—the film is currently available on Prime Video. The platform's streaming catalog makes it easy to access this 94-minute oddity whenever you're in the mood for something genuinely unusual. Movie OTT tracks where titles like this are currently streaming, so you can find the right platform without hunting across multiple services. The "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page shows you all available platforms in real time, so you'll always know exactly where to find it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who directed Solarbabies?
Alan Johnson directed Solarbabies in 1986. It was his second and final feature film—Johnson is primarily known for his work as a choreographer in film and television.
Q: What's the runtime of Solarbabies?
The film runs 94 minutes, making it a relatively lean adventure despite its sprawling post-apocalyptic setting.
Q: Is Solarbabies appropriate for kids?
Solarbabies is rated PG-13, and it was marketed toward younger audiences. However, the film's darker elements—including scenes of oppression and conflict—might be intense for very young viewers, though many adults recall watching it as children without issue.
Q: Why did Solarbabies perform poorly at the box office?
The film earned only $1,579,260 during its theatrical release, likely due to a combination of poor critical reception, confusing marketing (it's hard to sell a movie this tonally uneven), and competition from other releases. The 1986 marketplace wasn't necessarily kind to experimental sci-fi aimed at younger audiences.
Q: Where can I watch Solarbabies right now?
Solarbabies is currently available on Prime Video. Check the "Where to Watch" widget above for the most up-to-date streaming availability, as platforms rotate titles regularly.
Final Thoughts on Solarbabies
Solarbabies isn't a "good" film in any conventional sense. The critical consensus—both then and now—has been fairly brutal. But there's real value in films that swing for the fences, even when they miss. This is a movie made by people who believed in their vision, who weren't afraid to put orphans on roller skates in a dystopian wasteland, and who trusted that audiences would come along for the ride. That kind of earnest weirdness deserves respect, even if the execution doesn't always land. If you're looking for something genuinely different from the streaming catalog, Solarbabies delivers exactly that.
