What is the single best science fiction or fantasy franchise?

[Dioltach]

I think Potter is going to cast a very long shadow on the fantasy genre for a long time

Oh, I'm not denying that. But best fantasy, which is the question asked here? I think not.

 

[Corinnguard]

Babylon 5. The producer for this series planned 5 years worth of episodes before he even produced the 1st season. Or so the rumor goes....

 

[Reynard]

I think Potter is going to cast a very long shadow on the fantasy genre for a long time.

I agree, and I think the stuff yet to be written by the kids that grew up with Potter will far outstrip those books in quality. The HP books were a phenomenon, but they weren't especially good, even for YA lit.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Spinning out of another thread: What's the best science fiction or fantasy franchise? You can only pick one.

Babylon 5. Greatest science fiction story ever told.

 

[MGibster]

Oh, I'm not denying that. But best fantasy, which is the question asked here? I think not.

I think its in the running for best for some of the same reasons a Trek in that it's permeated into our culture in a way few other fantasy series have save for maybe Frodo or Conan. I don't even particularly like it, but it's a franchise that's left an indelible mark on at least one generation.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I think its in the running for best for some of the same reasons a Trek in that it's permeated into our culture in a way few other fantasy series have save for maybe Frodo or Conan. I don't even particularly like it, but it's a franchise that's left an indelible mark on at least one generation.

You can't deny its influence, and I feel that has to be a metric. I'm a fan of most of it myself.

 

[Corinnguard]

Not just influence, but staying power. Some of these science fiction/fantasy franchises have been around for years if not decades.

As for influence, consider the RL tech that was invented because of a science fiction series. Ex. Star Trek communicators/tricorders= the ubiquitous smart phone.

 

[Parmandur]

I think its in the running for best for some of the same reasons a Trek in that it's permeated into our culture in a way few other fantasy series have save for maybe Frodo or Conan. I don't even particularly like it, but it's a franchise that's left an indelible mark on at least one generation.

You could day the same thing about the Oz books, but I wouldn't put thst down as a contender for this crown.

 

[MGibster]

Not just influence, but staying power. Some of these science fiction/fantasy franchises have been around for years if not decades.

It's difficult to have these kinds of ranking systems because there's often a bias towards the more recent releases. Plus there's really no objective measurement of best. Dune is an excellent franchise and Herbert influenced many authors. Heck, Warhammer 40k's setting was influenced by Dune.

 

[MGibster]

You could day the same thing about the Oz books, but I wouldn't put thst down as a contender for this crown.

When you find an objective way to measure "best" you let me know.