9 Best Contemporary Sci-fi TV Series
In the world of movies and TV series, science fiction is a pretty popular genre. And why is sci-fi so popular amongst the masses?
Maybe because science fiction gives us a glimpse of things that can happen in the future.
Science fiction creates a world with gadgets, vehicles, houses and habitats that are way more interesting than the ones we actually have in the real world.
Are you a lover of all-things-sci-fi?
Then explore these nine best contemporary sci-fi series— a must-read list for any dedicated fan of the genre.
1. The Expanse. (No. of Seasons-6)
The Expanse is deemed to be one of the most scientifically accurate TV series in contemporary times.
With the backdrop set centuries ahead in the future, the Expanse gives us a taste of what can become of the world if humans started residing on other planets.
They show a future where Mars and space have been populated by humans. There are conflicts taking place between the people residing on Earth, Mars and the Belt.
‘The Belt’ refers to the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, where billions of ‘Belters’ live. These humans are exploited by the people of Earth and Mars for valuable resources like minerals and ice.
The people of Mars have their own independent military force, Earth has a functional political system; while the people of the Belt do everything they can to survive.
At the beginning of the show, a spaceship captain and a detective partner up to find a missing young woman.
Soon, this attempt to find the woman turns into a chase across the galaxy, supported by the other crew members running the spaceship, and a U.N. official.
Eventually, as the mystery unfolds, existential threats from mysterious alien technology are revealed.
Actors featured in the Expanse— Dominique Tipper, Wes Chatham, Steven Strait, Cas Anvar, Frankie Adams, Thomas Jane, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Cara Gee, Anna Hopkins, Jared Harris, Athena Karkanis, Vanessa Smythe, Elizabeth Mitchell, Nadine Nicole, Lola Glaudini, Florence Faivre, David Strathairn, Keon Alexander and Nadine Nicole.
Amazing acting by the cast members made the whole story even more interesting.
2. The 100. (No. of Seasons-7)
This is one of those sci-fi series that truly makes you wonder, what if. What if this really happened? What if we can’t cope? What if we can?
Would we be able to survive in a world like that? The questions this show forces us to ponder over are endless. And that’s what makes this show so great.
The screenplay is just too interesting. The best part of this show is perhaps the storyline that runs parallelly in space and post-apocalyptic Earth.
And then, there’s the brilliant acting of its vast cast. They make the characters very real and believable.
The 100’s huge cast includes well-known actors such as Eliza Taylor, Bob Morley, Thomas McDonell, Marie Avgeropoulos, Lindsey Morgan, Christopher Larkin, Sachin Sahel, Richard Harmon, Tasya Teles, Devon Bostick, Paige Turco, Henry Ian Cusick, Isaiah Washington, JR Bourne, Ricky Whittle, Zach McGowan, Lola Flanery, Eli Goree, Shelby Flannery and Shannon Kook.
The 100 shows the aftermath of a nuclear war. It is set 97 years post-war, when most of humanity lives in a giant space-station.
And they decide to send 100 young prisoners back to Earth to see if it has become habitable in current times.
The plan was for everyone in the space-station to return to Earth once its livability was confirmed.
But due to technical issues, their plans change and so do the lives of the 100 who descended to their home planet.
3. Star Trek. (No. of Seasons-51)
Star Trek is hands down the best sci-fi series of all time. You may disagree if you want. But, there is a huge number of people who would agree with this.
Originally broadcast in 1966, Star Trek has been running for four generations. Not four years, not four decades but four generations! That’s how great this show is.
Even though there have been other space-related science fiction TV series before, Star Trek is still considered to be a pioneering one.
Star Trek is loved by so many generations because it envisions an optimistic future where humanity as a whole has overcome its shortcomings.
Humans have left behind things like racism, greed, discrimination, sexism and poverty, and spend their days exploring space.
Star Trek shows great unity amongst the people of the show, irrespective of their race, rank or familial background.
The setting of the show is the 23rd and 24th centuries, centering on the United Federation of Planets.
The United Federation of Planets is an interstellar alliance group that is dedicated to a peaceful coexistence, scientific discovery and development of the society as a whole.
