Last updated March 2024
Want to watch extraordinarily awesome, critic-approved Best Sci-Fi Tv Shows ASAP? We assembled 30 marvelous, rave-worthy Best Sci-Fi Tv Shows for your immediate viewing enjoyment. With through the roof ratings from IMDB and widespread acclaim from our knowledgeable user base, these elite titles are as jaw-droppingly great as it gets! Help other fans uncover buried treasures by voting for the titles you consider keepers. We value members who contribute phenomenal recommendations!
Rick and Morty (2013)
Plot Summary:
An animated series that follows the exploits of a super scientist and his not-so-bright grandson
Duration: 23 min
IMDB Rating: 9.1/10
IMDB Votes: 582000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: mad scientist, time travel, scientist, dark humor, prodigy, graphic violence, relatives, grandfather grandson relationship, family relations, youth, satire, imaginary, adolescence, grandparent and grandchild, social satire, inventor, escapades, monster, disorder, young kid, self involved, nihilism, adult humor, mature, outer space
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)
Plot Summary:
Edward and Alphonse Elric's reckless disregard for alchemy's fundamental laws ripped half of Ed's limbs from his body and left Al's soul clinging to a cold suit of armor. To restore what was lost, the brothers scour a war-torn land for the Philosopher's Stone, a fabled relic which grants the ability to perform alchemy in impossible ways. The Elrics are not alone in their search; the corrupt State Military is also eager to harness the artifact's power. So too are the strange Homunculi and their shadowy creator. The mythical gem lures exotic alchemists from distant kingdoms, scarring some deeply enough to inspire murder. As the Elrics find their course altered by these enemies and allies, their purpose remains unchanged – and their bond unbreakable
Duration: 24 min
IMDB Rating: 9.1/10
IMDB Votes: 191000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Plot tags: alchemy, supernatural, curses spells and rituals, siblings relations, imaginary, alchemist, genocide, heroes, brother brother relationship, evil, technology, escapades, mature, steampunk, brother, superhero, fight, witchcraft, friends, bad guy, hipster, dying, fictional war, blind character, young adult
Arcane (2021)
Plot Summary:
Amid the stark discord of twin cities Piltover and Zaun, two sisters fight on rival sides of a war between magic technologies and clashing convictions
Duration: 41 min
IMDB Rating: 9.0/10
IMDB Votes: 253000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: USA, France
Plot tags: battles, power, steampunk, magical, legend, lgbt, fight, warrior, gang, girl, skill, magic, lesbian, evil, lesbian interest, lesbianism, gay couple, storytelling, drug, sapphic, strong female lead, past, villain, champion, best friend
Batman: The Animated Series (1992)
Plot Summary:
Batman: The Animated Series is an American animated television series based on the DC Comics superhero Batman. The series was widely praised for its thematic complexity, dark tone, artistic quality, and faithfulness to its title character's crime-fighting origins
Duration: 23 min
IMDB Rating: 9.0/10
IMDB Votes: 114000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Crime, Family, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: superhero, double life, villain, heroes, good versus evil, guilt, disguise, vigilantism, superpower, undercover, evil, danger, imaginary, mysterious character, heroic mission, multiverse, werewolf, comic book, batman, gotham city, partner, christmas, immortal, moving, organized crime
Firefly (2002)
Plot Summary:
Firefly is set in the year 2517, after the arrival of humans in a new star system and follows the adventures of the renegade crew of Serenity, a "Firefly-class" spaceship. The ensemble cast portrays the nine characters who live on Serenity
Duration: 616 min
IMDB Rating: 9.0/10
IMDB Votes: 278000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: outer space, space travel, space opera, spacecraft, danger, escapades, space, survival, space and aliens, captain, friendship, smuggling, preacher, spaceship, space wars, space adventure, mysterious past, psychic, mercenary, female warrior, wit, space shuttle, supernatural, young woman, space exploration
Cowboy Bebop (1998)
Plot Summary:
In 2071, roughly fifty years after an accident with a hyperspace gateway made the Earth almost uninhabitable, humanity has colonized most of the rocky planets and moons of the Solar System. Amid a rising crime rate, the Inter Solar System Police (ISSP) set up a legalized contract system, in which registered bounty hunters (also referred to as "Cowboys") chase criminals and bring them in alive in return for a reward
Duration: 650 min
IMDB Rating: 8.9/10
IMDB Votes: 134000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan, Canada
Plot tags: bounty hunter, friendship, jazz, outer space, buddies, unlikely partners, space travel, chases and races, spaceship, fighting crime, dark past, cyberpunk, escapades, anti hero, hacker, space, machismo, space opera, dystopian future, cowboy, fight, betrayal, ex cop, mysterious past, gangster
