Showbiz

All great sci-fi is ahead of its time, which often makes movies in the genre fall flat before audiences are able to appreciate their&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/sci-fi-tech-thrillers-that-predicted-the-future/ryan-izay?ref=listed_on&amp;pos=37">visionary qualities</a>. There are many reasons why the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-intelligent-sci-fi-movies/ranker-film">best sci-fi movies</a> tend to flop at the box office. Some are victims of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/great-movies-overshadowed-by-blockbusters/jim-rowley?ref=listed_on&amp;pos=71">bad timing</a> or botched marketing. Others are simply too inventive for audiences to fully appreciate at the time of their release.&nbsp;Blade Runner, for example, was panned by critics when it was released in 1982, and audiences <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/underrated-action-movie-flops/sergio-pereira">simply didn’t show up</a>. It barely broke even. Over time, however, thanks to repeat viewings on home video, it became widely regarded as one of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-sci-fi-movies">greatest sci-fi movies of all time</a>.&nbsp;Sadly, not all great movies are given a second chance, no matter how much time has passed. Many of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/underrated-fantasy-movie-flops/tyler-mitchell">best sci-fi movies remain underappreciated</a>, whether due to the bad reputation they received at the time of their release or because they never got much attention to begin with. But which one is the most underrated? Vote up the movies that are better than their reputation. Vote down the ones that deserved to flop at the box office.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Underrated Sci-Fi Movies That Flopped At The Box Office

Film

Lily McElveen

As they say in well-written scripts, "You mean... like time travel?" + also a few bizarre stories about real people who have claimed, despite every law of physics, they have traveled through time.

Travelin' Through Time

Time Travel

Everyone and their mother knows about time travel movies like&nbsp;Back to the Future&nbsp;and&nbsp;Avengers: Endgame, but what about the underrated <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-time-machines-in-movies-and-tv/ranker-entertainment" target="_blank">time travel movies</a>? It&#39;s a sci-fi subgenre with plenty of room to maneuver; there have been virtually countless time travel movies since the dawn of filmmaking. Some films fare better than others - the less said about 2002&#39;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1112951-time_machine" target="_blank">The Time Machine</a>, the better - but we&#39;re here to focus on some of the hidden gems and/or underrated films of the genre.

From low-budget gems like&nbsp;Primer&nbsp;and&nbsp;Timecrimes&nbsp;to&nbsp;big-budget blockbusters like&nbsp;Men in Black 3&nbsp;and&nbsp;Deja Vu. From comedies to&nbsp;anime to the foreign arthouse, time travel keeps reliably cropping up.&nbsp;There&#39;s a lot of room to maneuver in this particular subgenre, so get ready to dive deep.&nbsp;Remember to vote up your favorite underrated films about time travel.

17 Underrated Sci-Fi Movies About Time Travel

T.W. Mitchell

Underrated

Artificial intelligence movies have become a fixture in the sci-fi genre over&nbsp;the past few decades. As technology becomes more prevalent in modern life, so too does the fear that said technology will become sentient and wipe out the human race.&nbsp;

These movies may be inspired by the same fears, but they manifest on&nbsp;screen in a wide variety of ways. Some AI movies feature killer robots, while others feature curious ones. Some robots want equal rights with humans, while&nbsp;others believe the only way forward is to completely eliminate human life. This diversity across the genre points to the simple truth that a lot of movies about this subject have been made - which means, by default, a sizable number of AI films have been completely underrated. To rectify that, here&#39;s a brief look at the AI characters featured in underrated robot classics.

Remember to vote up your favorites.

12 Underrated Movies Where Machines Become Sentient

Jake Williams

Sci-Fi

Of all the things Star Wars introduced to the world, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/star-wars-lightsaber-facts/tyler-mitchell">the lightsaber</a> is probably the most recognizable (except maybe the Death Star or the Millenium Falcon). Ever since Luke Skywalker first ignited his father's blade in Obi-Wan Kenobi's home, kids worldwide (and plenty of adults) have emulated the elegant weapon with flashlights, sticks, and when they could afford them, authentic reproductions. Everyone loves a lightsaber, but that doesn't mean they know how to wield one.Lightsabers aren't your everyday swords and they require specific fighting styles and forms to be used properly. Everyone from Ahsoka Tano and Anakin Skywalker to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/complete-darth-maul-star-wars-timeline/jacob-shelton">Darth Maul</a> and Count Dooku followed one form or another. Those who prefer dual wielding follow a style different from those utilizing a single blade, and many forms have numerous variations <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/jedi-training-facts/jonathan-kantor">the Jedi</a> and Sith have used over the years.This list explains the seven forms of lightsaber combat as well as the duel-wielding/double-bladed form and a couple from Star Wars Legends. Take a look down below, and be sure to practice your favorite form for your next cosplay competition!

