Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens?is just around the corner, and in honour of that, we’ve decided to make a list of some of our favourite space operas, not including anything from the?Star Wars?franchise, because that would just be too easy!
Guardians of the Galaxy
The most recent entry on this list, I don’t think there’s ever been a film that better epitomizes the term ‘space opera’. It’s fun, it’s loud, and it’s unapologetic,?Guardians?is simply one of the best space films ever made.
Flash Gordon
Recently having some exposure thanks to the?Ted?films,?Flash Gordon?is very much a product of another era. It’s one of the most famous cult films of all time, and who doesn’t like seeing Brian Blessed as a flying, golden space warrior?
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
We said no Star Wars, we didn’t say no Star Trek! It’s one of the biggest sci-fi franchises of all time, and?Wrath of Khan?is widely considered to be the best instalment within that franchise.
Dune
This film truly splits audiences, and while everyone agrees that it’s way too long, a lot of people (myself included) think there’s a lot to like about it. There’s got to be a reason so many people want a remake!
The Fifth Element
This film was?Guardians of the Galaxy?before?Guardians of the Galaxy.?It’s a lot of fun, but knows when to get serious, it has an incredible cast, and there are more interesting sci-fi ideas in this film alone than in most long running franchises.
Aliens
This one barely makes it onto this list, as it’s more of an action / horror film, but being one of the best space movies ever made, we’ve given it a spot. It’s also one of the few times that a sequel was better than the first film, and when the first film was as good as?Alien,?that’s saying a lot.
Serenity
Not as well like as the TV show it was adapted from, Firefly, Serenity is still a great space adventure. It features the great Joss Whedon’s writing, and has one of the best on-screen villains of all time, in the form of Chiwetel Ejiofor’s ‘The Operative’.
Are there any essential Space Operas that we missed? Which is your favourite on this list? Share any thoughts in the comments.
