12 Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Franchises Ever, Ranked
by Phil Pirrello
Use the Force and assemble your fellowships, people. Just in time for Comic-Con 2016, we've ranked the 12 best sci-fi and fantasy franchises Hollywood has ever made. Did your favorite make the list?
12. The 'Matrix' Trilogy
16 years after Neo took the red pill, his first bullet-time adventure through the land of kung fu and leather coats still holds up. Pity the same can't be said for the other two chapters.
11. The 'Terminator' Series
As the franchise's fifth trip to the land of Skynet, "Terminator Genisys," hits theaters, it's more than an appropriate time to revisit the series -- especially the first two films. James Cameron's seminal works play major roles in the events of "Genisys," and they also remind fans that the only reasons why this franchise doesn't rank higher are "T3" and (cringe) "Terminator: Salvation."
10. 'Planet of the Apes' Franchise
The recent reboots are some of the strongest sci-fi blockbusters in years, calling back to the great storytelling and thematic scope of the original "Planet of the Apes." The less said about that first run of sequels and Tim Burton's abysmal take on the series, the better.
9. The 'X-Men' Films
Any franchise that can survive the eye cancer that is "X3" is worthy of inclusion here. After 15 years of movies -- with more on the way -- Xavier's mutants continue to deliver the best Marvel films not made by Kevin Feige's MCU.
8. The 'Back to the Future' Trilogy
Aaaaand now we have Huey Lewis' "Back in Time" stuck in our heads. Small price to pay for one of the best time-travel film series ever. While fans may argue that Marty and Doc's adventures deserve a higher slot on our list, the sequels fall short when compared to the classic original. Don't like it? Then why don't you make like a tree, and get out of here. (Stay classy, Biff.)
7. The 'Alien' Series
"Prometheus" isn't quite a franchise-killer, but it came close to torpedoing Ellen Ripley's battle against the xenomorph -- which began almost 40 years ago with Ridley Scott's terrifying "Alien." From chestbursters to whatever the hell "Alien: Resurrection" was, the franchise, like its lead character, has endured the best and worst of times. Here's hoping that more of the former are in store as Neill Blomkamp readies a return to the world of Weyland-Yutani.
6. 'The Hunger Games' Series
*Whistles Mockingjay call. "The Hunger Games" films are more than just successful YA books-turned-even more successful films. They are bold, gripping and (at times) dark stories about Katniss' struggle to find herself in a world of scorched earth, where President Snow reigns. The films' take on the post-apocalyptic genre is an inspired one, thanks in large part to their character-driven stories that turned Katniss into one of Hollywood's most iconic heroines.
5. The Marvel Cinematic Universe
From Asgardian gods to sentient, gun-toting raccoons, the MCU has carved out quite the niche for itself in the name of blockbuster filmmaking. From sci-fi action comedies ("Guardians of the Galaxy") to Avengers avenging, Marvel has proven that there is no genre they can't tackle. They've covered fantasy with Thor, and continue to expand further into the cosmos with upcoming "Guardians" and "Avengers" sequels. If there's a better time at the movies, we don't wanna know about it.
4. The 'Star Trek' Movies
From OG Kirk and Spock, to Picard and Riker, to nuKirk and Spock, "Trek" has spanned three separate big-screen iterations for nearly 40 years. As good as "The Voyage Home," "The Undiscovered Country," "First Contact" and 2009's "Trek" are, the series' best film is still 1982's "Wrath of Khan," a space adventure unafraid of wearing its heart on its sleeve in between all the phaser battles.
3. 'The Lord of the Rings' / 'The Hobbit' Trilogies
Peter Jackson and a crazy-talented team of actors and filmmakers turned the popular book series into a groundbreaking series of films. Moreover, they proved that "fantasy movies" appeal to more than just the 12-sided die set. While the series dipped in quality with "The Hobbit" trilogy, Team Tolkien earned their place in movie history.
2. The 'Harry Potter' Films
Legions of fans grew up with Harry and friends, just as the characters found themselves struggling with adolescence and teenage troubles. The only difference? We didn't have to worry about Death Eaters. (Minus our Shop teacher, obvs.) The "Harry Potter" series is one of the few franchises that got better with (mostly) every future installment. Much like one can't think of dinosaurs without thinking of "Jurassic Park," you can't think of magic without thinking of Hogwarts.
1. The 'Star Wars' Films
What, you were expecting "Aliens Vs. Predator?" Yes, the prequels are eye-rolling misfires, but the iconic original trilogy shaped our childhoods and turned us into the type of adults that cry (big, manly tears, of course) whenever we watch that "The Force Awakens" trailer. Here's hoping The Force is as strong with the new trilogy as it was when Han, Luke, and Leia made their debut.