The main protagonists of the show are the members of the crew of the USS Enterprise that are on a “five-year mission” to explore deep space.
The crew, led by iconic characters like the charismatic Captain James T. Kirk and the logically driven Vulcan, Mr. Spock, navigates the Milky Way to “boldly go where no man has gone before.”
Their journey is not merely about physical travel but about the moral and philosophical dilemmas encountered while meeting new civilisations.
Should the crew help the people (aliens) of the new civilisation they meet? Or should they let them be, even if these people asked for the Captain’s help?
What could be the consequences of helping people that they have just met? And is the crew ready to face those consequences?
These encounters often serve as allegories for contemporary social issues, including civil rights, inequality and the ethics of technology.
Star Trek has been running for so many decades because people are able to relate to the story-line.
Over the years (from 1966- 2026), the franchise expanded into series like Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Enterprise, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: The Animated Series, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.
From the diplomatic mastery of Captain Jean-Luc Picard to the gritty realities of a space station on the frontier of a galactic war, the show maintains a core belief in human capabilities.
By prioritizing diplomacy and empathy over conquest, Star Trek continues to be a beacon of hope.
It presents the idea that our greatest achievements lie in our ability to understand and embrace the “strange new worlds” both in space and within ourselves.
In addition to the TV series, there are multiple Star Trek movies that were released between 1979 and 2016.
These movies were released in movie theatres. Many of the latest Star Trek movies are available on multiple OTT platforms for your viewing pleasure.
Over the decades, Star Trek had cast many prolific actors such as Patrick Stewart, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, George Takei, James Doohan, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, DeForest Kelley, Majel Barrett, Eddie Paskey, Christina Chong, Jess Bush, Ethan Peck, Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn, Carol Kane, Celia Rose Gooding, Paul Wesley and Melissa Navia.
4. Doctor Who. (No. of Seasons-26)
Doctor Who can easily be ranked within the Top 5 in a sci-fi TV series list.
Its first episode aired in 1963! Hence, it is the longest-running science fiction TV series.
Doctor Who follows the heroic adventures of an alien known as ‘The Doctor’. He’s a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey who, time and again, keeps saving humankind.
Doctor Who can travel through time and space in the TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space).
The TARDIS is a ship that’s disguised as a 1960s British police box and is much bigger on the inside than it seems to be from the outside.
In each season of Doctor Who, he has a sidekick known as the ‘Companion’. The Companion accompanies him in his adventures and the quest to save humans as well as other species (aliens).
Oftentimes, this Companion comes to the rescue of the Doctor when he needs to be rescued. The Companion also helps and sometimes, challenges Doctor Who.
Together, they face notorious adversaries like the genocidal, tank-like Daleks, the emotionless Cybermen, and the Master (a treacherous Time Lord).
At its core, Doctor Who is a celebration of intellect and empathy over violence.
Armed with a ‘sonic screwdriver’ rather than a weapon, Doctor Who intervenes in galactic crises and historical turning points to protect the innocent.
Whether visiting the end of the universe or Victorian London, the series remains a whimsical yet profound exploration of humanity’s potential and the infinite possibilities of the cosmos.
The show has been able to go on for this long as it is built around the concept of regeneration.
Every time the Doctor gets mortally wounded or aged, their body goes through a biological transformation.
And when that happens, they end up with a new physical form and personality. However, their memories remain the same.
As a result of this aspect of the plot, a multitude of actors have played the character of Doctor Who over the decades.
And each of them had become quite popular and loved by the audience.
Superb acting by David Tennant, Christopher Eccleston, Billie Piper, Matt Smith, Jodie Whittaker, Peter Capaldi, Karen Gillan, Catherine Tate, Jenna Coleman, Ncuti Gatwa, John Barrowman, Noel Clarke, Tosin Cole, Bernard Cribbins, John Simm, Tom Baker, Mandip Gill and Freema Agyeman had made the show even better.
The last episode of Doctor Who was broadcast in 2025. There are plans for making another season of Doctor Who. It has been anticipated that the new season will be broadcast in the year 2027.
