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 JagannathanMaxMore details on IMDb → -
02
American Horror Story
Won 17 Emmys 101 nominations
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 VideoHuluMore details on IMDb → -
03
Dark Matter
1 Emmy nomination
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 PlusMore details on IMDb → -
04
Silo
2 Emmy nominations
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 PlusMore details on IMDb → -
05
The X-Files
Won 16 Emmys Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (1996) · 62 nominations
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 PatrickHuluMore details on IMDb →
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06
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
2 Emmy nominations
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 PlusMore details on IMDb → -
07
The Twilight Zone
Won 3 Emmys 8 nominations
drama · fantasy · horror · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
An anthology series containing drama, psychological thriller, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, and/or horror, often concluding with a macabre or unexpected twist.
Directed by John Brahm, Douglas Heyes, Buzz Kulik, Lamont Johnson, Richard L. BareCast Rod Serling, Robert McCord, Jay Overholts, James Turley, Vaughn TaylorParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
08
Battlestar Galactica
Won 3 Emmys 2x Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series · 19 nominations
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 PlusMore details on IMDb → -
09
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 WalkerMaxMore details on IMDb → -
10
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 VideoMore details on IMDb → -
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 VideoMore details on IMDb → -
12
Dark
crime · drama · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
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.
Directed by Baran bo OdarCast Louis Hofmann, Karoline Eichhorn, Lisa Vicari, Maja Schöne, Jördis TriebelNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
13
Lost
Won 10 Emmys 2x Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series · 51 nominations
adventure · drama · fantasy · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
Stripped of everything, the survivors of a horrific plane crash must work together to stay alive. But the island holds many secrets.
Directed by Jack Bender, Stephen Williams, Paul A. Edwards, Tucker Gates, Eric LaneuvilleCast Jorge Garcia, Josh Holloway, Yunjin Kim, Evangeline Lilly, Terry O'QuinnHuluMore details on IMDb → -
14
Pokémon
action & adventure · animation · comedy · drama · fantasy · kids & family · science-fiction
Join Ash accompanied by his partner Pikachu, as he travels through many regions, meets new friends and faces new challenges on his quest to become a Pokémon Master.
NetflixDisney PlusMore details on IMDb → -
15
Person of Interest
1 Emmy nomination
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 PremiumMore details on IMDb → -
16
Stranger Things
Won 13 Emmys Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (2017) · 64 nominations
drama · fantasy · horror · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
When a young boy vanishes, a small town uncovers a mystery involving secret experiments, terrifying supernatural forces, and one strange little girl.
Directed by Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Shawn Levy, Andrew Stanton, Uta BriesewitzCast Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Natalia Dyer, Charlie HeatonNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
17
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
drama · fantasy · horror · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
This spooky anthology series for kids recounts ghost stories told by the young members of the Midnight Society as they gather around a campfire. Each episode opens with members of the Midnight Society at their secret spot in the woods, where they prepare their fire and the night's storyteller announces the title of the his or her offering. However, the cameras soon leave the storyteller and switch to the tale being told.
Directed by D.J. MacHale, Ron Oliver, David Winning, Mark Soulard, Iain PatersonCast Ross Hull, Daniel DeSanto, Raine Pare-Coull, Jodie Resther, Jason AlisharanAmazon Prime VideoMore details on IMDb → -
18
Station Eleven
7 Emmy nominations Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (2022)
adventure · drama · fantasy · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
The survivors of a devastating flu attempt to rebuild and reimagine the world anew – while holding on to the best of what’s been lost.
Directed by Jeremy Podeswa, Helen Shaver, Hiro Murai, Lucy TcherniakCast Mackenzie Davis, Himesh Patel, Matilda Lawler, David Wilmot, Nabhaan RizwanMaxMore details on IMDb → -
19
Rick and Morty
Won 2 Emmys 5 nominations
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 WahlgrenHuluMaxMore details on IMDb → -
20
Fallout
Won 3 Emmys Outstanding Drama Series (2024) · 25 nominations
action · adventure · drama · sci-fi
The story of haves and have-nots in a world in which there’s almost nothing left to have. 200 years after the apocalypse, the gentle denizens of luxury fallout shelters are forced to return to the irradiated hellscape their ancestors left behind — and are shocked to discover an incredibly complex, gleefully weird, and highly violent universe waiting for them.
Directed by Frederick E.O. Toye, Jonathan Nolan, Clare Kilner, Liz Friedlander, Stephen WilliamsCast Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, Walton Goggins, Moises Arias, Frances TurnerAmazon Prime VideoFreeveeMore details on IMDb →
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.