Within the sci-fi landscape on television, audience can find whatever they're looking for in TV shows from the past and present. Some of the most recent popular sci-fi series, like Severance, Silo, and Foundation, are great examples of the depth and intricacies of the genre. However, there are plenty of younger viewers who might not immediately connect with the darker and surrealist themes that these types of shows incorporate. Fortunately, there is a litany of amazing shows that are more accessible to a wide range of audiences. These projects aren't any less well-imagined or detailed, just more universal.
Most sci-fi fans fostered a love for the genre at a young age and have fond, nostalgic memories of being introduced to the sci-fi TV show that sparked their interest in science fiction. More often than not, these sci-fi TV shows aren't too complex or overwhelming and allow young viewers to engage with the deep, nuanced feelings they're experiencing through the safety of a beloved show. Like all other genres, science fiction is for everyone and should provide viewing options for younger viewers as strong and compelling as these shows.
10 Stranger Things (2016–Present)
This popular sci-fi series has elements of the coming-of-age genre
Stranger Things
- Release Date
- 2016 - 2025-00-00
- Showrunner
- Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
WHERE TO WATCH
Blending sci-fi, fantasy, and typical teen drama, it's not surprising that Stranger Things immediately captured the attention of audiences everywhere. Since 2016, every time a new season of Stranger Things drops, it's been a massive event for Netflix and viewers of all kinds. One of the ways that Stranger Things has been able to connect so well with such a broad range of viewers is because it engages with characters of all ages and generations.
Seeing the characters grow up onscreen from childhood to early adulthood is relatable for everyone watching and allows Stranger Things to evolve and adapt with its subjects.
Seeing the characters grow up onscreen from childhood to early adulthood is relatable for everyone watching and allows Stranger Things to evolve and adapt with its subjects. season 5, which will be the final installment of Netflix's beloved TV show, was supposed to be released sometime in 2025, but the timeline has become more uncertain. However, it's likely that whenever it does hit screens, it will provide an epic goodbye.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Stranger Things (2016–Present) |
91% |
90% |
9 The Umbrella Academy (2019–2024)
Based on the comic of the same name, The Umbrella Academy stands apart within the superhero genre
Your comment has not been saved
The Umbrella Academy
- Release Date
- 2019 - 2024-00-00
- Showrunner
- Steve Blackman
WHERE TO WATCH
Based on the comic book series written by Gerard Way, The Umbrella Academy doesn't shy away from portraying some graphic violence and gore, but it treats this side of the show with as much humor as the rest. Though the themes and story within The Umbrella Academy can get pretty dark, there's an inherent charm and comedic element that helps to lighten even the most bleak moments of the narrative. Additionally, the snappy editing and memorable needle drops help to turn the volume up on the otherworldly aspects of the series.
Led by an instantly lovable ensemble cast that includes Elliot Page and Robert Sheehan, The Umbrella Academy leans into its connection to and subversion of the superhero genre throughout the seasons. For viewers who have grown up in the media age that's been inundated with superheroes, The Umbrella Academy is a welcome and unique take on the pitfalls of introducing overpowered individuals into the regular world. Though there are many intertwined plot threads, The Umbrella Academy ensures that the audience has the tools to uncover the narrative's secrets.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
The Umbrella Academy (2019–2024) |
78% |
61% |
8 Loki (2021–2023)
Marvel expands its horizons with this complex character study
Your comment has not been saved
- Showrunner
- Michael Waldron
Tom Hiddleston's take on the trickster god Loki has enshrined him as a favorite of the sci-fi genre since his first appearance in Thor in 2011. However, audiences got to see a new side of this complex character in the spinoff series Loki, one of the strongest Marvel shows to come out in the past few years. In Loki, the character development that he goes through demonstrates that he isn't just a villain or a hero. He has always been a person with many different sides and abilities.
It's a departure from the Marvel content that audiences are used to, but this is what makes it worth watching.
