Throughout the last few years, the sci-fi genre has delivered some truly riveting TV shows that have captivated audiences with their thought-provoking themes and imaginative storytelling. These titles focus on major themes within the genre including existentialism, AI, alternate realities and political intrigue, just to name a few.
With so many incredible options to choose from, it can be hard to decide what to watch. If you find yourself in this dilemma, we at JustWatch are here to help! We’ve curated a list of must-watch shows that every sci-fi fan should add to their watchlist.
Read on to explore some of the best contemporary TV shows the sci-fi genre has to offer and discover where to watch them all streaming on your favorite services like Netflix, Apple TV+, Paramount Plus and more!
Severance (2022 - Present)
Beginning in 2022 and coming from the mind of Dan Erickson, Severance is a gripping sci-fi thriller that delves into the life of Mark (Adam Scott), an employee at a mysterious biotech company called Lumon Industries. As Mark uncovers a dark conspiracy within the company, the show explores a fascinating core concept: employees undergo a surgical procedure that severs their memories, leaving them unable to recall their personal lives while at work and vice versa.
With Ben Stiller serving as an executive producer and directing several episodes, the series features an exceptional ensemble cast including Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, John Turturro, Christopher Walken and Patricia Arquette. Severance tackles themes of existentialism, identity and corporate control throughout each episode which makes it a must-watch for fans of the sci-fi genre.
Silo (2023 - Present)
The dystopian sci-fi series Silo is set in a massive underground silo (144 stories deep) where 10,000 people live under strict rules they believe are necessary for their survival. The series centers on Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson), an engineer who maintains the silo's critical generators. Tim Robbins, Common, Steve Zahn and Harriet Walter round out the series’ cast.
Silo draws viewers into the lives of its characters as they navigate the oppressive confines of their apocalyptic environment. The series masterfully explores the resilience of everyday people in the face of overwhelming odds as they band together to confront the shadowy forces that seek to control them. As the audience grows attached to the silo's residents, they are drawn into the mystery of how this fractured world came to be, making for a compelling narrative that resonates deeply within the sci-fi genre.
Dark Matter (2024 - Present)
In the Apple TV+ series Dark Matter, Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton) is an ordinary man whose life takes a turn when he is abruptly pulled from his own universe and replaced by an alternate version of himself from a different reality. Armed with a mysterious device known as the Box, which enables travel across the multiverse, Jason1 embarks on a desperate journey to return to his original universe and reunite with his family. However, time is running out as he must also confront his doppelgänger, Jason2, who threatens everything he holds dear.
The concept of alternate realities is a cornerstone within the sci-fi genre and Jason’s existential struggle as he navigates the respective worlds will certainly appeal to fans of the genre. The story blends technological advancements with the raw, emotional turmoil of a man fighting to reclaim his identity and protect his loved ones. With a combination of the series’ high-stakes tension and exploration of the multiverse, Dark Matter is an exciting story worthy of a binge watch.
Invasion (2021 - Present)
The Martian and X-Men: First Class producer Simon Kinberg along with Hunters creator David Weil co-created the sci-fi series Invasion. The series explores Earth's encounter with an alien species threatening humanity's survival. It unfolds in real time, seen through the eyes of ordinary individuals across the globe as they grapple with the growing chaos around them. Featuring a diverse cast of Pashto, English and Japanese speakers including Golshifteh Farahani, Shamier Anderson and Shioli Kutsuna, the series offers a realistic take on how people around the world may actually react to an existential threat… In that, it may not be a bombastic thrill fest, but rather, a slow, methodical approach on having to deal with aliens landing on Earth.
What further sets Invasion apart is its focus not on world leaders or scientists but on the perspectives of everyday people who feel left in the dark as they try to make sense of the unimaginable. This unique approach to the genre makes the story deeply relatable.
Foundation (2021 - Present)
Foundation is a sci-fi series that exceptionally intertwines thrilling mystery elements within a richly imagined dystopian universe. The series is set in a future dominated by the Galactic Empire where visionary scientist Hari Seldon (Jared Harris) predicts the Empire's inevitable downfall using the science of psychohistory. To preserve humanity's collective knowledge, Seldon establishes a group known as "the Foundation."
