20 Best Sci-Fi TV Shows to Stream Right Now
Find 20 sci-fi TV series to stream now, from Silo and Dark Matter to The X-Files, Strange New Worlds, and more standout picks.
If you want sharp writing, tense mysteries, and big-screen ideas on a TV budget, this roundup is built for you. We’ve pulled together a mix of drama, mystery, sci-fi, thriller, and action series that includes Silo, Dark Matter, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, The X-Files, The Edge of Sleep, and The Beauty. You’ll also find fresh upcoming picks like Stuart Fails to Save the Universe and The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin, alongside newer favorites that keep the pace high and the stakes personal. Whether you like puzzle-box plotting, alien encounters, or character-driven world-building, these shows cover a wide range of moods. With 20 titles on the page, it’s an easy place to start your next binge.
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01
Lanterns
action & adventure · crime · drama · mystery & thriller · science-fiction
Two intergalactic cops, new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, are drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.
Directed by James Hawes, Geeta Vasant Patel, Alik Sakharov, Stephen WilliamsCast Aaron Pierre, Kyle Chandler, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna JagannathanMax -
02
Silo
drama · mystery · sci-fi
In a ruined and toxic future, thousands live in a giant silo deep underground. After its sheriff breaks a cardinal rule and residents die mysteriously, engineer Juliette starts to uncover shocking secrets and the truth about the silo.
Directed by Amber Templemore, Michael Dinner, Aric Avelino, Adam Bernstein, Morten TyldumCast Shane McRae, Rebecca Ferguson, Common, Tim Robbins, Harriet WalterApple TV Plus -
03
The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin
action & adventure · drama · fantasy · science-fiction
Showcases a retelling of the Arthurian legend set in a Roman-occupied Britain where barbarian invaders threaten to lay claim to the island.
Directed by Jeremy Boreing, Ryan Whitaker, Jesse V. JohnsonCast Tom Sharp, Rose Reid, Alex Laurence-Phillips, Brett Cooper, Paul ClerkinAmazon Prime Video -
04
Dark Matter
drama · sci-fi · thriller
Jason Dessen is abducted into an alternate version of his life. To get back to his true family, he embarks on a harrowing journey to save them from the most terrifying foe imaginable: himself.
Directed by Alik Sakharov, Jakob Verbruggen, Roxann Dawson, Logan George, Celine HeldCast Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Connelly, Alice Braga, Jimmi Simpson, Dayo OkeniyiAmazon Prime VideoApple TV Plus -
05
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe
comedy · fantasy · sci-fi
Comic book store owner Stuart Bloom, from The Big Bang Theory (2007), returns in a new series where he attempts--and apparently fails--to save the universe, staying true to his unlucky nature.
Directed by Kyle Newacheck, Jonathan FrakesCast Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus, Brian Posehn, John Ross Bowie, Tommy WalkerMax -
06
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
action · adventure · sci-fi
Follow Captain Christopher Pike, Science Officer Spock and Number One in the years before Captain Kirk boarded the U.S.S. Enterprise, as they explore new worlds around the galaxy.
Directed by Chris Fisher, Dan Liu, Jordan Canning, Sydney Freeland, Maja VrviloCast Melissa Navia, Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, Christina Chong, Rebecca RomijnParamount Plus -
07
The Ghost in the Shell
animation · action · sci-fi
In the year 2029, Niihama City has become a technologically advanced metropolis. Due to great improvements in cybernetics, its citizens are able to replace their limbs with robotic parts.
Directed by Touma Kimura, Tooru Hasutani, Jun'ya IwakeCast Maaya Sakamoto, Kazuhiro Yamaji, Hiroki Yasumoto, Yûichi Nakamura, Tomoko KanedaAmazon Prime Video -
08
The X-Files
adventure · crime · drama · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
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.
Directed by Kim Manners, Rob Bowman, David Nutter, Chris Carter, R.W. GoodwinCast Gillian Anderson, David Duchovny, Mitch Pileggi, William B. Davis, Robert PatrickHulu -
09
Rick and Morty
animation · adventure · comedy · sci-fi
Rick is a mentally-unbalanced but scientifically gifted old man who has recently reconnected with his family. He spends most of his time involving his young grandson Morty in dangerous, outlandish adventures throughout space and alternate universes. Compounded with Morty's already unstable family life, these events cause Morty much distress at home and school.
Directed by Wes Archer, Jacob Hair, Pete Michels, Nathan Litz, Kyoung Hee LimCast Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer, Sarah Chalke, Justin Roiland, Kari WahlgrenHuluMax -
10
Spider-Noir
action · adventure · crime · drama · fantasy · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
Ben Reilly, an aging and down on his luck private investigator in 1930s New York, is forced to grapple with his past life as the city's one and only superhero.
Directed by Harry Bradbeer, Alethea Jones, Nzingha Stewart, Greg YaitanesCast Nicolas Cage, Lamorne Morris, Li Jun Li, Karen Rodriguez, Abraham PopoolaAmazon Prime VideoFreevee -
11
The Expanse
drama · mystery · sci-fi
A thriller set two hundred years in the future following the case of a missing young woman who brings a hardened detective and a rogue ship's captain together in a race across the solar system to expose the greatest conspiracy in human history.
