Science fictionhas been one of the most popular TV genres in recent years, with shows that take full advantage of the complexities and possibilities that the format allows. The genre’s main strength is oftencombining these futuristic or alternate realities with main characters that humanize and anchor the out-of-this-world narratives. Manyunderrated sci-fi showshave been released in recent years, as well as some older classics that capture the essence of the genre.
The dynamic world-building and ‘anything is possible’ defining traits of sci-fi works make them so easy to watch and hard to press stop, with episodes and seasons passing in what feels like the blink of an eye. From longer-running pop culture phenomenons likeStranger Thingsor single-season explosions likeScavengers Reign,these shows are incredibly entertaining and showcase sci-fi’s immense versatility.From major actors in the cinematic worldto big-budget streaming giants, it seems like everybody is getting involved in high-quality, binge-worthy sci-fi shows that help elevate the genre to new heights.
Station Eleven
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Station Eleven, released in December 2021, is a post-apocalyptic drama that explores the lives of flu pandemic survivors. As they navigate a transformed world, the narrative delves into their efforts to rebuild civilization and preserve the valuable aspects of their former lives.
Patrick Somerville’sStation Elevenis an epic post-apocalyptic dystopian miniseriesadapted from Emily St. John Mandel’s 2014 novel of the same name. Its plot follows survivors in a new dystopian world - after a deadly flu pandemic wiped out most of humanity - who perform as a troupe of traveling performers who face off against a violent cult led by a mysterious man. The series' story and timeline are disjointed, partly representing the fractured nature of society as a whole and exploring complex themes like resilience and survival in a new age.
10 Older Sci-Fi TV Shows That Are Still Extremely Entertaining
From Quantum Leap to Fringe, some relatively old sci-fi television shows have only gotten better with time and still make for a great watch.
The show’s intricate character development told across different decades means it was made to be binge-watched,with new developments happening in almost every scene. The performances up and down the cast are truly stellar, particularly from Mackenzie Davis and Matilda Lawler, who play the same lead role of Kirsten Raymonde at various points in her life, both displaying a cohesion of ability and personality that is impossible to separate. The series was released to widespread success and acclaim, being nominated for seven Primetime Emmy Awards.
Foundation
Foundation is a science fiction film that follows a band of exiles on a crucial journey to save humanity and rebuild civilization as the Galactic Empire collapses.
Apple TV+‘sFoundationis a science fiction series developed by duo David S. Goyer and Josh Friedman loosely based on Isaac Asimov’s epic series of stories of the same name.Jared Harris stars as genius mathematician Hari Seldon,whose complex theories and equations predict the Galactic Empire’s collapseand chronicles the human’s attempt to survive and preserve their resources and knowledge in a state of chaos. The show’s narrative combines many different elements and themes, exploring power struggles, class, rebellion, and human perseverance.
Foundationhas a rating of 7.6/10 on IMDb based on over 100,000 ratings.
For sci-fi lovers of expansive worlds, intricate backstories, and epic, layered narratives,Foundationis a must-watch, providing a series that, while grand and ambitious, is digestible enough to be binge-watched.Each episode feels like a mini-movie, with the narrative effortlessly floating through each scene and sequence, with incredible visuals and an immersive world that really allows the characters to shine. The show’s deliberate pacing and revealing narrative structure make it perfect to watch in succession, andone of the best sci-fi shows based on a book series.
In another sci-fi book adapted to a TV show,Dark Matteris a series adapted from Blake Crouch’s 2016 novel of the same name. The series stars the incredible Joel Edgerton, who plays Jason Dessen, a physicist in Chicago who gets thrust into an alternate reality of his current life,leaving him tobattle to get back to his previous life before an alternate version of himself can take over. The series has a highly complex storyline involving multiple worlds, versions of characters, and alternate universes that keep viewers hooked on every scene.
10 Long-Running Sci-Fi TV Shows That Are Great All The Way Through
Many science fiction series will have one or two bad seasons that stand out in an otherwise solid show. However, some gems shine all the way through.
The series is a faithful retelling of Crouch’s epic novel that pushes the limits of what is possible in science fiction, creating a truly amazing work from which the show can expand and develop.Dark Mattercombines a unique and inventive premise with genuine emotional stakesthat are sometimes lacking in other sci-fi shows. The intimate relationships between the family and Edgerton’s stunning portrayal of a husband and father who could lose it all is a captivating watch, explaining why the show has been scheduled for a second season.
