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Speculative Fiction

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Speculative fiction is a broad genre that includes any narrative that explores imaginative and fantastical concepts that go beyond the boundaries of our current reality. It encompasses a variety of subgenres, including science fiction, fantasy and everything in between. See What If for categories of things that are speculated on. On television, series in this category traditionally have been destined for either cult status or a very short run, with a couple very notable exceptions.

The term 'Speculative Fiction' was originally a "backronym" for the initials SF; at the time, some writers felt that science fiction, or 'sci-fi', now equated to flying saucers and rubber monsters, and wanted to distinguish themselves with a new genre label. The desire for a separate category became even greater when people began to apply the sci-fi label to horror films containing blatantly supernatural elements (such as various immortals) but few if any science-based elements whatsoever. Over time, however, the term 'Speculative Fiction' grew to become a Super-Trope covering not only what self - described Speculative Fiction authors wrote, but also the Sci Fi and Horror B-movies they were trying to distinguish themselves from. Nevertheless, Speculative Fiction can be applied to a work — correctly or incorrectly — in order to help it avoid the Sci Fi Ghetto; it can allow the more pretentious to believe that their favourite work is a proper 'literary' work with no connection to and thus obvious superiority over that geeky science fiction or fantasy.

Today Speculative Fiction covers pretty much the entire fantastic end of the Sliding Scale of Realistic Versus Fantastic, including Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror, and other, less well known genres. However, there are many speculative fiction stories that fall on the border between genres, and others that may be completely unclassifiable. Furthermore, many of these genres can be either used to terrify or Played for Laughs, with the latter producing such genres as comic SF and comedy - horror. Often subject to Just Here for Godzilla.

See the Analysis page for why the boundary between Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Horror is fuzzy, and why a broad term like Speculative Fiction is necessary.

Naturally it has its own page devoted to Speculative Fiction Tropes. See the Speculative Fiction Creator Index for a list of pages for Speculative Fiction creators.

Speculative Fiction is generally seen as including, but is not limited to these subgenres (with examples):

Fantasy[]

Horror[]

Science Fiction[]

Science Fantasy[]

Supernatural Fiction[]

Supernatural fiction involves elements that are beyond the natural world and cannot be explained by science or the laws of nature. These elements often include ghosts, demons, spirits, gods, and other entities that defy natural laws. The themes in supernatural fiction often revolve around the intrusion of these unexplainable elements into the everyday world. It might explore the consequences of such an intrusion, the conflict between the natural and the supernatural, or human reactions to these encounters.

Examples: "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson, "The Exorcist" by William Peter Blatty, and "The Shining" by Stephen King.

Paranormal Fiction[]

Paranormal fiction deals with phenomena that are considered to be outside the norm of scientific understanding but are often presented in a way that suggests they could be part of a hidden reality. This genre often features creatures such as vampires, werewolves, and shapeshifters, as well as elements like telepathy, telekinesis, and other psychic abilities.

  • Paranormal Investigation
  • Psychic Stories: Fictional works about those with Psychic Powers
  • Transformation Fiction: Stories about transformation and related genre such as body swap or possession

Occult Fiction[]

Occult fiction focuses specifically on hidden or esoteric knowledge, often involving magic, secret societies, rituals, and arcane lore. The term "occult" refers to knowledge that is "hidden" or "forbidden" and often involves practices that are outside mainstream religion.

  • Occult Detective Fiction

Alternate History[]

Utopian & Dystopian Fiction[]

Utopian fiction depicts an ideal or perfect society, often exploring how social, political, or technological advancements could create a harmonious and equitable world.

Dystopian fiction, on the other hand, portrays a flawed or oppressive society, often set in a future where things have gone terribly wrong.

Apocalyptic and Post-apocalyptic Fiction[]

Apocalyptic fiction centers on the events leading up to or causing the end of the world.

Post-apocalyptic fiction picks up after the catastrophic event has occurred and examines the aftermath.

Superhero[]

Weird Fiction[]

Weird fiction is a genre that blends elements of the supernatural, the strange, and the uncanny with traditional speculative fiction. It often defies conventional genre boundaries, incorporating aspects of horror, fantasy, science fiction, and the bizarre. Weird fiction is characterized by its exploration of the unknown and the unsettling, creating stories that evoke a sense of dread or wonder through the unfamiliar.

Hybrid Genres[]

Other Genres[]

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