EW's Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies and TV of the last 25 years

[Ryan K]

In the May 11, 2007 issue of Entertainment Weekly there's an article couting down the top 25 science fiction movies and TV shows of the last 25 years. I thought it might be interesting to see what everyone thinks of the list. What doesn't belong and what got left off. Here's the list:

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Brazil
7. E.T.
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation
9. Aliens
10. The Thing
11. Lost
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Firefly/Serenity
16. Total Recall
17. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
18. Heroes
19. Starship Troopers
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Quantum Leap
23. Doctor Who
24. Galaxy Quest
25. V: The Miniseries

There's a cuple on the list I;ve yet to see such as Children of Men and all of Battlestar Galactica (so please try not to spoil me). Never saw V either.

I'm assuming they're categorizing the recent batch of comic book movies as fantasy rather than science fiction or I'd expect to see at least X2 and Spider-Man 2 on the list. It'd be interesting to see the list had they included fantasy and where movies like LotR (likely #1) and Harry Potter would place. Buffy the Vampire Slayer likely would have been included too and considering its influence on shows like Lost, Smallville, and in turn Heroes, it would likely have been top 3 (at least in my eyes).

The 3 no-doubt-about-it science fiction movies and TV shows that stick out as omissions for me (off the top pf my head anyway) are Babylon 5, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Minority Report.

I'd like to propose a sort of game.

Similar, but different, to the CBR 25 Greatest Comics thread at Community Forum.

You pick one movie/TV show on this list, eliminate it, give your reasoning, and replace it with your choice, again giving your reasoning. The next poster then does the same - he/she can eliminate your previous choice if they like.

1) You may not go before 4 people have posted, or 2 hours have passed
2) No fantasy (Conan/LOTR), supernatural (Buffy, horror movies unless they have significant sci-fi content: eg, Alien, yes, Nightmare on Elm Street, no), or superheroes.
3) The numbering won't represent rank. So if you think Matrix should be in top 25, but not #1, don't change the order.
4) One movie at a time.
5) The movie or TV show must be from the last 25 years.

[Cyke]

Some thoughts, since the true purpose of any good list is to debate and discuss, not to set an order in stone:

-I love the Matrix, I really do. I probably love the Matrix more than anyone on this board. I have the soundtrack, I tried to memorize the fight choreography, and I know the specialties of most of the heroes. With that said, it does NOT belong in the top spot at all. I'd say the teens, at best.

-Futurama, Doctor Who, and Quantum Leap should be higher on the list. Heck, I don't even like Quantum Leap, but it was such a big step towards ushering sci-fi into the modern mainstream.

-Heroes is a bit too new to be that high on the list. Granted, I love the show, but c'mon, the article even mentions that its first season isn't over.

-As high as Brazil is on the list, I think it could've been higher. It was almost too creative for its own good. For instance, it took the dystopian future cliche and actually used it for real story purposes, not just a bleak background to pity the hero.

-Woot! Aliens! Sure, it was a given, but I'm sure glad to see it on the list.

-I like TNG and all, but DS9 should be on it, too. Hell, just a few years ago, when EW was ripping apart Enterprise, it considered DS9 to be the best of the Trek bunch. I just ask for a little bit of consistency.

-No surprise about the X-Files or Blade Runner there. But I *am* happy that The Thing made it to the list. I haven't thought about that movie in ages. It could've easily been left off the list and I don't think a lot of people would have noticed.

-I may not think that Battlestar Galactica should be that high on the list, BUT to me it helps legitimize the idea that reboots, if properly executed, can indeed work.



The 3 no-doubt-about-it science fiction movies and TV shows that stick out as omissions for me (off the top pf my head anyway) are Babylon 5, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Minority Report.

Discuss.

Agreed about Babylon 5. I don't really like the show, but to deny its impact and influence is criminal and robs B5 of a lot of recognition.

I briefly considered Independence Day, but (aside from the crappy story), the only real, memorable events of impact there could easily be put into a normal Top 25 Action Movie list instead.

[Ryan K]

Interesting to note that 4 of EW's top 10 (ET, Star Trek 2, Blade Runner, and The Thing) were all made in 1982. If the list were made next year, none of the 4 would be eligible.

Another omission I just thought of: Gattaca. Donnie Darko or The Iron Giant might be considerations too.

[Zero Hunter]

I think Starship Troopers should not be on that list. I am sorry but that movie is a cult hit at best, and not that good of one at that. Same can probably be said for Firefly/Serinity.

[Tommy]

Matrix being on the top of the list is wrong for so vary many reasons that I could probably make a top twenty five list about that alone.

Top billing should have been given to the X-files. That show had massive impact not only on popularizing science fiction, but also on the vary way people would make television.

The fact that anyone would put utter crap like “Starship Troopers” that had no cultural or artistic value on the list at all is disturbing.

Dr. Who and Quantum Leap are both too low.

The fact that they omitted Space Balls, Farscape and Babylon 5 makes me wonder if the people who wrote it really liked Sci-Fi at all.

[Chiasm]

I've got no problem with The Matrix being #1 although I do think the X-Files should have been there.

But I'm peeved that Farscape got left off.

And I don't understand the rationale that gets Heroes on the list since I'd consider Heroes fantasy. And if your going to open that door than Buffy needs to be there as well.

[cactusmaac]

Meh. No Dark City.

[Ryan K]

Starship Trroopers is vastly underrated. I think its an excellent film and definately has artistic value. Funny, excessively violent, subversive, and some witty commentary on fascism. EW does comment that it is the most love it/or hate it piece on the list.

I'm OK with Matrix #1. I personally wouldn't have placed it that high, but I probably would have had it in the top 5 just for cultural impact.

