The science fiction film genre has delighted audiences for decades, entertaining their thoughts and fears concerning space, its inhabitants, and the unknown. There have been numerous iconic characters–human and not–depicted in these films, as well as revolutionary effects and approaches to depicting the sci-fi world.

The marketing of this genre is equally as fascinating, targeting a wide variety of audiences for the different films that comprise this genre. J. P. Telotte offers a thoughtful, well-researched overview of how these films were marketed to audiences at their height in Selling Science Fiction Cinema: Making and Marketing a Genre.

As a classic film fan, I was most interested in Telotte’s discussion of early sci-fi films and the marketing tactics used to draw various audiences into theatres. However, Telotte also offers a thought-provoking look at contemporary sci-fi marketing approaches during such a fascinating time in which so much content is available to users via streaming platforms rather than the past “traditional” approach of attending the cinema.

Selling Science Fiction Cinema: Making and Marketing a Genre is available for purchase via University of Texas Press.