We love science fiction for its expansive plots and limitless universes. The genre charismatically uses the backdrop of space or advanced technology to explore big ideas, such as the value of life and what it means to be human. What better place to explore the genre's infinite possibilities and difficult themes than in a long TV series?

Shows like Eureka and Lost are famous for providing thought-provoking character development along with sophisticated storylines. Science fiction TV shows range from the ridiculous and funny to the serious and scary. Whether you are looking for a show to make you laugh or want to stretch your brain, here are some of the best science fiction shows of all time to satisfy your craving.

Updated August 28, 2023: If you love sci-fi shows, you'll be excited to know this list has been updated with even more great television series.

20 The Jetsons

Scene from The Jetsons series
Screen Gems

Yes, it’s a cheesy cartoon from the '60s, but there is still something heartwarming and fun about this classic cartoon that makes it a joy to watch. The Jetsons is not for the serious, hard science-fiction fan but can act as a gateway for kids and families looking to enjoy more of the genre together. The sitcom follows the daily life of a family living in 2062, 100 years after the show aired, and captures the optimistic feeling of scientific possibility that was so present in the '60s and in a lot of sci-fi before Star Wars.

Related: The 10 Best Animated Sci-Fi Shows of All Time

The science obviously does not accurately depict what we expect to see in the next decades, but the ridiculous ease of technology makes for a lot of jokes that have influenced science fiction. For example, George Jetson works a 9-5 job where all he does is push a button to turn on the machines. We love The Jetsons for its innocent sense of humor and old Hanna-Barbera-style animation.

19 Quantum Leap

Scott Bakula Thinks a Quantum Leap Reboot Is Possible_ Sam's Still Out There

Before the inferior 2022 remake, there was the original Quantum Leap series that ran for five seasons from 1989-1993. Starring Scott Bakula, the show revolves around the adventures of Dr. Sam Beckett, a physicist who travels back in time and who "leaps" into the bodies of others in order to get him back to the present. Joining him is his womanizing sidekick, Admiral Al Calavicci (played by Dean Stockwell), who appears to Sam as a hologram.

Over the course of its run, Quantum Leap was nominated for several awards and maintained consistently high viewing figures. Though the final episode was controversial, the series as a whole is still held in high regard, with its handling of time travel considered among the best in science fiction.

18 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Cast of Star Trek Deep Space Nine

The Star Trek franchise is long-running and has gone through many different incarnations over the years. Undoubtedly, one of the best is Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, which ran for seven seasons between 1993 and 1999. DS9 is unique for a Star Trek show in that it takes place primarily on a space station of the same name rather than a starship like the Enterprise. Featuring an ensemble cast of characters made up of humans, Bajorans, Trills, Kilingons, changelings, and Ferenghi, the series takes place in the Gamma Quadrant in the 24th century, near the planet Bajor.

As well as the setting, what separates DS9 from other versions of Star Trek is its darker tone, more serialized storytelling in later seasons, and characters that have more bite. It's a more mature show than the ones that came before it.

17 Timeless

Timeless still
NBC

This show only has a small cult following and did not bring in great numbers of viewers when it aired, but we still love Timeless for its humor, creative premise, and relatable characters. It allows viewers to completely step into American History in a way no other time travel show does. In Timeless, a historian, scientist, and soldier team up to stop a time-traveling terrorist. The terrorist seems to be intentionally changing the timeline to destroy reality as we know it.

16 Westworld

Westworld HBO
HBO

Based on the 1973 film of the same name by acclaimed writer Michael Crichton, the HBO series Westworld centers around the android inhabitants of a wild-west-themed amusement park in the 2050s. The androids, or "hosts" are designed to fulfill the (often disturbing) desires of the wealthy guests that visit the park, however, their programming prevents them from hurting humans. The series was developed by Jonathan Nolan (brother of Christoper) and his wife Lisa Joy, and features an all-star cast that includes Thandiwe Newton, Rachel Evan Wood, Jeffrey Wright, James Marsden, Luke Hemsworth, and Anthony Hopkins, among others.

Related: Why Westworld is One of the Best Sc-Fi Dramas of All Time

While later seasons abandon the theme park setting, in favor of telling stories set in the real world, the show's quality remains relatively consistent throughout. Furthermore, as an exploration of themes such as freewill and the idea of playing God, Westworld is second to none. It's just a shame it was canceled too soon.

15 Stargate SG-1

The Main Cast from Stargate SG-1
MGM Television

Stargate SG-1 became so successful that it paved the way for six other spin-off TV series and movies (not including the non-canon French animated series). It is loved for its expansive universe tied to realistic elements of our world. The Stargate is an ancient Egyptian artifact that turns out to open wormholes to other Stargates throughout the universe. The military team protecting and operating the Stargate face threats both from their own government and from aliens across the universe. The show is filled with great action sequences and is just downright fun, with its greatest element being the winning humor and chemistry between characters.