I actually would have liked to see Firefly/Serenity higher. AT least in the top 10.

And I don't understand the rationale that gets Heroes on the list since I'd consider Heroes fantasy. And if your going to open that door than Buffy needs to be there as well.

Excellent point. Heroes place on the list brings into question omissions like Buffy and all the superhero stuff from the last decade.

[Indigo Al]

I'd like to propose a sort of game.

Similar, but different, to the CBR 25 Greatest Comics thread at Community Forum.

You pick one movie/TV show on this list, eliminate it, give your reasoning, and replace it with your choice, again giving your reasoning. The next poster then does the same - he/she can eliminate your previous choice if they like.

1) You may not go before 4 people have posted, or 2 hours have passed
2) No fantasy (Conan/LOTR), supernatural (Buffy, horror movies unless they have significant sci-fi content: eg, Alien, yes, Nightmare on Elm Street, no), or superheroes.
3) The numbering won't represent rank. So if you think Matrix should be in top 25, but not #1, don't change the order.
4) One movie at a time.

I'll start:

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Brazil
7. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation
9. Aliens
10. The Thing
11. Lost
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Firefly/Serenity
16. Total Recall
17. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
18. Heroes
19. Starship Troopers
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Quantum Leap
23. Doctor Who
24. Galaxy Quest
25. V: The Miniseries

Out: ET - Sorry, but it was kind of a saccharine and annoying movie. I'm not compelled to put it in a "greatest" list.
In: Close Encounters of the Third Kind - A drama about the American family in the 70's mixed in with a UFO pseudo-adventure, and it works. The "greys" are cemented in iconography of UFO abduction nuts everywhere. Few questions are answered. I loved it.

And go!

[Cyke]

I've got no problem with The Matrix being #1 although I do think the X-Files should have been there.

But I'm peeved that Farscape got left off.

And I don't understand the rationale that gets Heroes on the list since I'd consider Heroes fantasy. And if your going to open that door than Buffy needs to be there as well.

I think what helps differentiate Heroes from fantasy is that a lot of it is blatantly sci-fi, such as powers coming from genes, time travel, and experiments gone amuck.

Then again, I also said Heroes doesn't deserve to be on the list, or at least that high on the list.

If Buffy were on the list, then Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings movies would be all creaming almost everyone on that list.

Meh. No Dark City.

Gah! Great point. If anything deserves to be on that list, it's Dark City. Maybe moreso than The Matrix.

[SnowTrooper]

Why is Total Recall on that list at all? I've never understood why that movie is as popular as it is.

X-Files and Terminator should be higher on the list.

[Chiasm]

From Indigo Al's idea:

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Brazil
7. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation
9. Aliens
10. The Thing
11. Lost
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Firefly/Serenity
16. Total Recall
17. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
19. Farscape
19. Starship Troopers
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Quantum Leap
23. Doctor Who
24. Galaxy Quest
25. V: The Miniseries

Out: Heroes
In: Farscape

Don't get me wrong, I love Heroes and its currently my 2nd favorite show of any still on the air behind only Supernatural. But Heroes is not sci fi and its inclusion opens a whole can of worms like where is Buffy, where is any of the comic book movies of this decade, etc.

Farscape on the other hand is one of my favorite shows ever and the critical success of it helped open the door for the Sci Fi channel to start making its own series like Battlestar. And it had one of the coolest villians, Scorpius, to ever set foot in a TV show.

[Jamal]

No Dune? Love it or hate it the movie deserves to be on the list.

[Ryan K]

I'd like to propose a sort of game.

Similar, but different, to the CBR 25 Greatest Comics thread at Community Forum.

You pick one movie/TV show on this list, eliminate it, give your reasoning, and replace it with your choice, again giving your reasoning. The next poster then does the same - he/she can eliminate your previous choice if they like.

1) You may not go before 4 people have posted, or 2 hours have passed
2) No fantasy (Conan/LOTR), supernatural (Buffy, horror movies unless they have significant sci-fi content: eg, Alien, yes, Nightmare on Elm Street, no), or superheroes.
3) The numbering won't represent rank. So if you think Matrix should be in top 25, but not #1, don't change the order.
4) One movie at a time.

I'll start:

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Brazil
7. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation
9. Aliens
10. The Thing
11. Lost
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Firefly/Serenity
16. Total Recall
17. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
18. Heroes
19. Starship Troopers
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Quantum Leap
23. Doctor Who
24. Galaxy Quest
25. V: The Miniseries

Out: ET - Sorry, but it was kind of a saccharine and annoying movie. I'm not compelled to put it in a "greatest" list.
In: Close Encounters of the Third Kind - A drama about the American family in the 70's mixed in with a UFO pseudo-adventure, and it works. The "greys" are cemented in iconography of UFO abduction nuts everywhere. Few questions are answered. I loved it.

And go!

I'm down with this, but Close Encounters is older than 25 years old. Do we want to do Top 25 of all time and start introducing classic Star Trek, Forbidden Planet, Planet of the Apes, etc? Or do we want to stick with the Top 25 of the last 25 years that the EW articles discusses? Either way.

[Ryan K]

No Dune? Love it or hate it the movie deserves to be on the list.

The problem is most people hate it. Deservedly IMO.

[Indigo Al]

I'm down with this, but Close Encounters is older than 25 years old. Do we want to do Top 25 of all time and start introducing classic Star Trek, Forbidden Planet, Planet of the Apes, etc? Or do we want to stick with the Top 25 of the last 25 years that the EW articles discusses? Either way.

Yikes, good point. I'd prefer to go for "all time", but maybe it makes more sense to limit the time period? What do you guys think?

