Speculative Fiction Portal logo
Speculative fiction is an umbrella phrase encompassing the more fantastical fiction genres , specifically science fiction , fantasy , horror , supernatural fiction , superhero fiction , utopian and dystopian fiction , apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction , and alternate history in literature as well as related static, motion, and virtual arts.
It has been around since humans began to speak. The earliest forms of speculative fiction were likely mythological tales told around the campfire. Speculative fiction deals with the "What if?" scenarios imagined by dreamers and thinkers worldwide. Journeys to other worlds through the vast reaches of distant space; magical quests to free worlds enslaved by terrible beings; malevolent supernatural powers seeking to increase their spheres of influence across multiple dimensions and times; all of these fall into the realm of speculative fiction.
Speculative fiction as a category ranges from ancient works to cutting edge , paradigm -changing, and neotraditional works of the 21st century. It can be recognized in works whose authors' intentions or the social contexts of the versions of stories they portrayed is now known. For example, Ancient Greek dramatists such as Euripides , whose play Medea (play) seemed to have offended Athenian audiences when he fictionally speculated that shamaness Medea killed her own children instead of their being killed by other Corinthians after her departure. The play Hippolytus , narratively introduced by Aphrodite , is suspected to have displeased contemporary audiences of the day because it portrayed Phaedra as too lusty.
In historiography , what is now called speculative fiction has previously been termed "historical invention", "historical fiction ," and other similar names. It is extensively noted in the literary criticism of the works of William Shakespeare when he co-locates Athenian Duke Theseus and Amazonian Queen Hippolyta , English fairy Puck , and Roman god Cupid all together in the fairyland of its Merovingian Germanic sovereign Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream . In mythography it has been termed "mythopoesis" or mythopoeia , "fictional speculation", the creative design and generation of lore, regarding such works as J. R. R. Tolkien 's The Lord of the Rings . Such supernatural , alternate history , and sexuality themes continue in works produced within the modern speculative fiction genre.
Jump to a specific section below
Poul William Anderson (November 25, 1926 – July 31, 2001) was an American fantasy and science fiction author who was active from the 1940s until his death in 2001. Anderson also wrote historical novels. He won the
Hugo Award seven times and the
Nebula Award three times, and was nominated many more times for awards. (
Full article... )
Return of the Jedi (also known as
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi ) is a 1983 American
epic space opera film that is a sequel to
Star Wars (1977)
[ a] and
The Empire Strikes Back (1980). It is the third installment in the
original Star Wars trilogy and the sixth chronological film in the "
Skywalker Saga ". It is directed by
Richard Marquand based on a screenplay by
Lawrence Kasdan and
George Lucas from a story by Lucas, who was also the executive producer. The film follows the ongoing struggle between the malevolent
Galactic Empire and the freedom fighters of the
Rebel Alliance . As the Rebels attempt to destroy the Empire's
second Death Star ,
Luke Skywalker tries to bring his father,
Darth Vader , back from the dark side of
the Force . The film stars
Mark Hamill ,
Harrison Ford ,
Carrie Fisher ,
Billy Dee Williams ,
Anthony Daniels ,
David Prowse ,
Kenny Baker ,
Peter Mayhew and
Frank Oz .
Steven Spielberg , David Lynch and David Cronenberg were considered to direct the film before Marquand signed on as director. The production team relied on Lucas's storyboards during pre-production. While writing the shooting script, Lucas, Kasdan, Marquand, and producer Howard Kazanjian spent two weeks in conference discussing ideas to construct it. Kazanjian's schedule pushed shooting to begin a few weeks early to allow Industrial Light & Magic more time to work on the film's effects in post-production. Filming took place in England, California, and Arizona from January to May 1982 (1982-05 ) . (Full article... )
“
[Alternate history] is the very essence of what science fiction is all about.
”
—
Harry Harrison (b.1925), "The Time of the Other: Alternate History and the Conquest of America" in
Strange Horizons (2002).
