Sci-fi is an incredible genre filled with themes of space and the future. It has been a staple for diversity, with Star Trek having the first interracial kiss on screen and iconic female characters such as Leia Organa from Star Wars and Ellen Ripley from Alien. The genre has also been a common way to commentate and cope with political, scientific, and social changes and problems. Sci-fi is a staple genre, but it can also be hard to start due to how fantastic and elaborate it can be. In this article, I will be giving my top recommendations as well as what I’m currently watching.
Dune
Dune was originally a book published by Frank Herbert in 1965. It is a true unsung origin of modern sci-fi and worldbuilding in general. This book was the inspiration for many famous space and sci-fi stories, including Star Wars. However, this story wouldn’t get a proper film adaptation or recognition by the general public until 2021. Dune is about Paul Atreides and his family becoming the new governors of the planet of Arrakis. When they arrive, however, the locals believe that Paul is the chosen one who would help them reclaim their planet from those who want to exploit it for a fuel source called spice. He is thrown into this prophecy when the planet is attacked, and the only way to fight back is with Paul at the front lines. It’s a gorgeous story with themes of leadership and religion, a wonderful place to start for classic sci-fi.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a sci-fi staple. It is one of the biggest names in sci-fi next to Star Trek. This world has been expanding since 1977 and continues to grow today. Star Wars is, in its most basic form, about a family of magic knights called Jedi. They are both the galaxy’s saviors and destroyers. The original movies (episodes 4–6) focus on Luke Skywalker. The prequels (episodes 1–3) focus on his father. The sequels (episodes 7–9) explore the Skywalker legacy. The other properties of Star Wars include spin-off movies, shows, and video games. These explore the consequences and ripple effects of the Skywalkers.
If you are starting Star Wars, it is important to know the viewing order. Different people give different recommendations. There is no wrong way to watch Star Wars. However, here is my recommended order: Episodes 4–5, Episodes 1–3, Solo, Rogue One, Episodes 7–9, Clone Wars, The Mandalorian, Book of Boba Fett, Andor, and then other shows and video games if you want them. Star Wars can be complicated. It includes many time jumps. Don’t feel disheartened if you get confused at first. Watch it with a friend who knows the world well. They can explain things as you go. Watching with someone is always fun. If you want a sci-fi staple to get lost in, Star Wars is a perfect place to start.
2001: A Space Odyssey
2001: A Space Odyssey is a one-off movie but still a staple of sci-fi. Released in 1968 and created by Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke, this movie is a deep look at the past, present, and future. The movie is less about a central story and more about the positives and negatives that could be in the future. The moon landing wasn’t until 1969, so a majority of the film focuses on the fear of the unknown and the introspection of the vastness of space. The movie is severely trippy, but it’s meant to be less of a story and more of a conversation starter. If you are looking for something with incredible visuals and an ending that leaves you reeling, I couldn’t recommend this movie more.
I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream is a short story by Harlan Ellison published in 1967. The story may be 10-15 pages long, but do not let that fool you. This story is one of the most haunting stories of the genre as a whole. The story is about an AI that named itself AM, wiping out humanity and putting five humans on trial for their crimes. AM talks about the complexities of humanity and its perspective on the topic as an AI. The story ends with all of those on trial dead except for one. It is definitely the scariest sci-fi staple. It does not hold back with its debates over man vs. machine. If you are someone who loves horror and wants to shift into sci-fi, then this story is perfect. However, if you are squeamish, I would stick to the other recommendations on this list.
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a much lighter and funnier option than the others. Written by Douglas Adams in 1979, this book is a comedic take on the sci-fi genre as a whole. There are still themes and moments that are incredibly sci-fi, but most of the book is more about the silliness of sci-fi’s debates on philosophy and the future. The book follows a man named Arthur Dent who discovers that his friend Ford is not from Earth and works as a researcher for the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. They then get pulled into a grand adventure and succeed while knowing almost nothing about aliens or other planets. The book takes readers on a hilarious and trippy ride through the sci-fi genre as a whole. While it may not be ideal for someone new to sci-fi, it remains required reading for anyone who enjoys the genre.
There are so many to recommend and experience, including my current watch, Trigun: Stampede. However, the world of sci-fi is as vast as space itself. There are many more stories in sci-fi, but you can’t explore a whole galaxy without a good starting point. So take some of these recommendations and dive into the world of sci-fi; a galaxy awaits you.
