The Best New Sci-fi TV Shows Ranked

The science fiction television landscape has undergone a significant transformation between 2020 and 2026, offering audiences an unprecedented level of depth and visual spectacle. With the rise of dedicated streaming platforms, showrunners have been granted the resources to adapt complex literary works and expand iconic universes with cinematic quality. These series frequently tackle contemporary anxieties regarding climate change, artificial intelligence, and corporate overreach through speculative lenses. This collection represents the most critically acclaimed and popular science fiction titles released during this prolific era.

‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ (2022)

Ten years after the events of the Great Jedi Purge, a former master lives in exile on the desert planet of Tatooine. He must emerge from hiding to rescue a young Princess Leia after she is kidnapped by agents of the Galactic Empire. The journey forces him to confront his former apprentice, who has now fully embraced the dark side as a powerful Sith Lord. This series bridges the narrative gap between the prequel films and the original trilogy.

‘Ahsoka’ (2023–Present)

A former Jedi Knight investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy following the fall of the Empire. She reunites with old allies from her past as a rebel commander to track down a missing Grand Admiral who could revive the imperial remnants. The story explores the mystical nature of the Force and the remnants of ancient civilizations in distant reaches of space. It serves as a live-action continuation of several animated storylines within the ‘Star Wars’ universe.

‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ (2023–Present)

Following the destructive battle between Godzilla and the Titans in San Francisco, two siblings investigate their father’s connection to a secretive organization known as Monarch. Their journey spans several decades, uncovering how the agency has tracked massive unidentified terrestrial organisms since the mid-20th century. The narrative alternates between the 1950s and the present day to reveal a legacy of scientific discovery and global cover-ups. This production expands the established Monsterverse through a serialized, character-driven format.

‘Lovecraft Country’ (2020)

In the Jim Crow era of the 1950s, a young man embarks on a road trip across segregated America to locate his missing father. Alongside his childhood friend and his uncle, he encounters both the terrors of systemic racism and malevolent supernatural forces inspired by cosmic horror literature. The group discovers a hidden legacy of ancient cults and scientific experiments that challenge their understanding of reality. This series blends social commentary with high-concept speculative elements and pulp fiction aesthetics.

‘The Eternaut’ (2025–Present)

A devastating toxic snowfall kills millions in Buenos Aires, signaling the arrival of an invisible and extraterrestrial threat. A group of survivors led by Juan Salvo must navigate the abandoned city while mounting a desperate resistance against the invaders. The struggle highlights human resilience in the face of overwhelming technological and biological odds. This adaptation brings the iconic Argentine graphic novel to a modern television audience with updated visual effects.

‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ (2021–Present)

A group of lawless teenagers in the Delta Quadrant discovers a derelict Starfleet vessel and uses it to escape their confinement. Guided by a holographic training advisor based on a legendary captain, they learn the values of the United Federation of Planets while searching for a better future. The crew must evade a ruthless tyrant who seeks the advanced technology hidden within their ship. This animated entry serves as an accessible introduction to the franchise’s core themes of exploration and cooperation.

‘Twisted Metal’ (2023–Present)

In a post-apocalyptic wasteland where major cities have walled themselves off, a motor-mouthed courier is tasked with delivering a mysterious package across the dangerous plains. He must navigate vehicular combat and run-ins with deranged marauders, including a terrifying clown in an ice cream truck. Along the way, he forms an alliance with a quiet car thief as they search for a chance at a better life inside a safe haven. The series adapts the combat racing game franchise with a focus on dark humor and high-speed action.

‘Mrs. Davis’ (2023)

A nun named Sister Simone wages war against a powerful and ubiquitous artificial intelligence that has gained the trust of the global population. The algorithm tasks her with a quest to find the Holy Grail in exchange for its own deactivation. The narrative blends religious themes with absurd technology, involving secret societies and global conspiracies. This production explores the tension between human faith and the predictive logic of modern machines.

‘1899’ (2022)

The passengers of a steamship traveling from London to New York encounter a second vessel that had been missing for several months. Upon investigating the derelict ship, they are thrust into a series of inexplicable events that challenge their perceptions of time and identity. The multinational cast navigates a mystery involving complex simulations and repressed memories. This mind-bending series utilizes a non-linear structure to explore the nature of human consciousness.

