10 Best Sci-Fi Series To Binge on Netflix – ryan

Who doesn’t love a good science fiction series? A quality sci-fi show balances the real with the surreal. Even if the show is set thousands of years into the future, we can still relate to its characters and suspend disbelief to accept this as a plausible world. These shows attract viewers with their futuristic ideas, technology, and societies. They might send us traversing across space to visit other planets. Or these stories might be set a little closer to home, as Earthlings take on alien invasions or genocidal robots. Many great sci-fi shows ooze with suspense and mystery, introducing mind-boggling questions that force us to binge-watch for answers.

Looking for a good sci-fi show on Netflix? An addictive series that will transport you to another world and blow your mind? Don’t worry, MovieWeb’s got you covered. Here are the best sci-fi series to check out right now on Netflix.

10

‘Lost in Space’ (2018 – 2021)

Lost In Space

Release Date

2018 – 2020

Showrunner

Burk Sharpless

Directors

Burk Sharpless

Writers

Burk Sharpless

Franchise(s)

Lost in Space

Cast

Lost in Space is a reimagining of the original 1965 TV series. After a cataclysmic event threatens humanity’s survival, a family is selected to venture into space and colonize another planet. But on the way, their spacecraft veers off course, causing them to get — drumroll please — lost in space.

Lost in Space isn’t the strongest entry on our list, which is why it only lasted for 3 seasons. But its simple and nostalgic story, impressive visuals, and comedic touches make this an enjoyable ride for any fan of sci-fi adventures.

Related

10 Sci-Fi Action Movies That Are Exciting From Start to Finish

Action movies and sci-fi films are two of the most expensive genres in Hollywood. Put them together, and you get the ultimate blockbuster.

9

‘Terminator Zero’ (2024 – Present)

Terminator Zero

Showrunner

Mattson Tomlin

Directors

Masashi Kudo

Writers

Mattson Tomlin

Franchise(s)

Terminator

Cast

Creator(s)

Mattson Tomlin

Who says animated shows can’t make good sci-fi? Set in James Cameron’s Terminator universe, Terminator Zero is an anime that steps away from John Connor and the United States. Set in 1997 Tokyo, it follows the man who had been working on an AI system that could compete with the infamous Skynet.

In classic Terminator fashion, the developer and his family are pursued by a killing machine from the future. This eight-episode series received positive reviews for being a fresh and original take on an overdone franchise. Although it was only supposed to last one season, there are rumors that a second season might secretly be in development.

8

‘Sense8’ (2015 – 2018)

Sense8

Release Date

2015 – 2017

Showrunner

Lilly Wachowski

Directors

Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

Writers

Lilly Wachowski

Cast

Sense8 follows eight strangers around the world, who discover that they are mentally and emotionally connected. It was co-created by titans of the sci-fii genre, Matrix creators Lana and Lilly Wachowski, who also wrote and directed many of the episodes.

Sense8 was one of Netflix’s most highly anticipated shows during the 2010s and developed a rabid fanbase. And those fans were very upset when Netflix announced that they’d be canceling the series after a huge season 2 cliffhanger. The outrage and criticism were so intense that Netflix wound up producing a two-and-a-half-hour series finale to pacify Sense8 fans and wrap up the series.

7

‘Alice in Borderland’ (2020 – Present)


Alice in Borderland

Release Date

December 10, 2020

Network

Netflix

Directors

Shinsuke Sato

Writers

Yasuko Kuramitsu

Cast

  • Kento Yamazaki

    Ryohei Arisu

  • Tao Tsuchiya

    Yuzuha Usagi

Creator(s)

Yoshiki Watanabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu

Alice in Borderland is a twisted sci-fi Japanese thriller. Here, two people become trapped in a vacant, alternate version of Tokyo, where they’re forced to compete in a series of dangerous, sadistic games. It’s like Alice in Wonderland meets Squid Game.

While it may not have reached the level of popularity as Squid Game, Alice in Borderland did score high viewership in many countries and has been praised for its action sequences, visual effects, and performances. Just two weeks after its premiere, the show was renewed for a second season. Its highly anticipated third season is set to release in September 2025.