Steins;Gate (2011)
Plot Summary:
The self-proclaimed mad scientist Rintarou Okabe rents out a room in a rickety old building in Akihabara, where he indulges himself in his hobby of inventing prospective "future gadgets" with fellow lab members: Mayuri Shiina, his air-headed childhood friend, and Hashida Itaru, a perverted hacker nicknamed "Daru." The three pass the time by tinkering with their most promising contraption yet, a machine dubbed the "Phone Microwave," which performs the strange function of morphing bananas into piles of green gel. Though miraculous in itself, the phenomenon doesn't provide anything concrete in Okabe's search for a scientific breakthrough; that is, until the lab members are spurred into action by a string of mysterious happenings before stumbling upon an unexpected success—the Phone Microwave can send emails to the past, altering the flow of history
Duration: 24 min
IMDB Rating: 8.8/10
IMDB Votes: 71000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: Japan
Plot tags: time travel, time machine, time loop, changing the past or future, experiment, student, youth, memory loss, father daughter relationship, parallel world, scientist, sent to the past, hopes, inventions and discoveries, good versus evil, young woman, research, secret organization, imaginary, characters in danger, science, peril, mature, rescue attempt, changing the future
The Last of Us (2023)
Plot Summary:
Joel and Ellie, a pair connected through the harshness of the world they live in, are forced to endure brutal circumstances and ruthless killers on a trek across post-pandemic America
Duration: 50 min
IMDB Rating: 8.8/10
IMDB Votes: 475000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: Canada, USA
Plot tags: post apocalypse, epidemic, infection, apocalypse, survival, pandemic, end of the world, survivor, violence, zombie violence, survival horror, danger, death, monster, vestiges of humanity, gunfight, murder, virus, supernatural, young girl, infected, characters in danger, blood, chase, evil
Dragon Ball Z (1989)
Plot Summary:
Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese animated television series produced by Toei Animation. Dragon Ball Z is the sequel to the Dragon Ball anime and adapts the last 26 volumes of the original 42 volume Dragon Ball manga series created by Akira Toriyama The series Debut in 1988-1995 on Weekly Shounen Jump. Dragon Ball Z depicts the continuing adventures of Goku and his companions to defend against an assortment of villains which seek to destroy or rule the Earth. The anime first aired in Japan from April 25, 1989, to January 31, 1996, and was dubbed in several territories around the world, including the United States, Europe, and in Latin America
Duration: 24 min
IMDB Rating: 8.8/10
IMDB Votes: 86000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Plot tags: dragon, friendship, alien, martial arts, dragon ball, alien encounter, magical, heroes, save the world, good versus evil, transformation, apocalypse, space and aliens, obsessive quest, supernatural, destruction, rivalry, danger, imaginary, allies, master villain, fate of humanity, human existence, end of the world, androids
Dragon Ball Z (1989)
Plot Summary:
In the version that is shown on YTV in Canada, the story begins mid-way through the Dragon Ball Z series. Raditz, Goku's brother has traveled to Earth to find out why Goku has not yet destroyed the planet as he was supposed to do. But while as a baby, Goku was dropped (down a huge cliff) and forgot his real mission. Kakarot, Goku's real name battles his brother Raditzs along with former enemy Piccolo and friend Krillin. Meanwhile, Gohan; Goku's son reveals his hidden powers against Raditz and nearly kills Raditz. However Goku is killed in the end, but Raditz is eventually defeated by Piccolo. Before he dies, he tells them that two evil Saiyans even more powerful then he is, are on route to Earth. The remaining fighters, Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu begin their training to battle the evil Saiyans, while Piccolo takes off with Gohan to train him in using his new found power. Meanwhile, Goku has to make his way back on Snake Way to King Kai's where he trains himself in the secret
Duration: 24 min
IMDB Rating: 8.8/10
IMDB Votes: 143000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: Japan, USA, Canada
Plot tags: superhuman powers, dragon ball, master warrior, martial arts, superhero, friendship, good versus evil, supernatural, invasion, space and aliens, heroic mission, alien, dragon ball z, time travel, lgbt, moving, disease, gay interest, young adult, badass, heroes, warrior, villain, sacrifice, transformation
One-Punch Man (2015)
Plot Summary:
Saitama is a hero who only became a hero for fun. After three years of “special” training, though, he’s become so strong that he’s practically invincible. In fact, he’s too strong—even his mightiest opponents are taken out with a single punch, and it turns out that being devastatingly powerful is actually kind of a bore. With his passion for being a hero lost along with his hair, yet still faced with new enemies every day, how much longer can he keep it going?
