Top 20 Greatest Sci-Fi TV Series

[@WatchMojo]

Which sci-fi series can YOU rewatch over and over? Be sure to let us know in the comments below! For more content like this, click here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4vcnoaDbq90qZY Don't forget to play our Live Trivia (www.watchmojo.com/play) games at 3pm EST for a chance to win cash! The faster you answer, the more points you get!

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Love your content 😊😊😊❤❤

[@seanpatrickcain2]

Doctor Who

[@erzaender]

stranger things, the x files and doctor who

[@SuperBoy-ps9dz]

The Orville

[@sea_jermex]

Farscape, doctor who, mystery science theater 3000

[@Dimetropteryx]

Babylon 5. Never gets old, best written characters of any sci fi show I've seen. It shows that they weren't just making stuff up as they went along, just about every arc was planned in detail, unlike how Disney likes to see things done. Usually binge watch it about once a year.

[@F3Y3F3]

I'm having a hard time believing that they ranked it lower than Dark. I mean, Dark was okay... but not epic.

[@Dimetropteryx]

@Mr.DeStylez It always takes a while for a show to find what works. Wasn't bothered by the uniforms or the station commander, personally. As for the CGI, they did use it for some things they probably shouldn't have, but most of it was okay and the show's use of it was far ahead of any other show at the time. Without a major movie budget it wouldn't have been possible to have even a fraction of the battles the show had. It was a good trade.

[@antonhallergren588]

Lotgh

[@japande]

@@F3Y3F3 The whole first season of Dark was built on one character acting totally illogical so that the story could happen. Biggest plothole ever. After the reveal, I was so disappointed. Definitely not better than Babylon 5. Also, worse than Farscape...

[@stevenmiles7369]

I would put Farscape on that list. A bit campy, but a lot of fun. I really enjoyed that series.

[@tmarofvulcan]

I would put it instead of Red Dwarf TBH.

[@chynne33]

So glad you included Red Dwarf and Quantum Leap. But wish you had included Farscape.

[@corvus1970]

No Farscape? The home of the greatest romance in the history of Science Fiction television? Yeah, that's a downvote from me then.

[@VJAllison1974]

I'm so glad to see Doctor Who on this list. It should be, considering its longevity. 60 years and more. I love it!

[@Markus-c3n]

I even like the woke doctor times more, the most so to say.

[@danw6048]

I will add my voice in complaining about Farscape being left off this list. I would also have Person of Interest in my personal sci-fi top 20.

[@deniseeulert2503]

I can't believe Babylon 5 was only #14, it should have been in the top 5 at least.

[@MrPeterpiper1969]

Totally agree.

[@deathcabkerouac]

The lack of Farscape broke my heart a little.

[@adamsampson3041]

I know there are a lot of Star Trek shows. But Deep Space Nine was so good though. Next Generation will always be my favorite though. Good list

[@_walruseater]

Twilight Zone is exactly where it belongs in this list. Great job.

[@k1productions87]

Twilight Zone is the very definition of Science Fiction, as it encapsulates every variation of it so perfectly. It never allows itself to remain stuck in a singular style or method. In this, it may have an unfair advantage over others with a specific concept... but dammit, its still just that good.

[@julieeverett7442]

@@k1productions87 I was wondring what would top Star trek and doctor who, but I cant argue with this

[@williamsummerson1204]

When luke Skywalker showed up in the mandalorian episode to save grogu ,I think everyone in the world cried a happy tear that day.

[@marcoguaiana6264]

Great to see Fringe on the list! A fantastic series, unfortunately very underrated.

[@luckystar_r]

Yes, it is!

[@wasylwasylson7349]

One of my favourite series and it even is sf - almost, sort of. Objectively though it is very flawed. Scripts that don't make sense even within the lore of the series, with holes of the size of a parallel universe. Terrible last season. And i mean dreadful. What keeps the show going are two of three main characters - Walter and Olivia. Peter just sort of is. Also supporting and recurring characters are grat, Astro... Aster... no, Astrid, Broyles, Bell, Sam Wise, are all very good.