6

‘Supacell’ (2024 – Present)


Supacell

Release Date

June 27, 2024

Directors

Sebastian Thiel, Rapman

Cast

Supacell is the best sci-fi show that you probably haven’t heard of. A British series set in modern-day London, it centers on a group of black people with sickle cell disease, who unexpectedly develop superpowers. This group of superhumans is then pursued by a secret organization looking to control them.

Supacell is a breath of fresh air in an era that’s flooded with superhero content. Its six-episode first season received universal acclaim for its themes, performances, and visual effects. It even has a rare 100% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes. Unsurprisingly, Netflix gave the greenlight for a second season on Supacell.

5

‘3 Body Problem’ (2024 – Present)

3 Body Problem

Release Date

March 21, 2024

Directors

Minkie Spiro, Derek Tsang

Writers

David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Alexander Woo

Cast

Creator(s)

David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Alexander Woo

Many viewers groaned when it was announced that David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, the showrunners who delivered a rushed, half-baked final season of Game of Thrones, were developing a new series on Netflix. But haters were silenced when that show actually turned out to be really good. Based on a series of sci-fi books, 3 Body Problem follows a diverse cast of scientists who come into contact with an extraterrestrial civilization that’s heading to Earth.

This show contains many sci-fi elements. There are aliens, there’s futuristic technology, and there’s advanced virtual reality. 3 Body Problem was a big hit on Netflix, leading to an immediate renewal of a second and third season. If you’re a Benioff and Weiss hater, then it might be time to set that anger aside and give 3 Body Problem a shot. It’s worth it.

4

‘Dark’ (2017 – 2020)

Dark

Release Date

2017 – 2020-00-00

Network

Netflix

Showrunner

Jantje Friese

Directors

Jantje Friese

Writers

Jantje Friese

Cast

If you’re into trippy science fiction, then Dark is the show for you. It’s a German series that follows multiple characters interconnected across time and space, who uncover a time-travel conspiracy spanning generations and alternate realities. Don’t let its slow-burning pace fool you.

Dark is totally mind-bending, filled with puzzle pieces that both the audience and characters must fit together to unravel all its mysteries. It’s definitely a convoluted series. There will be times when you ask things like, “Who is that?” and “How do those people know each other?” and “Wait, are they the same person?” You need a Charlie Day mailroom diagram from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia to keep all the facts straight and follow the plot. But despite its complex nature, Dark is a clever, thought-provoking series that will send chills down your spine with one scene and then blow your mind in the next.

3

‘Lost’ (2004 – 2010)

Lost

Release Date

2004 – 2010-00-00

Network

ABC

Showrunner

Damon Lindelof, Carlton Cuse

Directors

Jack Bender, Stephen Williams

Writers

Jeffrey Lieber, J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof

Cast

Creator(s)

J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, Jeffrey Lieber

Between 2004 and 2010, in an era before streaming apps and binge-watching, ABC’s hit series Lost became must-see television. It was one of the biggest shows of the 2000s, gathering millions of people around their TVs each week to see what ridiculous thing would happen next. Lost follows a large cast of strangers, whose plane — the famous Oceanic 815 — crash-lands on a mysterious and unusual island. This series was revolutionary for its diversity, showcasing characters from different races, cultures, and religions from around the globe.

Lost presented a realistic world that was distorted with elements of sci-fi, supernatural, and fantasy. It’s best known for its surprising, and at times irritating, mysteries, plot twists, and cliffhangers that make this show so addictive and easy to binge. If Lost was on TV today, it would break the internet with its weekly plot twists. Viewers would tune in each week for answers, but to the frustration of many fans, questions were answered with other questions or ignored altogether.

But Lost is also fondly remembered for its emotional storytelling. It explores the lives of its many characters, causing viewers to become emotionally invested in their journeys. Watching this show might seem daunting; its six seasons long, and its first three seasons are over 20 episodes each. But the journey is well worth it, even with the plane crash.

