Sci-Fi

How the Experts at Legacy Effects Brought E.T. Back to Life

E.T. got a sequel, did you notice? Well, of a sorts, in the form of a lavish holiday commercial that brought Eliot back and recreated the vibe of the classic Spielberg film, complete with a puppet version of E.T. himself. Turns out, that puppet was an elaborate construction built solely for that commercial, a full…

Movies Julie Muncy

George Miller Says He’s Still Making Another Mad Max Movie, Just Wait a Little Longer

The wandering continues. Soon. At least, that’s what George Miller said, in a recent, lengthy report from Deadline concerning his upcoming film, Three Thousand Years of Longing, starring Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton. Not a lot is known about that film, though it is beginning to gear up right now. And as soon as it’s…

Movies Julie Muncy

The Expanse Season 4 Is About the ‘Limits of Control’

If there was one thing the end of The Expanse season three left you feeling—other than sadness at its temporary end (before Amazon’s revival)—it was “possibility.” The Ring had opened up hundreds of new worlds and it seemed like a new way of life was within everyone’s reach. Beltalowda! A time to finally take control…

io9 Beth Elderkin

The Latest Mandalorian Had Maybe a Little Too Much Fan Service for Its Own Good

Oh, so you thought Baby Yoda, jet-pack wearing Mandalorians, beskar, and camtonos made The Mandalorian a geeky, self-referential entry into the Star Wars canon? You haven’t seen anything yet. The latest episode of the show was so packed full of Star Wars winks, nods, and callbacks you’ll either love it or hate it. Personally, I…

io9 Germain Lussier

The Expanse‘s Stunning Season 4 Is Filled With New Frontiers and Old Rivalries

The third season of The Expanse ended with a double triumph: the assurance that Amazon would be its new home, and a finale that teased the thrilling and dangerous prospect of interstellar expansion. Season four is finally here, and it’s indeed a leap forward for the outstanding sci-fi show on multiple levels. While we’ll be…

io9 Cheryl Eddy

RIP D.C. Fontana, the Legendary Writer Who Helped Star Trek Soar

We credit much of the success of Star Trek to the vision of Gene Roddenberry, crafting a hopeful future for the heroes of his TV series to boldly go about in. But so much of what we love about the original Trek, its heart and its cleverness, is down to the work of writer and…

io9 James Whitbrook

A New Planet of the Apes Movie May Be in the Works

One of the prize franchises in the Fox catalog is getting dusted off by Disney. The Hollywood Reporter reports that Fox, now owned by Disney, has hired Maze Runner director Wes Ball to develop and direct a new Planet of the Apes movie. This comes several months after Disney hinted the franchise was part of…

Movies Germain Lussier

The Expanse Season 4 Finally Introduces the Belters’ Charming Devil

On the latest season of The Expanse, the universe has, well, expanded. Over 1,300 systems have been discovered, opening the door for Belters to rise up and become part of something bigger, alongside Earth and Mars. But what if there’s one person, with a dangerous but compelling voice, who has something else in mind? I…

io9 Beth Elderkin

The Mandalorian Isn’t Perfect, and That’s Why He’s So Compelling

He walks like Boba Fett. He talks like Boba Fett (and literally anyone in Star Wars with a helmet on all the time). He looks like Boba Fett. You might have assumed coming into The Mandalorian that the titular hero of the new Star Wars show might have the legendary reputation to match. But he…

io9 James Whitbrook

Ahmed Best Is Hosting a Star Wars Game Show on Disney+

Did you ever watch kids’ game shows like Double Dare, Guts, or Legends of the Hidden Temple and think “That…but Star Wars?” If so, your prayers have been answered. That show now exists. It’s called Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge and it will launch on Disney+ in 2020. Hosted by Jar Jar Binks himself, Ahmed…

io9 Germain Lussier

Read Your Way Into 2020 With December’s Sci-Fi and Fantasy Book Releases

December tends to be the lightest month for book releases, but we’ve still got plenty to get excited about for you here, including a new dystopian fantasy from Annihilation author Jeff VanderMeer. Read on! Accepting the Lance by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller The Liaden Universe series continues with this sequel to Neogenesis, which sees…

Books & Comics Cheryl Eddy

In The Expanse Season 4, Bobbie Embraces a New and Dangerous Life

The Expanse is a show that loves to surprise people. And the only reason the series still exists is because Amazon Prime surprised the world with a renewal after Syfy’s cancellation. But through all the twists, turns, and ring gates, there’s been one constant: Bobbie Draper, the steadfast Martian Marine who would never do anything…

io9 Beth Elderkin

Michelle Yeoh Wanted to Do Section 31 Before Star Trek: Discovery Even Aired

In the flurry of Star Trek news over the past few months, the upcoming Section 31 spinoff starring Michelle Yeoh has been somewhat lost in the shuffle. In a recent interview, some of the lead Trek people talked a bit about how things have been going on that front and shed some light on the…

io9 Julie Muncy

Avatar 2 Is Done Filming—For This Year, That Is

How long have they been making Avatar 2? I feel like I have been hearing cryptic updates on this film for half of my mortal life, like whispers from seers about the return of King Arthur or something. And this time, it continues—but with pictures, for once! Or, well, a picture. The official Avatar Twitter…

