SilverHawks (1986): the space cop show that ruled Saturday mornings

SilverHawks was a Saturday morning cartoon that premiered in 1986, a space-cop action show about a team of robot law enforcement officers patrolling the galaxy to stop the metal-eating villain Mon*Star and his gang. It was Robocop in space, except the cops were cyborgs and the bad guy looked like a flying armadillo made of chrome. You raced home from school to catch reruns on UHF, and the show became the kind of thing you'd beg your mom to let you stay up for on Saturday.

What was the show about?

The SilverHawks were led by Commander Stargazer, a human in a suit of armor, and his team of robot partners—Quicksilver, Steelwill, Steelheart and the rest—who lived on a space station. Each episode sent them after Mon*Star's gang of colorful villains who wanted to strip-mine planets for metal. The action was relentless, the dialogue was sharp, and the stakes felt real even though everyone was made of metal.

Watch it: SilverHawks Complete Series DVD on Amazon (Watch the full 1986 run in clean picture and sound; relive the tight action and killer theme song that defined Saturday )

The animation was clean, the character designs were distinctive, and the whole thing looked like it cost real money—because it did.

The toys: did you have any?

Kenner produced action figures and vehicles for the line, and if you owned one, you know they were solid. The figures were articulated, the accessories were detailed, and the vehicles actually felt like they belonged in a space cop show. Kids who had the money begged their parents for the whole lineup. If you still own them, check eBay sold listings to see what collectors are paying now.

What aged well?

The action. Every episode moved at a pace that would make modern cartoons jealous. There was no filler, no five-minute scene of the heroes standing around talking about their feelings. The plots were tight, the fights were frequent, and the resolution came fast. The character designs hold up too—the robots looked cool then, and they still look cool now. The show took itself seriously without being dumb about it.

And the theme song. If you heard it tomorrow, you'd know every word. It's one of those earworms that never leaves your brain.

What aged poorly?

The animation is limited by 1986 standards. Characters repeat the same movements, backgrounds loop, and sometimes the action freezes while someone talks. That's not the show's fault—that's Saturday morning TV on a budget. If you're used to modern CGI, the choppiness will jump out at you. But if you grew up on this stuff, it feels like home.

Some of the dialogue is corny, and a few episodes are genuinely weird. But that's part of the charm. You weren't watching this for Shakespeare; you were watching it because robots fought space criminals and it looked cool.

Where can you watch it now?

The show is available on DVD through the usual channels—check Amazon and eBay for complete series sets. Streaming options vary by region and change over time, so search your favorite service to see if it's there. Some episodes show up on YouTube, but the official releases are the way to go if you want clean picture and sound.

Should you watch it again?

Yes. SilverHawks holds up better than a lot of 1980s Saturday morning cartoons because it never talked down to its audience and never wasted your time. The action is real, the characters are likable, and the premise is solid. You'll laugh at some of the dialogue and cringe at the animation limits, but you'll also remember why you loved it. It's a clean, fun, fast-paced show about good guys fighting bad guys in space—exactly what you wanted when you were eight years old, and exactly what you need right now.

IMDb users rate it 7.3 out of 10, and that feels about right for a show that was made to sell toys and entertain kids on Saturday morning. It did both jobs well.

Is SilverHawks worth watching?

A fast-paced, action-packed 1986 Saturday morning cartoon that holds up well for fans of retro sci-fi and classic animation. Viewers who grew up with it will find it nostalgic and fun; newcomers may appreciate the tight plotting and distinctive character design despite the limited animation.

SilverHawks parents guide: what is it rated, and what age is it for?

Rated TV-Y7 · Best for 6+. SilverHawks is a clean action show with no profanity, sexual content, or graphic violence. The action is cartoonish—robots fighting robots and villains—with no blood or gore. There is no drinking, drugs, or inappropriate language. The show is straightforward good-vs-evil storytelling with no dark or scary themes; it's designed for Saturday morning viewing.

Is SilverHawks woke?

Not woke. The show is a straightforward action-adventure with no messaging beyond good law enforcement officers stopping criminals. Characters are judged by their actions and competence, not identity; the team is diverse in design but the focus is entirely on the plot and action, not on pushing any agenda.

Quick answers

Was SilverHawks a Saturday morning show or an after-school show?

It premiered as a Saturday morning cartoon in 1986. You caught reruns on UHF after school, but the original broadcast run was Saturday mornings.

Who made the toys?

Kenner produced the SilverHawks action figure line, including individual figures and vehicles.

Can I still buy the original toys?

Yes, the figures and vehicles show up on eBay and other collector sites. Prices vary based on condition and completeness; check sold listings to see what collectors are paying.

What's the IMDb rating?

SilverHawks scores 7.3 out of 10 from IMDb users, based on nearly 3,800 votes.