Gertie the Dinosaur is a 1914 American animated short film by Winsor McCay . Although not the first animated film, as is sometimes thought, it was the first cartoon to feature a character with an appealing personality. The film was also the first to be created using keyframe animation. The film has been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry , and was named #6 of The 50 Greatest Cartoons of all time in a 1994 survey of animators and cartoon historians by Jerry Beck . (MOTD )
Brad W. Foster has received the largest number of awards, with 8 wins out of 27 nominations.
The Hugo Award for Best Fan Artist is given each year for artists of works related to science fiction or fantasy which appeared in low- or non-paying publications such as semiprozines or fanzines . A Hugo Award for professional artists is also given. The Hugo Awards have been described as "a fine showcase for speculative fiction " and "the best known literary award for science fiction writing".
The fan award was first presented in 1967 and has been awarded annually. Beginning in 1996, Retrospective Hugo Awards, or "Retro Hugos", have been available to be awarded for years 50, 75, or 100 years prior in which no awards were given. To date, Retro Hugo awards have been awarded for 1939, 1941, 1943–1946, 1951, and 1954, although only the 1946 and 1951 Retro Hugos received sufficient nominations for the Fan Artist Hugo to make the ballot. (
Full article... )
Possible events in the future as suggested by science fiction:
The artificial intelligence Durandal arrives in the Lh'owon system, 97 light years from the Milky Way's center, in 2811.
The Committee of Public Safety seizes power in Nouveau Paris and takes control of the government in 4007.
Around the year 18,000,000, a "half-plastic denizen" of the interior of a planet beyond Pluto exchanges his mind with the Great Race of Yith.
Here are ideas for how you can help improve the coverage of speculative fiction topics on Wikipedia:
Join a WikiProject or task force:
Science fiction (task force ): The 4400 , Babylon 5 , Battlestar Galactica , Doctor Who , Firefly , Futurama , G.I. Joe , Heroes , Hitchhiker's Guide , Life on Mars , Lost , Pokémon , Red Dwarf , Star Trek , Star Wars , Stargate , Superman , Transformers , Twilight Zone .
Fantasy : Artemis Fowl , Discworld , Fabelhaven , Harry Potter , Highlander , His Dark Materials , Inheritance Cycle , Lemony Snicket , Middle-Earth , Narnia , Oz , Percy Jackson , Redwall , Roald Dahl , Shannara , A Song of Ice and Fire , Warriors .
Horror : Buffy , Twilight .
Other and related: Animation , Anime and manga , Balzac , Children's literature , Comics , Disney , Machinima , Games (Board and tabletop games , Warhammer 40K , RPGs (D&D ), Video games (Square Enix )).
Start a requested article:
Create an article which someone has requested .
Expand a stub:
Expand a new article:
Expand and update a new speculative fiction article from the following list:
Note: If no articles are shown below, please work on those found in the Archive .
This list was generated from these rules . Questions and feedback are always welcome ! The search is being run daily with the most recent ~14 days of results. Note: Some articles may not be relevant to this project.
Rules | Match log | Results page (for watching) | Last updated: 2024-09-19 22:24 (UTC)
Note : The list display can now be customized by each user. See List display personalization for details.