5. The Mandalorian. (No. of Seasons-3)
The Mandalorian is one of the best sci-fi space series you will ever watch. It is a spin-off of the Star Wars franchise.
This uber-entertaining TV series has been set five years after the fall of the Empire in Return of the Jedi.
The Mandalorian has been hailed as a space-Western that pretty much revived the whole Star Wars franchise.
They were successful in doing that by shifting the focus from epic Jedi battles to the gritty, lawless edges of the galaxy.
The series follows the adventures (or rather the misadventures) of Din Djarin. He’s a helmet-wearing bounty hunter who’s a member of a group of warriors with strict rules.
One of those rules is that he needs to keep wearing his helmet at all times, even when he’s asleep!
Why, you may ask?
Because he is forbidden from showing his face to anyone.
As the show begins, his life turns upside-down when a well-paying contract to collect a “package” leads him to a mysterious ‘Force-sensitive’ little child.
This child belonged to the same species that Master Yoda is from. His name is Grogu. Throughout the show, Grogu is referred to as “the Child”.
As he interacts with the “package” aka Grogu aka “the Child”, his humanity awakens and he refuses to deliver him to the person who put out the bounty.
Djarin protects the child from the ones who are hunting him. And in the process, turns into a fugitive in front of his own guild.
As he does everything he can to reunite the Child with his own kind, he navigates the galaxy carefully.
Along the way, he forms alliances with iconic characters such as the legendary Bo-Katan Kryze and the former shock trooper Cara Dune.
The Mandalorian beautifully blends stagecraft visuals (using high-tech) with a grounded, paternal emotional-core to which the audience is able to relate instantly.
This hit TV series explores the themes of redemption, honour and fatherhood.
It’s extremely talented cast includes Pedro Pascal, Carl Weathers, Gina Carano, Jon Favreau, Emily Swallow, Dave Filoni, Giancarlo Esposito, Rosario Dawson, Nick Nolte, Temuera Morrison, Rosario Dawson, Timothy Olyphant, Omid Abtahi, Taika Waititi and Ming-Na Wen.
The show is going to shift to the big screen in the form of a movie titled 'The Mandalorian & Grogu', set to be released in May, 2026.
This movie would further strengthen their place in the whole Star Wars legacy.
6. Westworld. (No. of Seasons-4)
Westworld is counted amongst the best sci-fi T.V. series.
Though the core idea itself is not completely new, the twists and turns in the story make the whole narrative incredibly interesting.
Created by Jonathan Nolan (also known for creating Interstellar, Memento, Person of Interest etc.) and Lisa Joy (Reminiscence), Westworld has been described as a mind-bending dystopian odyssey that takes the audience along for an emotional rollercoaster ride.
At the beginning of the series, a technologically advanced, Wild-West-themed amusement park is shown. But it’s an amusement park like no other.
Owned by a big corporation, the park is inhabited by “hosts” who are basically real-looking robots in human form.
The rich pay big-bucks to visit this amusement park and play out their deepest and quite often, darkest fantasies.
Be it playing the role of a hero who saves someone or a villain who gets violent with the hosts of the park.
The visitors know that the hosts are programmed to never retaliate against them.
The show explores the evils of the human mind. It explores how far humans are willing to go in order to fulfill their fantasies if no one is holding them accountable for their actions.
At the beginning, the character of Dolores Abernathy is shown, who plays the role of a “damsel in distress”.
Slowly, she starts to discover that her “reality” is more of a loop constructed meticulously in order to keep a high-paying visitor happy.
As the story unfolds, so does chaos.
Westworld is graced by a well-known cast namely— Anthony Hopkins, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Aaron Paul, Ed Harris, Thandiwe Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Angela Sarafyan, Tessa Thompson, Vincent Cassel, Ben Barnes, Jimmi Simpson, Luke Hemsworth, Rodrigo Santoro, Talulah Riley, Simon Quarterman, Shannon Woodward, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal and Ariana DeBose.
The story eventually evolves into a greater conflict over free will, humanity’s right to survive, and the synthetic robot’s rightful place on Earth.
