Every Stargate TV Series, Ranked From Worst to Best

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The story of Stargate began with a 1994 film directed by Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin, which was a financial success, earning almost $200 million worldwide from a $55 million budget. While the film introduced the idea of an ancient ring-shaped device that could create wormholes for interstellar travel, the studio wasn’t keen on making more movies. Luckily, MGM bought the rights and, in 1997, gave the story to television writers Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner. They created a sequel series that ultimately became the longest-running North American science fiction show, exceeding even The X-Files. Over the next fifteen years, the franchise expanded to include three live-action shows, an animated spin-off, and a web series, totaling over 350 episodes and establishing Stargate as a major force in science fiction.

After Stargate Universe concluded in 2011, the series remained inactive for a while. However, in 2025, Amazon MGM Studios announced a new Stargate series. Martin Gero, a veteran of the franchise, will lead the creative side as showrunner and writer. He’s working with the original film creators, Devlin and Emmerich, who are executive producers, as well as Stargate co-creator Brad Wright and longtime producer Joe Mallozzi, who are consulting producers. The writing team started in January 2026, and filming is scheduled to begin in London later that year. Before the new series arrives, here’s a ranking of all the previous Stargate TV shows, from least to most enjoyable.

5) Stargate Infinity

Unlike the other shows in the Stargate franchise, Stargate Infinity was animated. It aired for one season of 26 episodes between 2002 and 2003, created as a partnership between French and American studios for Fox’s Saturday morning cartoons. Developed by Eric Lewald and Michael Maliani, and with no input from the team behind the live-action series, the show followed Major Gus Bonner (voiced by Dale Wilson) and a group of young recruits wrongly accused of a crime as they traveled between planets. This storyline was quite different from the military science fiction of the original Stargate. In fact, one of the co-creators of SG-1 has said Infinity shouldn’t be considered part of the official Stargate story. Critics also pointed out that Stargate Infinity had a noticeably low budget, resulting in animation quality that didn’t match the standards of the live-action shows.

4) Stargate Origins

Released in 2018 as part of MGM’s now-defunct Stargate Command online platform, Stargate Origins is a ten-episode web series that tells the story of a young Catherine Langford (Ellie Gall) and her efforts to save her archaeologist father. The series is set in 1938 and follows Catherine as she faces Nazi agents trying to use the Stargate at Giza for military purposes. Unlike previous Stargate shows, none of the original writers were involved, and the production had a smaller budget. While the historical setting had promise, the short length of each episode—around ten minutes—didn’t allow for much character development or a complex storyline. After the original platform closed in 2019, the series was difficult to find, until an edited version, Stargate Origins: Catherine, was released for purchase on digital platforms.

3) Stargate Universe

When Stargate Universe debuted in 2009, it was a major change of pace for the franchise. Unlike previous Stargate shows focused on exciting adventures, Universe was more of a character-driven drama, taking inspiration from Battlestar Galactica. Created by Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, the series centers on a group of people – both civilians and military – who are stranded on the Destiny, an ancient spaceship traveling on its own to the distant parts of the universe. The show’s visuals were much darker than anything Stargate had done before, and it moved away from the ‘planet of the week’ format that had been a staple of SG-1 and Atlantis for over ten years. This change in tone wasn’t popular with all longtime fans, as many felt the darker, more serious atmosphere strayed too far from what they loved about the series. Despite the initial division, Universe eventually found its rhythm over its two seasons, delivering some truly memorable and emotionally powerful episodes.

2) Stargate Atlantis

Premiering in 2004, Stargate Atlantis began as a continuation of the popular series SG-1. It followed an international team as they traveled through the Stargate to the Pegasus galaxy, where they discovered the lost city of Atlantis. This discovery quickly brought them into conflict with the Wraith, a dangerous alien species that survives by draining the life force of humans. Created by Brad Wright and Robert Cooper, the show ran for five seasons and featured a new team of characters—including Joe Flanigan, David Hewlett, and Torri Higginson—whose strong working relationships echoed the successful dynamic of SG-1. By setting the story in a completely different galaxy, Atlantis was able to create its own unique mythology, independent of the original series. The Wraith stood out as a truly original enemy, with a striking appearance and culture unlike any villain seen before in the Stargate universe. Ultimately, Atlantis demonstrated that the Stargate franchise could successfully support completely new stories and characters.

1) Stargate SG-1

The TV series Stargate SG-1 is the cornerstone of the Stargate franchise. It ran for ten seasons (1997-2007), totaling 214 episodes on Showtime and the Sci Fi Channel. As a sequel to the 1994 film, the show brought together a memorable team – Colonel Jack O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson), Dr. Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks), Captain Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping), and Teal’c (Christopher Judge) – who became one of the most beloved groups in science fiction television. Over time, the series developed a complex and detailed story involving the Goa’uld, the Replicators, and the Ori, with these villains appearing over multiple seasons. Despite this ongoing story, each episode remained easy to enjoy for new viewers. The show’s quality also improved throughout its run, and the writers were willing to take risks and surprise the audience, which gave it an edge over many other sci-fi shows of the time.

What’s your favorite Stargate series to watch again now? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-04-09 00:14