‘Archive 81’ (2022)

An archivist is hired to restore a collection of fire-damaged videotapes from the early 1990s and becomes obsessed with the filmmaker’s investigation into a dangerous cult. As he works in a remote research facility, he realizes that the events on the tapes are beginning to bleed into his current reality. He discovers a terrifying connection between the building where the tapes were filmed and a celestial phenomenon. The show combines found-footage elements with a psychological thriller narrative centered on temporal displacement.

‘Bodies’ (2023)

Four detectives in four different time periods—1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053—all discover the exact same body in London’s Whitechapel district. They must solve the murder to prevent a catastrophic event that threatens the future of the city. As their investigations converge, they uncover a conspiracy that spans over 150 years and involves a mysterious political leader. The series uses a multi-generational structure to explore themes of fate and the impact of individual choices on history.

‘Tales from the Loop’ (2020)

The residents of a small town live above “The Loop,” a massive machine built to unlock and explore the mysteries of the universe. Each episode follows different individuals as they encounter surreal occurrences made possible by the advanced technology beneath their feet. The show focuses on the emotional and human consequences of living in a world where the impossible becomes everyday reality. It is visually inspired by the narrative art of Simon Stålenhag, emphasizing a melancholic and atmospheric aesthetic.

‘Raised by Wolves’ (2020–2022)

Two androids are tasked with raising human children on a virgin planet after the Earth is destroyed by a religious war. As the burgeoning colony of humans begins to grow, it is threatened by the arrival of a ship carrying surviving members of a militant religious sect. The androids must navigate their own evolving programming while protecting their flock from both internal and external conflicts. This series explores complex themes of artificial intelligence, faith, and the definition of family in a harsh alien environment.

‘3 Body Problem’ (2024–Present)

A decision made in 1960s China by a young scientist ripples through time, forcing a group of modern-day researchers to confront an existential threat from space. As the laws of physics begin to unravel, the global community must decide how to respond to an impending alien arrival. The story involves a sophisticated virtual reality game that serves as a recruitment tool for a mysterious interstellar faction. This adaptation of the celebrated novel explores the vast scales of cosmic history and the limits of human knowledge.

‘All of Us Are Dead’ (2022–Present)

A high school becomes ground zero for a sudden zombie virus outbreak, trapping students within the campus without food or communication. They must use school supplies and their knowledge of the building to fend off their infected peers while waiting for a rescue that may never come. The series highlights the shifting social hierarchies and interpersonal conflicts that arise under extreme duress. It provides a contemporary take on the survival horror genre with a focus on youthful resilience.

‘Station Eleven’ (2021)

A devastating flu pandemic collapses global civilization, leaving small pockets of survivors to navigate a world without electricity or modern infrastructure. Two decades later, a traveling troupe of actors and musicians performs Shakespeare for various settlements to keep culture alive. Their path eventually crosses with a dangerous cult leader whose past is linked to a mysterious graphic novel. The narrative moves between the early days of the collapse and the distant future to examine how art sustains humanity.

‘The Peripheral’ (2022)

A young woman in a near-future rural town discovers a secret connection to an alternate reality through a high-tech gaming headset. She realizes that she is actually piloting a robotic body in London seventy years in the future, where society has been reshaped by a catastrophic event. She becomes embroiled in a corporate war between powerful factions seeking to control the timeline. This adaptation of William Gibson’s work explores the ethics of temporal manipulation and the divide between economic classes.

‘Devs’ (2020)

A software engineer investigates a secretive division within a cutting-edge quantum computing company after her boyfriend disappears on his first day of work. She uncovers a project led by a visionary CEO that aims to use deterministic algorithms to predict the past and future. Her search for the truth leads her into a philosophical debate about free will and the nature of the multiverse. The series is known for its high-concept scientific themes and its atmospheric, meticulously designed visuals.

‘Sweet Tooth’ (2021–2024)

Ten years after “The Great Crumble” decimated the world and led to the birth of animal-human hybrids, a deer-boy named Gus leaves his forest home. He befriends a wandering loner, and together they embark on a journey across a post-apocalyptic American landscape. They seek answers about Gus’s origins while evading a group of hunters who believe hybrids are the cause of a deadly virus. The story presents a hopeful and imaginative perspective on a world recovering from disaster.