Everything You Need To Know About Lightsaber Combat In 'Star Wars'

General

Lightsaber Forms In Star Wars

Jonathan H. Kantor

Star Wars

Like any popular franchise, Star Wars is filled to the brim with outstanding characters who resonate with fans and keep them coming back for more. Unlike other franchises, Star Wars tends to throw a background character into a scene and not leave it at that. Most of the people seen on screen, whether they have lines or any action, have some sort of backstory. There's that, and of course, a toy or action figure related to them, and Star Wars has a plethora of fleshed-out background characters with unusual names, which gave rise to the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://amp.knowyourmeme.com/memes/glup-shitto">"Glup Shitto” meme</a>.Some of those <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/minor-star-wars-character-facts/jonathan-kantor">characters have long been beloved by fans</a>, which is one of the reasons they have such rich backstories. Still, even if someone somewhere wrote 10,000 words on the biography of a character who was on screen for five seconds, that doesn't exactly leave fans truly sated. Sometimes, a character just needs their time to shine. Quinlan Vos is an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/star-wars-characters-in-only-one-movie/joe-allen">example of this</a> — he was on-screen for &gt;10 seconds in The Phantom Menace, and he became a major player in The Clone Wars.This list highlights some of the most beloved underrated (and often seemingly unknown) Star Wars characters from the background the fans would love to see in a future film or television series. Some of these characters had more screen time than others, while others were the victims of deleted scenes. Whatever the reason, these obscure fan-favorite Star Wars characters deserve their time to shine! Take a look down below, and don't forget to vote up your favorite background character from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away!

16 Obscure Fan-Favorite 'Star Wars' Characters That Deserve Their Time To Shine

Obscure Star Wars Characters That Deserve Some Attention

Go ahead and Google “the ending of Lost was terrible.” We'll wait for you to come back. That particular ending has become so infamous over the last decade, it's considered to be one of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/great-tv-shows-with-terrible-final-seasons/alexandra-plesa?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">worst TV show endings</a> ever made. Unless you're one of the people who actually like it, that is. That's always the problem with judging a series finale: they're inherently subjective.Having <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/emotional-tv-finales-undone-by-reboots/josh-plainse">an emotional ending</a> might rub some people the wrong way. Going with a downbeat finale is sure to bother just as many viewers. Whatever you do, don't end your show on a massive cliffhanger. That is one way to earn the ire of online fans until the end of time. Put on your nerd goggles, folks, and get ready to vote up the sci-fi series finales that had horrible endings.

Great Sci-Fi TV Series That Had Terrible Endings

TV Program

For some reason, filmmakers tend to be pessimistic about the future. Blade Runner, Children of Men, Mad Max, and Snowpiercer are just a few of the&nbsp;pictures that depict dystopian or post-apocalyptic futures.&nbsp;They&#39;re all good, as are many others of the type, but there&#39;s nevertheless a downer element to them. They make us worry about what might come in the years ahead.

Thank goodness for that small handful of movies that are actually optimistic about the future. Far fewer in number, these films&nbsp;offer a glimmer of hope. In them, good things await us down the road. Some of these cinematic futures find technology making life better for everyone. Some envision peace between nations that have previously been in conflict. Others see significant advances in healthcare or environmental issues. When you watch these films, having a positive outlook becomes a lot easier.

