7 Terrifying Sci-Fi TV Shows That Haunted Us For Years (Including a 60 Year Old Series)

There have been some truly terrifying and haunting moments included in some of the best science-fiction shows in TV history. Sci-fi and horror have often gone hand in hand, especially in recent years, where the advancements in real-world technologies have brought us into the sci-fi future featured in many of these TV shows. Since the real world seems to have been catching up to some sci-fi stories, other sci-fi TV shows have been pushing even greater boundaries and following some even more terrifying events – some of which have kept us up at night.

These seven TV series have always walked the line between science-fiction and horror, and while not always focused on the latter, they contain some really scary moments. Whether they be dealing with the paranormal, extraterrestrial, other-dimensional, supernatural, or technological, these shows have delivered many frights, some of which have shaken us to our cores. Of course, these are just a handful of sci-fi shows that have terrified audiences, too, but their horror-like moments have been truly memorable.

7) The X-Files (1993 – 2018)

Throughout its 11-season run, The X-Files always explored stories at the crossroads of sci-fi and horror. Dealing with marginalized and ignored cases involving paranormal phenomena, extraterrestrial visitors, and conspiracy theories, FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) found themselves embarking on some truly haunting adventures. The inclusions of the likes of the Peacock family, the Flukeman, Eugene Tooms, Donnie Pfaster, and Scully’s own abduction contributed to some of the show’s most harrowing moments and terrifying moments, and they’re seriously hard to forget.

6) Stranger Things (2016 – 2025)

Exploring the breaking down of the border between our world and the dark and twisted Upside Down, Stranger Things is one of the most innovative and revolutionary sci-fi-come-horror shows in TV history. While much of the series is fun and entertaining – especially when following the younger cast – Stranger Things also includes some really scary moments. This includes Will’s possession by the Mind Flayer, Max almost being killed by Vecna, Barb being stolen into the Upside Down, the flayed becoming the Mind Flayer’s body, Chrissy’s death in Eddie Munson’s trailer, and Eleven’s flashbacks to the massacre in Hawkins Lab.

5) Doctor Who (1963 – Present)

While Doctor Who – the longest-running sci-fi show on TV – is regularly thrilling and exciting, but the Doctor has also embarked on some frightening adventures. The Daleks’ appearance terrified audiences back in the ’60s, while modern audiences have been terrified by the Weeping Angels in Blink, the Silence in The Impossible Astronaut, the Entity in Midnight, the gas mask zombies in The Empty Child, the Flood in The Waters of Mars, and many more. The Clockwork People from 2006’s “The Girl in the Fireplace” terrified me as a child, and it seems everyone has their own Doctor Who nightmare.

4) Channel Zero (2016 – 2018)

Syfy’s Channel Zero series took popular “creepypasta” stories and brought them to life in an anthology series. While more focused on horror than sci-fi, the focus on twisted children’s TV shows in season 1, the reality-bending mystery house in season 2, and the dark basement door housing a terrifying contortionist clown in season 4 all contribute to some pure nightmare fuel. It’s focus on alternate realities, horrific media, body horror experiments, and the manifestation of trauma through paranormal phenomena allows Channel Zero to combine horror and sci-fi, but note that it’s not for the faint of heart.

3) The Twilight Zone (1959 – 2020)

Originally presented by Rod Sterling, The Twilight Zone dealt with standalone stories balancing sci-fi, horror, and fantasy, allowing for the inclusion of some of TV’s most iconic and scary moments. The To Serve Man cookbook from season 3, the paranoia-inducing aliens in season 1, the twist on the alien invasion trope in season 2, the post-apocalyptic survivors’ computer overlord in season 5, and many more are some of the anthology series’ most harrowing moments. Reboot series have struggled to match up to the sheer terror and impact of the original’s five-season run between 1959 and 1964.

2) Dark (2017 – 2020)

Following a strange time travel conspiracy, the residents of a small German town are explore existential and philosophical storylines throughout Netflix’s Dark. The series doesn’t deliver jump-scares, but delves into the more terrifying parts of human psychology – especially that when put under pressure by forces and mysteries we can’t explain. Some of the scariest moments include Mikkel’s disappearance in the Winden woods – which kick-starts the whole story, the suspense built around the caves, characters meeting of past and future versions of themselves, Noah’s actions, Martha’s deaths, and, of course, the apocalypse itself.

1) Black Mirror (2011 – Present)

British anthology series Black Mirror is one of the most well-known and popular shows in TV history, with each episode exploring an interesting and complex new near-dystopian future, often utilizing real-world fears surrounding advancing technology to make it even more relatable. While episodes such as “Playtest,” “Metalhead,” and “White Bear” explore overtly horror-like themes, others are far more subtle, but this makes their scary moments even more haunting. The unsettling surveillance of “Shut Up and Dance,” Mia’s murder spree in “Crocodile,” the horrifying twists in “Men Against Fire,” “Hated in the Nation,” and “White Christmas,” and even the more emotional scene of many other episodes have contributed to moments that we struggle to move on from.

What moments from sci-fi TV shows did you find the most terrifying? Let us know in the comments!

Want to stay up to date on the biggest geek entertainment news? Add us as a preferred source in Google – HERE.

7 Sci-Fi TV Shows That Aged Incredibly Well