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It’s rare enough to encounter a science fiction TV show that’s genuinely exceptional, but to find one that’s an all-out masterpiece is all the more precious of an uncommon occurrence. Around the late ’90s and early 2000s, the genre saw a boom on the small screen unlike anything else audiences had ever encountered. That has meant that over the course of the 21st century, we’ve gotten several of the greatest sci-fi TV masterpieces of all time.
Whether it’s a cartoon like Samurai Jack or a live-action space opera like Firefly, these shows aren’t just great; they approach perfection just about as much as sci-fi television possibly can. They’re exciting, emotionally compelling, thematically fascinating, and masterfully crafted all-around. No one who loves sci-fi TV should reach their grave without having watched the genre’s greatest masterpieces.
10
‘Samurai Jack’ (2001–2017)
Animator and director Genndy Tartakovsky is widely considered one of the most influential directors in the history of animation, and as such, he has created some of the greatest cartoons in the history of television. Case in point: Samurai Jack, pitched by Tartakovsky as an animated version of David Carradine in Kung Fu.
Aside from being one of the animated shows with the best visuals, Samurai Jack also makes the best possible use of its sci-fi elements to deliver a masterful show that wears its cinematic, televisual, and literary influences on its sleeves. Wonderfully atmospheric and delightfully action-packed, it concludes with a far darker and more mature fifth season that’s among the best seasons of animated television in history.
9
‘The Expanse’ (2015–2022)
The Expanse is based on the series of novels of the same name written by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck under the pen name S. A. Corey. Though Syfy canceled it after only three short-lived seasons, Amazon promptly picked the show back up for another three. The result? One of the greatest six-season shows in television history, as well as one of the most rewatchable sci-fi shows ever.
This enthralling space opera has been widely praised as one of the most scientifically accurate sci-fi shows ever, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the praiseworthy elements of The Expanse. Intricate in its geopolitical themes, complex in its neo-noir-inspired tone, and marvelously detailed in its world-building, it’s a must-see for all those who love small-screen space adventures.
8
‘Arcane’ (2021–2024)
Netflix has been a blessing for animated television over the course of the 21st century, and there are those who would argue that the streaming giant hasn’t produced a better animated masterpiece than Arcane. You don’t need to be a League of Legends fan in order to enjoy this steampunk action series, a show so impeccably written and visually striking that just about anyone who enjoys animation is bound to fall in love with it immediately.
Indeed, it’s one of those new animated shows that are perfect from start to finish. Blending absolutely breathtaking and vibrantly colorful animation with a thematically sharp and character-driven story, it’s both a technical and narrative masterpiece unlike anything else animated sci-fi has delivered throughout the last 26 years. Is its conclusion absolutely flawless? Not quite, but everything surrounding it is so emotionally gripping and adrenaline-pumping that it’s hard to resist.
The 2003 anime series Fullmetal Alchemist, loosely based on Hiromu Arakawa‘s manga series of the same name, is one of the most iconic anime shows of the 2000s. It’s its successor, however, that’s one of the most universally beloved anime series of all time. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the second-highest-rated anime show of all time on IMDb, and for good reason.
Significantly more faithful to the manga than its predecessor, Brotherhood benefits from its airtight and filler-less writing, as well as its absolutely perfect animation. Character-driven, flawlessly paced, and exploring philosophically profound themes of the value of human life and of letting the past go, it’s an absolutely masterful steampunk masterpiece that leaves virtually no issues to complain about.
6
‘Andor’ (2022–2025)
Ever since George Lucas‘ Star Wars became the highest-grossing movie in history at the time of its release in 1977, the galaxy far, far away has been the home of the largest transmedia franchise of all time. Star Wars just hasn’t been the same ever since Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm back in 2012, but it’s also true that Andor is the best that Star Wars has been since all the way back in the 1980s.
Returning the franchise to its thematic roots of fighting fascism and celebrating the power of rebellion in the face of oppression, Andor seems to understand Star Wars far better than any other live-action sci-fi show the franchise has thus far delivered. But even for those who aren’t fans of the franchise, it’s still very much worth watching. It’s one of those sci-fi shows where every episode is a masterpiece, a wonderful sci-fi series that balances breathtaking action sequences with deeply human drama to perfection.