Which of the following science-fiction movies is most optimistic about the future? Vote up your favorites.&nbsp;

14 Sci-Fi Movies That Are Actually Optimistic About The Future

Mike McGranaghan

Entertainment

Star Wars is famous for its remarkably <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/star-wars-pilot-facts/jonathan-kantor">gifted pilots</a>, but one less frequently addressed topic is how many starships crash across the broader canon of the series. Star Wars has introduced a wide array of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/star-wars-ship-vehicle-details/joe-allen">fascinating vehicles</a> over the course of the franchise, and in that time, it's also found innovative ways to blow up a number of those ships.&nbsp;There are plenty of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/small-details-final-star-wars/joedonley">details </a>worth looking at more closely inside the universe of Star Wars, and these crashes are among the most fascinating. A shocking number of them are caused by pilots who are supposed to be among the best in the galaxy. You could make the argument that that's a result of how often they wind up flying, but still. At any rate, vote up the Star Wars crashes you just can't look away from.&nbsp;

16 Major Crashes In 'Star Wars' You Can't Look Away From

Every Crash In 'Star Wars' You Can't Look Away From

Joe Allen

Star Wars has been a massive franchise since the first film hit theaters in 1977. The franchise has grown to include nearly a dozen feature films, multiple live-action and animated series, television movies, a horrifically bad&nbsp;Star Wars Holiday Special, thousands of toys, video games, comics, and much more. Because it's so massive, the franchise has been filled with a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/minor-star-wars-character-facts/jonathan-kantor">plethora of minor characters</a>, many of whom play small roles in the events of the protagonist/antagonist's lives, while others fade into the background without much of an impact.That's not to say any of these characters weren't crucial to the story — they all were. Still, taking a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/star-wars-actors-playing-multiple-roles/mallory-weiler">veteran actor</a> who's been in countless cinematic hits and hiding them under makeup or armor somewhat wastes the potential performance they could have brought into the&nbsp;Star Wars universe. After all, in many cases, these could be award-winning actors. Granted, some of the examples below were more about a fan living out a dream by playing a random background character or something to that effect. Still, it kind of robs the fans of something they could have done by playing a foreground character in the franchise.These actors played relatively minor characters in a&nbsp;Star Wars project, but they could have done much more.&nbsp;Star Wars is hardly the only franchise to do this, and you can find the same casting choices of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/great-mcu-actors-with-small-parts/tyler-mitchell">great actors in the MCU</a> and other huge franchises. Take a look at them down below, and if you see an actor you would have enjoyed seeing play a more significant role, be sure to give them an upvote to see which is the greatest actor wasted on a minor&nbsp;Star Wars character.

18 Great Actors Wasted On Minor 'Star Wars' Characters

Great Actors Wasted On Minor Star Wars Characters

Trek Life

TV Episodes

Star Trek has a rich history of devoted fans, and the franchise wouldn't exist as it does today were it not for them. It was the fan's love for the characters of the original series that launched conventions and kept the hope alive until Star Trek: The Next Generation brought the franchise back for a whole new era of fans. Of course, the movies didn't hurt, but it's likely Star Trek would have ended entirely had it not been for the fans.Still, the franchise can be challenging to break into. Should a new viewer start at the very beginning, or would it be better to pick up somewhere in the middle? Doing so would expose someone to better episodes, as the pilot episodes haven't always brought people back for more. Most of the series needed some time to build up an audience, and plenty of exceptional episodes fell in various places throughout the franchise, many of which would work <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/tv-episodes-better-as-pilot/jacob-bryant">better as a pilot</a>.Bringing someone onto the franchise can be difficult and should be handled carefully. Show someone a crummy episode, and they won't be interested in returning for more. This list features some of the best Star Trek one-off episodes that perfectly depict <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/star-trek-starfleet-facts/jonathan-kantor">Starfleet</a> and its people. Whether you're a fan of Captain Kirk, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/star-trek-captain-picard-facts/jonathan-kantor">Picard</a>, or any of the others, you should probably put down that pride and show your friend one of these great episodes to get them into the franchise.

15 'Star Trek' Episodes That Sell The Series To Newcomers Better Than The Pilot

'Star Trek' Episodes For The Trek-Curious

Are we the only intelligent lifeforms in the entire universe? Probably not. Exploring the unknown worlds, motives, and visits of extraterrestrial life and UFOs.

Aliens.