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

Sliders - Reality hopping never looked so cool.

[@jonathonwhitington402]

I'll forever be angry about that finale.

[@Lordoftheapes79]

I tried to watch it a few years ago, turns out, it really wasn't as good as I remembered. It was a good concept, but it's clear the behind the scenes politics brought it down.

[@rejoicify]

Uh, where's Farscape? Wtf.

[@alesaenz]

Sliders and Farscape should be in the list

[@andrecastanho6833]

Orphan black is sooooo underrated. Outstanding performance by Taty. One of the greatest female performance ever

[@Ricer015]

Where is Farscape? Really disappointed.

[@yll7570]

Stranger Things is amazing , and very Heart Breaking 😭😭😭😭 , the acting and the emotional moment’s are so on point.

[@WinsberryEntertainment]

The 4th season was an unexpected thrill.

[@MsUltrafox]

Why is Farscape not on this list???

[@scottmcguirk4848]

Would put it before Firefly and others just for the creative use of puppets.

[@edgaracajabon9522]

I loved Farscape. I thought Crichton and Dargon were cool.

[@trinaq]

I'll really miss Stranger Things when it concludes, but at least it's getting a proper conclusion, and isn't being unnecessarily dragged out!

[@TeamRemForever]

I absolutely love The Twilight Zone! It's one of the most addictive shows that I've ever watched!

[@oranjmusemeyer968]

No Farscape??

[@johnboy2436]

i play runescape too

[@nikgokuhil]

Its criminal how little people talk about Fringe these days. I've been trying to get people to watch it with no success

[@ow3wells]

Never heard of it, but I certainly will watch it, thanks.

[@Dr.Thirteen-bb1ub]

​@@ow3wellsWell you're in for a ride, lol.

[@Lordoftheapes79]

Try to stream it. It's been buried on low quality services for far too long.

[@SleeperLG]

Fringe is #4 on my list of top 5 all time favorite series across genres.

[@idrisahmed2659]

Yup same here but for me fringe is right up there with best shows across genres ..... Walter bishop as a character also right up there as one of the best ..... Agent Olivia Dunham Peter bishop and Walter what a trio it was ....also the opening theme is a thing of beauty

[@Rodeo_Wizard]

WHAT????!!!!!!!!!! No love or mention for Sliders (1995-2000) that stars Jerry O'Connell and premiered on Fox then transfer to the Sci-fi network? That show is a cult classic like all others on this list.

[@MrTjonke]

Very sad the reboot of Quantum Leap was such a shitshow. It doesn't deserve to even have the new series use the same name.

[@joermnyc]

I’d throw Star Trek: Deep Space Nine on here. It took the idyllic future of Gene Roddenberry and turned on it’s head. It went into dark places, showed the horrors of war, and the problems of frontier diplomacy since while Starfleet ran the space station, the local planet was not yet a member of the Federation.

[@deborahblackvideoediting8697]

Absolutely agree. It took a little while to find its footing, but once it did it was incredible. Haven't watched it in a while - time to pull out the old dvds!

[@shadw4701]

The expanse should be closer to number 1. It's very well written and the most realistic scifi show there is about space warfare

[@Lordoftheapes79]

But it's unfinished. Sure, it ended in a good place, but there was more to the story.

[@tequilamondayproject5089]

It really was the best production as well, spectacular to look at and characters as well-done as Firefly!!!

[@karenlbellmont6560]

Outer Limits was a lot scarier than Twilight Zone (from a child's perspective).

[@davidanderson_surrey_bc]

I remember watching the show when I was around 7 or so. One particular episode involved a black gooey spider-like creature. I was so scared afterward that even weeks later I'd take a running leap to get into bed because I didn't know what might be lurking underneath.

[@martincolvill5453]

None of these shows would be without Twighlight Zone. Period.

[@Dr.Thirteen-bb1ub]

The X-Files episode "Home" is one of the scariest things ever aired on television.

[@Lordoftheapes79]

Inbreeding rednecks are definitely the most horrifying thing on the planet.