Fans of the MCU are sure to love Loki and appreciate the time and effort that was put into expanding Loki's character and the discussions of the multiverse. Loki is particularly impactful because it communicates to the audience that people are capable of change and finding a place for themselves in the world, even when it seems as though all hope is lost. It's a departure from the Marvel content that audiences are used to, but this is what makes it worth watching.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Loki (2021–2023) |
87% |
86% |
7 Firefly (2002–2003)
This short-lived sci-fi series hasn't lost its hold on the cultural conversation
Your comment has not been saved
It's always a tragedy when a great show is canceled after one season and never gets the chance to evolve and grow. However, it's especially devastating that the iconic TV series Firefly only got one season since its influence and legacy have far outlived the number of episodes. Created by Joss Whedon, the mind behind Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Firefly is an expansive space Western that transports the viewer to new worlds while making strong cultural and political critiques.
10 Great Sci-Fi Shows Canceled After One Season
Despite being cut short after just one season, these sci-fi shows left their mark on television and are great series to come back to time and again.
Though it isn't perfect, Firefly is well ed because of the innovative storytelling style and the many creative choices that resulted in such tight narrative arcs. Nathan Fillion leads the cast as Malcolm Reynolds, the captain of the spaceship Serenity, and it was this role that helped establish him as a hero and a heartthrob within the sci-fi genre. However, it's the ensemble's chemistry as a whole that elevates the great scripts and imaginative worlds of Firefly.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Firefly (2002–2003) |
77% |
96% |
6 The 100 (2014–2020)
A great dystopian series that's unafraid to evolve
Your comment has not been saved
- Showrunner
- Jason Rothenberg
The television landscape has been inundated with the best post-apocalyptic TV shows, and this genre is still expanding every year. However, The 100 is a great place to start for those interested in narratives that tackle the harsh realities of living at the end of the world but aren't afraid to incorporate a little hope. Eliza Taylor leads the cast as Clarke Griffin, a young woman who becomes the de facto leader of a group of young people sent from a space station to recolonize Earth.
It's easy for teens to relate to The 100, as the characters are teenagers when the show begins and are grappling with the ups and downs of adolescence alongside the trials of navigating their treacherous environment. The 100 was heralded for its strong representation of realistic character dynamics, particularly Clarke's different romantic relationships that didn't bog down her independent nature. Though the apocalypse genre is well-worn, The 100 manages to stay fresh and captivate the viewer.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
The 100 (2014–2020) |
93% |
67% |
5 Farscape (1999–2003)
With romance, gorgeous practical effects, & strong storytelling, there are many reasons to recommend Farscape
Your comment has not been saved
Farscape
- Release Date
- 1999 - 2003-00-00
- Writers
- Rockne S. O'Bannon, David Kemper, Justin Monjo, Richard Manning
WHERE TO WATCH
Though Farscape is an older sci-fi show and has some dated elements, it overwhelmingly holds up well today, thanks to the practical effects and puppets that bring the world to life. Today, many science fiction and fantasy shows over-rely on CGI and visual effects, making Farscape stand out and offer a refreshing change. Additionally, the alien planets and otherworldly aspects of Farscape are easy to engage with since the protagonist, John Crichton (Ben Browder), is from Earth.
Thanks to John's position as a human with similar sensibilities and experiences as the viewer, he's an effective point of entry for audiences into this fantastical world.
Thanks to John's position as a human with similar sensibilities and experiences as the viewer, he's an effective point of entry for audiences into this fantastical world. It helps that John's slow burn of his romantic relationship with Aeryn (Claudia Black) is an eternally compelling aspect of the show. Though Farscape's surprise cancelation before season 5 caused a massive outcry from fans, Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars eventually aired and is considered the conclusion of the beloved series.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Farscape (1999–2003) |
90% |
87% |
4 Doctor Who (1963–Present)
Long-running and beloved, there's a reason why Doctor Who is so well-known
Your comment has not been saved
There are many different eras of Doctor Who that fans and newcomers can start with, but for modern audiences, beginning with the 2005 reincarnation of the show is typically best. Though the series recently received another revamp with Ncuti Gatwa taking over as the Doctor, one of the best things about Doctor Who is that there has been a wide array of actors who have brought the titular character and their companions to life. This allows for fun and innovative interpretations of the story for everyone to appreciate.
