The sci-fi genre is going as strong as ever, with new series and films releasing every year. That said, there’s something satisfying about looking back at older series to see how well they hold up. Unsurprisingly, given all the risks sci-fi tends to take, many series have held up against the test of time. Their quest to capture the collective imagination of viewers allowed these series to create a tale that is as solid and entertaining today as when it was first released. This is especially true for many beloved series hailing from the 2000s. For example, Firefly will always be hailed as ahead of its time, and it is just one of many series available.
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The 2000s mark a very specific time in sci-fi history, as creatives put aside an overreliance on special effects and instead began pushing character-driven narratives and ensemble casts. Then there are the animated series, some of which worked to hit hard and leave a permanent mark on the industry. No matter the format, fans still love to go back and watch these series for the tenth or hundredth time.
4) Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)
Fans have been in love with Star Wars for generations, and while the live-action films are arguably the best-known part of the franchise, we cannot discount the animated additions to this universe. One such addition is Star Wars: The Clone Wars, a long-running series that begins after the events of Star Wars: Episode II -Attack of the Clones.
In case the name didn’t make it obvious, Star Wars: The Clone Wars explores the events of the infamous Clone Wars, introducing beloved new characters, diving deep into Jedi politics, and offering further insight into the complications and factions involved in this battle. It’s a must-watch for any fan who wants to learn more about the larger universe. Best of all, this series has direct ties to many other relevant series, including Star Wars: Rebels, The Bad Batch, and Ahsoka.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.
3) Futurama (1999-Present)
If there’s one sci-fi series that won’t stay dead, it’s Futurama. Futurama began airing in 1999, but it’s largely a product of the 2000s. Amazingly, the show has returned from cancellation several times, and that includes a 2025 return. So this series deserves an award for hailing from the early 2000s and is still putting out solid content for viewers.
Many fans would argue that Futurama is one of the best animated sci-fi shows of all time, and that is a valid point. The story revolves around Philip J. Fry, a human who finds himself accidentally cryogenically frozen, waking up 1000 years in the future. He makes a ragtag group of friends (family and coworkers), and while their adventures may be based in the year 3000 (and beyond), they feel intentionally relevant to today’s day, thanks to pop culture jokes and the like.
Futurama is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.
2) Farscape (1999-2003)
Farscape is an ideal sci-fi series for any fan craving a character-driven space adventure. The series has a lot going for it, from the compelling ensemble cast to puppets and prosthetics created by The Jim Henson Company’s Creature Shop.
The story begins with a human astronaut, John Crichton. He was supposed to be doing a standard test flight, but instead found himself flung through a wormhole. He ends up on the other side of the galaxy, and he’s not alone. Here, he joins up with a ragtag new crew: a renegade Peacekeeper, a Luxan warrior, a plant creature who was once a priestess, a Leviathan, a con artist, and an ex-ruler. They may not seem like the type of crew designed to tackle a corrupt and dangerous organization known as the Peacekeepers, but they seem to be the only ones signing up to do the job.
Technically, Farscape began airing in 1999, but it hit peak popularity during the early 2000s, so it’s worth including on this list. Farscape has a perfect balance of humor, drama, and fantastic settings to keep viewers coming back for more, even years later.
Farscape is available to stream on Tubi, The Roku Channel, and Peacock.
1) Fringe (2008-2013)
Fringe ran for a total of five seasons, and that was enough to leave a permanent mark on its viewers. This sci-fi series is one that fans can (and will) return to, time and time again. Fringe is famous for its unique blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and procedural dramas. It also incorporates a slightly more anthology format; while it has the same set of characters each time, they tackle events that are borderline monster/mystery/horror of the week.
There’s no doubt that it’s the characters that make Fringe come alive. The story revolves around FBI Agent Olivia Dunham, brilliant scientist Walter Bishop, and Walter’s son, Peter Bishop. Together, they make the core of the Fringe division of the FBI, tackling the world’s strangest cases, from parallel universes to dopplegangers and everything in between.
While Fringe took a little bit of time to find its footing, the latter four seasons are largely agreed to be a hit, especially as it begins exploring more and more concepts, themes, and sci-fi topics. Naturally, this makes for a series that never gets old, even more than a decade after its conclusion.
Fringe is available to rent through Amazon Prime Video.
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