Ever since the early 1800s, with novels like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, the sci-fi genre has flourished, capturing the imagination of millions with its power to create dystopian futures, confront alien life, imagine advanced artificial intelligence, and even bend the very fabric of reality and challenge audiences to question their perception of space, time, and even their own existence.
When it comes to television, The Twilight Zone and Doctor Who elevated sci-fi to new heights with their groundbreaking and imaginative takes on the genre during the early 1960s. Ever since, it’s gone from strength to strength, leading to the sci-fi boom we’re currently experiencing, with shows like Stranger Things, Severance, The Mandalorian, and Fallout dominating streaming platforms and breaking all manner of viewership records.
Here, I’m looking at all shows that fall under the sci-fi umbrella – from epic space operas to gritty dystopian thrillers – and recommending the very best the genre has to offer. These shows are all 10/10 masterpieces that will have you hooked from the opening scene to the closing credits.
Why You Should Trust Me: An avid fan of cinema and television, I’ve been writing for MovieWeb for five years now. I have a particular affinity for the sci-fi genre and was raised on so much Doctor Who and Star Wars that I still like to use “the Force” to open each and every automatic door I come across. Over the years, I have made a concerted effort to explore the genre thoroughly, encountering the fantastic, the middling, and the outright awful. As a result, my expertise in all things sci-fi will hopefully help you avoid the latter and experience only the finest the genre has to offer.
Honorable Mentions
Doctor Who (1963 – 1989) (2005 – 2025) – Blending sci-fi and adventure with an undercurrent of distinctly British humor, Doctor Who manages to be playful and whimsical whilst also delivering deeply thoughtful and emotional moments of introspection, social commentary, and heart. With one of the most devout cult followings in television history, Doctor Who first premiered in 1963 and has broadcast nearly 900 episodes, more than any other sci-fi series in history. While generally critically acclaimed, people will always have their favorite doctors and eras, and also eras they might not be so fond of.
Black Mirror (2011 – Present) – Often set in near-future dystopias, Black Mirror presents an unflinching exploration of the grim consequences of technology on human life. It touches on hyper-relatable issues – such as our obsession with social media and our increasing reliance on AI – with each episode feeling like a haunting look into a crystal ball filled with dystopian dread and despair. Due to its anthology format, though, there’s the occasional but inevitable dip in quality for certain episodes among its generally terrific output.
Twilight Zone (1959 – 1964) – Easily one of the most influential shows of all time, The Twilight Zone blends horror, mystery, and mind-bending sci-fi. Each episode tells a standalone story in which characters find themselves dealing with disturbing, bizarre, or unworldly events, an experience described as entering the “Twilight Zone”. Like Black Mirror, which it clearly influenced, the anthology format of the series resulted in a few episodes feeling not quite as great as others.
‘The X-Files’ (1993 – 2002) (2016 – 2018)
When The X-Files debuted in 1993, it quickly became the defining sci-fi series of the decade with its blend of conspiracy, paranoia, ‘monster-of-the-week’ thrills, and one of the most iconic partnerships in television history. From the moment the world was first introduced to Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, audiences were consistently exhilarated by shadowy government conspiracies, extraterrestrial encounters, and unexplainable events. It’s deep-rooted sci-fi paranoia made for a compelling watch, but its underlying humor and cast of eccentric characters ensured it was always just light enough to never feel overwhelming or a chore to watch.
Watch This If: You’re looking for a ‘monster-of-the-week’ type show that stands head and shoulders above its peers due to the legendary chemistry of its two leads and its seamless blend of sci-fi paranoia, dark humor, and occasional campy fun.
Skip This If: Your idea of a good sci-fi is “hard” and scientifically grounded, The X-Files revels in the paranormal and occasionally slips into pure escapism.
‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ (1987 – 1994)
The third series in the Star Trek franchise and set in the latter third of the 24th century, when Earth is part of the United Federation of Planets, The Next Generation introduces an entirely new cast of characters aboard its Starfleet starship, the USS Enterprise – most notably the addition of Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard, a role so iconic it rivals that of William Shatner’s in the original.
Premiering in the ’80s – an era synonymous with excess and attitude – The Next Generation dared to be different. Featuring a diverse cast taking a diplomatic approach to conflict, its exploration of the morality of war, its philosophical musings, and its exploration of serious, real-world issues such as mental health, gender identity, and digital ethics stood out as particularly progressive at the time.
