Today, the guys in the Goodreads Top 5 Wednesday group have an interesting topic, one which is straight forward and to the point: “Favorite Science Fiction & Fantasy in Other Media — favorite SFF outside of books (like movies, tv shows, games, anime, etc.)”

Strange as it may sound for an avid SFF fan like myself to admit I struggled with this topic.  Specifically, I found it hard to name non-book SFF I loved.  Sad, I know?

I’m going to blame it on age.  As I’ve gotten older, my spare time has gradually become smaller and smaller, which means I do not spend hours and hours like I did back in my teens and twenties giving every SFF related movie, tv series, video game, or MMORPG a try.  Nope, today, I’m way more picky.  Very selective with what I spend my limited free time on, so my knowledge of non-book SFF isn’t what it once was.

I finally did come up with five things to put on this list though.  Yeah, it took me a little while, but, hey, middle age guys are just more thorough and methodical than young guys.

5. TOTAL WAR: WARHAMMER

My prime gaming days are behind me, but there are still times when I get the itch to get online and compete with people, and this online strategy game is where I spend most of my time these days.  Amazing game!

4. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (1978 & 2004)

Other than the original Star Wars trilogy, BSG has been my favorite science fiction series since I was a little kid.  I vividly remember running around my living room in my BSG pajamas acting like Apollo, then having to deal with Richard Hatch being a complex bad guy in the 2004 reboot.  BSG Forever!

3. GAME OF THRONES

Even though I’ve grown a bit weary of the tv series and actually want it to end at this point, I have to admit that for many, many years I loved this show.  So many memorable moments.  Ned’s fate?  Joffrey’s end?  The Red Wedding?  Even more important than that though, this series played a huge role in returning me to the fantasy fold again after a decade long absence.

2. MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE

Some of my real life friends argue with me occasionally, saying that the MCU (and superheroes in general) are not science fiction.  I tend to disagree, since Iron Man and Thor are both arguably scifi, and Guardians of the Galaxy is definitely scifi.  No matter, I love the movies, always watch them upon release.

1. LORD OF THE RINGS 

There probably wasn’t any doubt from those who know me that these movies would be tops on the list.  Tolkien’s classic fantasy series is my favorite book series ever, so, naturally, Peter Jackson’s cinematic retelling of those tale are my most beloved films ever.  And the thing is I can’t see that changing anytime soon, because these movies are still as good today as they were when I watched them in the theater years ago.