14 Dark

Dark
Netflix

Dark is a Netflix-produced German science fiction that is of impressive quality. Set in the puzzling town of Winden, the show zooms in on the lives of four families whose fractured relationships and lives get exposed when two children disappear from the town. It’s a brilliant take on family ties and how they affect the past and the future.

At its center, there is an interplay between time travel, a mysterious cave, and a power plant that will need your full attention as each setting, scene, and interaction add to the complex tale. Dark will absorb you in a captivating sensory experience with its top-notch cinematography, score, acting, and premise. It’s the kind of series you need to watch a few times to fully grasp.

13 Star Trek: The Next Generation

The crew and Captain Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Paramount

When Star Trek returned to TV screens in 1987 in the form of The Next Generation, it had a big job on its hands. Following in the legacy of The Original Series, which was still remembered fondly by fans even twenty years after it first aired, wasn't going to be easy. Thankfully, Gene Roddenberry once again pulled it off and created a Star Trek series that could rival the original. Set late in the 24th century, the show follows USS Enterprise captain, Jean-Luc Picard (played superbly by Patrick Stewart) and his crew as they explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, and boldly go where no one has gone before.

Related: What Fans Should Know About Star Trek: The Next Generation Before Watching the First Time

Over the course of its seven-season run, the show was immensely popular, continually attracting high viewing figures and receiving numerous Emmy Award nominations. The Next Generation proved that Star Trek could live on in different forms, with it often being held up as one of the best incarnations of the show among fans. That being said, even those who aren't necessarily familiar with Star Trek lore can still find something to enjoy in what is, a great sci-fi drama that still holds up today.

12 Babylon 5

Babylon 5 Cast
Warner Bros. Television

Babylon 5 is beloved for its expansive universe, a vast and diverse array of characters, and interconnected plot. The first season runs like many other science fiction episodic shows in order to establish the in-depth characters, but the second season picks up with an intricate story arc that brilliantly develops throughout. Babylon 5 may have ended a season too soon, but it still acts as an iconic story within the science fiction genre.

In this series, Babylon 5 is a space station that acts as the universe's hub for diplomacy and interplanetary relations. The show follows the crew of the space station as they work with aliens and humans alike to bring peace, though there is political intrigue and a great threat brewing. The show is incredibly meticulous in its writing, inserting small details in some episodes that have massive payoffs down the line, expertly plotting its trajectory.

11 Star Wars: Clone Wars

Star Wars: Clone Wars cast with guns and lightsabers
Lucasfilm

This cartoon is a little more serious than The Jetsons. With intense lightsaber duels, intricate stories about political intrigue, and timeless characters, Star Wars: The Clone Wars is sure to interest children and adults alike. Under the careful direction of George Lucas himself, The Clone Wars carved its place into Star Wars canon.

Its episodic story structure allows the show to explore both familiar and new characters all over the galaxy far, far away. A lot of the newest TV shows and movies within the Star Wars universe are still drawing from this show for ideas and material, and is arguably the best of every Star Wars TV series so far.

10 Firefly

Nathan Fillion and the Firefly cast
Fox

In the space, Western Firefly, Nathan Fillion stars as a captain on the titular ship in Joss Whedon's colorful universe. He and some members of his crew fought on the losing side of the war and now try to stay off the government's radar. They mainly take jobs stealing and smuggling materials. Firefly is a cult classic for its attention to detail, creepy villains, and surprising heroes; its hilarious ensemble of characters and the chemistry among the actors who play them is delightful. Ultimately, Firefly really highlights the strength of the everyday hero.

9 The Boys

The Squash-oys (I tried, it's hard to do it with this title)
Squashlander

The Boys is a series that takes a different approach to superheroes. In a world where superheroes always save the day with their morals and superpowers, The Boys does the opposite. It presents a different model where seemingly good superheroes are corrupt, greedy, and abusive of their powers and fame behind the scenes.

They work for Vought International, a corporation driven by profit more than anything else. They are monitored by the CIA team. The Boys work together to fight evil, which results in great tension and violence. It’s a dark commentary on what society would be like if it potentially had superheroes. Its complex and emotional storylines make it gripping as it brings out the gray area found in all humans. On a larger scale, it reflects and looks at the social and political problems of the West.

8 The Twilight Zone

Rod Serling in The Twilight Zone
Paramount Global

A precursor to shows like Black Mirror, The Twilight Zone was the original sci-fi anthology series. Over the years, the show has gone through four different incarnations, with the initial run of episodes between 1959 and 1964 followed by three revivals in 1985, 2002, and 2019 respectively. Though the latter two versions haven't received the same level of critical acclaim as the two former versions, the franchise as a whole is an important piece of science fiction history.

