The sci-fi genre has featured many great TV shows over the years. Science fiction has long been one of the world’s most popular and populated genres, with stories spanning millennia and ranging from Earth-bound technological tales to far-flung space operas, by way of everything in between. The very best sci-fi TV shows often make a considerable splash, not just securing worldwide audiences but leaving an indelible mark on wider pop culture. Great sci-fi often resonates with many due to its eye-catching visuals and intricate, deeper themes, weaving countless memorable stories across the years, including many that are now considered bona fide classics.
Videos by ComicBook.com
Though there are many great sci-fi TV shows, not many can claim to be completely flawless. Over the course of a show’s extended run, there is usually at least one season that stands out as lacking somewhat in quality compared to the others. On rare occasions, however, certain sci-fi shows are able to deliver their stories with remarkable consistency, leading to a handful of shows that can boast being excellent from start to finish, even across multiple seasons.
7) Farscape
There are a handful of sci-fi shows from the 1990s that people forget were awesome, and Farscape ranks highly among them. Though it has a dedicated cult following, it never really achieved the level of success that it deserved, especially considering how strong the show was across its entire run. All four seasons of Farscape are excellent, all boasting a consistently high critical review score as well as remaining beloved among its many dedicated fans.
6) Dark
Despite being considered one of the best series of the 21st century so far, Dark remains something of a hidden sci-fi gem. Netflix’s German sci-fi mystery thriller blends many ideas in its cerebral and engaging story, delivering a three-season narrative that packs a genuine emotional punch as well as thought-provoking sci-fi elements. Of Dark‘s three seasons, not one of them is out of place, with each seeming to be near-flawless in the execution of its high-concept premise.
5) Fringe
Fringe is rightly considered one of the most overlooked sci-fi series in the history of the genre, as it helped pioneer high-concept sci-fi series while also blending elements of several other genres. Combining its science fiction with aspects of fantasy, procedural drama, and mystery thriller elements, Fringe remains a landmark show in many ways. The cult sci-fi TV show started a little slow in its first season, though it was still excellent. Once it found its feet, Fringe was absolutely flawless, making it an exceptional chapter in television history.
4) Stranger Things
Though some might argue that the show had one or two disappointing chapters, the simple fact is that every season of Stranger Things ranks among the most popular television releases in living memory. The show built on its early success to become a veritable pop culture phenomenon, making it one of Netflix’s most-watched and most talked-about shows of all time. While some seasons might be marginally better than others, it’s hard to describe any of them as outright bad, meaning Stranger Things thoroughly deserves its place on this list.
3) The Expanse
Despite being a relative newcomer to the genre, The Expanse has earned the status of an essential sci-fi TV show everyone should watch. If that alone doesn’t speak to its quality, then perhaps the fact that each of its six seasons received critical acclaim, and that fan support saved it from cancellation on two separate occasions. The sci-fi show brought its high-concept space opera to life with eye-catching visuals and gripping drama, with not a single one of its seasons missing the mark.
2) Black Mirror
As an anthology series, Black Mirror faces a different set of challenges than many other sci-fi shows. Its success doesn’t hinge on a single concept executed well, but rather on a range of stories brought to life by different actors, tapping into several subgenres along the way. Only two things about the show can really be described as consistent features: its chilling sci-fi ideas and the consistency of its quality. Few other anthology shows have ever delivered such consistently great stories, making Black Mirror a true sci-fi gem.
1) Orphan Black
When considering sci-fi TV shows that are masterpieces from beginning to end, few fit the criteria as completely as Orphan Black. Though it didn’t quite earn the widespread success it deserved, it was a critical darling throughout its run and boasts some truly impressive reviews from beginning to end. The sci-fi story, which focuses primarily on the ethical implications of human cloning, is utterly flawless, with not a single one of its five seasons letting the quality drop in any way.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
Most Viewed
-
Courtesy of David Production -
Image Courtesy of Studio Pierrot