Christopher J. Garcia (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by SafariScribe (talk · contribs · new pages (159) ) started on 2024-09-19, score: 20
Galilee (novel) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Somebodyidkfkdt (talk · contribs · new pages (27) ) started on 2024-09-19, score: 40
Prince of Chaos (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Somebodyidkfkdt (talk · contribs · new pages (27) ) started on 2024-09-19, score: 40
Knight of Shadows (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Somebodyidkfkdt (talk · contribs · new pages (27) ) started on 2024-09-19, score: 40
Trumps of Doom (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Somebodyidkfkdt (talk · contribs · new pages (27) ) started on 2024-09-19, score: 20
Spice Up Our Love (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by 98Tigerius (talk · contribs · new pages (19) ) started on 2024-09-19, score: 20
Sacrament (novel) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Somebodyidkfkdt (talk · contribs · new pages (27) ) started on 2024-09-19, score: 120
Sign of Chaos (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Somebodyidkfkdt (talk · contribs · new pages (27) ) started on 2024-09-19, score: 20
Jason X: The Experiment (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Lord Crayak (talk · contribs · new pages (5) ) started on 2024-09-19, score: 125
Irving Block (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Ungathering (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-09-18, score: 40
Rivals of Aether II (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Prince Silversaddle (talk · contribs · new pages (3) ) started on 2024-09-18, score: 20
The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Be Magicians (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Aninonymous (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-09-18, score: 20
LGBTQ themes in horror fiction (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by AimanAbir18plus (talk · contribs · new pages (5) ) started on 2024-09-18, score: 120
Appendix N (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Silverwood (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-09-18, score: 40
Caninos (short story) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by TheTastyWord (talk · contribs · new pages (13) ) started on 2024-09-18, score: 80
Paris Zarcilla (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Starklinson (talk · contribs · new pages (8) ) started on 2024-09-18, score: 20
Redemption of Sin (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Semampunya (talk · contribs · new pages (4) ) started on 2024-09-18, score: 80
Touchdown (2024 film) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Starklinson (talk · contribs · new pages (8) ) started on 2024-09-18, score: 85
Amy Richau (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Fixer88 (talk · contribs · new pages (60) ) started on 2024-09-18, score: 20
Cryptoterrestrial hypothesis (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Robert McClenon (talk · contribs · new pages (10) ) started on 2024-09-18, score: 25
Reynatis (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Emiya Mulzomdao (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-09-18, score: 20
The Faithless (Clark novel) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Michelangelo1992 (talk · contribs · new pages (6) ) started on 2024-09-17, score: 120
The Brain That Wouldn't Die! (The Musical) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Bimple (talk · contribs · new pages (4) ) started on 2024-09-13, score: 40
I'll Crush Y'all (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Asqueladd (talk · contribs · new pages (8) ) started on 2024-09-16, score: 20
Happy Death Day (disambiguation) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Fgnievinski (talk · contribs · new pages (53) ) started on 2024-09-16, score: 40
Papertrail (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Redacwiki (talk · contribs · new pages (3) ) started on 2024-09-16, score: 20
May I Ask for One Final Thing? (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Tebus19 (talk · contribs · new pages (6) ) started on 2024-09-16, score: 20
List of awards and nominations received by Jennifer Carpenter (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Watagwaan (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-09-16, score: 40
Krzyż i półksiężyc (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Oliwiasocz (talk · contribs · new pages (72) ) started on 2024-09-16, score: 80
Pluto (TV series) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Wow555 (talk · contribs · new pages (5) ) started on 2024-09-16, score: 40
Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by NinjaRobotPirate (talk · contribs · new pages (40) ) started on 2024-09-15, score: 20
Andrew Joseph White (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Asilvering (talk · contribs · new pages (33) ) started on 2024-09-15, score: 25
Hell Followed with Us (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Asilvering (talk · contribs · new pages (33) ) started on 2024-09-15, score: 80
El elefante y la bicicleta (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Cinemovil (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-09-05, score: 20
October 1978 (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Mandsford (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-09-11, score: 20
The Last One (film) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Btlc2020 (talk · contribs · new pages (2) ) started on 2024-09-11, score: 100
Bangkok Dark Tales (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Phoebus 28 (talk · contribs · new pages (8) ) started on 2024-09-11, score: 80
Plausible Fantasies (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Altenmann (talk · contribs · new pages (98) ) started on 2024-09-11, score: 50
Kai-hen Wizards (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by MushroomMan674 (talk · contribs · new pages (4) ) started on 2024-09-10, score: 20