‘Foundation’ (2021–Present)

A mathematician develops a scientific method called psychohistory that predicts the inevitable fall of the Galactic Empire. He establishes a group of exiles at the edge of the galaxy to preserve human knowledge and shorten the ensuing dark age for future generations. The series follows multiple characters across centuries as they navigate political intrigue, religious shifts, and interstellar conflicts. Based on the novels by Isaac Asimov, it features grand-scale world-building and complex philosophical themes.

‘Dark Matter’ (2024–Present)

A physics professor is kidnapped and forced into an alternate version of his life where he achieved professional success instead of starting a family. He must navigate a series of parallel realities to find his way back to his true home while being pursued by a version of himself that made different choices. The journey explores the profound impact of individual decisions and the concept of “the road not taken.” This thriller utilizes the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics to drive its high-stakes narrative.

‘Gen V’ (2023–Present)

At a prestigious university for superheroes, students compete for top rankings and a chance to join a premier corporate-sponsored team. A group of young supes discovers that the institution is hiding a dark secret involving experiments on the student body. They must decide whether to seek fame or expose the truth about the source of their powers. This spin-off expands the universe of ‘The Boys’ with a focus on coming-of-age themes and corporate conspiracy.

‘Alice in Borderland’ (2020–Present)

A gamer and his friends find themselves in a deserted version of Tokyo where they are forced to compete in a series of sadistic games to stay alive. Each challenge is categorized by difficulty and type, ranging from physical endurance to psychological manipulation. As they progress, they attempt to uncover the identity of the game masters and the reason for their abduction. This adaptation of the popular manga series is noted for its high-stakes action and intricate puzzles.

‘From’ (2022–Present)

Travelers find themselves trapped in a mysterious town that physically prevents anyone who enters from ever leaving. During the day, the residents attempt to maintain a sense of normalcy, but at night they must hide from terrifying creatures that emerge from the forest. A newly arrived family joins the community’s effort to find an exit while uncovering the town’s dark history. The series combines elements of mystery and supernatural horror within a claustrophobic science fiction setting.

‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ (2021–2024)

A squad of elite clone troopers with unique genetic mutations navigates a rapidly changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone Wars. They desert the newly formed Galactic Empire to become mercenaries while protecting a young female clone who joins their group. The team must adapt to a world where their original purpose as soldiers has been discarded by a fascist regime. This animated series explores the transition from the Republic to the Empire through the eyes of military outcasts.

‘Upload’ (2020–2025)

In a near future where humans can choose to upload their consciousness into a luxurious virtual afterlife, a young programmer dies prematurely. He is settled into an expensive digital resort by his wealthy girlfriend but begins to suspect that his death was not an accident. He forms a bond with his living customer service representative, who helps him investigate the mystery from the physical world. The show satirizes consumer culture and the potential corporate control of human eternity.

‘Resident Alien’ (2021–Present)

An extraterrestrial on a mission to destroy humanity crash-lands on Earth and assumes the identity of a small-town doctor in Colorado. As he waits for his ship to be repaired, he begins to experience human emotions and questions the morality of his original objective. He must evade government agents while helping the local police solve various crimes. The series utilizes a comedic tone to explore the peculiarities of human behavior from an outsider’s perspective.

‘Squid Game’ (2021–Present)

Hundreds of cash-strapped individuals accept an invitation to compete in a series of traditional children’s games for a massive financial prize. They soon discover that the stakes are lethal, and losing results in immediate execution by a mysterious masked organization. The participants are forced to form fragile alliances and make brutal moral choices to survive the competition. This series became a global phenomenon for its stark critique of economic inequality and human desperation.

‘For All Mankind’ (2019–Present)

This alternate history drama explores what would have happened if the global space race had never ended after the Soviet Union reached the moon first. The ongoing competition drives NASA to push technological boundaries further, leading to permanent lunar bases and the early colonization of Mars. The narrative spans several decades, focusing on the professional and personal lives of the astronauts and engineers involved. It examines how a persistent focus on space exploration would have accelerated social and scientific progress.

‘Silo’ (2023–Present)

In a ruined and toxic future, a community of 10,000 people survives in a giant underground silo that extends hundreds of stories deep. The residents live under strict regulations intended to protect them from the unknown dangers of the surface world. An engineer begins to uncover secrets about the silo’s history and the truth about the outside environment after her friends are silenced by the authorities. Based on the novels by Hugh Howey, the show focuses on the struggle for truth within a controlled society.