When the series first began in 1963, it was meant as a more educational program for younger audiences, but in the decades since it premiered, Doctor Who has evolved a lot. The format of Doctor Who makes it possible for the writers and showrunners to play with the past and future and put the characters in exciting, dangerous situations the audience will never forget. Doctor Who isn't just a great sci-fi series for teens but for any audience member looking to get into science fiction with compelling, genre-bending stories.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Doctor Who (1963–Present) |
90% |
64% |
3 Eureka (2006–2012)
This sci-fi procedural blends comedy and crime into its narrative
Your comment has not been saved
This lesser-known addition to the sci-fi crime procedural genre ran for five seasons and evolved into something of a phenomenon before it ended. For the protagonist of Eureka, Jack Carter (Colin Ferguson), the genius and technological development that's commonplace in the town of Eureka, where he comes to be the Sheriff, is the stuff of myth and legend. He, like the audience, is shocked by the inventions of the town's residents, but this awe quickly wears off, as Jack is typically the one who has to save the day when these innovations go off the rails.
Though the procedural genre is often criticized for being formulaic, the Eureka follows a comfortable format that's easy to fall into and enjoy. Additionally, the series pushes itself to include compelling season-long arcs and grapple with the long-term fallout of the inventions that should never be seen outside the borders of Eureka. While Eureka often relies on scientific jargon to convince the audience of its smarts, the story is never inaccessible.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Eureka (2006–2012) |
81% |
91% |
2 Fringe (2008–2013)
This otherworldly crime show developed into a memorable sci-fi classic
Your comment has not been saved
To say that Fringe is an updated iteration of The X-Files would be a mistake, as Fringe didn't take long to establish itself as a unique offering in the sci-fi world. Though its characters are FBI agents, and they deal with the strange and unusual, Fringe is far more engaged with stories of multiple realities and technological developments rather than the paranormal or alien. This gives the show a sharp new perspective that viewers can appreciate.
8 Best Detective Sci-Fi TV Shows
Even in the world of science fiction TV shows, things aren't always a perfect utopia, and some characters are forced to take on a detective role.
Fringe began as a procedural, but as the show progressed, it became much more, catapulting its characters into the future and multiple realities. Becoming much more serialized by the final season, Fringe gained critical and audience recognition as it deepened the complexities of its stories. The ensemble cast of Fringe has fantastic chemistry and enough intriguing romance angles to make any viewer invested in the over-arching plot. Olivia (Anna Torv) and Peter's (Joshua Jackson) romance is one for the ages.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Fringe (2008–2013) |
90% |
80% |
1 Avenue 5 (2020–2022)
Though short-lived, this comedic sci-fi series packed a punch
Your comment has not been saved
Hugh Laurie stars in Avenue 5, the comedic sci-fi series from HBO that might have only run for two seasons but was well-loved by its viewers. The premise of Avenue 5 sees the disgruntled captain of a space cruise, Ryan (Laurie), grapple with the annoying and demanding engers of the cruise while trying to get them to safety when the ship goes off course. While there are dystopian and survival elements of Avenue 5, the series maintains its comedic heart in every episode.
However, Avenue 5 is more than a sitcom set in space, as it explores the humanity of its characters as much as it pokes fun at their pitfalls. Though Avenue 5 season 2 received a strong critical reception, the show was ultimately cut short, allowing it to be ed at its peak. Returning to Avenue 5 today demonstrates how well the concept holds up and how strong the central performances are.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Avenue 5 (2020–2022) |
78% |
70% |
Your comment has not been saved