Małe zielone ludziki (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Oliwiasocz (talk · contribs · new pages (72) ) started on 2024-09-10, score: 45
The Golden Bird (Berber folktale) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by KHR FolkMyth (talk · contribs · new pages (3) ) started on 2024-09-10, score: 20
The Cobbler from Lichtenrade (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Oliwiasocz (talk · contribs · new pages (72) ) started on 2024-09-10, score: 60
Peter J. Wacks (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by SafariScribe (talk · contribs · new pages (159) ) started on 2024-09-10, score: 60
List of LGBTQ literary awards (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Raladic (talk · contribs · new pages (44) ) started on 2024-09-10, score: 80
Great, Greater, and Greatest (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Oliwiasocz (talk · contribs · new pages (72) ) started on 2024-09-10, score: 50
Driton Selmani (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Berishasinan (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-09-10, score: 20
Nunslinger (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by ArthurTheGardener (talk · contribs · new pages (8) ) started on 2024-09-07, score: 20
Pilot Elza or the Perfect Society (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Thallóczy (talk · contribs · new pages (3) ) started on 2024-09-06, score: 40
Who Made Me a Princess (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Shockingman173223 (talk · contribs · new pages (7) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 20
Ray Bradbury Center (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Drobertpowell (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 40
Spirit World (film) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Rickyurs (talk · contribs · new pages (9) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 20
Heard It in the Morning (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Samuel Adrian Antz (talk · contribs · new pages (19) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 105
Destiny (short story) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Samuel Adrian Antz (talk · contribs · new pages (19) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 100
End of the Microcosmos (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Samuel Adrian Antz (talk · contribs · new pages (19) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 100
The Messenger (short story) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Samuel Adrian Antz (talk · contribs · new pages (19) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 100
Whale Song (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Samuel Adrian Antz (talk · contribs · new pages (19) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 100
A View from the Stars (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Samuel Adrian Antz (talk · contribs · new pages (19) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 40
Improbable Fables, or a Jorney to the Center of the Earth (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Altenmann (talk · contribs · new pages (98) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 80
Atomfall (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by OceanHok (talk · contribs · new pages (5) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 40
With Her Eyes (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Samuel Adrian Antz (talk · contribs · new pages (19) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 100
Cannonball (short story) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Samuel Adrian Antz (talk · contribs · new pages (19) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 100
Devourer (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Samuel Adrian Antz (talk · contribs · new pages (19) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 105
Greek mythology retelling (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by GTALuisLopez (talk · contribs · new pages (1) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 80
The Micro-Era (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Samuel Adrian Antz (talk · contribs · new pages (19) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 120
Taking Care of God (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Samuel Adrian Antz (talk · contribs · new pages (19) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 105
Mountain (short story) (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Samuel Adrian Antz (talk · contribs · new pages (19) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 105
Film franchise (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Andrzejbanas (talk · contribs · new pages (11) ) started on 2024-09-08, score: 25
Encino Woman (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Thisbe Schultz (talk · contribs · new pages (12) ) started on 2024-09-07, score: 20
Outline of LGBTQ topics (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Isla (talk · contribs · new pages (4) ) started on 2024-09-07, score: 20
Miasto grobów. Uwertura (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Oliwiasocz (talk · contribs · new pages (72) ) started on 2024-09-07, score: 45
Faddei Venediktovich Bulgarin (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs | tools ) by Altenmann (talk · contribs · new pages (98) ) started on 2024-09-07, score: 20
Featured articles are considered to be the best on Wikipedia, as determined by Wikipedia's editors , and Good articles are those which are considered to be of good quality but which are not yet featured article quality. If you see one that should be listed here, please add it or post on the talk page and let us know so we can add it for you.
Science fiction
Featured articles
Featured lists
Fantasy
Featured articles
Horror
Featured articles
Speculative fiction topics
Category puzzle
Select [►] to view subcategories