Pop culture has always been fascinated with science fiction, with audiences being drawn to the possibilities of exploring the unknown and the fantastical. Two of the most popular themes being time travel and alternate dimensions or multiverses. Time travel movies became iconic in the 1980s, and continue to captivate audiences today. Some of the most famous time travel films include Back to the Future, The Terminator, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Time Travel vs Multiverse
While time travel is still prevalent in sci-fi film writing, a new twist on the genre emerged in the 2010s with the idea of an alternate universe or multiverse. This concept is closely tied to time travel, but instead of a linear approach, it suggests that there are many versions of you in the universe that took different paths, all existing at the same time rather than just one timeline.
Several films and shows have introduced and popularized the idea of a multiverse, such as Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, The Flash series, Rick and Morty, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. As this concept has captured the imagination of the public, it has exploded further in films like Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and the Oscar-winning film Everything Everywhere All At Once. Even My Little Pony has episodes exploring alternate realities and dimensions.
Sci-fi evolution in film
The evolution of the science fiction genre is evident in its deeper exploration of complex concepts of time and space. The recent fascination with the idea of a multiverse has gained a cult following, where the possibility of alternate universes and storylines has become a popular trend among fans. This has led to creators considering alternate universe/multiverse spin-offs as a means of fan service, giving rise to the concept of everyone being able to become anything and potentially being recognized as canon.
As the sci-fi genre continues to evolve and grow, we can only anticipate what new ideas and concepts will come to the forefront in film and television. The fascination with time travel and alternate dimensions shows no signs of slowing down, and it will be interesting to see how filmmakers continue to explore these themes in new and exciting ways. The continued fascination with time travel and alternate dimensions/multiverses is a testament to the enduring appeal of exploring the unknown and pushing the boundaries of human imagination.