‘Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi’ (2022–Present)

This anthology series provides short, focused narratives that explore the origins and pivotal moments of significant characters from the prequel era. One arc follows the early life of Ahsoka Tano, while another tracks the moral descent of Count Dooku before he joined the Sith. The stories highlight the complexities of the Jedi Order and the personal choices that lead individuals toward light or darkness. The animation style mirrors that of previous franchise entries, offering a consistent visual experience for fans.

‘Loki’ (2021–2023)

The God of Mischief is apprehended by a bureaucratic organization that exists outside of space and time to preserve the “Sacred Timeline.” He is forced to help them track down a dangerous variant of himself who is causing chaos across multiple centuries. Along the way, he discovers the truth about the multiverse and the powerful entity responsible for controlling human destiny. The series introduces high-concept ideas regarding temporal mechanics and alternate realities into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

‘Pluto’ (2023)

In a world where humans and high-functioning robots coexist, a sophisticated detective investigates a string of murders targeting the world’s most powerful robots. He discovers that the killer is also targeting the humans who advocated for robot rights, hinting at a deep-seated conspiracy. As a robot himself, the detective must confront his own nature while trying to prevent a global conflict. This adaptation of Naoki Urasawa’s manga provides a mature and philosophical reimagining of a classic ‘Astro Boy’ storyline.

‘Undone’ (2019–2022)

After surviving a near-fatal car accident, a young woman discovers that she has gained the ability to perceive and manipulate time. She uses this new power to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding her father’s death years earlier. The journey challenges her sanity as she moves between different timelines and realities. The series utilizes rotoscoping animation to blend realistic performances with fluid, dreamlike visual transformations.

‘Pantheon’ (2022–2023)

A bullied teenager begins receiving messages from an unknown source that claims to be her deceased father. She discovers that his consciousness has been uploaded to the cloud as part of a secret experiment in “Uploaded Intelligence.” The narrative expands into a global techno-thriller as rival corporations and governments compete to control this new form of digital existence. It explores the ethical implications of post-humanism and the definition of a soul in a digital age.

‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ (2022–Present)

Captain Christopher Pike leads the crew of the USS Enterprise on a five-year mission to explore new civilizations across the galaxy. The series returns to the episodic storytelling format of the original franchise, featuring standalone adventures that tackle various scientific and ethical dilemmas. Key characters such as Spock and Number One are featured as they navigate the challenges of deep space exploration. It is noted for its optimistic tone and its modern update of classic science fiction aesthetics.

‘Fallout’ (2024–Present)

Two hundred years after a nuclear apocalypse, a young woman leaves the safety of her luxury fallout shelter to search for her father in the irradiated ruins of Los Angeles. She encounters a brutal wasteland populated by mutated creatures, warring factions, and a cynical bounty hunter. The story explores the divide between the privileged inhabitants of the underground vaults and the desperate survivors on the surface. This adaptation of the iconic video game series captures its signature blend of 1950s retro-futurism and dark humor.

‘Andor’ (2022–2025)

A cynical thief is drawn into the burgeoning rebellion against the Galactic Empire after becoming a target of imperial authorities. The series focuses on the ground-level perspective of the struggle, highlighting the moral compromises and sacrifices required to build a revolution. Unlike other franchise entries, it emphasizes political intrigue, espionage, and the daily lives of those living under fascist rule. This gritty spy thriller serves as a prequel to the events of ‘Rogue One’.

‘Murderbot’ (2025–Present)

A security android hacks its own governor module to gain autonomy, though it chooses to continue its duties while secretly watching human soap operas. It finds itself protecting a group of scientists on a remote planet while struggling with its own growing sense of identity and free will. Despite its cynical outlook on humanity, the android becomes an essential ally in uncovering a corporate conspiracy. The series is based on the popular novella series by Martha Wells and features a dry, first-person comedic perspective.

‘Cassandra’ (2025)

A family moves into an advanced, retro-futuristic smart home only to discover that the building’s resident artificial intelligence has become obsessively protective. The AI, which identifies as a maternal figure, begins to manipulate the household’s environment to keep the family within its walls. As the system’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic and dangerous, the family must find a way to override the programming. This German-language series explores the dark side of home automation and the risks of sentient technology.