[Ryan K]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Brazil
7. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation
9. Aliens
10. The Thing
11. Lost
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Firefly/Serenity
16. Total Recall
17. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
19. Farscape
19. Starship Troopers
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. Galaxy Quest
25. V: The Miniseries

IN: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
OUT: Quantum Leap

Never liked Quantum Leap. If you've seen one episode you've seen them all. How many times does dude "leap" into a female body, or a famous person's, or someone important to his own life. And I don't buy EW's reasoning that it brough sci-fi to the mainstream as a good enough reason to keep it on this list.

Especially with DS9 left in the wings. The Dominion War of the last two seasons alone merits the show being on this list. As Cyke mentioned, as the years go by critics more often call it the best of the Star Trek shows. Interesting characters and some of the best relationships on any ST show (O'Brien and Bashir, Sisko and Jake, Sisko and Dax, Worf and Dax, Odo and Kira, the list goes on), complex serialized storytelling (a first for ST), and excellent old fashioned sci-fi storytelling stand alone episodes (The Visitor, Far Beyond the Stars, etc.). Leaving this off the list is a crime.

[Ryan K]

Yikes, good point. I'd prefer to go for "all time", but maybe it makes more sense to limit the time period? What do you guys think?

We could just expand to include the last 30 years so we can include Close Encounters and Star Wars since that seems to be a year that really revitalized a new generation of sci-fi in film and television.

[Cyke]

Don't get me wrong, I love Heroes and its currently my 2nd favorite show of any still on the air behind only Supernatural. But Heroes is not sci fi and its inclusion opens a whole can of worms like where is Buffy, where is any of the comic book movies of this decade, etc.

But how does Heroes not qualify as Sci-Fi? As opposed to Buffy and Supernatural, which clearly have fantasy elements. All their powers come from science, there are classical sci-fi elements such as dopplegangers and time travel, and there's even the big monolithic conspiracy found in so many properties.


Fantasy is a genre of art that uses magic and other supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. The genre is generally distinguished from science fiction and horror by overall look, feel, and theme of the individual work, though there is a great deal of overlap between the three (collectively known as speculative fiction). In its broadest sense, fantasy comprises works by many writers, artists, filmmakers, and musicians, from ancient myths and legends to many recent works embraced by a wide audience today.

Heroes has none of that. Buffy is chock-full of that. What would qualify Heroes as fantasy, and what would qualify Buffy as sci-fi/sci-fantasy?

Again, I'm not even arguing that Heroes should be on the list, but it does have plenty of sci-fi elements to it, as opposed to fantasy.

As for other superhero properties, for many movies, I wouldn't really call them influential per se, though I'd still call them sci-fi. Everyone in the Spider-Man movies is powered by science, for one thing. But then other guidelines come into play: Superman is too old a movie to qualify, Batman isn't really sci-fi, and X-Men and Spider-Man weren't really groundbreaking, just super-popular.

Farscape on the other hand is one of my favorite shows ever and the critical success of it helped open the door for the Sci Fi channel to start making its own series like Battlestar. And it had one of the coolest villians, Scorpius, to ever set foot in a TV show.

Agreed.

[Cyke]

We could just expand to include the last 30 years so we can include Close Encounters and Star Wars since that seems to be a year that really revitalized a new generation of sci-fi in film and television.

I would go with that, but then again, Close Encounters and Star Wars are on *every* Top-Something Sci-Fi list anyway, so it'd be too predictable, I think.

[Ryan K]

Should we just go with the original Top 25 of the last 25 years then. Indigo Al, you OK with that? Wanna change your inclusion of Close Encounters?

[Cyke]

Should we just go with the original Top 25 of the last 25 years then. Indigo Al, you OK with that? Wanna change your inclusion of Close Encounters?

I think the discussion in this whole thread is proof that there's so much worthy sci-fi within the last 25 yrs alone. I'd support it :)

[Indigo Al]

Ok, Last 25 years is fine. We can take out Close Encounters. But, could we leave out superheroes? We've had enough lists/discussions about them.

[Ryan K]

Ok, Last 25 years is fine. We can take out Close Encounters. But, could we leave out superheroes? We've had enough lists/discussions about them.

Agreed. So the list stands as:

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Brazil
7. ET
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation
9. Aliens
10. The Thing
11. Lost
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Firefly/Serenity
16. Total Recall
17. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
19. Farscape
19. Starship Troopers
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. Galaxy Quest
25. V: The Miniseries

Let the games begin . . . or continue I guess. :)

[Indigo Al]

If you guys don't mind, I'm gonna take my turn again because of my misfire...

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Brazil
7. Gattaca
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation
9. Aliens
10. The Thing
11. Lost
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Firefly/Serenity
16. Total Recall
17. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
19. Farscape
19. Starship Troopers
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. Galaxy Quest
25. V: The Miniseries

Out: ET - I hate that frickin movie!!!!
In: Gattaca - no aliens, no space opera, just a murder mystery in a world that will no doubt be like ours in a short span, and which says a lot about "the human condition" (AGHH GACK I can't believe I just typed that)

[Tommy]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Brazil
7. GATTACA
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation
9. Aliens
10. The Thing
11. Lost
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Firefly/Serenity
16. Total Recall
17. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
19. Farscape
19. Starship Troopers
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. SpaceBalls
25. V: The Miniseries

Out: Galaxy Quest
In: SpaceBalls

Mel Brooks turned in not only great parody of Star Wars, but a great parady of all Science Fiction that happened to stand on its own as a good movie.

[DonC]

I think Starship Troopers should not be on that list. I am sorry but that movie is a cult hit at best, and not that good of one at that. Same can probably be said for Firefly/Serinity.