Watch This If: You’re a fan of sci-fi that focuses on intergalactic exploration but favors character development and compelling narratives over dogfights, alien attacks, and explosions.
Skip This If: You’re a die-hard fan of the original Star Trek series and have already decided that nothing will come close to the Shatner-led Starship Enterprise you so fondly remember.
‘Lexx’ (1996)
Revolving around a crew of misfits aboard a living spaceship, which also happens to be the most powerful weapon in the universe, Lexx reveled in unapologetic weirdness, sexual themes, and low-budget aesthetics, making it a hard sell for a mainstream audience used to more polished alternatives such as Star Trek and Stargate. However, it has since garnered a dedicated cult following.
One thing that can’t be taken away from Lexx is its commitment to its absurdity, maintaining an amazing, uncompromised streak of bold sci-fi originality from start to finish. Looking back, it’s easy to argue that it was ahead of its time, especially when considering the success of more recent sci-fi shows of its ilk, like Rick and Morty and The Orville.
Watch This If: You like your sci-fi mixed with a drop of humor, a splash of silliness, and a whole lot of B-movie charm.
Skip This If: You’ve grown accustomed to the cinematic Hollywood sheen of recent sci-fi mega hits like Stranger Things, Andor and Alien: Earth.
‘Twin Peaks’ (1990 – 1991)
Perhaps a controversial choice for some, David Lynch and Mark Frost’s cult classic Twin Peaks isn’t a straightforward sci-fi like most on this list. In fact, the show – which follows an investigation led by FBI special agent Dale Cooper into the murder of a local teenager – defies classification. Part soap opera, part crime drama, and part sci-fi horror, it begins as a grounded detective mystery before spiraling into something entirely different as Dale finds himself exploring other dimensions and fighting evil spirits. It is this constant unpredictability that makes it a truly exhilarating experience from start to finish, though,
Now regarded as among the most influential TV shows ever made, Twin Peaks helped usher arthouse sensibilities into primetime TV. Its cinematic direction, surreal imagery, and emphasis on atmosphere over conventional plotting laid the groundwork for modern ‘prestige’ television, influencing everything from The Sopranos and Mad Men to Stranger Things and Lost.
Watch This If: You’re familiar with and are a fan of the trademark “Lynchian” approach to filmmaking and television: an unconventional blend of hypnotic surrealism and visceral storytelling. You’re looking for the absolute “peak” of what he can do in a long-form series.
Skip This If: You expect a conventional narrative structure, clear answers, or traditional resolution; if you prefer tightly plotted storytelling, straightforward character arcs, or find surreal, abstract, and deliberately ambiguous storytelling frustrating rather than fascinating.
‘Mr. Robot’ (2015 – 2019)
Mr. Robot follows IT expert Elliot Alderson as he becomes embroiled with an anarchist group of hacktivists aiming to destroy all debt records by encrypting the financial data of the world’s largest conglomerate. Featuring a talented cast including Rami Malek, BD Wong, Christian Slater, and Carly Chaikin, the show received critical acclaim and developed a strong cult following for its layered storytelling and psychological depth.
Mr. Robot never shies away from shedding light on the raw and often painful realities of living with mental illness. Elliot is a complex and deeply layered character who is constantly evolving, keeping viewers captivated as we witness him struggling with social anxiety, depression, and dissociative identity disorder. At the same time, through Elliot’s new line of work, audiences are exposed to the bleak realities of societal decay, corporate control, and media manipulation.
Watch This If: You’re looking for an anxiety-inducing techno-thriller based around a complex and layered protagonist as he takes on corruption and corporate control.
Skip This If: You’re looking for some light-hearted comfort viewing or an easy-to-follow linear plot. Elliot’s unreliable narration and the increasingly complex conspiracies may feel overly disorientating to a casual viewer.
‘Battlestar Galactica’ (2003 – 2009)
Battlestar Galactica is a dark military sci-fi drama following the galaxy’s last known surviving humans as they flee extinction after a devastating nuclear attack at the hands of a cybernetic race called the Cylons. Reimagining the original campy ’70s series with a modern cinematic sheen, added emotional depth and a compelling new cast of characters, the Battlestar Galactica ’00s revival is widely considered among the greatest ever sci-fi shows to grace our screens.