[@tmarofvulcan]

Creepy AF. I liked the Darin Morgan comedy episodes the best.

[@davidanderson_surrey_bc]

Not sure if this is true, but I understand that after the series went into syndication, that one single episode was deemed too disturbing to show again on network TV.

[@AquaBlue77]

The X-Files are my all-time favorite show #1, it's the best. Stargate SG-1 is my 2nd all-time favorite, and thanks for the mention here, since it seems very underrated, unknown by most. I love Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, Stranger Things, and, Star Trek: The Next Generation, too. I believe TNG is my current favorite #3, since everything beyond 2, tend to switch around.

[@conscientiousobjector5988]

You are missing Farscape and Buffy the VS.

[@Lordoftheapes79]

100% agree with FarScape. Buffy is less SciFi and more Fantasy tho.

[@AndreHonorio]

The Expanse in 17th?!?

[@franklingoodwin]

Shouldn't have even made the top 20. "It's incredibly dull

[@tequilamondayproject5089]

One of the best, and most realistic sci fi stories ever!!! Loved it...

[@justapeacefulmanwhosbornin7291]

‘Stranger Things’ is such an interesting science fiction show, and we cannot wait to see the 5th and final season on Netflix in 2024.

[@Papadoc1981]

I can wait.

[@glaucogd1800]

​@@Papadoc1981 Me too.

[@HorrorTom78]

Excited for it

[@Jeremiah_Rivers76]

@@glaucogd1800So can I.

[@jackjaws004]

I find this list and its choices deeply upsetting. Where in the world are Farscape, Lexx, and for the love of all things holy, Mystery Science Theater 3000?!!!

[@davidanderson_surrey_bc]

I can agree with you on those latter two series. I never watched Farscape, so I cannot comment on that one.

[@jackjaws004]

@@davidanderson_surrey_bc If you enjoyed those other two, then you would VERY much like Farscaoe

[@seanbigay1042]

Science fiction writers have been called the court jesters of the imagination, because under the guise of "silly sci-fi" they can get away with making some truly profound observations about the real world. Nowhere was this truer than in the 1960s run of The Twilight Zone, where stories like "He's Alive" or "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" punched the audience hard in its complacency week after week.

[@Leojoo4]

In1977, it was just STAR WARS! A NEW HOPE was added later!! ✌😎👍

[@jamalvargas6146]

Dark Matter (2015-2017) Based On The Dark Horse comic this Canadian series Is similar to Firefly In premise but somehow lasted 3 seasons airing on the US on SYFY wish we'd gotten that revival great series

[@vhagerty]

"Quantum Leap" was such an awesome show. I just wish it had gotten a proper finale. It's great seeing stars before they were famous on different episodes. 😊

[@ArwensHubby]

One omission that definitely should NOT have been made is "Farscape". This was innovative in every sense of the word.

[@cyberpunkdarren]

You forgot Farscape

[@magnificentfailure2390]

ST:TOS is #1 in my book. I can sit and watch every episode at least a hundred more times.

[@matthewvorwald7169]

Red Dwarf is such an fun and hilarious show to watch. I remember when my family taped it off the TV. I would watch that tape all the time. We still have it, but unfortunately we don't have a working VCR to watch it, and it's a shame that the DVDs of the show are insanely expensive.

[@Theonetruewonderfly]

I tend to split TV Sci-Fi into 2 eras - the "classic" era and the "modern" era. My dividing line is right around 2003/2004 (with the introduction of "Battlestar Galactica" and "Lost"). Those were big impact TV shows that changed Sci-Fi on television forever, and since 2003/2004, we've been in the "modern" era.

[@jasonbodine6033]

There’s no way that The X-Files is above Star Trek!

[@trevortibbits859]

You placed Babylon 5 at 14? It should at least be in the top five.

[@foxmulder4041]

Oh yes. I think, it should be Number 2

[@rebeccamcdermott9259]

My favourites: Doctor Who. The X-Files. Quantum Leap. 12 Monkeys.

