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There are some science fiction TV shows so delightful, so foundational, so hugely influential, and so brilliantly demonstrative of the genre’s unique charm that pretty much everyone should watch them at least once in their lives. These shows are, after all, such essential pieces of the genre that they should be perfectly capable of entertaining even the most avid sci-fi hater.
Whether it’s a decades-running classic like Doctor Who or a more self-contained modern gem like Battlestar Galactica, these are the kinds of sci-fi series that have served as the genre’s tonal and stylistic basis for years. Many shows that came after owe an awful lot to them, and as such, anyone even slightly intrigued by the history of science fiction should check them out before they die.
10
‘Doctor Who’ (1963–Present)
It has gone through some hiatuses—including the one it’s currently in—but Doctor Who nevertheless holds the Guinness World Record as the longest-running science fiction TV show in history. That’s no small feat. Through the simple narrative device of regeneration, which means that its protagonist is able to transform into a new body after death, Doctor Who has found ways to keep itself fresh and relevant since the early 1960s.
It is, through and through, one of the best sci-fi TV shows of all time, as well as one of the most foundational to modern pop culture and sci-fi geekdom. Watching the whole thing is, of course, a commitment that would take at least several months; but anyone who loves time and space travel ought to watch at least a few seasons of Doctor Who sometime.
9
‘Dark’ (2017–2020)
Those who love time travel and multiverse stories but would prefer something shorter and more serialized ought to watch Netflix’s Dark, quite likely the most internationally mainstream German show in history. It’s also one of the most intellectually challenging sci-fi shows of all time, but those with the patience (and attention span) for its mind-bending story will almost certainly have the time of their lives.
It’s one of the Netflix shows with the most shocking plot twists, perfect for people who love sci-fi series where pretty much every episode packs at least a few surprises. Perfectly directed and with some of the most masterfully complex writing the genre has ever seen, Dark really is a must-see for sci-fi fans who love shows that force them to think deeply.
8
‘Babylon 5’ (1994–1998)
In the history of not just science fiction television, but American broadcast television more broadly, the airing of Babylon 5 marked a “before” and “after” point. Almost unprecedentedly for American cable TV at the time, this cult classic was designed as a sort of novel for television, where every season would serve as a different chapter in a pre-planned five-chapter story arc.
In virtually every way imaginable, Babylon 5 has aged like fine wine, as even its most dated visual elements add an inimitable campy charm to it. But the real strength of this timeless space opera is, of course, its serialized narrative. Profound character arcs, nuanced geopolitical elements, deep philosophical themes, and an unexpectedly mature tone all make Babylon 5 truly special.
7
‘Black Mirror’ (2011–Present)
The anthology format has been one of the most popular ways of making science fiction TV shows since the ’50s, but there’s a certain show that has completely revolutionized the way anthology sci-fi television works in modern times: Black Mirror, one of those modern sci-fi shows that are utter masterpieces. Offering all sorts of thought-provoking reflections on humanity’s relationship to technology, it has become one of the current sci-fi shows most celebrated by contemporary pop culture.
The wonderful thing about Black Mirror is that those not looking to commit to the entire series can watch just a few of its most popular episodes and get a perfect idea of why it’s celebrated as such an essential piece of modern science fiction television. In all honesty, however, there’s no way of watching Black Mirror‘s best episodes and not wanting to check out the rest.
6
‘Cowboy Bebop’ (1998–1999)
Cowboy Bebop is one of those anime classics where every episode’s a masterpiece, a show that helped popularize anime in the Western world in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Part space Western, part neo-noir, and 100% remarkably entertaining, it’s one of the most universally loved anime on the planet for a reason. Even those who aren’t interested in anime but love sci-fi nonetheless ought to add it to their watchlist.
That’s because, far from just being your traditional animated sci-fi series, Cowboy Bebop is a brilliantly genre-bending exploration of existential loneliness and the terrible weight of the past. Philosophically complex and stylistically sharp in equal measure, it’s proof that animated sci-fi deserves just as much love and respect as even the best live-action masterpieces.
5
‘Firefly’ (2002–2003)
Nowadays, Firefly is perhaps best-known as the cult classic that was canceled after only one short-lived season, but all those who’ve watched it also know it as the absolute masterpiece that it is. It’s one of the best space Westerns the small screen has ever seen, a show that could have proven to be even more of an audience darling had it been given the chance to run for as long as it deserved to.
It’s one of the most perfect sci-fi shows shorter than 20 episodes, bolstered by one of the most endearing ensemble casts and most compelling set of characters that sci-fi television has ever had to offer. It’s creative, it’s well-written, it’s full of vibrant and gritty world-building, and it has some unforgettable dialogue that fans love to quote on the daily even to this day.
4
‘Battlestar Galactica’ (2004–2009)
The original Battlestar Galactica was practically begging for a remake going into the 21st century, but no one could have expected it to be as superior as it was. Following the 2003 miniseries, one of the best in the history of science fiction, came 2004’s Battlestar Galactica, widely regarded as one of the greatest sci-fi series of the 21st century thus far.
After all, what’s not to love about this brilliant space opera? For one, it’s fascinating how it explores the gritty and paranoid cultural psyche that plagued much of American television after 9/11. Combine that complex thematic core with some striking production values, a legendary cast, and a layered story, and you get one of the best genre shows of the 2000s—science fiction or otherwise.
3
‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ (1987–1994)
Everyone should watch at least one Star Trek show before they die, if only to see what all the sky-high hype is about. And pretty much all fans of the franchise would agree that, if someone were wondering where they could possibly get started with such a gargantuan franchise, The Next Generation would be a pretty solid gateway point.
Almost universally regarded as the best piece of Star Trek media to date (at least as far as the small screen is concerned), The Next Generation is the sort of sci-fi show people wish they had watched sooner. It’s just that good. The production values have aged wonderfully, the cast is still one of the best in the history of network television, and the perfect way the franchise’s uniquely optimistic philosophy blends with the story must be seen to be believed.
2
‘The X-Files’ (1993–2018)
The X-Files isn’t just one of the most beloved sci-fi TV shows of all time, but also one of the most influential. From Supernatural to Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Gravity Falls, all sorts of supernatural conspiracy series have drawn inspiration from The X-Files over the years. From their early days pioneering the fandom space on the Internet until the modern day, the show’s cult following is still going as strong as ever.
There are strong elements of serialization here for those who prefer that sort of sci-fi show, but even those people are virtually guaranteed to inevitably enjoy the revolutionary way in which X-Files approaches more episodic formats. Its “case of the week” approach allows Mulder and Scully to grow on the audience as the seasons pass, making their impeccably written and impeccably directed adventures all the more effective.
1
‘The Twilight Zone’ (1959–1964)
There’s a solid reason why Rod Serling‘s groundbreaking The Twilight Zone is far and away one of the most universally loved TV series of all time. Not only is it every bit as great as the hype still surrounding it would lead one to believe; it also may very well be the single most influential sci-fi TV show in history, which should be more than enough to make it a must-see.
But as if the indelible impact it’s had on both anthology series and sci-fi television as a whole weren’t enough, The Twilight Zone is also incredibly high-quality and undeniably timeless. Like any anthology show, it’s not without its share of episodes that are definitely duds. But as the best and most essential anthology sci-fi series ever made, it’s also so filled to the brim with masterful episodes that it’s hard to envision a sci-fi fan going to the grave without ever having watched Twilight Zone.
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Diego Pineda Pacheco
Almontather Rassoul