Alien invasion movies are a dime a dozen. And for good reason! It is a genre that has been around for decades, and it isn&#39;t going anywhere soon. It seems like superheroes are always fending off the armies of some <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/facts-about-the-seven-steps-to-contact/laura-allan" target="_blank">extraterrestrial</a> foe, and some of the biggest films in history have been centered around visitors from outer space - hello,&nbsp;Independence Day. But there are plenty of <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-alien-invasion-movies-list/ranker-film?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">alien invasion films</a> that don&#39;t necessarily get the plaudits they deserve due to a variety of reasons.

This list runs the gamut from big-budget flops like&nbsp;Cowboys &amp; Aliens&nbsp;to B-movie cult hits like&nbsp;Killer Klowns from Outer Space. We&#39;ve got Netflix fare such as&nbsp;Extinction&nbsp;and black comedies like&nbsp;Slither. There is something for everyone here as we run through some of the most underrated sci-fi movies where humanity has to stick it to invaders from another world.

Underrated Sci-Fi Movies Where Earth Fends Off An Alien Invasion

The best sci-fi romance series never let even galactic distances come between true love. Whether it's out of this world love stories or hearts crossed in time,&nbsp; the best sci-fi romances flex all the possibilities of love across time and space. Choosing the best sci-fi romance shows can be difficult , but this list has been ranked from best to worst thanks to your votes.Truly romantic sci-fi television series make the most of what science fiction can do. An adaptation of a sci-fi romance book, The Time Traveler's Wife, spans decades, hopping back and forth just like the titular character's&nbsp;chrono-impaired beloved as it sews a patchwork of love. Two <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-sci-fi-romance-movies/ranker-film?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">sci fi romance</a> shows on Netflix leverage the concept of using science to find the perfect match - The One and Osmosis. Other good sci-fi romances include Sense8, Star Crossed, and Roswell, New Mexico.Which television sci-fi romance series are the best example of the gene? Vote up your favorites and watch as the best sci-fi romance rise to the top.

The Best Sci-Fi Romance TV Shows

The Best Sci-Fi Romance Series On TV

Ranker TV

Lists about the best (and worst) films, TV series, novels, characters, etc. in every sci-fi genre.

The Worlds of Science Fiction

Ranking the must-watch most anticipated brand new and returning 2022 series in every genre.

2022: What to Watch

2022

Science fiction can deliver wonder and horror in equal measure, and the best sci-fi shows of 2022 have it all. From fresh additions to long-loved franchises and adaptations of science fiction classics to new stories going where no show has gone before, the new sci-fi TV series premiering in 2022 are ready to take off.

<a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-new-sci-fi-tv-shows/ranker-tv?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">New science fiction series</a> in 2022 bring everything from brave new worlds and the wonders of space to surprising superheroes. Favorite far-off worlds get expanded in new sci-fi series while new frontiers are explored, making 2022 rich in new sci-fi series. Two new sci-fi series, Astrid &amp; Lilly Save The World and Chosen, combine coming of age stories with revelations that are out-of-this-world.

Check out the 2022 sci-fi shows below, then <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/upcoming-sci-fi-shows-fantasy-shows-2022/molly-gander" target="_blank">see what other upcoming science fiction is planned for the far future year of 2022</a>.

The Best New Sci-Fi Shows Of 2022

Molly Gander

Maybe the exciting shows you&#39;re looking for are full of explosions and cool moves, or maybe your excitement is fueled by a story that builds to a climax that knocks your socks off. Either way, or any way in between, the most exciting action and sci-fi shows of 2022 have just the thing to get you caught up in the moment. Real excitement comes from a combination of action and conflict that has you invested and on the edge of your seat. In 2022 there are some examples of exciting shows you&#39;ll be stoked on and we&#39;ve got them here, ranked thanks to your votes.

If you just get excited about certain franchises, no shame and lucky you, there are plenty of new entries in old favorites like Star Wars (Ahoska, The Acolyte) and the MCU (Armor Wars). For those who are looking for something else, there are exciting series of a buffet of styles from sci-fi epics like Halo, spy series such as In From The Cold, and returning favorites like Hunters.

Which of these exciting sci-fi and action series have got you hooked? Which are you most looking forward to in 2022? Vote up your favorites and watch as the most exciting sci-fi and <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/action-tv-shows-and-series/ranker-tv?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">action TV shows</a> rise to the top!