I agree with you on Starship Troopers (come on, people still debate whether or not it's supposed to be a comedy), but I disagree on Firefly/Serenity. This isn't a popularity contest, it's about what is good. Firefly was damn good (the movie was okay).

[Cyke]

Can we trade spots? Like, if I wanted to switch #20 with #8 or so? (not that I will, I just wanted to list an example).

[Ryan K]

Can we trade spots? Like, if I wanted to switch #20 with #8 or so? (not that I will, I just wanted to list an example).

Just think of the numbering as unimportant. Hell we could do away with the numbering altogether, its just there so we know 25 are there.

[Indigo Al]

Just think of the numbering as unimportant. Hell we could do away with the numbering altogether, its just there so we know 25 are there.


Exactly - don't think of it as a ranking

[Cyke]

Just think of the numbering as unimportant. Hell we could do away with the numbering altogether, its just there so we know 25 are there.

Point taken. In that case...

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Brazil
7. GATTACA
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation
9. Aliens
10. The Thing
11. Lost
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Firefly/Serenity
16. Dark City
17. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
19. Farscape
19. Starship Troopers
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. SpaceBalls
25. V: The Miniseries

In: Dark City
Out: Total Recall

There've been movies that tried to make sci-fi more adult. Dark City didn't make sci-fi adult, it went beyond that: it made it sophisticated for a new era. The depth in Dark City shows that sci-fi movies can be just as engaging and involving as written sci-fi stories.

As opposed to Total Recall, which, while fun, is still a better-than-average action flick. (for that matter, in hindsight, I wouldn't mind seeing Predator make it on the list).

[Ryan K]

Two hours have passed, so . . .

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Brazil
7. Gattaca
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation
9. Aliens
10. The Thing
11. Lost
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Firefly/Serenity
16. Dark City
17. Neon Genesis Evangelion
19. Farscape
19. Starship Troopers
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. SpaceBalls
25. V: The Miniseries

IN: Neon Genesis Evangelion
OUT: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

I love Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I thought it was the best movie the year it was released, but its not a sci-fi movie IMO. It has science fiction elements, but not enough for me to justify it on this list.

The lack of anime like Akira on this list is amazing. So I place my favorite anime on the list now, Neon Genesis Evangelion. The mind blowing, thought provoking story of a boy forced to pilot a mecha to fight the Angels that threaten to destro the world. Filled with religious and psychological imagery and a huge influence on all mecha anime (and most scifi anime) to come after it. For me personally its Top 5.

[Tommy]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Brazil
7. Gattaca
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation
9. Aliens
10. The Thing
11. Lost
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Firefly/Serenity
16. Dark City
17. Neon Genesis Evangelion
19. Farscape
19. Babylon 5
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. SpaceBalls
25. V: The Miniseries


Out: Starship Troopers
In: Babulon 5
Babylon 5 was a revolutionary show. Not just for Sci-Fi, but for TV in general. It also spawned a whole new generation of Sci-Fi TV, since before it aired all networks believed that the only profitable Sci-Fi show was Star Trek.

[Cyke]

Out: Starship Troopers
In: Babulon 5
Babylon 5 was a revolutionary show. Not just for Sci-Fi, but for TV in general. It also spawned a whole new generation of Sci-Fi TV, since before it aired all networks believed that the only profitable Sci-Fi show was Star Trek.

Agreed. I don't even like B5, but no one can deny its impact or its influence. Storywise and in real-life, it's one of those underdog stories that really did make it.

[Indigo Al]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Brazil
7. Gattaca
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation
9. Aliens
10. The Thing
11. Starship Troopers
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Firefly/Serenity
16. Dark City
17. Neon Genesis Evangelion
19. Farscape
19. Babylon 5
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. SpaceBalls
25. V: The Miniseries

Out: Lost. Is it really science fiction? I'm not saying it's bad (don't really watch it), but does it truly belong?
Back in: Starship Troopers - a wicked and witty satire, a cult movie worthy of a cult.

[Tommy]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Brazil
7. Gattaca
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation
9. Aliens
10. The Thing
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Firefly/Serenity
16. Dark City
17. Neon Genesis Evangelion
19. Farscape
19. Babylon 5
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. SpaceBalls
25. V: The Miniseries

Out:Starship Troopers
In:Mystery Science Theater 3000- What started out as a cheep way to fill two hours on a cable channel, blossomed into one of the best and longest running TV shows. And it created an entire culture of watching bad movies for the sheer lunacy of them.

[Cyke]

Out: Lost. Is it really science fiction? I'm not saying it's bad (don't really watch it), but does it truly belong?
Back in: Starship Troopers - a wicked and witty satire, a cult movie worthy of a cult.

I'm not arguing your choice, but I think Lost counts as science fiction *now.* The Dharma Initiative (one big conglomo running a series of horrific experiments, and the fact that the island is one big social experiment) would be a major factor, along with the science behind the hatch and switch and Hurley's numbers (methinks Douglas Adams would've liked the string of numbers).

If we had this poll for Lost's first season, where everything up till then was dependent on fate and eerie consequences, then it probably wouldn't be counted as sci-fi.

Weird how a show can switch genres during its run. It's a lot like Alias in that regard (but I'm thankful that Alias isn't on this list, too).

[LtMarvel]

Time to correct the mistakes: Out: Babylon 5, vastly overrated by its fanbase, it brought nothing except that all aliens talk alike and the humans were boring.

In: Galaxy Quest: Great premise, and it pulled it off as a story in its own right.

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Brazil
7. Gattaca
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation
9. Aliens
10. The Thing
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Firefly/Serenity
16. Dark City
17. Neon Genesis Evangelion
18. Farscape
19. Galaxy Quest
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. SpaceBalls
25. V: The Miniseries

[Copper]

Well if you're going to go with satire, (which I believe is a category Starship Troopers belongs in) why not go with an earlier Verhoven satire, namely Robocop?

