When the franchise first started out in 1994,Stargatewas just the name of an epic space fantasy film. Now, nearly three decades after its creation,Stargatehas ballooned to include three major TV shows, multiple direct-to-DVD movies, and even a spinoff miniseries. With loads ofbizarre and menacing alien civilizations— from the Goa’uld to the Wraith and the Replicators to the Ori — theStargateuniverse has expanded rapidly over the years.
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And with so much content released throughout the decades, newcomers to the series might be left unsure exactly where to begin. Just how good were some of these series? Not allStargateprojects were created equally, that’s for sure. There are some definite standouts that made their mark on sci-fi TV history, whereas others are best forgotten. Get ready to find out exactly whichStargatemovies and TV shows are actually worth watching.
8Stargate Origins
The most recent addition to theStargatefranchise,Originsoriginally released as a web series that was eventually stitched together into a feature-length film. The show takes viewers back in time to the interwar period between World War I and II, when the Earth’s Stargate was still in Egypt.
Serving as a prequel to the franchiseas a whole,Originsunfortunately lets a lot of fans down with its seemingly meaningless story, poor set design, and lack of interesting, well-written characters (a staple of theStargatefranchise that fans had come to expect). Fans can safely avoidOrigins, as it adds little of importance to the lore. After all, life is too short to watch badStargate.
7Stargate Universe
The lastStargateshow to appear on broadcast television,Universedeparts from the usualStargateformula mastered throughout the run ofSG-1andAtlantis. There’s usually a cheery atmosphere to the exploratory expeditions undertaken inSG-1andAtlantis, butUniversetakes on a much darker tone, almost adopting a persona reminiscent ofBattlestar Galactica(unfortunately, just not as good).
Universesees the usual bunch of military personnel and scientists embark on a mission to explore strange new worlds through the Stargate, but when disaster strikes, the survivors suddenly find themselves adrift in deep space, far from home. The show more deeply explores the interpersonal relationships between crew members, but it trades some of the exotic locales featured in previous TV shows for this grittier new ambiance.
6Stargate (1994)
The movie that started it all,Stargatefeatures many of the iconic characters (though played by different actors) that went on to star inSG-1. Though audiences can quickly pick up the franchise’s plot by jumping straight intoSG-1, watchingStargatecomes with its own pleasures. It’s a genuinely good film with solid characters, sinister villains, thrilling action sequences, and a real sense of tension.
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Daniel Jackson, an Egyptologist, finds himself recruited by the US military to undertake a special mission with an Air Force colonel called Jack O’Neil. Before he knows it, Jackson, O’Neil, and their team of US soldiers find themselves teleported to another world after learning to operate Earth’s Stargate for the first time. Allying themselves with the enslaved local populace, they attempt to overthrow a despotic alien regime led by Ra, whose spacecraft and attire appear to have inspired the ancient Egyptians.Stargateis a must-see for any fan of the franchise.
5Stargate: The Ark Of Truth
AfterSG-1wrapped up, there was still a little room to squeeze one or two more good movies from the established lore.The Ark of Truthserves as a movie finale to the 10 seasons ofSG-1, and thankfully it was executed with enough writing, acting, and directorial talent to properly cap it off.
The Ark of Truthfollows Jackson, Teal’c, and Colonel Cameron Mitchell as they fight against the Ori — a race of aliens who have attained a state of ascension above traditional lifeforms.The Ark of Truthhas some of fans’ favorite characters taking center-stage, which sets it up to succeed. Getting to see theSG-1characters interact on-screen together one more time makes for a great resolution to one of MGM’s longest-running TV series.
4Stargate: Continuum
Anotherdirect-to-DVD movie,Continuumsees the stars ofSG-1return once more — this time, with a twist. When Ba’al escapes from his imprisonment, he takes his revenge on the SG-1 team by changing history. Ba’al makes it so that the US military never started the Stargate program, creating an alternate future where Earth is totally vulnerable to alien attack.
It’s up to Daniel Jackson, Samantha Carter, and Cameron Mitchell to restore the timeline, before the Goa’uld wipe out humanity once and for all.Continuumchanges the rules by whichStargatenormally operates, bringing a fresh twist to the end ofSG-1’s story arc.
3Stargate: Children Of The Gods
Originally broadcast as a television movie,Children of the Godsconsists of the first two episodes ofStargate SG-1. If anyone plans on watchingSG-1, it would be a good idea to start here, as fans will be introduced to most of the major characters (from boots-on-the-ground team members like Daniel Jackson and Samantha Carter all the way to those in charge of the Stargate program like General Hammond).
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Children of the Godssees the newly formed SG-1 team make first contact with a race of aliens known as the Goa’uld, who go on to become one of the main antagonists throughout the franchise. The movie makes for a great introduction to the style, humor, and routines of the SG-1 team.
2Stargate Atlantis
The secondStargateTV show to air,Atlantisintroduces a new cast of characters while tying in variousSG-1storylines, aliens, and technology. Rather than try to replace what came before it,Atlantisreally builds upon the groundbreaking impact ofSG-1, expandingStargate’s lore in multiple directions. Led by Dr. Elizabeth Weir, the Atlantis Expedition plans on exploring the newly discovered city of the Ancients (a near-human alien species that helped colonize Earth long ago).
Joined by US Air Force Major John Sheppard, they soon find themselves cut off from Earth. Forced to make friends amongst the galaxy’s locals, the team also draws the attention of a fearsome new enemy: the vampiric Wraith, who can drain the very life from your body. With a great cast (which even includesJason Momoa before he exploded to super-stardom), tons of alien civilizations, and action-packed battles,Atlantisis a close second when it comes to the bestStargateprograms out there.
1Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1revolutionized sci-fi TV.Running for over 200 episodes, it had to have done something right to last for as long as it did. Sadly for theStargatefranchise, nothing that came afterSG-1truly lived up to its masterful storytelling and writing. But that does mean that fans can really lose themselves in this series. Great to binge or enjoy slowly over time,SG-1simply delivers.
It’s got it all: alien invasions, epic battles, mythologically-inspired mysteries, and of course hilarious interactions between a set of co-stars who share such magical chemistry with each other.SG-1continues the story of the originalStargatemovie, though with new actors playing the parts of Daniel Jackson and Colonel Jack O’Neil. With new characters like Teal’c and Samantha Carter introduced early on,SG-1builds up a brilliant cast over its 10-season run, even employing subtle crossovers between itself andAtlantis. If you only watch oneStargateseries, it’s got to beSG-1.
The entireStargatefranchise is now available on Pluto TV in the US.