Directed by Breck Eisner, Jeff Woolnough, Terry McDonough, Robert Lieberman, Kenneth FinkCast Steven Strait, Dominique Tipper, Wes Chatham, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Cas AnvarAmazon Prime Video -
12
President Curtis
animation · comedy · sci-fi
Follows President Andre Curtis and his eccentric staff as they deal with various crises that Rick Sanchez typically ignores.
Directed by Fill Marc Sagadraca, Erik Kling, Juan Jose Meza-Leon, Bryan NewtonCast Keith David, Stephanie Beatriz, Jim Rash, Nick Reczynski, Alanna UbachMax -
13
Futurama
animation · adventure · comedy · sci-fi
The adventures of a late-20th-century New York City pizza delivery boy, Philip J. Fry, who, after being unwittingly cryogenically frozen for one thousand years, finds employment at Planet Express, an interplanetary delivery company in the retro-futuristic 31st century.
Directed by Peter Avanzino, Rich Moore, Dwayne Carey-Hill, Bret Haaland, Gregg VanzoCast Billy West, John DiMaggio, Tress MacNeille, Katey Sagal, Phil LaMarrHulu -
14
Battlestar Galactica
action · adventure · drama · sci-fi
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.
Directed by Michael Rymer, Michael Nankin, Rod Hardy, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Robert M. YoungCast Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia HelferParamount Plus -
15
Ren Faire
documentary · science-fiction
When the ailing king of America's largest renaissance festival declares his retirement, an epic power struggle ensues between an actor, a former elephant trainer, and a kettle-corn kingpin to claim his throne.
Directed by Lance OppenheimCast Jeffrey Baldwin, Darla Smith, George Coulam, Louie MigliaccioMax -
16
The Beauty
drama · sci-fi
The world of high fashion turns dark when international supermodels begin dying in gruesome and mysterious ways. FBI Agents Cooper Madsen and Jordan Bennett are sent to Paris to uncover the truth. As they delve deeper into the case, they uncover a sexually transmitted virus that transforms ordinary people into visions of physical perfection, but with terrifying consequences.
Directed by Michael Uppendahl, Alexis Martin Woodall, Ryan Murphy, Crystle Roberson DorseyCast Evan Peters, Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope, Ashton Kutcher, Jess AlexanderHulu -
17
Person of Interest
action · crime · drama · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
John Reese, former CIA paramilitary operative, is presumed dead and teams up with reclusive billionaire Finch to prevent violent crimes in New York City by initiating their own type of justice. With the special training that Reese has had in Covert Operations and Finch's genius software inventing mind, the two are a perfect match for the job that they have to complete. With the help of surveillance equipment, they work "outside the law" and get the right criminal behind bars.
Directed by Chris Fisher, Richard J. Lewis, Frederick E.O. Toye, Jeffrey G. Hunt, Stephen SurjikCast Jim Caviezel, Kevin Chapman, Michael Emerson, Amy Acker, Taraji P. HensonAmazon Prime VideoPeacock Premium -
18
American Horror Story
drama · horror · sci-fi · thriller
An anthology horror drama series centering on different characters and locations, including a house with a murderous past, an asylum, a witch coven, a freak show, a hotel, a farmhouse in Roanoke, a cult, the apocalypse and a summer camp.
Directed by Bradley Buecker, Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, Jennifer Lynch, John J. Gray, Michael UppendahlCast Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Denis O'Hare, Emma Roberts, Jessica LangeAmazon Prime VideoHulu -
19
Star Trek: The Next Generation
action · adventure · drama · sci-fi
Follow the intergalactic adventures of Capt. Jean-Luc Picard and his loyal crew aboard the all-new USS Enterprise NCC-1701D, as they explore new worlds.
Directed by Cliff Bole, Les Landau, Winrich Kolbe, Rob Bowman, Robert ScheererCast Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Marina Sirtis, Brent SpinerParamount Plus -
20
For All Mankind
drama · sci-fi
Explore an aspirational world where NASA and the space program remained a priority and a focal point of our hopes and dreams as told through the lives of NASA astronauts, engineers, and their families.
Directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Dan Liu, Meera Menon, Sylvain White, Andrew StantonCast Coral Peña, Wrenn Schmidt, Joel Kinnaman, Cynthy Wu, Krys MarshallApple TV Plus
Wrapping Up
From cult classics to new releases, this list gives you a strong starting point for sci-fi series worth your time. Whether you’re in the mood for eerie mystery, fast-moving action, or slow-burn drama, there’s plenty here to keep your queue full. Bookmark this page so you can come back when you need something new to stream, because it’s updated regularly as more standout series arrive. If you’re building a watchlist for the rest of 2026 and beyond, this is a practical place to keep checking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this list updated?
We refresh this list regularly as titles are added or removed from streaming catalogs, so rankings and availability stay current.
How are these sci-fi shows ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the sci-fi titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.
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Last updated: September 11, 2026