2

‘Black Mirror’ (2011 – Present)

Black Mirror

Release Date

December 4, 2011

Network

Channel 4, Netflix

Showrunner

Charlie Brooker

Directors

Owen Harris, Toby Haynes, James Hawes, David Slade, Carl Tibbetts, Ally Pankiw, Bryn Higgins, Dan Trachtenberg, Euros Lyn, Jodie Foster, Joe Wright, John Hillcoat, Sam Miller, Tim Van Patten, Uta Briesewitz, Colm McCarthy, Jakob Verbruggen, James Watkins, John Crowley, Otto Bathurst, Anne Sewitsky, Brian Welsh

Writers

Jesse Armstrong

Cast

  • Cristin Milioti

    Nanette Cole

Black Mirror is The Twilight Zone of the 21st century. It’s a British anthology series that focuses on the dark side of advanced technology, set in futuristic but frighteningly relatable societies. Originally created by Charlie Brooker, Black Mirror eventually found a home on Netflix, where it exploded in popularity. Netflix has since commissioned new episodes, with season seven reportedly slated for a 2025 release.

While the newer seasons have declined in quality, the first two seasons of Black Mirror are near-perfect science fiction. Its bone-chilling episodes almost serve as a warning. They offer a dark and haunting reflection of technology — and also of ourselves.

Related

10 Sci-Fi TV Shows That Are Entertaining and Not Too Complex

These sci-fi TV shows do not require you to keep a mental flowchart of the intricate plot, but they offer a healthy dose of style and substance.

1

‘Stranger Things’ (2016 – Present)

Stranger Things

Release Date

2016 – 2025-00-00

Showrunner

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

Directors

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

Writers

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Paul Dichter, Kate Trefry

Cast

Stranger Things is the biggest show on Netflix and one of the most popular shows on TV right now. Set in the 1980s, it follows the residents of the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, mainly a group of kids who are led by a girl with powerful telekinetic abilities. Things turn upside down, however (literally), when Hawkins is attacked by beings from the mysterious Upside Down, a hostile alternate dimension that exists beside Earth.

Stranger Things‘ darker and critically acclaimed fourth season was the most-streamed show of 2022, with viewers clocking an impressive 52 billion minutes. Over the last two years, fans have been itching for the fifth and final season, eagerly waiting to see how things end for Hawkins and their favorite characters. The fifth season is finally set to release in 2025, though we don’t have an official date just yet.

Who doesn’t love a good science fiction series? A quality sci-fi show balances the real with the surreal. Even if the show is set thousands of years into the future, we can still relate to its characters and suspend disbelief to accept this as a plausible world. These shows attract viewers with their futuristic ideas, technology, and societies. They might send us traversing across space to visit other planets. Or these stories might be set a little closer to home, as Earthlings take on alien invasions or genocidal robots. Many great sci-fi shows ooze with suspense and mystery, introducing mind-boggling questions that force us to binge-watch for answers.

Looking for a good sci-fi show on Netflix? An addictive series that will transport you to another world and blow your mind? Don’t worry, MovieWeb’s got you covered. Here are the best sci-fi series to check out right now on Netflix.

10

‘Lost in Space’ (2018 – 2021)

Lost In Space

Release Date

2018 – 2020

Showrunner

Burk Sharpless

Directors

Burk Sharpless

Writers

Burk Sharpless

Franchise(s)

Lost in Space

Cast

Lost in Space is a reimagining of the original 1965 TV series. After a cataclysmic event threatens humanity’s survival, a family is selected to venture into space and colonize another planet. But on the way, their spacecraft veers off course, causing them to get — drumroll please — lost in space.

Lost in Space isn’t the strongest entry on our list, which is why it only lasted for 3 seasons. But its simple and nostalgic story, impressive visuals, and comedic touches make this an enjoyable ride for any fan of sci-fi adventures.

Related

10 Sci-Fi Action Movies That Are Exciting From Start to Finish

Action movies and sci-fi films are two of the most expensive genres in Hollywood. Put them together, and you get the ultimate blockbuster.

9

‘Terminator Zero’ (2024 – Present)

Terminator Zero

Showrunner

Mattson Tomlin

Directors

Masashi Kudo

Writers

Mattson Tomlin

Franchise(s)

Terminator

Cast

Creator(s)

Mattson Tomlin

Who says animated shows can’t make good sci-fi? Set in James Cameron’s Terminator universe, Terminator Zero is an anime that steps away from John Connor and the United States. Set in 1997 Tokyo, it follows the man who had been working on an AI system that could compete with the infamous Skynet.

