Where to start withStarship Troopers
4 versions · originally a book, 1959
Themes: Citizenship and Duty, Coming of Age, Technological Warfare, Social Darwinism, Military Science Fiction.
Start with Starship Troopers (Paul Verhoeven, 1997) — the film. Starship Troopers exists in 4 versions across media, beginning as a book in 1959; each is ranked below by what it does best.
Starship Troopers explores the brutal intersection of military duty, interstellar warfare, and the complex sociopolitical structures of humanity's future.
✦ Most fans start here
Starship Troopers (1997)
The original novel
Starship Troopers
Robert A. Heinlein · Book · 1959
The 1959 novel Starship Troopers serves as the foundational text, offering a philosophical, first-person exploration of military service and citizenship through Juan Rico's reflections on the interstellar bug war.
1997 film
✦ Start hereStarship Troopers
Paul Verhoeven · Film · 1997
The 1997 film Starship Troopers delivers a high-octane, satirical take on the source material, focusing on Johnny Rico’s visceral combat experiences and the intense spectacle of the Mobile Infantry's deployment.
2012 film
Starship Troopers: Invasion
Shinji Aramaki · Film · 2012
Starship Troopers: Invasion (2012) offers a focused, action-oriented military mission, centering on the tactical desperation of troopers attempting to survive a massive bug assault after a mysterious ship disappearance.
2017 film
Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars
Shinji Aramaki · Film · 2017
Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars (2017) presents a contained narrative shift, following Johnny Rico as he mentors new recruits during a critical bug invasion on a remote Martian satellite station.
Common questions
What order should I watch the Starship Troopers movies in?
You should start with the 1997 Starship Troopers movie. Following that, you can watch the animated sequels in order of their release, which are Starship Troopers: Invasion from 2012 and Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars from 2017.
Is Starship Troopers based on a book?
Yes, the 1997 movie and the subsequent animated films are based on the original Starship Troopers book written by Robert A. Heinlein in 1959. The book serves as the primary source material for the entire franchise.
Are Starship Troopers: Invasion and Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars sequels to the 1997 movie?
Yes, both Starship Troopers: Invasion and Starship Troopers: Traitor of Mars are animated feature films that function as sequels within the Starship Troopers universe established by the 1997 live-action movie.
Should I read the Starship Troopers book before watching the movies?
Reading the 1959 Starship Troopers book is not required to understand the movies, but it provides the original context for the franchise. The 1997 Starship Troopers movie and later animated sequels are standalone adaptations that draw inspiration from the source material.