The world of science fiction is broad and expansive, and sometimes that means it can be a bit overwhelming, especially for those a bit newer to the genre. These adventures take viewers to new worlds, universes, or even different points in time. They’re as fantastical as they are bold. Which brings us to a certain point; sometimes we just crave our sci-fi with a dash of fantasy. Not only does this add a new layer to the tales, but it makes heavy sci-fi more approachable to a broader audience. In other words, everybody wins! The shows in our list may be labeled as sci-fi, but they all have at least a hint of fantasy, making them the perfect choices for your next binge-watching session.
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It’s no secret that sci-fi works well with many genres and themes. It isn’t uncommon to find a sci-fi drama or sci-fi horror. However, there is something so perfect about a series that fits the bill for both sci-fi fans and fantasy lovers.
7) Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a classic sci-fi series with an exceptionally long history. The BBC series began in 1963, and it has since received a revival unlike any other. Interestingly, older parts of Doctor Who still lean heavily into the world of sci-fi, while more modern seasons have toyed with fantasy themes and elements.
Doctor Who revolves around the titular character, the infamous Doctor. He’s a Time Lord who travels through time and space thanks to the TARDIS (which just so happens to look like a British police phone box). The Doctor bounces from event to event, making allies, saving the day, and making a difference in people’s lives. Perhaps most notably, the Doctor often finds a way to save the day using only a sonic screwdriver. In other words, threats aren’t always handled through violent means.
There have been many iterations of the Doctor over the years, as different actors have stepped in to play the role. The creators found a clever way to explain this away, declaring that Time Lords can regenerate a certain number of times in their lifespan. This has kept the story alive for decades, and we couldn’t be more grateful for it.
Doctor Who is available to stream on Pluto TV, Tubi, Britbox, and Disney+.
6) The Mandalorian
The world of Star Wars has always had that slight fantasy feel to it, so most movies (or series) would be a solid fit for fantasy fans. However, there is something so unique about The Mandalorian. To start with, it perfectly captures that balance between Western and Sci-fi, which is always a blast to see.
The series follows Din Djarin, aka The Mandalorian, a bounty hunter who famously took missions in exchange for payment. Nothing new there, right? That was his routine, right up until he came across a bounty he couldn’t eliminate: a young child named Grogu who needed his help. This changed his life forever, putting him at odds with his previous employers and many darker threats.
The Mandalorian is a wildly popular series, so the odds are good that most people have at least heard about it in passing. It’s set after the events of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. There are currently three seasons available, plus a few connected spin-off series: The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and Skeleton Crew.
The Mandalorian is available to stream on Disney+.
5) Farscape
If you love an ensemble cast and creative character designs, Farscape is the show for you. This series may play around with some heavy sci-fi themes, but it also has many character-driven moments. The worldbuilding makes it feel otherworldly in a way that is more familiar to fantasy fans. The most interesting detail about Farscape? The Jim Henson Company was the co-producer of the show, providing the prosthetics, make-up, and the animatronic puppets. That’s pretty hard to pass up.
Notably, there’s only one human cast member in Farscape: John Crichton. He’s an astronaut who found himself on the other side of the galaxy, courtesy of a wormhole. He’s joined up with a unique crew, consisting of an ex-Peacekeeper Sebacean, a Luxan warrior, an ex-priestess Delvian, a Leviathan (a living ship), an ex-ruler of the Hynerian Empire, a strange creature connected to the Leviathan, a Nabari thief, and a few other characters who are introduced later on. They may be a strange group, but they become a found family of sorts.
Farscape is available to stream on Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel.
4) Stranger Things
If you’re looking for a sci-fi series with more drama and horror, be sure to check out Stranger Things. Now is actually the perfect time to get into Stranger Things, as the final season is scheduled to start airing in November 2025. This show is a serious emotional roller coaster, but it’s also got a lot of fantasy-leaning themes for fans to enjoy. Did we mention that there are strong Dungeons and Dragons themes and references?
Stranger Things is set in the 1980s in Hawkins, Indiana. The story begins when a nearby lab, which had been experimenting on humans, had a little accident. They unlocked something outside of their control. Simultaneously, a group of friends was having their routine D&D night, only for one of them to go missing before the night’s end.
It’s safe to say that Stranger Things has been a cultural phenomenon. Fans have been eagerly awaiting the series conclusion since it was first released in 2016. The wait has been pretty painful at times, so jumping in before the end would be a brilliant move.
Stranger Things is available to stream on Netflix.
3) Stargate SG-1
Next up is a military sci-fi series known as Stargate SG-1. This series is based on the Stargate (1994) movie, but it opened the door to many more adventures in this universe. If you’re looking for a series full of action, adventure, and drama, there’s a good chance you’ll find what you’re looking for in Stargate SG-1. Better yet, this is the first of a few Stargate-based series. Once done, you can also check out Stargate Atlantis, Stargate Universe, and Stargate Origins.
Stargate SG-1 begins about a year after the movie’s conclusion, so while one doesn’t need to see the movie first, it isn’t a bad idea. The series follows SG-1, a team specially designed to explore different planets that the Stargate opens to. Naturally, this comes with a great amount of risk, as they never know what they’ll find on the other side.
Stargate SG-1 not only introduces a powerful alien race called the Goa’uld, but also many other alien species. It also explores Greek, Norse, and Roman mythology through different lenses. In other words, while history fans may not always appreciate the spins this series makes, fantasy fans are sure to love some of the details.
Stargate SG-1 is available to stream on Pluto TV, MGM+, Amazon Prime Video, and The Roku Channel.
2) Love, Death & Robots
Love, Death & Robots is an animated anthology series that covers a vast array of genres and themes. Naturally, that makes it a solid pick for plenty of fans, especially those hoping to experience something different. Love, Death & Robots plays around with action, adventure, comedy, horror, science fiction, and even fantasy. Every episode covers a different plot, and even the creative teams swap out.
Naturally, there’s a catch. Every episode of Love, Death & Robots has to revolve around one of three themes: love, death, or robots. There’s no rule saying the creators can’t include more than one theme, either. There are currently four seasons of Love, Death & Robots available, highlighting how successful the series has been so far.
The best part about Love, Death & Robots, besides the chance to explore new themes and find new creators to love, is that if an episode isn’t for you, you can just skip it! There’s no punishment for hopping around as you see fit. That said, we highly recommend giving each episode a try.
Love, Death & Robots is available to stream on Netflix.
1) Loki
Finally, if superheroes and chaos are more your cup of tea, there’s always Loki. As one might expect from the god of mischief, Loki incorporates many genres, from superhero to sci-fi, fantasy, and even crime thriller. The events of Loki begin after Avengers: Endgame, so technically, you should have a general understanding of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) up to this point. The series isn’t afraid to make references to Loki and Marvel’s past, so that is something to keep in mind.
The story begins with an alternate reality (called a Variant), Loki stealing the Tesseract and escaping following his attempt to destroy New York City. Unfortunately for him, the Time Variance Authority (TVA) has no interest in letting a rogue Loki Variant run free, so they’re quick to catch up to him. On the bright side, they actually need his help dealing with a bigger threat, so he isn’t immediately processed.
Loki was a groundbreaking Marvel series, no matter how one looks at it. The series is technically concluded, though we all know that we’ll be seeing Loki again sometime in the MCU.
Loki is available to stream on Disney+.
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