In classic Terminator fashion, the developer and his family are pursued by a killing machine from the future. This eight-episode series received positive reviews for being a fresh and original take on an overdone franchise. Although it was only supposed to last one season, there are rumors that a second season might secretly be in development.

8

‘Sense8’ (2015 – 2018)

Sense8

Release Date

2015 – 2017

Showrunner

Lilly Wachowski

Directors

Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

Writers

Lilly Wachowski

Cast

Sense8 follows eight strangers around the world, who discover that they are mentally and emotionally connected. It was co-created by titans of the sci-fii genre, Matrix creators Lana and Lilly Wachowski, who also wrote and directed many of the episodes.

Sense8 was one of Netflix’s most highly anticipated shows during the 2010s and developed a rabid fanbase. And those fans were very upset when Netflix announced that they’d be canceling the series after a huge season 2 cliffhanger. The outrage and criticism were so intense that Netflix wound up producing a two-and-a-half-hour series finale to pacify Sense8 fans and wrap up the series.

7

‘Alice in Borderland’ (2020 – Present)


Alice in Borderland

Release Date

December 10, 2020

Network

Netflix

Directors

Shinsuke Sato

Writers

Yasuko Kuramitsu

Cast

  • Kento Yamazaki

    Ryohei Arisu

  • Tao Tsuchiya

    Yuzuha Usagi

Creator(s)

Yoshiki Watanabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu

Alice in Borderland is a twisted sci-fi Japanese thriller. Here, two people become trapped in a vacant, alternate version of Tokyo, where they’re forced to compete in a series of dangerous, sadistic games. It’s like Alice in Wonderland meets Squid Game.

While it may not have reached the level of popularity as Squid Game, Alice in Borderland did score high viewership in many countries and has been praised for its action sequences, visual effects, and performances. Just two weeks after its premiere, the show was renewed for a second season. Its highly anticipated third season is set to release in September 2025.

6

‘Supacell’ (2024 – Present)


Supacell

Release Date

June 27, 2024

Directors

Sebastian Thiel, Rapman

Cast

Supacell is the best sci-fi show that you probably haven’t heard of. A British series set in modern-day London, it centers on a group of black people with sickle cell disease, who unexpectedly develop superpowers. This group of superhumans is then pursued by a secret organization looking to control them.

Supacell is a breath of fresh air in an era that’s flooded with superhero content. Its six-episode first season received universal acclaim for its themes, performances, and visual effects. It even has a rare 100% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes. Unsurprisingly, Netflix gave the greenlight for a second season on Supacell.

5

‘3 Body Problem’ (2024 – Present)

3 Body Problem

Release Date

March 21, 2024

Directors

Minkie Spiro, Derek Tsang

Writers

David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Alexander Woo

Cast

Creator(s)

David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Alexander Woo

Many viewers groaned when it was announced that David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, the showrunners who delivered a rushed, half-baked final season of Game of Thrones, were developing a new series on Netflix. But haters were silenced when that show actually turned out to be really good. Based on a series of sci-fi books, 3 Body Problem follows a diverse cast of scientists who come into contact with an extraterrestrial civilization that’s heading to Earth.

This show contains many sci-fi elements. There are aliens, there’s futuristic technology, and there’s advanced virtual reality. 3 Body Problem was a big hit on Netflix, leading to an immediate renewal of a second and third season. If you’re a Benioff and Weiss hater, then it might be time to set that anger aside and give 3 Body Problem a shot. It’s worth it.

4

‘Dark’ (2017 – 2020)

Dark

Release Date

2017 – 2020-00-00

Network

Netflix

Showrunner

Jantje Friese

Directors

Jantje Friese

Writers

Jantje Friese

Cast

If you’re into trippy science fiction, then Dark is the show for you. It’s a German series that follows multiple characters interconnected across time and space, who uncover a time-travel conspiracy spanning generations and alternate realities. Don’t let its slow-burning pace fool you.