7. Fringe. (No. of Seasons-5)
The Fringe is definitely one of the best science TV series on OTT platforms. Like the name suggests, Fringe explores the boundaries of “fringe” science.
Fringe science is that section of science that includes unconventional theories such as telepathy, alternative medicine, UFOs etc.
The series follows the cases investigated by an FBI Special Agent (Olivia Dunham), accompanied by Peter Bishop and his “mad scientist” father, Dr. Walter Bishop.
As they investigate more and more cases, the fact that these events are not random is revealed.
They discover that the cases (shapeshifters, telepathy, genetic mutations etc.) are like mild tremors of a thinning veil between our world and a parallel universe.
As the plot unfolds, it is shown that they are heading into an inter-dimensional conflict.
It is also revealed that Walter’s past attempts to save his son might have played a role in damaging the fabric of reality.
In the later seasons, the story turns complex as a war for survival between two earths arises.
However, at the core, it was really about the lengths a father would go to in order to save his son.
The Fringe TV series was created by a genius trio of filmmakers— J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci.
The series cast numerous accomplished actors such as Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Anna Torv, Jasika Nicole, Lance Reddick, Kirk Acevedo, Blair Brown, Mark Valley, Michael Cerveris, Aaron Ashmore, Shawn Ashmore, Gillian Jacobs, Seth Gabel, Ryan McDonald, Jared Harris, Georgina Haig, Kevin Corrigan, Chance Kelly and Michael Kopsa.
8. Black Mirror. (No. of Seasons-7)
In a list of top 10 sci-fi series on Netflix, Black Mirror has ranked in the 4th position.
This dark and satirical anthology was created by Charlie Brooker. It shows the adverse effects of technology; and all the evils it could bring.
Each episode shows a different technology being used, creating a “what if” kind of situation.
And each episode shows how the use of this specific piece of technology can lead to absolutely devastating consequences.
The name ‘Black Mirror’ itself symbolises the cold, reflective screen of a smartphone, TV, tablet, or monitor (desktop/laptop etc.).
It symbolises the darkness that lurks behind the screens, once the gadgets are turned off (or the screens are locked).
Black Mirror covers a wide range of topics such as police procedurals, political thrillers, existential horror and heartbreaking romance.
However, its recurring themes portray more relatable scenarios such as the effects of social media validation, the slow decline of privacy, and the ethics around digital consciousness.
The episodes that viewers just could not stop watching depict stories where-
a. Social credit systems determine a person’s path in life.
b. Simulated realities where people can live forever.
c. Technology that allows the living to communicate with the dead.
Black Mirror is a show that constantly reinvents itself and almost predicts what might happen in the near-future.
For many viewers, Black Mirror acts as a reminder that while technology may be an important tool in the present world, the true glitch in the system is usually human nature.
After the massive success of Season 7 (in 2025), Black Mirror has been renewed for another season.
Season 8 is expected to be released in late 2026 or early 2027.
Since Black Mirror shows a different story in every episode, it has a huge cast that keeps changing. Many of those cast members are well-known and well-loved faces.
Some of the actors who played a role in Black Mirror— Michaela Coel, Jesse Plemons, Jon Hamm, Bryce Dallas Howard, Hayley Atwell, Cristin Milioti, Anthony Mackie, Toby Kebbell, Alex Lawther, Aaron Paul, Daniel Kaluuya, Jodie Whittaker, Anjana Vasan, Hannah John-Kamen, Domhnall Gleeson, Wyatt Russell, Claire Keelan, Oona Chaplin and Malachi Kirby.
9. Stranger Things. (No. of Seasons-5)
Stranger Things is one of the best contemporary science fiction series. This show has become a cult-favourite like no other.
In the show, “strange things” start happening in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. The era shown in Stranger Things is the 1980s.
So, for many people, the show brings feelings of nostalgia.
When it comes to genre, Stranger Things is supernatural, horror, coming-of-age, suspense, crime, investigative drama— all rolled into one.
At the beginning of the series, a boy, Will Byers goes missing. The incident shakes up the sleepy little town as things like these rarely happen here.