[Cyke]

Well if you're going to go with satire, (which I believe is a category Starship Troopers belongs in) why not go with an earlier Verhoven satire, namely Robocop?

You have to replace something on the list if you want to put in Robocop.

[GozertheGozarian]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Brazil
7. Gattaca
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation
9. Aliens
10. The Thing
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Starship Troopers
16. Dark City
17. Neon Genesis Evangelion
18. Farscape
19. Galaxy Quest
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. SpaceBalls
25. V: The Miniseries

In:Troopers, yet again.
Out:Firefly. Don't complain about ST's cult status without recognizing Firefly's. Vastly overhyped and overrated by it's fans.

[Ryan K]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Brazil
7. Gattaca
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation
9. Aliens
10. The Thing
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Starship Troopers
16. Dark City
17. Neon Genesis Evangelion
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. SpaceBalls
25. V: The Miniseries

In: Firefly/Serenity
Out: Galaxy Quest

I like Galaxy Quest as much as anyone, but its just a parody in the end. A good parody, but nonetheless. It didn't add anything to the genre.

I realize a lot of people don't like Firefly, but even objectively I believe it do be easily one of the best pieces of scifi of the last quarter century. For good or bad I believe a significant cult following is a factor in what should be on this list

[GozertheGozarian]

Escape from New York misses by only a year.

[GremlinClr]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Brazil
7. Gattaca
8. Star Trek: The Next Generation
9. Aliens
10. The Thing
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Starship Troopers
16. Dark City
17. Neon Genesis Evangelion
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. Twelve Monkeys
25. V: The Miniseries

Out: Spaceballs
In: Twelve Monkeys

Admit it people, Spaceballs is just bad. Unfunny and bad. Besides Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein most of Mel Brooks movies are bad. Unless they are really well done, parodies don't really belong on this list. You wanna make a Top 25 Parody movies list then fine, it doesn't belong here.

Twelve Monkeys on the other hand is just great Sci-fi. If you haven't seen it, you're missing out.

[jessecuster3]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Brazil
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Millennium
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Starship Troopers
16. Dark City
17. Neon Genesis Evangelion
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. Twelve Monkeys[/b]
25. V: The Miniseries



Wow I was hoping 12 Monkeys would be there. While I appreciate the game idea of this to compare it to the 25 greatest comics is kind fo absurd as there it takes a number of votes to get something on the list not just one person knocking it off and reasons for and for not are always included.


Personally I would:
Dump Gattaca, because it comes across as a bad interpretation of Huxley's Barve New World.

and Add: Millennium, I think Chris Carter was able to go further into conspiracy then he ever could in X-Files and as of season 3 made a really impressive twist to the show that made it one of the best seasons of television I have ever seen.

[Chiasm]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Highlander
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Millennium
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Starship Troopers
16. Dark City
17. Neon Genesis Evangelion
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. Twelve Monkeys
25. V: The Miniseries

In: Highlander. Borderline science fiction but has some of the elements and its concept was cool as hell.

Out: Brazil simply because I've never seen it.

[Ryan K]

Out: Brazil simply because I've never seen it.

That's ridiculous.

I realize this is just a game but come on. Have a little respect. If you haven't seen something, educate yourself or leave it alone. Brazil is easily deserving and as someone said earlier, arguments could be made that it should be higher. If not #1.

[EZMOHR]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. LOST
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Millennium
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Starship Troopers
16. Dark City
17. Neon Genesis Evangelion
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. Star Wars: Clone Wars
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. Twelve Monkeys
25. V: The Miniseries

Out: Highlander Great Concept, Great Clancy Brown/Sean Connery Scene Chewing, Horrible execution. Chi, you know I'm your boy, but you got to admit, this is a movie that has always felt it should've been better and done better.

In: LOST: I thought about putting Brazil back because a lot of Sci-fi movies in the last 25 years owe their exsitence to this movie. That being said, I can not stand this movie in the least. It is not 1/4 as good as 12 Monkeys, Baron Munchaussen, Time Bandits, and The Fischer King. It's not even as good as the horrible Brothers Grimm. Brazil is a movie that I will never understand why it gets all of Gilliam fans admiration, when he's made plenty of movies that are more enjoyable and better.

I did put LOST back on the list because lets face it...only geeks like us watched The X-Files, Star Trek TNG, and the other TV shows on here....but for those first two and a half years, People from all backgrounds watched LOST. It was the show that bridged fans of all TV Drama/Fantasy/Sci-Fi. Now, it is the only show on TV that just as many people who love to bitch, whine, and complain, watch it to rag on it as true fans who watch it. The only show of the last 25 years that can and does that.

[Indigo Al]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Lost
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Millennium
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Starship Troopers
16. Dark City
17. Neon Genesis Evangelion
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. GATTACA
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. Twelve Monkeys
25. V: The Miniseries

In: Gattaca - NOT a bad Huxley interpretation, it borrows the theme to a subtler and more personal effect. It's very moving, too.

Out: Star Wars - Clone Wars. A cute cartoon - nothing more.

[Cyke]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Lost
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Brazil
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Starship Troopers
16. Dark City
17. Neon Genesis Evangelion
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. GATTACA
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. Twelve Monkeys
25. V: The Miniseries

Out: Millennium, cult classic, but that's about it, I think. X-Files takes up too much of a spot.