From
From is a series revolving around a mysterious American town that ensnares newcomers, forcing its inhabitants to maintain order and find an escape amidst nighttime perils from the surrounding forest. The residents face threats from terrifying creatures emerging after sunset, complicating their struggle for survival.
Fromis an incredible science fiction horror seriescreated by John Griffin consisting of three seasons and 30 episodes, with a fourth on the way. The series follows a group of strangers who become stuck in a mysterious town surrounded by a dark forest that seemingly has trapped them there with no way out. Sheriff Boyd Stevens (Harold Perrineau) leads the group as theybattle with supernatural creatures while trying to solve the mystery of the townin a show that stars an ensemble cast including Catalina Sandino Moreno, Eion Bailey, and David Alpay.
The show expertly mixes sci-fi and horror to create a tense and palpable atmosphere that pierces throughout every episode of the series. It has been widely praised for its strong world-building and unique cast of characters that all play perfectly off each other, with each having strengths and weaknesses that develop over the seasons. In a sea of amazing roles, Perrineau’s depiction as SheriffStevens is the main highlight, embodying the character forced to lead confidently in a terrifying situation. The show’s episodes are often made with a cliffhanger ending, making stopping watching an almost impossible task.
Silo
In a dystopian future, men and women reside in a vast underground silo governed by strict regulations, believed to shield them from the hazardous world above. The series delves into the complex social order within the silo and the mysteries surrounding their subterranean existence.
Silois a dystopian sci-fi drama series created by the talented mind of Graham Yost,based on author Hugh Howey’s epic Silo trilogy of novels(Wool,Shift,andDust). The series follows the inhabitants of an enormous underground silo that comprises 144 levels that provide shelter and a new life from the toxic world outside. The show stars Rebecca Ferguson as hard-working engineer Juliette Nichols who wants to discover the secrets of the silo and unravel the mysteries that keep popping up throughout her work and life in the bunker.
The 10 Most Shocking Twists In Sci-Fi TV Shows
Sci-fi shows have famously included some of the most shocking and unexpected plot twists in television history, leaving audiences completely stunned.
The series is part mystery, part sci-fi, part drama, and part many other genres, creating a show that, while showing a contained area, refuses to be put in its box.The setting is claustrophobic and intense, with gripping storylines, enthralling character studies, and engaging visuals that keep the audience guessingat what is going to come next. The ensemble cast with stars like Rashida Jones, David Oyelowo, Common, and Tim Robbins all nail their roles and add a layer of realism to a fantastical story, anchoring all the plot points and overarching narrative to create a cant-look-away masterpiece.
Travelers
Travelers (2016) is a sci-fi television series where operatives from the future are sent back to the 21st century to prevent the collapse of society, inhabiting the bodies of present-day people at the moment of their death. The team, led by Grant MacLaren (Eric McCormack), works to carry out missions dictated by their mysterious director, while coping with the challenges of living in a different time period.
In one of the most original and creative concepts for a series in recent memory,Travelers- a sci-fi series co-produced by Netflix for its first two seasons - follows a collective of special operatives who are tasked with a mission to prevent society from collapsing.Set in a post-apocalyptic future, the operatives, aka ‘travelers,’ have their consciousness placed back into a host body in the present day(their past) and are about to die, thus minimizing the impact on the future. Led by Grant MacLaren (Eric McCormack), they must complete their covert missions while also maintaining the illusion and life of the host they inhabit.
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The Expanse (2015-2022)
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If all that sounds complex, complicated, and completely crazy, it is, but it all works perfectly together with creator Brad Wright’s expert hands guiding the series and production to create monumental work.The show genuinely grips you from minute one, with the characters all displaying nuanced and creative personas and the captivating balance between the future life-changing missions and the present-day madness of being the hosts. Even though it’s three seasons long, the 34 episodes fly by like 34 minutes, with each passing scene providing more entertainment and intrigue than the one before.
Scavengers Reign
Expanding on the short film Scavengers concept, Scavengers Reign is a sci-fi adventure-drama series created by Joseph Bennett and Charles Huettner for MAX. When their ship crashlands on a strange new planet, crewmembers attempt to find other potential survivors and their downed vessel as they navigate a hostile but beautiful alien world.
Adult animated sci-fi dramaScavengers Reign, created by Joseph Bennett and Charles Huettner, is based on the duo’s 2016 short filmScavengers, which they felt deserved a more extended format to fully flourish.The plot follows survivors of an interstellar cargo ship crash who get stranded on an alien planet, with the characters splitting into three groups whose paths cross and collide throughout the show. The creators build a fascinating world with immense, expansive extra-terrestrial landscapes and meditative visuals that play into the audience’s expectations.