Duration: 24 min
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
IMDB Votes: 181000
Genere: Animation, Action, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Plot tags: superhero, battles, monster, martial arts, supernatural, absurd humor, cyborgs, karate, fantasy world, fight, superpower, violence, catastrophe, friendship, orphan, save the world, save the planet, direction and purpose, rescue mission, saving a life, mutilation, satire, alien invasion, lucifer, epic battle
Justice League Unlimited (2004)
Plot Summary:
Justice League Unlimited is an American animated television series that was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on Cartoon Network. Featuring a wide array of superheroes from the DC Comics universe, and specifically based on the Justice League superhero team, it is a direct sequel to the previous Justice League animated series. JLU debuted on July 31, 2004 on Toonami and ended with the episode aired May 13, 2006. It was also the final series set in the long-running DC animated universe, which started with Batman: The Animated Series in 1992
Duration: 23 min
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: superhero, batman, female warrior, super powers, superman, superhero team, green lantern, heroes, flying superhero, lex luthor character, wonder woman, justice league, protector, teamwork, good versus evil, superpower, fight, battles, super villain, superheroine, showdown, daring rescue, villain, multiverse, girl power
Gintama (2005)
Plot Summary:
The Amanto, aliens from outer space, have invaded Earth and taken over feudal Japan. As a result, a prohibition on swords has been established, and the samurai of Japan are treated with disregard as a consequence. However one man, Gintoki Sakata, still possesses the heart of the samurai, although from his love of sweets and work as a yorozuya, one might not expect it. Accompanying him in his jack-of-all-trades line of work are Shinpachi Shimura, a boy with glasses and a strong heart, Kagura with her umbrella and seemingly bottomless stomach, as well as Sadaharu, their oversized pet dog. Of course, these odd jobs are not always simple, as they frequently have run-ins with the police, ragtag rebels, and assassins, oftentimes leading to humorous but unfortunate consequences
Duration: 25 min
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Animation, Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Plot tags: samurai, resistance, rebellion, imaginary, rebelliousness, society, law enforcement, culture clash, evil alien, space and aliens, badass, alien, ninja, sword, sword fight, katana, female ninja, edo period, space, mafia, friendship, invasion, alternate reality, organized crime, escapades
The Mandalorian (2019)
Plot Summary:
Plot under wraps
Duration: 40 min
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
IMDB Votes: 570000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: star wars, outer space, space travel, space opera, bounty hunter, space and aliens, warrior, one man army, loner, alien civilization, gunslinger, tough guy, space exploration, androids and robots, giant animal, gunfight, space, spacecraft, galaxy, baby, heroism, male protagonist, star trek, child in peril, man with no name
Invincible (2021)
Plot Summary:
Adaptation of the American Comic Book of the same name by Robert Kirkman
Duration: 50 min
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
IMDB Votes: 182000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: teen superhero, superhero, teenager, super villain, heroes, gore, violence, blood, invulnerability, superpower, warrior, courage, heroism, vengeance, society, secret identity, villain, combat, revenge, escapades, rivalry, extraterrestrial, mission, race against time, monster
Black Mirror (2011)
Plot Summary:
A contemporary British re-working of The Twilight Zone with stories that tap into the collective unease about our modern world. Over the last ten years, technology has transformed almost every aspect of our lives before we've had time to stop and question it. In every home; on every desk; in every palm - a plasma screen; a monitor; a smartphone - a black mirror of our 21st Century existence
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
IMDB Votes: 622000
Genere: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: UK
Plot tags: technology, dystopia, twists and turns, human nature, satire, alternate reality, society, social decay, computers and web, media satire, dystopian future, media, dark humor, distopia, technology gone awry, gadget, media coverage, mind control, storytelling, chaos, loneliness, serial killer, social satire, cyberpunk, dehumanization
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
Plot Summary:
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. The show is set in the nearby regions of the Milky Way galaxy, approximately during the 2360s and features a new crew and a new starship Enterprise
Duration: 44 min
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