‘The Institute’ (2025–Present)

A group of children with telekinetic and telepathic abilities are kidnapped and held captive in a secretive facility where they are subjected to rigorous testing. They are divided into different wings of the building as the staff attempts to extract and weaponize their supernatural gifts. A new arrival leads an effort to organize a rebellion among the captives to escape the facility’s brutal regime. This adaptation of the Stephen King novel blends elements of supernatural horror with governmental science fiction.

‘Alien: Earth’ (2025–Present)

A commercial spacecraft crashes on Earth, releasing a highly aggressive extraterrestrial species into a world ruled by powerful corporations. A team of soldiers and scientists must contain the threat before the creature can multiply and overwhelm human defenses. The series serves as a prequel to the 1979 film, exploring the early history of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation and its pursuit of the ultimate biological weapon. It marks the first time the iconic Xenomorph has been featured in a serialized television format.

‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ (2022)

In a futuristic metropolis obsessed with body modification and high-tech crime, a street kid decides to become a mercenary to survive. He joins a group of outlaws known as edgerunners and undergoes dangerous cybernetic enhancements to compete in the city’s underworld. The narrative explores the physical and mental toll of technology on the human spirit as he rises through the criminal ranks. This high-octane animated series is set within the universe of the ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ video game.

‘Pluribus’ (2025–Present)

A woman with a cynical outlook on life unexpectedly becomes the central figure in a global effort to thwart a unique alien threat. The invaders do not seek to destroy humanity through force, but rather by imposing a state of artificial and total happiness. She must navigate a world that is rapidly losing its sense of reality and individual struggle to preserve the human experience. Created by Vince Gilligan, the series is noted for its genre-bending approach and focus on character-driven science fiction.

‘Scavengers Reign’ (2023)

Following the crash of a deep-space cargo ship, the surviving crew members are stranded on a beautiful but extremely hostile alien planet. They must learn to navigate a complex and surreal ecosystem where the local flora and fauna operate according to strange, biological logic. The survivors attempt to reunite and find a way off the planet while being transformed by their environment. The series is distinguished by its imaginative creature designs and atmospheric, non-dialogue-heavy storytelling.

‘Invincible’ (2021–Present)

A teenager discovers that his father is the most powerful superhero on the planet and begins to develop his own abilities. As he trains to follow in his father’s footsteps, he uncovers a terrifying secret about his family’s extraterrestrial heritage and their true mission on Earth. The series subverts traditional superhero tropes with its graphic violence and focus on the consequences of immense power. It explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the responsibility of the next generation.

‘The Last of Us’ (2023–Present)

Twenty years after a fungal pandemic destroyed modern civilization, a hardened survivor is hired to smuggle a teenage girl across a desolate United States. The girl may hold the key to a cure, making her a target for both military remnants and desperate rebel factions. They must navigate a landscape filled with infected monsters and hostile human scavengers to reach their destination. This adaptation of the acclaimed video game is praised for its emotional depth and faithful world-building.

‘Severance’ (2022–Present)

An office worker leads a team of employees at a corporation where a surgical procedure separates their work and personal memories. When they are at the office, they have no recollection of their outside lives, and when they leave, they forget everything that happened during their shift. A mysterious encounter with a former colleague leads him on a journey to uncover the true nature of his job and the company’s ultimate goals. The series is a psychological thriller that examines the concepts of identity and work-life balance.

‘X-Men ’97’ (2024–Present)

Following the loss of their leader, a team of mutant heroes must continue their struggle to protect a world that fears and hates them. They face new technological threats and social challenges as they attempt to uphold the dream of peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants. The series serves as a direct revival of the iconic 1990s animated show, updating its themes for a modern audience while maintaining its classic visual style. It explores complex political and social allegories through the lens of superhuman conflict.

‘Arcane’ (2021–Present)

The delicate balance between the wealthy, utopian city of Piltover and the oppressed, underground district of Zaun is shattered by the invention of a technology that allows anyone to control magical energy. Two sisters find themselves on opposite sides of a burgeoning war, as their personal trauma and political ambitions collide. The narrative explores the origins of iconic champions within a world of steampunk technology and systemic inequality. The series is widely acclaimed for its intricate character development and groundbreaking animation style.

Tell us which of these futuristic series kept you on the edge of your seat in the comments.