Renowned for its complex political allegories and gritty approach to storytelling, it was praised for its ability to anchor sci-fi fantasy with vivid and recognizable human psychology and expertly juggle multiple overarching storylines over the span of multiple seasons. Never once does the intrigue, psychological tension, or character development dip, making it one of the few shows that’s genuinely a treat to experience from start to finish.
Watch This If: You want to experience one of sci-fi’s biggest success stories, packed with morally grey characters, escalating political tensions, and high-stakes, existential paranoia.
Skip This If: You like your sci-fi with added humor in the vein of Red Dwarf, Futurama, or even the witty quips of The X-Files. Battlestar Galactica can feel intensely dark, gritty, and even stressful in comparison.
‘Andor’ (2022 – 2025)
Serving as a prequel series to the anthology film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), itself a prequel to the original 1977 Star Wars movie. The series revolves around thief-turned-rebel spy Cassian Andor during the five formative years leading up to the events of the two movies. It follows her radicalization against the Galactic Empire as well as the formation of the wider Rebel Alliance.
Not only is it one of the biggest streaming successes of the ’20s, but it was also a huge critical success and is considered among the most compelling, mature, and well-written entries in the entire Star Wars franchise. Nearly 50 years after the release of the original movie, things are kept fresh and exciting by grounding the story in political intrigue, adding elements of espionage, and introducing a far more morally complex style of storytelling compared to what we’re used to from the series. The show was also praised for the strong performances of its core cast and its impressive cinematic visuals.
Watch This If: You are a fan of Star Wars. Even if you’ve begun to experience franchise fatigue, Andor provides a unique and refreshing take on the series and significantly expands on the existing lore of its galaxy far, far away.
Skip This If: The most appealing parts of Star Wars, for you, are dogfights, lightsaber duals, and explosive gunplay. Andor is a slower, more character-driven series compared to other traditional Star Wars movies.
‘Severance’ (2022 – 2025)
Severance is a psychological sci-fi thriller that blends workplace drama and mystery with an undercurrent of pitch-black humor. Primarily directed by Ben Stiller and starring the likes of Christopher Walken, Adam Scott, John Turturro, Patricia Arquette, and Sarah Bock, it follows employees at Lumon Industries, a sinister biotechnology corporation that has undergone “severance” – a procedure that splits a person’s memories between work and their personal life, with no communication between the two.
Premiering on AppleTV+ back in 2022, it gradually gained attention and momentum, becoming a slow-burning word-of-mouth phenomenon that has gone on to become one of the most popular and lauded shows in recent history. With a staggering 41 Primetime Emmy Award nominations under its belt, it is now the most-watched series in the history of Apple TV+, praised for its masterful cinematography, intriguing mystery premise, and relatable workplace themes.
Watch This If: You have ever wondered what it would look like if the mind-bending mystery of shows like Lost and Black Mirror and the corporate satire found in the likes of Mad Men and Just Shoot Me were to collide.
Skip This If: You’re looking for the kind of blockbuster explosive spectacle found in movies like Avatar, Star Wars, or Inception.
‘The Expanse’ (2015 – 2022)
Set in a future where humanity has colonized the Solar System, The Explanse follows a disparate crew of highly trained individuals as they unwittingly stumble upon a far-reaching conspiracy that threatens the system’s fragile balance of power, while also dealing with escalating political tension and shifting alliances.
Praised for its hard sci-fi accuracy, meticulous world-building, and intricate political landscape, it is a rare example of a series that delivers a flawless, gripping story arc from the very first episode to the breathtaking finale. With an overall Rotten Tomatoes average of 95%, each of its 6 seasons received widespread acclaim, with seasons 3, 4, and 5 all landing a perfect 100% score.
Watch This If: You are looking for unmatched scientific realism and a meticulously crafted world that feels incredibly lived-in and culturally distinct, or if you’re a fan of the original books by James S. A. Corey and intrigued by the prospect of a remarkably faithful adaptation.
Skip This If: You’re looking for pure, easy-to-watch escapism because, while The Expanse’s story is undeniably gripping, the show adheres strictly to real physics, meaning space exploration is dangerous, claustrophobic, and slow, not fast-paced or fantastical,
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