In: Brazil. If Harlan Ellison declares it the finest Sci-Fi movie ever made, then gosh-darnit, it is. It's a more fun, fantastical combo of 1984 and Blade Runner, and it has Robert DeNiro, Michael Palin, and Jonathan Pryce. Plus, there's a bit of Python-esque absurdity, crafted into a very layered and incredibly deep story. Terry Gilliam knocked this one out of the park.

[Tommy]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Lost
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Brazil
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Babylon 5
16. Dark City
17. Neon Genesis Evangelion
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. GATTACA
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. Twelve Monkeys
25. V: The Miniseries

Out: Starship Troopers; Even as a satire it is bad.

In: Babylon 5; while more flashy shows like Buffy take credit for the direction that TV has taken, but Babylon 5 is the real originator for the way that TV has changed in the last decade.

[EZMOHR]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Lost
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Brazil
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Babylon 5
16. Dark City
17. AKIRA
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. GATTACA
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. Twelve Monkeys
25. V: The Miniseries

Out: NEON GENESIS EVANGELION- Yeah, lets get real, in the public realm there are only two huge Anime properties (Ghost in the Shell and the IN one) that are known by just more than a small cult for each....this is not one of them..............

IN: AKIRA- This is known by more than just a few people. SOme might say this is THE anime property. This is anime's holy grail. It should've been on this list.

And, this list seems to be getting a little to " I like this stuff more." I thought this was supposed to be a list of properties that changed things...not "OOOhh, I like Dark City." Dark City is a decent enough film...but it isn't even a cult classic. It was an ignored movie, that has a very small following. Movies didn't change because of Dark City. I might hate Brazil, but I know why it is on this list. I loathe Dr. Who, but it is there for the same reasons. Dark City, Farscape, 12 Monkeys, Gattaca, and Deep Space Nine are nice properties, but the medium wasn't changed because of them. Sorry for the rant, it's just I like 12 Monkeys more than anybody here...it just wasn't a movie that changed the medium or made it better. Sorry for the rant again.

[GremlinClr]

And, this list seems to be getting a little to " I like this stuff more." I thought this was supposed to be a list of properties that changed things...not "OOOhh, I like Dark City." Dark City is a decent enough film...but it isn't even a cult classic. It was an ignored movie, that has a very small following. Movies didn't change because of Dark City. I might hate Brazil, but I know why it is on this list. I loathe Dr. Who, but it is there for the same reasons. Dark City, Farscape, 12 Monkeys, Gattaca, and Deep Space Nine are nice properties, but the medium wasn't changed because of them. Sorry for the rant, it's just I like 12 Monkeys more than anybody here...it just wasn't a movie that changed the medium or made it better. Sorry for the rant again.

Could you point out to me where in the title or the original post where it says anything about "a list of properties that changed things"?

You can't find it because it's not there. These are simply the Top 25 Sci-fi properties of the last 25 years. All opinion. If I don't like a property I'm removing it. If people don't agree they put it back in. And if it's like the top 25 comics thread (IIRC) majority rules. And Dark City, being an amazing Sci-fi property, belongs.

[Indigo Al]

And, this list seems to be getting a little to " I like this stuff more." I thought this was supposed to be a list of properties that changed things...not "OOOhh, I like Dark City." Dark City is a decent enough film...but it isn't even a cult classic. It was an ignored movie, that has a very small following. Movies didn't change because of Dark City. I might hate Brazil, but I know why it is on this list. I loathe Dr. Who, but it is there for the same reasons. Dark City, Farscape, 12 Monkeys, Gattaca, and Deep Space Nine are nice properties, but the medium wasn't changed because of them. Sorry for the rant, it's just I like 12 Monkeys more than anybody here...it just wasn't a movie that changed the medium or made it better. Sorry for the rant again.

We're never going to reach the perfect list that satisfies all of us. So while I would want us to think about works that are "important" "groundbreaking" or "changed the medium", ultimately we're all going to react as just plain fans too. Just try to vote V away! Just try!!!

Yes, it would be glaringly annoying if say Brazil is taken off and replaced by Komodo vs. Python, a Sci-Fi Channel Original Picture. But the main thing is just to debate your choices and get us all talking about it. The end list (if there can even be one) is not important.

[Tazirai]

Good list but there are A LOT of shows.. movies, that aren't on there.

They Live should be on that list if Total Recall is there.

[LtMarvel]

Doh! Can't believe I didn't notice 12 Monkeys not being on the list.

In: Star Wars: Clone Wars...wow, what an adventure, far better than SW episodes 1 and 2. And it set up well Episode 3. The aliens talked liked aliens and the animation was fantastic.

Out: Babylon 5...It wasn't a good series, let alone good sci-fi. Bad acting and bad dialogue overshadows the show's strength: staying power good enough to just hang on.

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Lost
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Brazil
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Star Wars: Clone Wars
16. Dark City
17. AKIRA
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. GATTACA
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. Twelve Monkeys
25. V: The Miniseries

[Cyke]

If there was no Dark City, would there be a Matrix as we know it? Heck, the Matrix even used Dark City's sets and props.

[Tommy]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Babylon 5
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Brazil
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Star Wars: Clone Wars
16. Dark City
17. AKIRA
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. GATTACA
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. Twelve Monkeys
25. V: The Miniseries

Out: Lost
In: Babylon 5--yada yada yada most important series yada yada yada influnced everything after it...

[EZMOHR]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. LOST
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Brazil
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Star Wars: Clone Wars
16. Dark City
17. AKIRA
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. GATTACA
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. Twelve Monkeys
25. V: The Miniseries

In: LOST Because of what I said b4.
Out: Babylon 5 Yeah what that other guy said....it's suck on a stick.

[jessecuster3]

This is going to go on ad infinitum, how about we say 5 votes puts one on the list only if 5 votes takes something off?