IMDB Votes: 132000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: space travel, space opera, star trek, outer space, space exploration, alien planet, space, spacecraft, captain, alien encounter, alien, benign alien, spaceship, alien species, alien contact, teleportation, space and aliens, escapades, space battle, androids and robots, danger, liberal, artificial intelligence, female alien, time travel
Severance (2022)
Plot Summary:
Mark leads a team of office workers whose memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives. When a mysterious colleague appears outside of work, it begins a journey to discover the truth about their jobs
Duration: 55 min
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
IMDB Votes: 181000
Genere: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: office, memory, distopia, alternate world, office politics, secret identity, conspiracy, mind control, private vs public, office worker, psycho, surgery, coworker, dark secret, surgical operation, coworker relationship, personal safety, satire, apocalypse, robot, post apocalypse, hunting, writers, human experiment, disaster
Battlestar Galactica (2004)
Plot Summary:
When an old enemy, the Cylons, resurface and obliterate the 12 colonies, the crew of the aged Galactica protect a small civilian fleet - the last of humanity - as they journey toward the fabled 13th colony, Earth
Duration: 44 min
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
IMDB Votes: 173000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: space travel, outer space, space and aliens, space wars, cyborgs, space opera, space battle, androids and robots, artificial intelligence, extinction, human in outer space, military, heroes, alien planet, robot, end of the world, female assassin, space, apocalypse, invasion, androids, spacecraft, battles, prophecy, totalitarianism
The Boys (2019)
Plot Summary:
A group of vigilantes known informally as “The Boys” set out to take down corrupt superheroes with no more than blue-collar grit and a willingness to fight dirty
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
IMDB Votes: 611000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: superhero, murder, society, dark humor, super speed, vengeance, superhuman, superhero team, gore, superheroine, corruption, supernatural power, rivalry, investigation, blood, violence, super powers, revenge, brutality, nudity, supernatural, sex scene, corporation, boyfriend girlfriend relationship, name calling
Mouse (2021)
Plot Summary:
A psychopath’s ruthless serial murders have left the entire nation gripped with fear and chaos. A honest and justice-seeking rookie police officer and a veteran detective with tragic past, face against the killer. After the encounter with the psychopath, their lives totally change
Duration: 80 min
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Action, Crime, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: South Korea
Plot tags: investigation, serial killer, murder, serial murder, murder mystery, psycho killer, psychopath, murder investigation, police officer, homicide detective, killings, homicidal maniac, criminal, crime investigation, dna, killing spree, secret, police investigation, fighting crime, crime solving, police partner, teamwork, unsolved crime, partner, cold case
Dark (2017)
Plot Summary:
A missing child causes four families to help each other for answers. What they could not imagine is that this mystery would be connected to innumerable other secrets of the small town
Duration: 1455 min
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
IMDB Votes: 429000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: Germany, USA
Plot tags: time travel, investigation, time loop, time machine, mysterious past, cave, time portal, missing child, repeated event, changing the future, disappearance, alternate dimension, deja vu, small town, loss of father, mysterious disappearance, butterfly effect, corpse, time traveler, family crisis, family relations, conspiracy, nuclear waste, apocalypse, school
Stranger Things (2016)
Plot Summary:
When a young boy vanishes, a small town uncovers a mystery involving secret experiments, terrifying supernatural forces, and one strange little girl
Duration: 51 min
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
IMDB Votes: 13000000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: supernatural, monster, telekinesis, small town, parallel universe, experiment, parallel world, friendship, supernatural power, super powers, government conspiracy, missing person, boy, parents and children, group of friends, fear, middle school, teenage boy, investigation, missing child, alternate dimension, paranormal phenomena, teenager, single mother, secret experiment
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006)
Plot Summary:
Japan has been invaded and conquered by the Britannian Empire. Japan is now known as Area 11 and its citizens known as Elevens. The Britannian Empire takes away Japan's autonomous power and imposes its rule through the use of Knightmares. The Empire's rule has never faltered, but cracks have begun to show
Duration: 24 min
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
