Sci-Fi

Ian McDonald Explores What It Takes To Develop A Society On The Moon

What will a future look like with an inhabited moon? That’s the focus of Ian McDonald’s latest novel, Luna: New Moon, and we recently had the chance to chat with him about how the story developed. We loved Luna: New Moon when we recently reviewed it. It’s the story of five families who control the…

LA Celebrates Science Fiction Legend Octavia E. Butler With a Year of Events

Octavia E. Butler died 10 years ago, but the power of her work and her inspiring life story haven’t dimmed one bit. Los Angeles arts nonprofit Clockshop has organized a yearlong series honoring the Pasadena native, “Radio Imagination,” with works created by artists and writers given full access to Butler’s archives. Here’s the scoop from…

How Science Fiction Helps Predict the Future

When people imagine the future, it’s always colored and limited by the constraints of their reality. The smartest person hundreds of years ago could not imagine the things we have now because what is science to us was essentially magic to them back then, the understanding just wasn’t there yet. That’s where science fiction steps…

19 Science Fiction Shows And Movies To Binge On While The Blizzard Has Trapped You Inside

Winter Storm Jonas pretty much has the East Coast stuck inside this weekend, which means that you’re probably sitting in front of your television scrolling through Netflix. Allow us to help. Here’s some of our absolute favorite science fiction shows that we can watch over and over again (and the storm is just the perfect…

A Man Unleashes an Alien Creature’s Mysterious Powers in This Clip From Terminus

Terminus, from South African writer and co-director Marc Furmie, is a science fiction thriller about a man whose quiet, small-town life is forever changed when he car-crashes his way into close contact with an alien organism. Can he save the world—and convince his skeptical daughter to help him in his quest? Here’s the official synopsis:…

Help Fund a Special Issue of Lightspeed Entirely Created By People of Color!

You’re probably already familiar with the Hugo-winning Lightspeed Magazine, which runs a story once a month right here on io9. The publication has just launched a crowdfunding campaign to put out a special issue in 2016, themed “People of Colo(u)r Destroy Science Fiction!” “When I was growing up, I literally thought that science fiction stories…

What’s the Most Powerful Weapon in Sci-Fi History?

What’s the most powerful weapon in the sci-fi universe? How does a lightsaber in Star Wars compare to the energy sword of Halo? What about a Death Star vs Dr. Who’s reality bomb? And how do they match up with a real life nuclear bomb? Foundation Digital made this infographic for Fat Wallet detailing the…

What Makes Star Wars So Damn Special?

The new Star Wars movie made enough money to fund a Death Star because basically any human with access to a movie theater went to go watch it. Or so it seemed like it. In truth, there are still a lot of people who don’t understand why Star Wars is so special. Why does Star…

Write Some Six-Word Science Fiction For Us

Tell me a story, io9—and do it in just six words. What’s on your mind today? Is it lovelorn time-travelers, attempting to make contact across the distance (“Time Traveler seeks partner; have met.”—purdyjpurdy)? Or the unauthorized—and mysterious—hacking of a Martian rover (“Mars Rover Offline: Unauthorized Firmware Update”—robotmonkeyzombiekiller)? Or maybe it’s some combination of all the…

Rich Larson Downs A Team Of Soldiers In This Visceral Short Story

Like military science fiction? Rich Larson’s got a fantastic story in the January issue of Clarkesworld: Extraction Request. The story follows a group of soldiers who have been shot down, and where they find a bit more than they expected while they’re on the ground. I love Larson’s voice in this particular story, and how…

Today Is National Science Fiction Day

Apparently today is National Science Fiction Day, according to Wikipedia, set to coincide with the day that Isaac Asimov celebrated his birthday. It’s not recognized by any government, but companies like Scholastic have promoted it in the past. We’re onboard. Let’s celebrate. h/t John Joseph Adams

In a new interview, The Martian’s Drew Goddard discusses how to script a blockbuster with mass appeal—without dumbing down its science elements: trust that your audience is actually willing to learn, and put special emphasis on the story’s universally relatable emotional aspects. [Deadline] Image credit: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

How to Watch the First Episodes of 2016 Shows Colony and Second Chance Online

Tis the season for online binge-watching—and getting a jump on TV episodes that haven’t yet hit the airwaves. Several networks are offering sneak peeks of shows online, including USA’s dystopian thriller Colony, and Fox’s Frankenstein-inspired cop drama Second Chance. To get a look at Colony, about a family struggling to cope with living in a…

Go Phoenixes! Plenty of colleges offer the occasional course on science fiction, but now at UW Green Bay, you can actually major in science fiction studies. Including making your own movie!

Gorgeous Concept Art of the Fiery Alien Planet From Syfy’s Childhood’s End

Syfy’s adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke’s Childhood’s End wrapped up earlier this week, and ended with a stunning glimpse of an alien planet. We’re excited to premiere some concept art by Emmanuel Shiu illuminates that insane vista, exclusively at io9. Some spoilers ahead… At the end of Childhood’s End, one of its characters stows away…

A New War of the Worlds TV Show Is in the Works

H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds has been adapted for other media before—notably for the 2005 Spielberg film, and the infamous 1938 Orson Welles radio broadcast. Now a new TV version is in the works, written by Peter Harness (Doctor Who, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell). UK site Broadcast Now reports that production company Mammoth…

Katherine Waterston Will Play the Lead in Ridley Scott’s Alien: Covenant 

Ridley Scott’s latest entry in the Alien series has found its lead: Katherine Waterston, who was in Inherent Vice and Steve Jobs, and will soon star in the J.K. Rowling adaptation Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. https://gizmodo.com/return-to-the-wizarding-world-in-the-first-trailer-for-1748081233 As Deadline, which nabbed the casting scoop, reports, Waterston (fun fact: she’s the daughter of Law…

Time Travel Meets Film Noir in This Intriguing Trailer for Synchronicity

“You’re operating independently of yourself in an alternate time line”—now, is there any way that won’t end badly? With this trailer—fast-paced and stuffed with sinister, urban-noir vibes—we’re super excited for Synchronicity, the latest science fiction thriller from Jacob Gentry who you might remember from 2007’s The Signal. Here’s the official synopsis: SYNCHRONICITY is a mind-bending…

Star Trek Phaser and Tricorder Pillows Keep the Aliens Under Your Bed at Bay

Star Trek fans who refuse to acknowledge the superiority of The Next Generation, or the fact that there aren’t really any monsters under their beds, will want to upgrade their bedroom pillows to these plush phasers and tricorders that help ensure a better—and safer—night’s sleep. Available from ThinkGeek for $25 for the stuffed tricorder, and…

A Teenager Takes Charge of Her Psychic Powers In This Eerie Short

We don’t know who she is, or what’s happened to her in the past, but the mute young protagonist of short science fiction film Strawberries has a very special talent—and she’s had just about enough of the mysterious man who’s been ordering her how to use it. Explains director Rowan Spiers-Floyd: “My goal was to…