In most cases, science fiction films err on the side of fiction rather than reality. Sometimes a film, such as Star Wars, is a fantasy film disguised as a sci-fi spectacle, or a film will deviate so far from genuine science that it is pure imagination. Occasionally, science movies will accurately incorporate genre tropes with elements of real-life physics, biology, quantum mechanics, etc. Science-related movies are often more enjoyable when they're based on real science – not every sci-fi flick can pull it off.

Though the 1949 series Fireside Theater and others are often credited with being the first successful anthology series, the format began to gain popularity with shows like The Twilight Zoneand The Outer Limits. These series feature separate standalone stories and characters that may be thematically connected and are typically based on the horror or sci-fi genres. Anthology shows are equally appealing to viewers who may not feel the need to commit to watching an entire series from beginning to end.