The Most Exciting Sci-Fi & Action TV Shows In 2022

The Most Exciting Sci-Fi & Action Shows On Television In 2022

Lists about films and TV shows told by the visuals-intensive medium that allows storytellers to weave fantastical legends told by unforgettable characters.

Animation Mania

The best animated sci-fi and fantasy shows are more than just &ldquo;cartoons.&rdquo; Animated television shows have a unique ability to create truly fantastical and out-of-this-world fantasy and science fiction worlds. No fancy sets, special effects or costumes - if it can be drawn it can be done! If you&rsquo;ve been looking for the sci-fi and fantasy stories that&#39;ll ignite your imagination while also enjoying the visuals of a cartoon, this list of the best animated fantasy and <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/current-sci-fi-tv-shows/ranker-tv?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">science fiction series</a> of all time will help you figure out what needs to go into your queue.

Having a <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/disney-animated-movie-sidekicks/ranker-characters">talking animal friend</a> or a robot in a cartoon doesn&#39;t necessarily make for a great animated science fiction and fantasy show. The fantasy and sci-fi elements need to be a consistent and large part of the story. Some of the best sci-fi cartoons tell the same stories a live-action show would, they just happen to be animated, such as Futurama or the animated Star Wars series. The best fantasy cartoons get to have a lot of fun with the animation and shows such as Gravity Falls and OK K.O.! Let&#39;s Be Heroes embrace the flexibility of their medium.

Which <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/my-favorite-cartoons-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">animated TV shows</a> tell the best fantasy and sci-fi stories? Vote up the best animated science fiction and fantasy shows, then vote down the cartoons that aren&#39;t great examples of the genre, and see where your favorite sci-fi cartoons rank.

The Best Animated Sci-Fi & Fantasy Series Ever Made

The Best Animated Sci-Fi & Fantasy TV Shows Of All Time, Ranked By Fans

Blast forward in time and help rank the best TV shows set in the future. Since the early days of television, futuristic themes and settings have always been a hot commodity. Whether it&#39;s a show&nbsp;from 1996&nbsp;looking into the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movies-and-tv-shows-set-in-2017/thaneeconomou" target="_blank">crazy future world of 2017</a> and <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movies-shows-set-in-2019/jonathan-kantor" target="_blank">2019</a> or a hilarious cartoon set thousands of years from now, a broad range of TV shows have been set in the future&mdash;whenever that may be. From alien communication to flying cars and teleportation, nothing&#39;s off-limits when it comes to the future&mdash;which is what makes these shows so great.

For whatever reason, there&#39;s a long list of animated shows set in the future, from the hit cartoon Futurama to the classic Duck Dodgers. Perhaps it&#39;s because drawing a futuristic world is easier than physically creating one. Whatever the reason, we&#39;ll take it. Of course, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-new-sci-fi-tv-shows/ranker-tv" target="_blank">top sci-fi shows</a> set in the future also include live-action&mdash;and they&#39;re often more entertaining. Just think of such titles like Planet of the Apes, Lost in Space, and Doctor Who. In short, there&#39;s a wide selection of both modern shows about the future and those made decades ago.

What&#39;s your favorite show set in the future? Vote up your choices for the best shows set in the future, and see where your favorite futuristic TV shows rank. And if you&#39;d like to take a trip to the past, check out some <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-shows-set-in-the-50s/ranker-tv" target="_blank">TV shows set in the 50s</a>.

The Greatest TV Shows Set in the Future

The 75+ Best TV Shows Set in the Future, Ranked by Fans

Sci-Fi lists at Ranker - The ultimate source for hundreds of Science Fiction lists and rankings

Sci-Fi lists on Ranker

These are the shows that you definitely should be watching, along with a few that you should avoid.