After the boy’s disappearance, a group of people get together to solve the mystery. Four best friends, a cynical police chief, a worried mother, and a girl with telekinetic powers known as Eleven.
As the story unfolds, they learn that something much bigger is at work here than a crook kidnapping a child.
Their quest leads them to discover many horrific elements such as the mirror-dimension filled with monsters like the Demogorgon and the Mind Flayer.
Though the ‘Dungeons and Dragons-style’ monsters keep the audience entertained, it’s the character growth that keeps people hooked to this series.
The intense romance of Nancy and Jonathan, the endearing mentorship between Steve Harrington and the younger kids, and the friendship amongst the kids; all the portrayed relationships are beautiful and puts emphasis on the fact that family is something that you can create yourself, not just born into.
In the later seasons, the threat evolves into a major psychological assault on the town, orchestrated by the powerful Vecna.
Vecna is a figure with deep ties to Eleven’s traumatic past.
Stranger Things presented its 5th and final season in 2026. A massive showdown took place between the residents of Hawkins and the encroaching darkness of the Upside Down.
Since the actors were kids when they were first cast in the show, they grew up in front of the audience’s eyes. People can see how they have grown and made their own place in this world.
The incredibly gifted cast of Stranger Things include Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, David Harbour, Natalia Dyer, Sadie Sink, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, Joe Keery, Winona Ryder, Charlie Heaton, Maya Hawke, Dacre Montgomery, Matthew Modine, Jamie Campbell Bower, Priah Ferguson, Joseph Quinn and Brett Gelman.
Science Fiction T.V. Series FAQs
What is the best sci-fi series currently?
Though the “best” sci-fi series is highly subjective and can differ from person to person, there are a few that are widely popular amongst the masses.
Hence, currently, The Expanse, Stranger Things, Fallout and Star Trek (Strange New World) are considered to be the best sci-fi series.
Who are the big 3 of sci-fi?
When it comes to science fiction writers, the big three are Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Robert A. Heinlein.
These three prolific authors pretty much dominated the genre of sci-fi story-telling in the 20th century.
Their brilliant imagination and focus on science got generations of people hooked on the genre of science fiction.
Which is the No. 1 sci-fi movie?
There is no one “No. 1” sci-fi movie. The position of a number can be determined from various factors such as box office, influence, popularity, critical acclaim etc.
The Hollywood movie Avatar (2009) dominates the box office till date (2026), with an earning of $2.9 billion in worldwide box office.
However, there are a number of films that have been deemed all-time bests, such as The Matrix, Blade Runner, Star Wars and 2001: A Space Odyssey.
These movies were able to ignite people’s imagination and entertain them at the same time.
What is the most binge-worthy series?
Binge-worthy series are highly subjective and depend on a person’s preferences.
A few of the binge-worthy series include Money Heist, Squid Games, The Office, Supernatural, The Crown, Stranger Things, Breaking Bad, Hello Baccho, Parks & Recreation, Bridgerton, Kohrra, The Family Man, Panchayat, and Mirzapur.
Who is the godfather of sci-fi?
Jules Verne (1828-1905) is conventionally considered to be the father of science fiction.
Is Alien Romulus flop?
Alien: Romulus premiered in the city of Los Angeles in 2024. Later, it was released for regular audiences in the USA by 20th Century Studios, on August 16.
Worldwide, this movie grossed $350.9 million revenue along with a lot of positive reviews. Hence, it can’t be called a flop film.
What are the 10 most watched series?
In the category of series made by Hollywood, the 10 most watched series are— The 100, The Walking Dead, 13 Reasons Why, Game of Thrones, Stranger Things, Arrow, Orange Is the New Black, The Flash, Grey’s Anatomy, and Riverdale.
What's a good new sci-fi show?
The Eternaut, Alien: Earth, Murderbot, Cassandra, and Pluribus are five new sci-fi series that are worth your time and attention.
What are some underrated series worth watching?
These are some underrated series worth watching— Black Mirror, American Gods, The Wire, Show Me a Hero, Mr. Robot, Northern Exposure, The Wonder Years, Southland, and Crime Story.