Solarbabies (1986): Post-Apocalyptic Rollerskating Orphans and a $25 Million Mistake
- Johnny Rewind
- Apr 13
- 1 min read
By Johnny Rewind | Nostalgia Navigator
Solarbabies is a 1986 MGM film that cost $25 million, bombed catastrophically, and was quietly buried. It is set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where water is controlled by a totalitarian government and orphaned children are raised in institutional compounds where they play a sport involving rollerskates and a ball. One group of orphans finds a glowing orb called Bohdai that has magical healing powers. They escape the compound on rollerskates. The villain is named Grock. A character is called Metron. None of this is played for laughs.
Behind the Madness
Solarbabies was shot entirely in Spain and was an attempt by MGM to cash in on post-apocalyptic teen cinema after the success of Mad Max and various 80s dystopia films. The rollerskating angle was presumably someone's idea of a hook. The film features a pre-fame Jami Gertz and a very young Lukas Haas. Director Alan Johnson had previously only directed chorus numbers. The experience reportedly put him off directing entirely.
Be kind. Rewind. Keep your skates on.
Comments