The Best and Worst of TV

Watchworthy

Here is a&nbsp;list of the best sci-fi shows and best sci-fi series of all time, as ranked by hundreds of Ranker voters. This list includes long-running sci-fi TV shows like <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-doctor-who-companions-of-all-time">Doctor Who</a> as well as some of the best <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/tv-shows-canceled-before-their-time">canceled shows</a> of the genre. Science fiction TV shows have been around for decades, and some of the longest running shows have fallen into this category. Popular shows such as <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/most-interesting-star-trek-characters">Star Trek</a> have enjoyed several incarnations, and fan-favorite shows like Firefly and The X-Files have made the crossover from TV to the big screen.Thanks to networks like SyFy, FX, and The CW, new&nbsp;sci-fi&nbsp;TV shows premiere every year. Sci-fi series&nbsp;like&nbsp;The Expanse, Orphan Black, and The 100&nbsp;continue to raise viewership ratings and grow fan bases. Netflix has also contributed to the science fiction genre with their original series Stranger Things,&nbsp;which was met with rave reviews.&nbsp;Vote for your favorite science fiction shows to move them to the top of the list, or press re-rank to create your own list of your favorite science fiction series. Be sure to stop by to vote on the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/top-50-british-sitcoms-of-all-time/markaroni">best British sitcoms</a> and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-shows-currently-on-the-air/acrosstheflame">best current TV shows</a> airing right now.Are you a sci-fi&nbsp;fan? Check out this list of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/current-sci-fi-tv-shows/ranker-tv" target="_blank">current sci-fi shows</a> to watch.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Babylon 5

The Best Sci-Fi Television Series Of All Time

The Best Sci-Fi TV Shows Of All Time, Ranked By Science Fiction Fans

Ranker Community

Exploring the many ways space, space travels, and extraterrestrial life are depicted in film, TV, literature, anime, comics, and technology.

Imagining Life in Space

Monsters

The best alien movies, ranked by fans of space and sci-fi genres. Famous alien related movies can take several forms. What are the best alien movies? Many films about extraterrestrials,&nbsp;alien&nbsp;themed&nbsp;abductions, or visitors from other planets turn them into traditional horror villains. These &quot;alien war&quot; movies tend to follow a simple pattern: 1) UFOs arrive on Earth, 2) a misunderstanding or outright evil intent sparks a war between aliens and humanity, 3) with massively destructive and terrifying results.

Whether the movies are funny, scary, or totally crazy, there are plenty of parallels to be found between them. Consider the similarities of&nbsp;Battle: LA, Steven Spielberg&#39;s War of the Worlds, and even Tim Burton&#39;s genre parody, Mars Attacks. However, there are also films in which aliens are not an interstellar threat but a boon to humanity, or at least well-intentioned explorers like Arrival. E.T. is the classic example of the &quot;friendly alien&quot; genre &ndash; and the xenomorphs in the Alien franchise stay in outer space, so that&#39;s good for humans, too. E.T. is also one of the best alien <a href="https://www.ranker.com/tags/kids-movies?ref=internalCrossLinking_tag">kids movies</a> ever made.

What are the best alien films of all time? Often in these films, the aliens are tragically misunderstood, and it&#39;s the primal nature of human beings that spark conflict. Finally, there are numerous films about aliens which attempt to &quot;realistically&quot; depict what might happen if humans and extraterrestrials interacted. These include Close Encounters of the Third Kind (another Spielberg film!), District 9, and even abduction films purportedly based on &quot;true stories,&quot; such as Fire in the Sky. All-in-all this is far more than just a top 10 list of the best alien movies.

While this list does not include all alien movies ever made, it is a list of the best alien films. What do you think are the greatest alien movies of all time? Vote up the good alien movies you&#39;d watch over and over, and vote down&nbsp;the ones that aren&#39;t worth your time. If you find you want more ideas then check out the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-alien-movies-on-netflix/ranker-streaming" target="_blank">best alien movies on Netflix</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-action-movies-on-netflix-instant/polkadotking">best action movies on Netflix</a>, <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-movies-on-netflix-instant/polkadotking">best movies on Netflix</a>, the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-predator-movies/ranker-film" target="_blank">best Predator movies</a>,&nbsp;and our list of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-horror-movies-on-netflix-instant/polkadotking">scary movies on Netflix</a>.&nbsp;

2001: A Space Odyssey

The Best Alien Movies Ever Made

The Best Movies About Aliens and Alien Abductions, Ranked

Lists about nerdy hobbies, franchises, and topics—and the sweet, socially awkward geeks who obsess over them.