5
‘Severance’ (2022–Present)
There’s a very strong argument to be made that Severance is the best Apple TV original show to date. Conceived of by creator and showrunner Dan Erickson during a period of depression, working a monotonous office job at a door factory, this workplace comedy/psychological thriller hybrid isn’t easy to fit into any kind of genre box, but that tonal versatility is precisely the source of its charm.
Severance can be funny in all sorts of surreal, Terry Gilliam-esque ways, but it can also be nail-bitingly suspenseful and overwhelmingly dramatic whenever it needs to be. The performances are fantastic, the writing and directing of each episode are superb, and the many mysteries the show has set up are all so fascinating that it’s hard not to be anxious to see what comes next. Two seasons into its run, Severance is already one of the biggest sci-fi TV masterpieces of the decade.
4
‘Firefly’ (2002–2003)
Nowadays, Joss Whedon‘s Firefly is perhaps best known because it was canceled after only one season, in one of the most criminal decisions a network has made in the history of sci-fi television. But even setting aside the fact that the series was never allowed to reach its full potential, the fact that it’s still one of the highest-rated sci-fi shows ever on IMDb speaks volumes about its quality.
It’s one of the best action TV shows with only one season, arguably the television space Western par excellence. With one of the greatest ensemble casts in the history of modern sci-fi TV, Firefly is mainly focused on its irresistibly fun cast of characters. Full of sharp and witty dialogue, as well as absolutely exceptional production values, it’s still essential viewing even all these many years after its unjust cancellation.
3
‘Dark’ (2017–2020)
Netflix’s first-ever German-language original show, Dark is undoubtedly one of the greatest dramas in the streaming giant’s library, science fiction or otherwise. It’s a delight that it came out during the era of streaming, too, because it’s also one of the best sci-fi shows to rewatch. For those who love sci-fi at its most mind-bending and labyrinthine, Dark should prove to be a real treat.
But as intellectually challenging as it often is, Dark never feels like a chore, as it always makes sure to make its many mysteries and twists feel hugely rewarding. The whole three-season arc was clearly meticulously planned from the very start, because it’s a virtually impeccable story imbued with such an engrossingly grim atmosphere that it’s no exaggeration to say it’s downright perfect.
2
‘Battlestar Galactica’ (2004–2009)
There are many sci-fi shows that should never be remade, but the outdated ’70s version of Battlestar Galactica was the type of sci-fi series begging for a reimagining. After the 2003 miniseries took the world by storm, the full-length show aired its pilot one year later. Everything that came after that makes this one of those few 2000s sci-fi shows that are true masterpieces.
What makes Battlestar Galactica such a sci-fi masterclass is that aside from being a delectably entertaining and technically exceptional space opera, it’s also a deeply human, philosophically complex, and sociopolitically sharp work of art. Born out of the fear, uncertainty, and moral ambiguity of the post-9/11 years and the United States’ national psyche during the War on Terror, it’s very much a product of its time, but in the best way possible.
1
‘Black Mirror’ (2011–Present)
Black Mirror‘s first two seasons aired on the British network Channel 4, after which the series was acquired by Netflix. In the years since, the show has arguably become the streaming giant’s biggest pop culture sensation. Every generation gets its own version of The Twilight Zone, but Black Mirror is far more than just that: It’s a perfect spiritual successor to Rod Serling‘s hyper-influential masterpiece, yes, but it has also proven to be hugely unique and influential itself.
Reflecting the many fears and anxieties of living in this modern digital world, Black Mirror is an all-out masterpiece in virtually every way that a sci-fi show possibly can be. It’s one of those sci-fi shows with the most mind-bending plot twists, as well as several incredible performances and a series of banger script after banger script. It has revolutionized the anthology format for the 21st century, and it has proven to be the biggest televisual sci-fi masterpiece of the last 26 years.
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Diego Pineda Pacheco
Almontather Rassoul