Movies Julie Muncy

The Mandalorian Can’t Catch a Break

Oh, what’s that? You wanted more Baby Yoda? The Mandalorian provides. Episode four of The Mandalorian is called “Sanctuary,” as in, what the Mandalorian needs in his life. He just needs a place to hide. Somewhere to lay low while the heat from his previous action dies down. He’s just betrayed the bounty hunters code…

io9 Germain Lussier

Two Refugees Digitally Disguise Themselves In This Haunting Sci-Fi Short

The era of humanity is over, and the only way to survive is to completely lose everything that makes you, well, you. Dust’s short film “How To Be Human” puts a sci-fi bent on a familiar tragedy—where refugees, immigrants, and other disenfranchised people are forced to hide their identities to survive. “How To Be Human”…

Movies Beth Elderkin

The Nerd’s Watch: The Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Streaming in December

You can get comprehensive lists of everything coming to streaming services anywhere. But half of those titles you don’t care about, and the other half are terrible. Where’s the good stuff? io9 is here to help. Below you’ll find what we deem to be the best sci-fi and fantasy movies and TV coming to Netflix,…

Movies Germain Lussier

E.T. and the Real, Grown-Up Elliott Reunite…in a Commercial?

When you woke up this morning, we bet you didn’t expect to see an official E.T. sequel—but that’s kind of what’s happened, just in a slightly unconventional, very commercial way. io9 is exclusively premiering the online version of a completely out of left field Xfinity commercial called “A Holiday Reunion.” It aired this morning during…

Movies Germain Lussier

The Expanse Season 4 Is Almost Here, So Here’s a Crash Course on Where the Sci-Fi Standout Left Off

The Expanse premieres its fourth season (thank you, Amazon) on December 13, which means you technically still have time to re-watch seasons one through three. But if you don’t have several dozen spare hours between now and next Friday, we’ve got a handy primer to remind you of exactly where things stand. A quick note,…

io9 Cheryl Eddy

The Mandalorian‘s Ludwig Göransson on Scoring What Felt Like 3 Star Wars Movies

The music of Star Wars is arguably the most iconic thing about it. John Williams’ scores for the eight (soon nine) film saga are instantly recognizable to people who don’t even know the movies. In fact, George Lucas often credits Williams’ music with making the films so successful. Dipping a toe in that type of…

io9 Germain Lussier

How the Experts at Legacy Effects Brought E.T. Back to Life

George Miller Says He’s Still Making Another Mad Max Movie, Just Wait a Little Longer

The Expanse Season 4 Is About the ‘Limits of Control’

The Latest Mandalorian Had Maybe a Little Too Much Fan Service for Its Own Good

The Expanse‘s Stunning Season 4 Is Filled With New Frontiers and Old Rivalries

RIP D.C. Fontana, the Legendary Writer Who Helped Star Trek Soar

A New Planet of the Apes Movie May Be in the Works

The Expanse Season 4 Finally Introduces the Belters’ Charming Devil

The Mandalorian Isn’t Perfect, and That’s Why He’s So Compelling

Ahmed Best Is Hosting a Star Wars Game Show on Disney+

Read Your Way Into 2020 With December’s Sci-Fi and Fantasy Book Releases

In The Expanse Season 4, Bobbie Embraces a New and Dangerous Life

Michelle Yeoh Wanted to Do Section 31 Before Star Trek: Discovery Even Aired

Avatar 2 Is Done Filming—For This Year, That Is

The Mandalorian Can’t Catch a Break

Two Refugees Digitally Disguise Themselves In This Haunting Sci-Fi Short

The Nerd’s Watch: The Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Streaming in December

E.T. and the Real, Grown-Up Elliott Reunite…in a Commercial?

The Expanse Season 4 Is Almost Here, So Here’s a Crash Course on Where the Sci-Fi Standout Left Off

The Mandalorian‘s Ludwig Göransson on Scoring What Felt Like 3 Star Wars Movies

Do ‘Disclosure Day’ Prep With a Spielberg Sci-Fi Marathon

How to Watch the F1 Japanese GP 2026 on a Free Channel

Ranking 2016’s Superhero Debuts, 10 Years Later

Fourth Most Populous Country in the World Bans Most Social Media for Kids

How to watch UFC Fight Night Adesanya vs Pyfer live this Saturday

‘Steel Ball Run’ Will Return This Year…Eventually

‘The Mummy 4’ Is Getting the Family Back Together

JD Vance Says UFOs Are Actually Demons

Sonos Play Review: Call It a Comeback

Sonos Era 100 SL Review: The Cheapest Way Into Wired Sonos Sound

Asus ROG’s Massive Swift OLED Gaming Monitor Epitomizes Excess in the Best Way

The Ikea Varmblixt Smart Lamp Fills a Donut Hole in My Life

Nothing Headphone A vs. Headphone 1: Which Pair of ANC Wireless Headphones Wins?

Asus ROG’s Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds Might Be Better Than Wearing a Headset

Nintendo’s Talking Flower Is Annoying as Hell. I Love It

Level Lock Pro Review: As Good as a Secret Smart Lock Gets

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