[@swrcomswrcom5306]

Disappointed at no inclusion of Deep Space Nine

[@edgaracajabon9522]

I personally liked Quantum leap and Fringe

[@Krobra91]

star trek honestly should be number 1. It softened the audience to star wars. Not only that, but star trek is probably the only science fiction show to cross into reality and significant cultural, technological and scientifically impacted. everything from NASA, the first interracial kiss, the social commentary on today struggling America, The space shuttle, medical technology, Ipads, Tablets, COmputers, AI, Voice over... all stems from the beginnings of star trek when you talk to the original inventors.

[@tmarofvulcan]

Right?!! They put the spin-off/sequel/whatever AHEAD of the original? Perish the thought!!

[@Robyn_iz_Here]

I personally think early Doctor Who is, as a peice of fiction, a better written show than Star Trek TOS. The concept of the Daleks and the Cybermen are so ahead of their time for Sci-Fi and i think it expanded ideas in Science fiction with more impact that Star Trek TOS. Now TOS definitely had the bigger impact on the real world but i feel that just on the concept alone of the characters and their inner workings alone takes Doctor Who over the edge for innovation in comparison to Star Trek TOS for me personally. I mean if were just going off of concepts for characters and shows alone a fugitive alien, born on a planet of timetravellers, who stole a time machine and is using it to explore time and space while accidentally setting the course of history for hundreds of alien races (for example by encountering the Daleks changing them from survival focused to genocide focused by filling them with hatered accidentally by travelling to their once uninhabitable planet for the sake of adventure and by doing so causing the last great time war and the extiction of his species) vs a space navy that while having some genuinely FANTASTIC episodes nothing quite as gripping as the best of Doctor Who. I mean i love Star Trek TOS but its best episodes arent as memorable to me as the best Doctor Who serials. Like the episode where it turned out to be a child playing games or a vindictive alien who threatened to destroy Star Fleet but turned out to just be a big kid or the one where Kirk is captured in that cave and has to escape but everyone turns out to be robots or the episode where they time travel back to the 60s. These are all good episodes with a good Sci Fi plot point but none of them rival Dead Planet or Tomb of the Cybermen or Genesis of the Daleks or even in modern Who The Fires of Pompeii or Midnight or Blink or Human Nature. The best of Doctor Who isnt rivaled in episodic Sci Fi television writing. I mean its worse is pretty bad but its best is incredible and bar setting

[@karenlbellmont6560]

Original Star Trek, X-Files, Twilight Zone and Outer Limits.

[@alesaenz]

I think that the Top5 was well chosen, even the order. But I believe that The Mandalorian and Babylon 5 should be between the Top10 positions. And while not being critically acclaimed, I'd include in some place the original Lost in Space and Space: 1999. 😎

[@albator1]

Great Top 20, but missing one : Farscape.

[@Nighthawk-oj5ve]

Frell Yeah!

[@Lordoftheapes79]

Such Dren! Seriously, I think people see Jim Hensen and write this and The Dark Crystal off as kids' shows.

[@scottmcguirk4848]

@@Lordoftheapes79 the puppets should give an edge. Firefly, Mandalorian, and others are westerns in space that stared with Star Trek. All good but greatest SciFi should include different stories pushing the limits of imagination.

[@paulb2768]

I am happy to see Stargate SG1 made the list. it is beloved by Canadian Sci Fi fans since it was filmed in the GWN.

[@TripleMoonGoddessTarot]

I actually live in the town where Rod Sterling grew up! There is a mural in the high school i went to!

[@davidanderson_surrey_bc]

Well, if that's true, then you'd know his last name is *Serling.*

[@jeromedutil-martin6823]

As an honorable mention, I would add SyFy Channel's "12 Monkeys". One of the best time travel shows out there. So underrated.

[@jonathonwhitington402]

I just finished it for the first time a few weeks ago. It was fantastic. I loved it.

[@rebeccamcdermott9259]

Definitely agree. Didn't like the movie much, but absolutely loved the tv series. Brilliantly written and with a fantastic cast.