I vote for: Millennium as I stipulated before, it is the better of Chris Carter's shows.

I vote against: Gattaca, its still Brave New World and it was not done that well.

[Tommy]

I think it is interesting that we seem to be falling into two camps. Those who are picking things based off their influence and those who are picking things based off personal taste.

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. Babylon 5
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Brazil
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Star Wars: Clone Wars
16. Dark City
17. AKIRA
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. GATTACA
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. Twelve Monkeys
25. V: The Miniseries

Out: Lost
In: Babylon 5, blagh blagh blagh revolutionary blagh vast cultural impact blagh blagh…

[EZMOHR]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. LOST
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Brazil
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Star Wars: Clone Wars
16. Dark City
17. AKIRA
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. GATTACA
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. Twelve Monkeys
25. V: The Miniseries

In: LOST
Out: Babylon Five

Same reasons as given before. B5 does not pass the mustard to be on this list.

[LtMarvel]

In: Samurai Jack
Out: Gattaca

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. LOST
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Brazil
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Star Wars: Clone Wars
16. Dark City
17. AKIRA
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. Samurai Jack
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. Twelve Monkeys
25. V: The Miniseries

Brilliant, underrated series. CN was complementing Groening about the beautiful animation on Futurama, Groening said it was nothing compared to SJ.

[JoeK32880]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. LOST
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Brazil
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Star Wars: Clone Wars
16. Dark City
17. AKIRA
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. Stargate SG-1
21. Futurama
22. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
23. Doctor Who
24. Twelve Monkeys
25. V: The Miniseries

Out: Samurai Jack. What? Not even close to sci-fi.
In: Stargate SG-1. I was going to put Sargate the movie, but it's this show that really launched the franchise. It's lasted ten seasons and is still continuing as a DVD movie series. It's had one successful spin-off and has another spin-off coming. It had a ride at a theme park, for crying out loud, and has been referenced on The Simpsons.

[EZMOHR]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. LOST
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Brazil
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Star Wars: Clone Wars
16. Dark City
17. AKIRA
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. Stargate SG-1
21. Futurama
22. ET
23. Doctor Who
24. Twelve Monkeys
25. V: The Miniseries


Out: Star Trek Deep Space Nine- Let's get real folks.......TNG was the last bastion of greatness for the wonderful Star Trek Universe (To be honest with you Star Trek The Motion Picture- Star Trek III are the only Star Trek things I even like but I know what this property has brought to people) TNG was great inovative and breathed new life into the Star Trek series. DSN had Hawk from Spencer for Hire and a tribble episode. Not 25 great by a far shot

In: ET- Hello everyone and their grandma saw the movie. Before we all became jaded SOB's, We all loved it. And, it was the biggest movie of all time for a couple of years. It should be on the list.

[Tommy]

Well EW had a follow up article commenting on the readers comments about their list. They open each of their omitted shows/movies with what the most popular opinion of why it should be on the list and then follow it up with their reasons why it was not selected.

I found it interesting to note that they fully admit that they should have included Babylon 5 (although they also gave a half hearted defense that it was too insular).

[Cyke]

1. The Matrix
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. LOST
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Brazil
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Star Wars: Clone Wars
16. Dark City
17. AKIRA
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. Stargate SG-1
21. Futurama
22. ET
23. Doctor Who
24. Star Trek: DS9
25. V: The Miniseries

Out: Twelve Monkeys. While not nearly the same message that Brazil has, I feel that Brazil has just enough that would render Twelve Monkeys almost redundant.

In: DS9. While TNG made Trek popular again and while Voyager got more press, DS9 was the show that matured Trek and brought it to much deeper forms of storytelling on a scale that none of the other shows could ever duplicate. At an age when more indepth sci-fi shows came onto the scene and were in danger of trumping Trek, DS9 kept it afloat, something the movies couldn't really do.

[SAMAS]

Doh! Can't believe I didn't notice 12 Monkeys not being on the list.

In: Star Wars: Clone Wars...wow, what an adventure, far better than SW episodes 1 and 2. And it set up well Episode 3. The aliens talked liked aliens and the animation was fantastic.

Out: Babylon 5...It wasn't a good series, let alone good sci-fi. Bad acting and bad dialogue overshadows the show's strength: staying power good enough to just hang on.


BAD DIALOGUE?

I oughta cut off your head and stick it on a pike, as a warning to the next ten generations that come criticism comes with too high a price! :D

[SAMAS]

1. Babylon 5
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. LOST
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Brazil
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Star Wars: Clone Wars
16. Dark City
17. AKIRA
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. Stargate SG-1
21. Futurama
22. ET
23. Doctor Who
24. Star Trek: DS9
25. V: The Miniseries

In: EDIT: Darn, forgot about the 25 years part. Okay, B5 for now.

Out: The Matrix. At the very least, it's far overhyped for it's strong points, and doesn't deserve the #1 spot.

[Cyke]

BAD DIALOGUE?

I oughta cut off your head and stick it on a pike, as a warning to the next ten generations that come criticism comes with too high a price! :D

I'm not going to question B5's place on our own list, BUT one exchange really makes me cringe whenever I hear it. Paraphrased:

"It takes five shots to hurt them!"

"Then we'll just have to be five times as accurate!"

Ugh. Just ugh.

Then again, I cringed during a few of DS9's prologue teasers. Sure, they'd have dialogue from last week's episode, but you knew it was written with EXPOSITION clearly in mind.

Which means they had exposition upon exposition.

"Last week, on Deep Space Nine:

"The fleet will be ambushed and outnumbered 3 to 1, the mines are going down, the Jem Ha'Dar are going to flow out of the wormhole, we have to get past all these Cardassian agents to get the central core, and Rom will be executed by dawn! Why won't you love me?

