Science fiction TV shows have captivated audiences for decades, offering imaginative worlds, advanced technology, and thought-provoking stories. Whether exploring the mysteries of space, the consequences of artificial intelligence, or futuristic dystopias, sci-fi is home to some of the most intriguing series across streaming platforms.
For viewers searching for the best TV shows for sci-fi fans, this guide highlights must-watch series that stand out among the vast options available today.
From acclaimed hits like The Expanse and Fallout to newer releases such as Secret Level and The Peripheral, streaming services offer a diverse range of sci-fi TV shows to suit every preference. These series provide unique settings, compelling characters, and stories that challenge how we see the future.
Curated lists, such as this roundup of top sci-fi TV shows on Prime Video, make it easier for fans to discover their next favorite show.
Top Sci-Fi TV Shows to Watch Now
Streaming platforms offer a rich variety of science fiction series, each delivering unique themes and captivating storylines that push the boundaries of imagination and technology. Whether exploring time travel, space politics, dystopian futures, or alien encounters, these shows present engaging narratives for every sci-fi enthusiast.
Dark
Dark is a German science fiction thriller known for its intricate storylines, non-linear timelines, and deep philosophical themes surrounding time travel and causality. The series follows four interconnected families as they uncover a mysterious conspiracy that spans several generations in the small town of Winden.
What sets Dark apart is its detailed, multi-layered plot where every character and event plays a significant part in a larger puzzle. The show’s complex narrative structure and careful attention to continuity reward attentive viewers, making it a favorite for those who appreciate thought-provoking series.
Visually, Dark features a moody, atmospheric aesthetic that matches its suspenseful tone, enhancing the overall viewing experience. This series consistently earns recognition for its storytelling and ranks highly on many lists of the best sci-fi shows.
The Expanse
The Expanse offers a compelling mix of political drama, interplanetary conflict, and hard science fiction. Based on the novels by James S.A. Corey, the story is set in a future where humanity has colonized the Solar System, populating Mars, Earth, and the Asteroid Belt.
The balance of power among these solar factions creates tension and intrigue throughout the series. A standout feature is the show’s commitment to realistic science, with careful attention to gravity, space travel, and the practical challenges of life beyond Earth.
The characters, from former detective Joe Miller to hardened pilot Alex Kamal, navigate complex moral dilemmas as they uncover conspiracies that threaten human survival. The Expanse has gained praise for its character depth, special effects, and thought-provoking exploration of political and social issues.
Black Mirror
Black Mirror is a British anthology series known for examining the dark side of technology and its influence on society. Each standalone episode presents a self-contained story that imagines future or alternate realities shaped by emerging digital innovations, artificial intelligence, surveillance, and virtual reality.
Key themes include the consequences of unchecked technological advancement, privacy erosion, and the ethical complexities of human-technology interaction. The show’s most acclaimed episodes, like “San Junipero,” “USS Callister,” and “White Christmas,” often blend dystopian science fiction with compelling emotional narratives.
Black Mirror provokes reflection on how current technological trends could impact personal freedom and social norms, making it an essential choice for fans of speculative, contemporary sci-fi shows.
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a long-running British sci-fi show recognized for its blend of adventure, wit, and imaginative storytelling. The series follows the Doctor, a time-traveling alien with the ability to regenerate into new forms, as he journeys through space and time in the TARDIS.
The show appeals to a wide range of viewers, blending episodic adventures with ongoing story arcs that span decades. Memorable enemies like the Daleks, Cybermen, and Weeping Angels have become pop culture icons.
Doctor Who stands out for its creative world-building, frequent tone shifts—from light comedy to serious drama—and ability to continuously reinvent itself through evolving casts and showrunners. According to recent critics and audiences, it remains a highly rated and influential series for dedicated science fiction fans.
Best Sci-Fi Series by Streaming Service
Each major streaming service offers a unique set of sci-fi TV shows, with many exclusives and originals that appeal to both new viewers and long-time fans. From visionary space adventures to gritty alternate realities, there’s a perfect option for every taste and preference in this genre.
Netflix Originals
Netflix has become known for investing heavily in original science fiction content. Stranger Things stands out as one of the platform’s flagship series, blending supernatural mystery, ’80s nostalgia, and government conspiracies.
Another standout, Black Mirror, offers a collection of dark, thought-provoking stories about technology’s impact on humanity. The OA and Lost in Space deliver distinct takes on parallel dimensions and family-led space expeditions.
For those who enjoy cyberpunk themes, Altered Carbon explores identity and technology in a future where consciousness can be transferred between bodies. 3% brings Brazilian dystopian survival drama to global audiences, while The Midnight Gospel mixes adult animation with philosophical sci-fi streams.
Netflix’s best sci-fi titles push creative boundaries, consistently introducing original concepts and visually striking worlds.
HBO Exclusives
HBO excels at big-budget, thought-provoking science fiction that combines deep themes with cinematic production values. Westworld is a prime example, exploring artificial intelligence, consciousness, and free will within a futuristic theme park context.
The show’s complex timelines and moral questions appeal to viewers who enjoy layered narratives. Raised by Wolves stands out for its exploration of androids raising human children on a mysterious planet.
The mini-series Watchmen, inspired by the acclaimed graphic novel, delivers alternative history with sharp political and social commentary. HBO Max also includes His Dark Materials, an ambitious adaptation of Philip Pullman’s fantasy trilogy with strong sci-fi influences.