10 Best Dystopian Sci-Fi TV Shows
Dystopian sci-fi has long been an incredibly popular subgenre of science fiction, and some TV shows stand out as being the best to capture dystopia.
While some animations can dampen the sci-fi elements of a show -with animated works typically being a place where anything is always possible-Scavengers Reignnever seems to suffer from this issue. The show emphasizes the characters’ treacherous scenario of both trying to survive in the world but also exploring enough to help them find a way out. The animation itself is truly extraordinary, with gorgeous sequences and suspenseful storylines that fit into short, episodic works that make them perfect to binge-watch.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the 1980s, where the mysterious disappearance of a young boy leads a small town to uncover secret experiments and supernatural forces. A significant focus is on a peculiar girl who may hold the key to the unfolding mystery.
One of the most popular Netflix series of all time,Strangers Thingstook the world by storm withone of the most incredible first seasons in TV history. The show is set in the 1980s and follows the residents - particularly a group of young teens - of a small town,where chaos starts to unfold when a grotesque alternate dimension known as the ‘Upside Down’ creeps into their worldafter a human experimentation lab mistakenly opens a portal. The show features an ensemble cast, including Winona Ryder, David Harbour, and Millie Bobby Brown, elevating or making superstars of all involved.
The show was nothing short of a cultural phenomenon, with audiences binge-watching the show in the millions and devouring season after season, eager to find out what would happen next. Creators, the Duffer Brothers,mixed youthful investigation with supernatural horror, combined with perfect 1980s references, creating an incredible piece of television known for its plot, nostalgia, mystery, and terrifying visuals. It’s truly one of the best shows to watch one after the other, and even though it’s slightly longer, with a fifth season coming in 2025, the episodes breeze by, hardly pausing for breath.
Severance is a psychological thriller series featuring Adam Scott as Mark Scout, an employee at Lumon Industries who undergoes a “severance” procedure to separate his work and personal memories. However, as work and life personas mysteriously begin to collide, it quickly becomes clear that not all is as it seems. Created by Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle.
Severanceis a sci-fi psychological thrillerwith incredibly talented minds across the board, created by Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle. The series' plot follows an employee of Lumon Industries, Mark Scout (Adam Scott),as the company offers a ‘severance’ medical procedure that allows employees to split their consciousnessinto two compartmentalized sections. The procedure means employees can fully separate their work and personal lives, with both versions of themselves unaware of the other’s time or memories, in a series that explores philosophical questions about identity.
Severancereceived widespread commercial and critical acclaim, receiving an incredible 14 nominations at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards.
In terms of pure binge-watching qualities, it is very hard to look pastSeveranceas one of the top choices that springs to mind, with every minute of every episode masterfully building and maintaining tension.The series perfectly balances drama and mystery, with a satirical slant on the modern work/life balance and the faults of today’s corporate culture, to create an intriguing story that flows through each episode. Scott delivers a tour-de-force performance as a grieving employee whose life starts to break down in one of the most interesting sci-fi series concepts ever.
The Expanse
The Expanse is a sci-fi series set in the distant future where humanity has spread out across the solar system, but the alliances between the three most potent governing bodies have reached a state of the cold war. In the series, a mixed crew finds themselves at the center of a dangerous intergalactic conspiracy that threatens to bring war to the colonized worlds.
Based on author James S. A. Corey’s series of novels of the same name,The Expanseis a wildly popular yet still underrated sci-fi series developed by Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby. The series is set in a future where humans have expanded to live throughout the solar system, mainly focusing on an eclectic group of protagonists who get involved in political matters and social issues and also uncover a deadly conspiracy. The series has been praised for its credible adaption of the original novels, which form a work that perfectly combines all elements of a sci-fi masterpiece.
The 11 Best Sci-Fi TV Shows Of The 2000s, Ranked
The 2000s brought about a variety of staple sci-fi TV shows that lacked massive budgets but included captivating character-driven stories.
ThoughThe Expanse, as the name suggests, is the longest series mentioned, with 6 seasons and 62 episodes,it is still easily the best show to binge-watch in its entirety.The show is practically perfect in every regard, from the characters to their development, the high-stakes plotlines, the overarching narratives, the epic visuals, and the depth of world-building and fictionalized mythology that comes from a series based on a collection of novels.The Expanseisone of the best sci-fi TV shows of the last decadeand one that will have viewers wearing out the next episode button.