"And now, the conclusion..."

Gee, ya don't say :)


Out: The Matrix. At the very least, it's far overhyped for it's strong points, and doesn't deserve the #1 spot.

I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but on our list the numbers and ranks don't matter. For all intents and purposes, everyone on the list is on equal footing.

[SAMAS]

In that case, I dispute it's very existance on the list. :D

[Lord of Denial]

Where the hell is Babylon 5?

EW can kiss my ass.

[kel25]

1. Babylon 5
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. LOST
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Brazil
11. Mystery Science Theater 3000
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Star Wars: Clone Wars
16. Dark City
17. The Crow
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. Stargate SG-1
21. Futurama
22. ET
23. Doctor Who
24. Star Trek: DS9
25. V: The Miniseries

In: The Crow: It's a cult classic.

Out: AKIRA: For all talk about how this was the anime that started it all, I have yet to meet a single person that likes the movie. Even some of the most die hard anime fans I know agree this movie bites.

Edit: Great choice on Dark City. It is a movie that still stands out as being great.

[Ryan K]

In: The Crow: It's a cult classic.

It's also not even remotely science fiction.

[JoeK32880]

It's also not even remotely science fiction.

Correct.

Also, Akira's pretty good until the end, which is one of the worst, nonsensical things I've ever seen. Plus, it's IMPORTANT.

[Cyke]

It's also not even remotely science fiction.

Additionally, doesn't the 'No Superhero' rule apply to the Crow?

[Dizzy D]

Wouldn't it be easier to dump all the different Star Trek mentions into a single entry (see Terminator 1/2, Doctor Who and Firefly/Serenity all as single entries)

[Cyke]

Wouldn't it be easier to dump all the different Star Trek mentions into a single entry (see Terminator 1/2, Doctor Who and Firefly/Serenity all as single entries)

I dunno. Speaking as a Trekkie, a lot of the Trek franchise is garbage that is nowhere near the quality of the items on the list and doesn't deserve to be lumped together with the greatness of good Trek.

Plus, I would think that there's enough of a divide that each part of the franchise tells its own story, as opposed to Serenity, which is a direct narrative continuation of Firefly, as well as both versions of Doctor Who. If Torchwood had just as much of an impact as the other entries, I think it would have its own spot despite being a spinoff of Doctor Who. Similarly, before the Star Wars films were dismissed (Eps. I-III and VI), I *think* the article implies that they were each evaluated on their own merits, which means that if two of those four films were good enough to be on the list, they might've had their own spots instead of being lumped together. Hence why Clone Wars is up there yet isn't combined with the prequels that were its source material.

Speaking of Doctor Who, I'd like to say that this past Saturday's episode would easily secure the show's spot on both EW's and our own lists :)

[Chiasm]

1. Babylon 5
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. LOST
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Brazil
11. The Matrix
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Star Wars: Clone Wars
16. Dark City
17. The Crow
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. Stargate SG-1
21. Futurama
22. ET
23. Doctor Who
24. Star Trek: DS9
25. V: The Miniseries

Back IN: The Matrix. Whether it deserves #1 or not is besides the point. It was groundbreaking and revolutionary. And it was a damn fine movie to boot.

Out: Mystery Science Theater 3000. This was a parody / comedy routine more than a sci fi show. Just because it was bad sci fi movies they were making fun of doesn't make the premise of it sci fi.

[Alex]

Matrix should not be above blade runner, there wouldn't be a matrix without blade runner.
And matrix should get knocked down a bit for producing two lame sequels.

[Cyke]

Matrix should not be above blade runner, there wouldn't be a matrix without blade runner.

I'm not sure if you're talking about EW's list or our own list. If it's EW, then maybe you have a point. But on our list, the numbers don't mean ranks at all, and have no real value.

[Cleric of Hell's Brigade]

1. Babylon 5
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. Blade Runner
4. The X-Files
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. LOST
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Aliens
9. The Thing
10. Brazil
11. The Matrix
12. Back to the Future
13. Terminator/Terminator 2
14. Children of Men
15. Star Wars: Clone Wars
16. Dark City
17. Neon genesis Evangelion
18. Farscape
19. Firefly/Serenity
20. Stargate SG-1
21. Futurama
22. ET
23. Doctor Who
24. Star Trek: DS9
25. V: The Miniseries

In: Neon Genesis Evangelion. One of the best Sci-Fi based anime ever. Without it, a large majority of Big Mech/Mecha anime wouldn't even be here.


Also, the overall emotions of the show were awesome. The same reasons that were previously stated also stand, IMO.


Out: The Crow. Not even remotely Sci-Fi in any aspect.

[hoffmandu]

What the hell.................no Logans Runs? I immediatlely question the validity of the peeps who did their research for this so called "list"! GYAH!

[Cyke]

What the hell.................no Logans Runs? I immediatlely question the validity of the peeps who did their research for this so called "list"! GYAH!

The original list counts movies and shows from the last 25 years, hence no 2001, Third Encounters, Star Wars Eps 4-5, or Logan's Run.

First post, anyone?

[hoffmandu]

The original list counts movies and shows from the last 25 years, hence no 2001, Third Encounters, Star Wars Eps 4-5, or Logan's Run.

First post, anyone?

Oh, alrighty. What the hell.................no Scanners? I immediatlely question the validity of the peeps who did their research for this so called "list"! GYAH!

[Cyke]

Oh, alrighty. What the hell.................no Scanners? I immediatlely question the validity of the peeps who did their research for this so called "list"! GYAH!

Heh.

Well, feel free to take something out of the list so that you can put in Scanners. We're all cool here. Just no primarily-fantasy or superhero movies.