[@corvus1970]

No Farscape? No deal.

[@Funtime-kx5rx]

FARSCAPE,FARSCAPE,FARSCAPE and don't forget FARSCAPE!

[@SirPaul928]

Science fiction is my obsession. I won't quibble about the entrants or omissions, I'll simply add a few in case anyone reading is unfamiliar... > Star Trek: Deep Space Nine > Farscape > Humans > Twelve Monkeys (series) > Dollhouse > Life on Mars (original British version)

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

Twin Peaks this series really made you think outside of the box of what a Sci-fi could be.

[@SombraCheeks]

Yes Lynch very experimental with it

[@tmarofvulcan]

Okay, but Twin Peaks is not sci-fi, it's more paranormal, what with people getting possessed and using weird methods to crack cases. And don't get me started on the sequel. Seriously, half an hour of a nuclear bomb exploding?

[@davidanderson_surrey_bc]

@@tmarofvulcan I thought that explosion was one of the most riveting things I've ever seen in a TV show. I guess we were experiencing that sequence in different ways.

[@joeb.evrythngEclectic5571]

Wayward Pines is so underated!

[@ArwensHubby]

Personally, I would have rated B5 much higher, especially above "Fringe", BSG , and "SG-1" (who still warrant inclusion) simply because of the sheer amount of influence it held over its successors.

[@buffhombre1335]

Very good list but Sliders is easily a top 15 Sci-Fi show. The top of the list was very well done, so credit where credit is due.

[@vhagerty]

I love the episode where Wade wins the lottery but doesn't realize that winning means dying. 😊

[@laustcawz2089]

​@@vhagerty The premise is from Shirley Jackson's short story, "The Lottery". There's a variation on this in the film "The Island".

[@caolanmcflynn2412]

For all mankind should have gotten a honourable mention

[@SleeperLG]

There really couldn’t have been a different number 1. Also, honorable mention to Misfits.

[@mrtelevisionandmovies]

The list is very good. I know The Twilight Zone is the number 1 on the list because the series is iconic. And Doctor Who is also important so it’s good the show gets the third place. I love Stranger Things and The Mandolorian 👍👍. I was surprised that Lost isn’t on the top 10 😮.

[@captainwonder]

I'd add The Prisoner and Alice in Borderland. For guilty pleasures I'm fond of seaQuest DSV (at least the first season) and V (at least the miniseries).

[@trpetty6887]

Why do lists ranking sci-fi TV series never include Farscape?! Farscape is by far the best sci-fi any TV network has offered us. It will stand the test, because it never gets old!

[@shreyasbhogte5802]

Dark is a mind-bending masterpiece that brilliantly intertwines complex storytelling, intricate timelines, and profound philosophical themes. Its unparalleled narrative depth and stunning cinematography undoubtedly should be placed among the top 5 series of all time.

[@WinsberryEntertainment]

I really liked the first two seasons of Dark. The third season wasn't as good, imo.

[@M0no]

@@WinsberryEntertainmentCOMPLETELY disagree

[@bj079]

​@@WinsberryEntertainmentnah, not agree with you

[@douglasarmstrong5896]

I'm so confused why Lost is a sci Fi show! It's my favorite show every made but I don't think it's sci Fi . It's more of a drama and survival show with time travel elements

[@marylynch948]

4:18 & 17:35 Woo hoo! I'm glad that Red Dwarf and Doctor Who made onto this list.

[@sreeff4816]

Don't agree The Twilight Zone was always more Horror than Sci-Fi!

[@k1productions87]

The thing about Science Fiction is, many of its concepts are quite horrific by definition. The Twilight Zone simply provided a medium to explore them.

[@sreeff4816]

@@k1productions87 I still do not find it Sci Fi

[@k1productions87]

@@sreeff4816 how you define sci-fi, and how sci-fi is itself defined are not necessarily the same thing. But that's the thing about definitions, they don't change based on personal preferences.

