Sci-fi as a genre is actually rather broad in terms of what it might include. Stories can range from scientists going mad working on new breakthroughs to space-faring epics about interplanetary strife. When it comes to the more space-centered side of things, there is usually one common element among all entries. Starships permeate every aspect of sci-fi set in space, and some of these truly stand out.
Starships have been a part of science fiction dating far back into the early days of the genre, with some references as early as 1882. The most common definition of a starship is one that is capable of traveling between planetary systems. Although scientists haven’t yet figured out a feasible plan for a starship, there are many projects in the works that aim to do just that. In sci-fi, these ships commonly use warp drives of some sort that allow them to either fold time and space or travel faster than the speed of light. Real-life versions of starships will likely instead use long-range propulsion methods to travel between star systems over the course of 20 to 30 years.
The Serenity (Firefly)
The Serenity stands out as one of the more well-known starships of the bunch, being the titular ship from Joss Whedon’s Firefly and later Serenity. The firefly-class ship’s design took inspiration from birds and, of course, fireflies. The long neck takes after birds and the more bulbous back end is reminiscent of the bugs. Whedon wanted to design a ship that could feel lived-in and realistic, not as though it could hold thousands of decks and crew quarters. In canon, the ship is a firefly class due to the long-range propulsion system that lights up at the rear akin to a firefly before jumps. The name Serenity comes from an influential battle experienced by the ship’s owner, Malcolm Reynolds.
The Swordfish II (Cowboy Bebop)
The Swordfish II is Spike Spiegel’s ship in Cowboy Bebop. This bright red ship is a converted racing MONO, Machine Operation Navigation of Outer space, that Spike uses to chase down bounties over the course of the show. This nimble ship was built by Doohan and retrofitted with attack capabilities before Spike took over the controls. The reverse thrusters and powerful engine mean that this speedy ship can catch nearly anyone and stop on a dime. When it’s time for repairs or to be put away, the Swordfish II’s VTOL capabilities allow it to land straight down and its wings fold up for easy storage.
The Enterprise (Star Trek)
No list of best starships would be complete without one of the classics of television, The Starship Enterprise. This massive ship serves as the headquarters and fighting vessel for a crew from the Federation. There have been multiple versions of The Enterprise, with the original depiction belonging to James T. Kirk in the 1960s series and another notable depiction appearing in Star Trek: The Next Generation, captained by Jean-Luc Picard. These ships serve as the main setting for their respective crews and house nearly every technology that they might need to survive their journeys.
The Heptapod Ships (Arrival)
These ships, while somewhat unconventional, stand out as rather unique and pretty cool overall. Housing the Heptapods nicknamed Abbott and Costello, these ships appear in Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival. These 450-meter tall vehicles simply appear one day, sparking panic across many governments. Not much else is known about the inner workings of these ships, but they are capable of flight without and visible propulsion systems and can replicate the environments around them. There is a sealed-off section of the ships that house an environment similar to the Heptapod’s homeworld. The ability to use gravity however they please also goes to show that these ships are far more advanced than most will see in their lifetime.
The Razor Crest (The Mandalorian)
This is a newer addition to the cast but undeniably fits in well. The Razor Crest is the primary ship used by the Mandalorian in the show of the same name. Originally an ST-70 assault ship before the rise of the Galactic Empire, this ship serves as the home for Din Djarin on his adventures. Capable of a lot for a talented pilot, this ship sees a lot of abuse over the course of the show. Although not necessarily remarkable as far as design, the capabilities of this ship for a bounty hunter make it worthwhile. A cargo hold capable of carbonite freezing along with a stocked weapons locker and multiple hiding spots makes this ship perfect for a smuggler, bounty hunter, or both.
There have been many starships over the many years that sci-fi has existed as a genre. While this list is undoubtedly not comprehensive considering the sheer quantity of starships from which to pick, it does showcase just how varied and important starships in media can be. If there’s a space-based sci-fi story to tell, there’s likely a cool starship in the works as well.