The series’ compelling mix of pure sci-fi and intricate political drama features several brilliantly developed characters as portrayed by such standouts as the aforementioned Harris and Lee Pace as Brother Day. The breathtaking set design – from the intricately crafted ships to the expansive world-building – additionally makes Foundation a must-watch for any sci-fi enthusiast.
Calls (2021)
Calls is a lesser-known innovative animated series that tells its story through a sequence of interconnected phone calls. Created by Alien: Romulus director Fede Álvarez, the story revolves around a group of strangers whose lives are thrown into chaos as they confront a mysterious and impending apocalyptic event. Featuring an all-star voice cast including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Aubrey Plaza, Pedro Pascal, Nicholas Braun and Rosario Dawson, Calls weaves together eerie and unsettling elements that blur the line between reality and the unknown.
Breaking away from conventional visuals, the series uses audio visualizations to draw viewers into its tense and atmospheric world. This bold storytelling approach makes Calls a captivating audio drama that seamlessly blends elements from both the psychological thriller and sci-fi genres.
From (2022 - Present)
From follows a group of survivors trapped in an unsettling small town that restricts you from leaving once you enter its vicinity. Hunted by terrifying creatures at night, the group must uncover the town’s dark secrets in order to escape. The story blends sci-fi and horror elements brilliantly, focusing on the town’s sheriff Boyd Stevens (Harold Perrineau) as he tries to protect the residents from these nightmarish horrors.
Praised for its creepy atmosphere and compelling mystery, From is perfect for sci-fi and horror fans. It is a tense tale about survival, uncovering the truth and facing the unknown in a place where escape is impossible.
Fallout (2024 - Present)
Based on the popular video game series of the same name, Fallout premiered on Prime Video in 2024 and eventually became one of the platform’s most popular titles of that year. The series is set in the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Los Angeles in 2296 and follows the survivors of a nuclear blast that occurred 200 years prior including Vault 33 Dweller Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell), a Brotherhood of Steel member Maximus (Aaron Moten) and an actor-turned-Ghoul named Cooper Howard (Walton Goggins).
The series offers a unique take on the genre by blending the unspeakable horrors depicted in a post-nuclear setting with a more comedic tone which works to distinguish it from other sci-fi shows. With its SPECIAL elements that leave you hooked from the pilot’s first few moments, Fallout is a perfect binge for all sci-fi fans.
The Last of Us (2023 - Present)
Set twenty years after a fungal pandemic turns humanity into zombie-like creatures and collapses society, a smuggler named Joel (Pedro Pascal) must escort Ellie (Bella Ramsey), an immune teenager, across the ruins of a post-apocalyptic United States.
Another title based on its wildly popular video game series of the same name, The Last of Us became a smash hit for HBO in 2023. The series delivers a visually striking experience, with its haunting cinematography and harrowing design of the zombies. The set design effectively portrays a world ravaged by devastation, further demonstrated by its isolated and bleak atmosphere which perfectly captures the genre's love for dystopian, forsaken worlds.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022)
Serving as a prequel to the video game Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a sci-fi anime miniseries following the story of David Martinez (Zach Aguilar). David is a displaced teen-turned-cybercriminal commonly referred to as an "edgerunner." He joins forces with gang leader Maine (William C. Stephens) and others to battle the corrupt Arasaka corporation.
The series' animation offers viewers a mind-blowing trip of dynamic action sequences set against a backdrop of beaming neon lights so intrinsically tied to the cyberpunk subgenre. The dominance of cybernetic implants and megacorporate control further highlights the bleak reality of Night City's residents, creating an exhilarating and thought-provoking experience for sci-fi fans.
Honorable Mentions
Once you've finished watching all of these shows, you might be wondering what to watch next? Have no fear! Here are a few additional recommendations you can check out to keep the binge going:
Where to Watch the Best Sci-Fi Shows Streaming Online
There are many titles within the sci-fi genre that features captivating storytelling and effective world-building that have all been released within the last few years. Scroll down to find out where to stream all the best sci-fi shows of the last five years on your favorite platforms!