Being an anthology series, each episode takes place in a different location, with a unique cast and a completely standalone story. Some of the best storylines include one about aliens who appear to solve all the world's problems, another involving pig-snouted monsters, and a famous one about a gremlin who appears on the wing of an airplane. At its best, The Twilight Zone is a brilliantly original mix of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror with a dash of dark comedy. It may not have been the first anthology series overall, but it's the one that's had the most influence on some of the shows we consume today.

7 The X-Files

Mulder and Scully in The X-Files
Fox

The 16 times Primetime Emmy long-running winning show The X-Files, delves into the lives of two F.B.I agents who investigate strange phenomena with one being a believer in the paranormal and the other a skeptic who believes in science.

With their contrasting views, they dive into conspiracy theories, the U.S. government, and the potential existence of life on other planets. The hit show was one of the most defining shows of the '90s which helped in hyping the science fiction genre. The episodes are exciting, mysterious, horror, and filled with a cast that has boundless chemistry. Unfortunately, the anticipated reboot didn’t get the praise the original series got which has left fans upset.

6 Andor

Andor Season 2 what to expect
Disney Platform Distribution

While The Mandalorian might have been the premiere Star Wars television series for the longest time, it is hard to argue that Andor has now replaced it as the best in the franchise. Combining great political intrigue with heavy thematic themes that allow the franchise to step into more mature directions, Andor raises the bar of what Star Wars can be. The series has become a massive hit with critics and fans alike and even secured eight Emmy nominations, and fans are eagerly awaiting season 2.

5 Stranger Things

Stranger Things cast
Netflix

Stranger Things became one of the most popular streaming shows around because of the writers' ability to combine multiple genres. The show has something for everyone with its science fiction, coming-of-age, and horror elements. It draws on just enough '80s references to bring in nostalgia while keeping the magic of modern special effects. Set during the Cold War, Stranger Things tells the story of members of a small town trying to unravel the mystery of a missing boy. As they investigate, they discover sinister secrets and operations and come of age, paying tribute to '80s horror along the way.

4 Black Mirror

black mirror the national anthem
Netflix

Black Mirror is an anthology show that took the world by storm with its mind-bending concepts. Most of the episodes are written by Charlie Brooker, and they explore modern society and the way it could evolve given the advancement of technology. Each episode lays out a different theme, bringing out thought-provoking questions and disturbing ideas to the surface.

Related: Why USS Callister Is Still the Best Black Mirror Episode

The deeply original and fresh series is science fiction at its best when it comes to the genre as it masterfully blends in imagination and futuristic concepts and high-tech to the point of perfection. It explores themes such as memory, surveillance, privacy, politics, and consumerism. However, it is not for the faint-hearted and is far from a feel-good series because of its cynical and often depressing ideas. Each episode can be watched independently of the others and has a different cast. It is often considered The Twilight Zone of the 21st century.

3 Doctor Who

The doctors in Doctor Who
BBC

As one of the longest-running series of all time, Doctor Who is a science fiction staple. The series that originally set out to teach children about history, has now become sophisticated entertainment that people of every age can enjoy. Fans of the franchise love Doctor Who for its quirky humor and creativity throughout the plot. The Doctor is a Time Lord who travels through time causing trouble and preventing catastrophe everywhere he/she goes.

If The Doctor dies in the heat of battle, he/she actually "regenerates" and takes on a new human form (hence why the show has been able to continue for so long). With a built-in premise that could ostensibly go on forever, the show is an epic delight to sci-fi fans of all ages.

2 Star Trek

Stark Trek
CBS Paramount Television

Star Trek has rightfully earned its place as number one on the list. While The Next Generation may be more beloved, the original is more important, credited with forming one of the first fandoms and modernizing sci-fi as we know it. The TV show has inspired countless comic books, satires, movies, and spin-off shows.

Star Trek features an expansive universe full of exciting characters, romance, and action. The friendship between the overly logical Spock, and the incredibly optimistic Captain Kirk (not to mention the kind Bones) makes for not only exciting stratagem and fight sequences but great chemistry which would extend into some wonderful films. Stark Trek's larger-than-life heroes overcome challenges big and small and infuse all of its viewers with hope for humanity's future.

1 Battlestar Galactica

The cast of Battlestar Galactica (2004).
The Sci-Fi Channel

The 1978 version is classic, but it is fun to watch a timeless premise re-imagined with more modern technology and storytelling. Battlestar Galactica is the story of the only surviving military ship in deep space after the attack from advanced robots called Cylons, which have been developing the ability to appear remarkably human.

As the crew struggles with drama on board and the waging war outside, they fight a battle on two fronts. Few shows tackle the "man versus machine" conflict as perfectly as Battlestar Galactica, which also creates fascinating allegories for the war on terror and politics from the 21st century. Its complicated intellectual themes with a dark and steamy plot make this show enjoyable for hardcore science fiction fans. It redefined the franchise and the entire science fiction genre, and its influence can be felt in a wide array of modern science fiction series like Andor, the new Doctor Who, and many of the recent Star Trek series.