Dark is totally mind-bending, filled with puzzle pieces that both the audience and characters must fit together to unravel all its mysteries. It’s definitely a convoluted series. There will be times when you ask things like, “Who is that?” and “How do those people know each other?” and “Wait, are they the same person?” You need a Charlie Day mailroom diagram from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia to keep all the facts straight and follow the plot. But despite its complex nature, Dark is a clever, thought-provoking series that will send chills down your spine with one scene and then blow your mind in the next.

3

‘Lost’ (2004 – 2010)

Lost

Release Date

2004 – 2010-00-00

Network

ABC

Showrunner

Damon Lindelof, Carlton Cuse

Directors

Jack Bender, Stephen Williams

Writers

Jeffrey Lieber, J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof

Cast

Creator(s)

J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, Jeffrey Lieber

Between 2004 and 2010, in an era before streaming apps and binge-watching, ABC’s hit series Lost became must-see television. It was one of the biggest shows of the 2000s, gathering millions of people around their TVs each week to see what ridiculous thing would happen next. Lost follows a large cast of strangers, whose plane — the famous Oceanic 815 — crash-lands on a mysterious and unusual island. This series was revolutionary for its diversity, showcasing characters from different races, cultures, and religions from around the globe.

Lost presented a realistic world that was distorted with elements of sci-fi, supernatural, and fantasy. It’s best known for its surprising, and at times irritating, mysteries, plot twists, and cliffhangers that make this show so addictive and easy to binge. If Lost was on TV today, it would break the internet with its weekly plot twists. Viewers would tune in each week for answers, but to the frustration of many fans, questions were answered with other questions or ignored altogether.

But Lost is also fondly remembered for its emotional storytelling. It explores the lives of its many characters, causing viewers to become emotionally invested in their journeys. Watching this show might seem daunting; its six seasons long, and its first three seasons are over 20 episodes each. But the journey is well worth it, even with the plane crash.

2

‘Black Mirror’ (2011 – Present)

Black Mirror

Release Date

December 4, 2011

Network

Channel 4, Netflix

Showrunner

Charlie Brooker

Directors

Owen Harris, Toby Haynes, James Hawes, David Slade, Carl Tibbetts, Ally Pankiw, Bryn Higgins, Dan Trachtenberg, Euros Lyn, Jodie Foster, Joe Wright, John Hillcoat, Sam Miller, Tim Van Patten, Uta Briesewitz, Colm McCarthy, Jakob Verbruggen, James Watkins, John Crowley, Otto Bathurst, Anne Sewitsky, Brian Welsh

Writers

Jesse Armstrong

Cast

  • Cristin Milioti

    Nanette Cole

Black Mirror is The Twilight Zone of the 21st century. It’s a British anthology series that focuses on the dark side of advanced technology, set in futuristic but frighteningly relatable societies. Originally created by Charlie Brooker, Black Mirror eventually found a home on Netflix, where it exploded in popularity. Netflix has since commissioned new episodes, with season seven reportedly slated for a 2025 release.

While the newer seasons have declined in quality, the first two seasons of Black Mirror are near-perfect science fiction. Its bone-chilling episodes almost serve as a warning. They offer a dark and haunting reflection of technology — and also of ourselves.

Related

10 Sci-Fi TV Shows That Are Entertaining and Not Too Complex

These sci-fi TV shows do not require you to keep a mental flowchart of the intricate plot, but they offer a healthy dose of style and substance.

1

‘Stranger Things’ (2016 – Present)

Stranger Things

Release Date

2016 – 2025-00-00

Showrunner

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

Directors

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

Writers

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Paul Dichter, Kate Trefry

Cast

Stranger Things is the biggest show on Netflix and one of the most popular shows on TV right now. Set in the 1980s, it follows the residents of the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, mainly a group of kids who are led by a girl with powerful telekinetic abilities. Things turn upside down, however (literally), when Hawkins is attacked by beings from the mysterious Upside Down, a hostile alternate dimension that exists beside Earth.

Stranger Things‘ darker and critically acclaimed fourth season was the most-streamed show of 2022, with viewers clocking an impressive 52 billion minutes. Over the last two years, fans have been itching for the fifth and final season, eagerly waiting to see how things end for Hawkins and their favorite characters. The fifth season is finally set to release in 2025, though we don’t have an official date just yet.

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