Nerd Alert

A list of the best geek movies. These are cool nerd films featuring geeks, geek culture, or they&#39;re simply *for* geeks. These truly are the best of the bunch, vote up your favorites and vote down any that you never want to see again. Say what you want about the freaks, geeks, nerds, and dorks of this world, but they have great taste in movies and have made a hell of an entertaining list of the best geek films. Sure, most of them are going to be sci-fi and fantasy, but there are a few other genres on this list of geek films as well.

Some of these films don&#39;t even have computers in them, nor do they have anything to do with math. And the end of the day, everybody has a little bit of a geek in them, and with that in mind, perhaps these geek movies are ultimately for everyone. What are the top geek movies? Take a look and enjoy these amazing geek films!

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

The Best Geek Movies

The Best Geek Movies And Nerd Films, Ranked

Ranker Film

Ranking the best novels and non-fiction books of every genre.

Bibliophilia

poll

This list ranks the best science fiction novels ever written, as voted on by sci-fi readers. Anyone can add their picks to this list of sci-fi books, making it an accurate, real-time ranking of the best sci-fi&nbsp;books of all time by the people who live and breathe Asimov, Heinlein, Bradbury, and Clarke.

Vote up the novels that you think best represent the greatest science fiction books ever written in order to determine the most popular science fiction books on the shelves. It doesn&#39;t much matter they&#39;re classic or modern, utopian or dystopian; if they&#39;re popular sci-fi books, this list is the place to rank them.

If you see a good book that&#39;s missing, add it whether it be a lesser-known classic or a new sci-fi book fellow readers need to try. Vote up your favorite literary slices of sci-fi. And for maximum impact, make your own list by reranking this one your own way, so that everyone can see whether your top rated sci-fi novels take place on Arrakis, Mars, or even Earth. Then, check out the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-science-fiction-books-2019/ranker-books" target="_blank">best new science fiction books</a>, many of which will become the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/sci-fi-books-you-have-to-read-to-have-nerd-cred/zack-howe" target="_blank">next generation&#39;s classics</a>.

Neuromancer

The Greatest Science Fiction Novels Of All Time

Book

Greatest Sci-Fi Novels | Best Science Fiction Books Ranked by Fans

Teen Wolf

The Vampire Diaries

Merlin

Stranger Things

Star Trek: Discovery

Westworld

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Star Trek Beyond

Robert A. Heinlein

Arthur C. Clarke

Isaac Asimov

All the best shows airing new episodes on regular TV and streaming through online media.

TV: What's On Now?

Deep-diving into HBO's sci-fi Western, now playing Season 3.

Few TV genres are as tricky to get right as the science-fiction series. However, this also allows for there to be an unlimited number of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/underrated-sci-fi-shows-2010s/jonathan-kantor">sci-fi shows</a> with different tones, scopes, and stories depending on the platform they're coming from - be it a big-budget network smash hit, or a smaller and more intimate <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-very-best-of-premium-cable-original-programming?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">cable series</a>. There are some excellent current sci-fi shows on television&nbsp;- but which do you think are the best?It's time to pick the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/underrated-sci-fi-shows-funny/erin-cody">best sci-fi shows on television</a> right now - those you think everyone should be watching. These are <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-scifi-television-series-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">sci fi TV shows</a> or sci fi series that voters have agreed are the best of the genre - at least for the current crop (we all know Battlestar Galactica would outrank them all!). However, new&nbsp;sci-fi shows like The&nbsp;Mandalorian and Upload might quickly climb up&nbsp;the list.&nbsp;Check out this list of the best sci-fi shows on television right now and vote up the good current science <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.ranker.com/list/historical-fiction-tv-shows-and-series/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">fiction shows</a> you think deserve the top spots. Whether you prefer a modern iteration of the classic Star Trek franchise, or an anthology series for the ages, if it's a great sci-fi airing now, you'll find it below.

Sci-Fi Shows You Should Be Watching Now

30+ Current Sci-Fi Shows You Should Be Watching, Ranked by Fans

Looking for movies and TV shows that are rated T for Teen? These lists feature  great movies and TV programs about teens, enjoyed by people of all ages.

