There’s little more satisfying than a solid sci-fi series, except perhaps a sci-fi series that brilliantly explores the concept of time travel. Any sci-fi fan can tell you that not all time travel stories are created equal, as we’ve all seen our fair share of time travel flops. The best time travel shows not only nail the core concept but also weave in compelling stories and lovable characters, adding layer by layer until they create a perfect show worth watching a hundred times. These are the shows fans come back to, time and time again, for their sci-fi binge sessions.
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Time travel comes in many forms, such as time loops, time portals, wormholes, cryogenics, mysterious code tattoos, and, of course, traditional time machine devices. No matter the kick-off event, the odds are good that there’s a time travel story for everyone, allowing stories to lean heavily into sci-fi or incorporate more fantastical elements. Realistically, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of fascinating time travel series. It just isn’t possible to list them all at once, ironic as that may be.
3) Futurama
Futurama first hit the scene in December 1999, and boy, did this show earn a reputation for being unkillable. Futurama originally ran on the Fox Network, before it was cancelled and then revived for a set of four movies, and then again revived by Comedy Central. In 2022, Hulu took a turn at reviving the series, which is now ongoing.
The series revolves around Philip J. Fry, a cryogenically frozen human who wakes up on the cusp of the Year 3000. The series is as chaotic as it is entertaining, as this man out of time finds himself in the perfect place to make a place for himself in the world, complex with a strange job, robotic best friend, and more. Fry’s introduction to the year 3000 is just the beginning of the time travel shenanigans, as fans well know.
Given how much this series has gone through to stay alive, it likely goes without saying that Futurama has an extremely dedicated fanbase. It has left its mark on sci-fi, especially on the animation side, raising expectations across the board.
Futurama is available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu.
2) Loki
Admittedly, Loki is the newest series on this short list, but don’t let that chase you off! Loki is part of Marvel’s Phase Four, occurring sometime after Avengers: Endgame. It all begins when the Avengers mess with time (as a means to save the universe, of course) and unintentionally unleash a Loki Variant into the multiverse. Enter the Time Variance Authority (TVA), an organization committed to protecting the Sacred Timeline.
Loki, being Loki, immediately rebels at the idea that he is anything but the center of his universe, and one thing quickly leads to another. Loki’s story dives headfirst into the multiverse of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but it also embraces time travel along the way. It’s dense, compelling, and full of Easter Eggs for Marvel fans.
Loki is easily one of the highest-rated Marvel series on Disney+, which lasted for two seasons before coming to a planned end. The star-studded cast probably didn’t hurt (Tom Hiddleston, Tara Strong, Owen Wilson, Sophia Di Martino, etc.). There’s no doubt that the events of Loki will be felt across the multiverse.
Loki is available to stream on Disney+.
1) Doctor Who
Doctor Who is arguably the most classic time-traveling series out there. After all, the titular character is a Time Lord, capable of traveling through time and space thanks to the TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimensions In Space). This series has been running for decades, and that alone often feels like a feat only a Time Lord could accomplish. The original series ran from 1963 to 1989, bringing the character we all know and love to the forefront. Doctor Who invented a clever way to keep the show running even after leading actors needed a change-up, introducing the Time Lord regeneration cycle.
The Doctor is famous for traveling around through time and space, popping in for adventures all over. Naturally, these adventures are more fun with friends, which explains the human companions The Doctor usually takes along for the ride.
It’s safe to say that Doctor Who has left a huge mark on not just time travel tales, but sci-fi as a whole. This series explores complex subjects, themes, and moments in history through a creative lens, allowing characters (and thus viewers) to experience these moments firsthand. Naturally, they create unforgettable experiences along the way.
Doctor Who is available to stream on Pluto TV, Tubi, Disney+, and The Roku Channel.
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image courtesy of 20th Century Studios