IMDB Votes: 77000
Genere: Animation, Action, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: Japan
Plot tags: mind control, youth, rebelliousness, peril, rebellion, military, battles, young heroes, civil rights, emperor, leader, resistance, siblings relations, rivalry, vengeance, supernatural ability, imaginary, chess, prince, invasion, parents and children, supernatural power, mature, superhero, incest
Dragon Ball (1995)
Plot Summary:
Follows the adventures of an extraordinarily strong young boy named Goku as he searches for the seven dragon balls. These balls, when combined, can grant the owner any one wish he desires. Along the way he makes many new friends, and enemies, and he trains to become the strongest fighter in the world
Duration: 24 min
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
IMDB Votes: 64000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: Japan
Plot tags: dragon ball, female warrior, dragon, monster, heroes, warrior, save the world, master warrior, superhero, super powers, magical, princess, friendship, friends, ancient, desire, villain, legends and myths, earth, alternate reality, journey, evil, escapades, rivalry, mission
Daredevil (2015)
Plot Summary:
Lawyer-by-day Matt Murdock uses his heightened senses from being blinded as a young boy to fight crime at night on the streets of Hell’s Kitchen as Daredevil
Duration: 54 min
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
IMDB Votes: 466000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: superhero, heroes, secret identity, vigilante, heroic mission, one against many, lawyer, blind man, hand to hand combat, daredevil, ninja, male protagonist, one man army, good versus evil, blood, vigilantism, danger, corruption, fighting crime, super powers, superhuman powers, crime boss, blind character, fistfight, prison fight
Mob Psycho 100 (2016)
Plot Summary:
Shigeo Kageyama, a.k.a. "Mob," is a boy who has trouble expressing himself, but who happens to be a powerful esper. Mob is determined to live a normal life and keeps his ESP suppressed, but when his emotions surge to a level of 100%, something terrible happens to him! As he's surrounded by false espers, evil spirits, and mysterious organizations, what will Mob think? What choices will he make?
Duration: 24 min
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
IMDB Votes: 42000
Genere: Animation, Action, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Plot tags: extrasensory perception, ghost, psychic, supernatural, school, telekinesis, satire, middle school, superpower, supernatural ability, supernatural power, paranormal phenomena, good versus evil, super powers, mentor, boyfriend girlfriend relationship, lucifer, life & death, clairvoyant, exodus, haunting, slice of life, coming of age, psychic power, sibling rivalry
Young Justice (2010)
Plot Summary:
Teenage superheroes strive to prove themselves as members of the Justice League
Duration: 23 min
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
IMDB Votes: 45000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Crime, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: superhero, team, superhero team, justice league, heroes, heroine, fighting crime, good versus evil, courage, batman, superman, superhuman powers, teamwork, rivals, leader, rivalry, danger, teenage life, teenage superhero, adolescence, robot, androids, extraterrestrial, superheroine, flying superhero
The X-Files (1993)
Plot Summary:
The exploits of FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully who investigate X-Files: marginalized, unsolved cases involving paranormal phenomena. Mulder believes in the existence of aliens and the paranormal while Scully, a skeptic, is assigned to make scientific analyses of Mulder's discoveries that debunk Mulder's work and thus return him to mainstream cases
Duration: 45 min
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
IMDB Votes: 243000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: ufo, supernatural, investigation, fbi, conspiracy, paranormal investigation, alien, top secret, paranormal activity, alien contact, space and aliens, female fbi agent, alien abduction, uncover truth, monster, mysterious place, paranormal investigator, violence against women, female agent, alien conspiracy, government facility, danger, heroine, special agent, alien invasion
Adventure Time (2010)
Plot Summary:
Told in eight parts, Islands tells the story of Finn, Jake, BMO and Susan Strong leaving Ooo and traveling across the ocean to solve the mystery of Finn's past. During their trip, they unlock secrets, encounter various creatures, make new friends, and explore a variety of mysterious islands
Duration: 11 min
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
IMDB Votes: 108000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: friends, imaginary kingdom, imaginary, buddies, young heroes, king, creature, princess, escapades, post apocalypse, boy, youth, monster, vampire, adventurer, magic, encounter, young kid, robot, kingdom, wizard, talking animal, surrealism, anthropomorphism, parallel universe