“Stargate” ambitiously aims for the stars, but it takes viewers through an entirely different narrative journey. This effects-driven story begins with the U.S. Air Force stumbling upon a peculiar device shaped like a ring, known as the Stargate. With the linguistic expertise of Daniel Jackson (played by James Spader), Colonel Jack O’Neil (portrayed by Russell) and his team realize this apparatus is a wormhole, capable of transporting them to another world. Naturally, they step through it, as their inaction would make for an incredibly mundane film. Their exploration reveals a new civilization, ancient human secrets, and the formidable alien Ra, portrayed by Jaye Davidson.

Though “Stargate” enjoys a cult following today, it wasn’t universally acclaimed in the ’90s. It holds a modest 53% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics. Renowned critic Roger Ebert was notably unimpressed, awarding it a mere one star and likening it to a “film school exercise.” Perhaps part of his criticism stemmed from O’Neil’s peculiar hairstyle, reminiscent of Guile from “Street Fighter 2,” a nod to the quirky fashion choices of the ’90s.

Despite critical skepticism, audiences embraced “Stargate,” with the film grossing $196 million on a $55 million budget, much to the studio’s delight. The financial success paved the way for the franchise’s expansion into a rich universe, encompassing comics, video games, and television shows, filled with intricate lore and unforgettable characters.

Some of the critics might have turned up their noses at “Stargate,” but the audience didn’t. The $196 million haul from a $55 million budget had the studio laughing all the way to the bank. With those extra zeroes warming up the spreadsheets, it’s no surprise that the film expanded into a franchise and then stretched out further than anyone could have ever imagined. From comics to video games, and onward to TV shows, the “Stargate” timeline grew vast and became jam-packed with more lore and memorable characters.

Television fans had it particularly good with “Stargate SG-1,” which picks up right after the movie’s events and ran for 10 glorious seasons. Richard Dean Anderson takes over from Kurt Russell as Jack O’Neill (his surname receives an extra L in this version), while Michael Shanks replaces James Spader as Daniel Jackson. 

“Stargate SG-1” received its own spin-off in the form of “Stargate: Atlantis,” which features Jason Momoa at a foundational point in his career, and delves even further into this scintillating sci-fi universe over five seasons. If that isn’t enough, “Stargate Universe” and the bite-sized web series “Stargate Origins” also come highly recommended.

While the “Stargate” franchise from 1994 to 2018 should keep fans occupied for a long, long time, don’t expect for it to ever go away. There’s still so much more to explore and experience through this titular portal. The sky isn’t the limit here; the universe is.