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 all Stargate projects 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 which Stargate movies and TV shows are actually worth watching.
8 Stargate Origins
The most recent addition to the Stargate franchise, Origins originally 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 franchise as a whole, Origins unfortunately lets a lot of fans down with its seemingly meaningless story, poor set design, and lack of interesting, well-written characters (a staple of the Stargate franchise that fans had come to expect). Fans can safely avoid Origins, as it adds little of importance to the lore. After all, life is too short to watch bad Stargate.
7 Stargate Universe
The last Stargate show to appear on broadcast television, Universe departs from the usual Stargate formula mastered throughout the run of SG-1 and Atlantis. There’s usually a cheery atmosphere to the exploratory expeditions undertaken in SG-1 and Atlantis, but Universe takes on a much darker tone, almost adopting a persona reminiscent of Battlestar Galactica (unfortunately, just not as good).
Universe sees 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.
6 Stargate (1994)
The movie that started it all, Stargate features many of the iconic characters (though played by different actors) that went on to star in SG-1. Though audiences can quickly pick up the franchise’s plot by jumping straight into SG-1, watching Stargate comes with its own pleasures. It’s a genuinely good film with solid characters, sinister villains, thrilling action sequences, and a real sense of tension.
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. Stargate is a must-see for any fan of the franchise.
5 Stargate: The Ark Of Truth
After SG-1 wrapped up, there was still a little room to squeeze one or two more good movies from the established lore. The Ark of Truth serves as a movie finale to the 10 seasons of SG-1, and thankfully it was executed with enough writing, acting, and directorial talent to properly cap it off.
The Ark of Truth follows 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 Truth has some of fans’ favorite characters taking center-stage, which sets it up to succeed. Getting to see the SG-1 characters interact on-screen together one more time makes for a great resolution to one of MGM’s longest-running TV series.
4 Stargate: Continuum
Another direct-to-DVD movie, Continuum sees the stars of SG-1 return 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. Continuum changes the rules by which Stargate normally operates, bringing a fresh twist to the end of SG-1’s story arc.
3 Stargate: Children Of The Gods
Originally broadcast as a television movie, Children of the Gods consists of the first two episodes of Stargate SG-1. If anyone plans on watching SG-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).
Children of the Gods sees 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.
2 Stargate Atlantis
The second Stargate TV show to air, Atlantis introduces a new cast of characters while tying in various SG-1 storylines, aliens, and technology. Rather than try to replace what came before it, Atlantis really builds upon the groundbreaking impact of SG-1, expanding Stargate’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 includes Jason Momoa before he exploded to super-stardom), tons of alien civilizations, and action-packed battles, Atlantis is a close second when it comes to the best Stargate programs out there.
1 Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1 revolutionized 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 the Stargate franchise, nothing that came after SG-1 truly 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-1 simply 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-1 continues the story of the original Stargate movie, 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-1 builds up a brilliant cast over its 10-season run, even employing subtle crossovers between itself and Atlantis. If you only watch one Stargate series, it’s got to be SG-1.
The entire Stargate franchise is now available on Pluto TV in the US.
More: Forgotten Sci-Fi Shows From The 2000s