[@waittillfamewtf2385]

🧭 "Futurama" (1999-2003)

[@stevenmiles7369]

Animated, like Rick and Morty.

[@evansteiner5520]

Canadian Doctor Who 2005- Fan

[@msoi215]

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine should've made this list

[@martinblagoev2390]

7:28 YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES....... FINALLY!!!!!!

[@jabjab6019]

Doctor Who Star Trek Twilight Zone

[@camaronshoultz6137]

Fringe is one of the greatest sci-fi shows ever! Got a little too crazy at the end but up until then it was pretty much perfect!

[@Andrew-tf8jt]

No wonder people are switching off if this crap is the best you can do.....and if they are so good why were most cancelled?

[@BlenderStudy]

Thank you for the update, WatchMojo..!! "V (1984 TV series)" is #1 on my list. I remember watching every episode without ever missing one back then. 🤣

[@Lilmovieman27]

Doctor who is still my favorite show in existence…but I can’t argue number one

[@Potrimpo]

I would have put Babylon 5 and Star Trek: Those Old Scientists much higher on this list. But I will say with Babylon 5 is that it should have been the blueprint for both Star Trek: Enterprise and the crappy Star Wars prequels.

[@VincentNajger1]

Red Dwarf ftw! X-files, Fringe, OG Dr Who..... Also The Expanse just for awesome realistic space. Babylon 5 had amazing CGI for the time. Raised by Wolves is an incredible show that, tragically, got cancelled. Foundation should have been mentioned too.

[@jackinthebox1993]

This list helped me realize that most sci-fi shows other than Black Mirror just aren't for me

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future would have been in this list considering that J. Michael Straczynski also wrote Babylon 5

[@batgurrl]

Star Trek TNG and Voyager should have been here but enjoyed inclusion of Quantum Leap and The X Files and Lost and the enduring Irony of the brilliant The Twilight Zone.

[@investorbettor505]

Shows that checked all of the boxes for me: Dark, Fringe, The Expanse Highly recommend

[@deborahblackvideoediting8697]

Hope you include Star Trek Deep Space Nine on your next list! I'm a huge sci-fi fan, but I've never watched Babylon 5. It's about time I took a look.

[@WatchMojo]

Will do!

[@Oct8pus]

No love for Black Mirror out there?

[@tirr5915]

how can there be no Farscape???

[@capriceguarino3816]

Supernatural

[@SleeperLG]

I love Supernatural! It’s on my top five list of all-time favorite series. I don’t believe it’s considered science-fiction though. I think it’s more fantasy, horror, drama.

[@WelshRaptor367]

Doctor who 2005-2010. The goat.

[@sweetbabygurl40]

Dr Who, Stargate SG1, Star Trek, and definitely Quantum Leap are my favorites, but missed the mark adding Lost, not really a SI Fi show and definitely missed the mark NOT adding shows like Eureka! And Warehouse 13! Where are they on the list? They deserved to be on here more then Lost lol

[@michaelrivera8665]

Heroes was my show but I know the writer's strike hurt the 2nd season and nothing compared to the 1st season of the show.

[@Solo_Traveling]

I would've added a lot more Star Trek shows and would've removed some, like Battlestar Galactica. And The Next Generation would've been number 1.

[@karenlbellmont6560]

Forgot Red Dwarf!!!

[@mrworld2112]

best sci-fi show - FAR-FUCKIN'-SCAPE. Nuff said

[@garyduvall3898]

Sliders should have been on this list

[@iamlowkeyedits]

I knew Who would be here!!

[@davidanderson_surrey_bc]

That's what Horton heard too.

[@hippomancy]

Expanse is far higher on my list. and XFiles far lower... uggghhh...I rank the spin-off Millennium as being far better... I enjoyed SGU more than SG1, but not as fond of Battlestar Galactica as you guys are... I lump ST-TNG with TOS. I also have a guilty pleasure bad sci fi series- Space1999- awesome modelling for moonrise and ships, and great 70s theme song...

[@jonathonwhitington402]

100% agreed about The Expanse. Definitely should have been in the top 10.