Rated T for Teen

Best TV

Teens can be some of the most loyal television series fans. Can be. Sometimes they&#39;re too busy on their iPhones and pirating music to watch TV. But, not all teens are hormonal nightmares... they&#39;re just complicated. They&#39;re about as complicated as these great teen scifi shows. These greatest teen fantasy shows of all time. What does that mean? It means that these shows are about teens are in the middle of finding themselves and these great shows help them shape their identity. Are they a Buffy person? Or is The 100 more their speed? This is the second most important question when you&#39;re a teen - just behind, &quot;what music do you listen to?&quot;

Some of the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-current-fantasy-tv-series/ranker-tv" target="_blank">best fantasy shows</a> of all time are primarily made for a teenage audience. That being said, it&#39;s up to you, Rankers. Which of these teen sci-fi fantasy shows is the greatest ever? Remember, just the shows that have mostly teen characters - even if the actors tend to be a little older than high school.

Once Upon a Time

The Best Teen Sci-Fi And Fantasy TV Series

The Best Teen Scifi & Fantasy TV Series, Ranked By Fans

Lists about novelists, poets, short story authors, journalists, essayists, and playwrights, from simple rankings to fun facts about the men and women behind the pens.

People Who Write

The best science-fiction writers are among some of the most creative writers ever. Instead of only making up a story, they make up entire universes, time dimensions, alien technologies - it&#39;s really incredible. Truth be told, some are more successful than others - it is really easy to write bad scifi. But those who can actually pull the genre off are right here on this list of the top science-fiction authors. These are the best science-fiction authors of all time, ranked by readers and fans.

This list include some highly recognizable and classic names, like Isaac Asimov and George Orwell, along with some contemporary science-fiction writers who are just beginning to make their mark on the genre. This list of the best sci-fi authors includes some of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-horror-novelists">best horror writers</a> and the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-fantasy-authors">best fantasy authors</a>, but since the genres elements all go together nicely, it&#39;s to be expected. Fans of science-fiction know that there is always some overlap. All of the famous sci fi authors on this list have one thing in common: they&#39;ve written fantastic, horrifying, mystical works of science-fiction for fans to enjoy for years to come. Vote for your favorite sci-fi authors here.

Listed among the best science-fiction authors are some of the most well-known, popular sci-di authors ever, including a few that may not always show up on a &#39;best of&#39; list. Disagree with a choice? Vote it down. The aforementioned (brilliant) writers are responsible for some of the best science-fiction novels and series of all time - but other sci-fi writers like Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451), Mary Shelley (Frankenstein), Robert Louis Stevenson (The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde), and Aldous Huxley (Brave New World) are excellent sci-fi writers as well. All of these authors, in my opinion, deserve a place of honor on this list.

Hopefully, this list will grow and become totally comprehensive. Readers who are new to sci-fi can use it as a great guide to find new science fiction authors and books.

Larry Niven

The Best Science-Fiction Authors

Writer

The Best Science-Fiction Authors | List of the Greatest Sci-Fi Writers

Star Trek

This is a list of all Star Trek movies, ranked best to worst by fans, casual critics, and people like you. This votable list includes every Star Trek&nbsp;film to date. Certainly, several Star Trek&nbsp;films could be considered among the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-space-movies/all-genre-movies-lists" target="_blank">best space movies</a>. Which one is the greatest ever made? That&#39;s decided by voters, so be sure to cast your vote up or down for each film listed. Trekkies, this one&#39;s for you. Also: You can re-rank this list of great Star Trek&nbsp;films in any order you want.

Generally speaking, many Star Trek&nbsp;fans consider 1982&#39;s <a href="/list/star-trek-ii-the-wrath-of-khan-cast-and-actors-in-this-movie/reference" target="_blank">Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan</a>&nbsp;to be one of the best, if not *the* greatest Star Trek&nbsp;movie ever made. It&#39;s hard to deny that this film isn&#39;t awesome, with battles between the crew of the starship Enterprise&nbsp;and the evil Khan Noonien Singh.

The Star Trek&nbsp;movie franchise has enjoyed a revival, thanks in large part to J.J. Abrams&#39;s 2009 movie Star Trek&nbsp;and 2013&#39;s Star Trek Into Darkness.&nbsp;Where should these modern era Star Trek&nbsp;movies fall in comparison to the classics? Are they also among the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-sci-fi-movies" target="_blank">greatest sci-fi movies</a> of all time? History will ultimately decide, but for now, you can - by voting!