The world of science fiction is one that many choose to boldly venture into. Getting lost in the mythology, characters and fantasy elements of the most popular sci-fi shows is priceless, unadulterated entertainment and the genre shows no signs of slowing down.
From classic sci-fi series to more modern escapades, each science fiction show is different, creating new worlds for us to get caught up in. However, if you were asked to pick the very best of the bunch, the ultimate science fiction series, which one would you chose?
We’ve hit the archives, dug out our box sets and settled in to compile our top five sci-fi series ever created, in association with MyVoucherCodes. Do you agree?
The X-Files
For many, The X-Files is the single greatest TV show ever created. Chris Carter’s masterpiece took us on a journey through government conspiracies, monster of the week style scares and a will-they-won’t-they romance that we couldn’t turn away from.
The show has enjoyed a resurgence of late thanks to the release of the new series and the fact that we’ve been able to binge watch the show on streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime (finally, a reason to cash in that Amazon discount code for Amazon Prime members!) and Netflix.
Watching the series back, you can’t help but be distracted by Scully’s range of pant suits in the early 90s or Mulder’s incredible array of hairstyles. However, the stories still hold up and characters such as the Smoking Man still leave us double-checking when we see a waft of cigarette smoke.
Battlestar Galactica
The Battlestar franchise is one of the most popular science fiction series ever created, attracting legions of dedicated fans and a place in TIME’s 100 Best TV Shows of All Time list. Set in a far away star system, the show followed a human civilisation living within the Twelve Colonies. As war breaks out, the survivors must set off to find refuge on a planet called Earth.
Battlestar Galactica flipped the sci-fi series on its head, by revealing at the end that it took place in a prehistoric past rather than the future.
Star Trek
“Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilisations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.
It’s impossible to compile a list of the greatest sci-fi series ever created without mentioning the incredible impact of Star Trek. The voyages of the starship Enterprise have captivated sci-fi fans for decades, from the original series through to The Next Generation, Voyager, Enterprise and the latest movie versions to hit the big screen.
The unwavering appeal of Star Trek is largely due to the complex characters featured in each season, from the boyish charm of Captain Kirk and the allure of Uhura to the otherworldly appeal of Spock. As the series developed and the captains changed, Star Trek remained the same, dealing with key human issues mixed in with awesome sci-fi effects.
Doctor Who
Since 1963, the Doctor Who theme tune has left many of us hiding behind the sofa cushions. The British TV institution follows the adventures of the Doctor, a space and time travelling humanoid alien, and his battles with a whole host of creatures. The show is a cult phenomenon, the different variations of the Doctor have all instantly become much-loved characters and even the dastardly daleks have achieved star status.
Although the face may change, the appeal of the Doctor and his companions has never wavered. The reveal of the new actor taking over the Tardis is welcomed with the same excitement as Christmas morning – for cult television fans, it really doesn’t get any better.
Firefly
Finally, we finish our list with a dark horse. Firefly never had the chance to reach the levels of the other shows on this list, thanks to an abrupt cancellation of Joss Whedon’s space western. Regardless of running time, the series has now achieved cult status, with ‘browncoats’ around the world campaigning for more episodes.
The show followed the adventures of Capt Mal and his crew. Now living on the fringe of society after a civil war, they must battle the Alliance while also trying to make a living. After the show was cancelled, fans were rewarded with the movie Serenity, which continues the story of the TV series. As a fan favourite, Firefly’s post-airing success has led to it receiving a worthy spot on our list.
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