Netflix is one of the biggest streaming platforms in the world, and it houses numerous sci-fi TV shows, many of which are must-watches for everyone. Science fiction is one of the most beloved genres, with shows like The Expanse, Black Mirror, and The X-Files creating new ways of storytelling.
With sprawling storylines that include intriguing subjects relevant to humanity, sci-fi shows have the ability to transport audiences to worlds beyond their imagination. While some of the best sci-fi series in the Netflix library are well-known, others are hidden gems that everyone, whether they are fans of the genre or not, should give a chance.
Sense8 (2015-2018)
With the Wachowski sisters, who are known for their work on The Matrix, helming Sense8, the series had all the markings to be a major hit, yet it remains one of Netflix’s most underrated TV shows. Centering around a group of eight people with a psychic connection, Sense8 reinvented the genre and was ahead of its time.
The worldbuilding in the series is immersive, and its characters are enthralling, which in turn led to the show receiving positive reviews from critics. But because sci-fi TV shows are expensive to produce, the series was canceled after two seasons. Despite this, Sense8 is still one of Netflix’s best sci-fi shows, as it dips its toes into different storylines that can hook anyone.
Maniac (2018)
Maniac is a masterpiece from start to finish, and it’s made even better by its cast, which includes Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, who play two strangers who connect during a pharmaceutical trial. While the series is a sci-fi at its core, it includes different genres, such as fantasy and history.
Maniac is a mind-bending series that remained fresh with each new episode as it delved into uncharted territory. The show is incredibly moving due to its exploration of Annie’s grief and has a deep story that will remain with you long after the credits roll. Although the combination of genres can be off-putting to some, it’s what makes Maniac an impeccable sci-fi show.
Katla (2021)
Over the years, Netflix has been investing more and more in international TV shows, with K-dramas being some of the biggest series on the streaming platform. However, shows from Korea are not the only non-English language series in Netflix’s catalog. Katla, in particular, is an Icelandic series that puts a new meaning to sci-fi.
Katla expertly blends science fiction with mystery, as the residents of the small village who went missing or died reappear with no explanation about where they went. While this concept isn’t new, it’s the fact that Katla has themes of grief and past trauma that make it a series with emotional depth.
The OA (2016-2019)
Created by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, The OA was one of Netflix’s most promising shows, but it didn’t have the longevity of the streamer’s other hit series, Stranger Things, despite premiering the same year and showing just as much potential to be great. The series focuses on Prairie Johnson, a woman who calls herself the OA (Original Angel) after she returns from an alternate reality.
The OA is a multilayered series that wasn’t afraid to delve into difficult subjects such as questioning our existence, spirituality, and whether alternate realities exist. But the Netflix original series is truly about human connection and our search for meaning. The OA balances several genres, but stays true to its existential mystery until the very end.
Travelers (2016-2018)
Created by Brad Wright, Travelers is a sci-fi series boasting a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. The show ran for three seasons and chronicled the lives of human operatives from the future who go back in time. While time traveling doesn’t tread new waters, the fact that Travelers used a case-of-the-week formula gave it a chance to explore different concepts.
What makes Travelers so engrossing is that it invites its audience to see how people from the future view our time. The show’s cast is incredible, and its premise is addictive, which leads to a fresh and unpredictable story. Although Travelers was canceled after its third season, it ended on a perfect note by leaving its viewers pondering its various concepts.
The Umbrella Academy (2019-2024)
The superhero genre remains consistently popular, with shows like The Boys and Invincible becoming fan-favorites. Similar to these two series, The Umbrella Academy takes a dark approach to stories about humans with superpowers and adds sci-fi elements to its premise. During its four-season run, the series wasn’t a stranger to criticism, with some people saying it should have been shorter,
While the complaints are valid, The Umbrella Academy still remains one of Netflix’s most mindblowing sci-fi shows as it uses concepts like time travel to advance its narrative. Although the science fiction elements in the show are exciting, what makes The Umbrella Academy remarkable is that it’s incredibly deep, as it places subjects like trauma, identity, and grief at its center.
Pantheon (2022-2023)
Pantheon originally aired on AMC+, which might explain why several people are unaware of this perfect animated series. Like many shows before it, Pantheon delves into artificial intelligence, but it subverts the sci-fi trope by having a premise that raises the question of what would happen if humans lived forever by becoming Uploaded Intelligence after their death.
Pantheon is a story about grief, but it’s also a show about human connection and the ramifications of living forever. While the series can be disheartening as it paints a grim picture of what could be our future, it’s also relevant because, in a way, it warns us about the consequences of rapidly adopting technology that could control almost every aspect of our lives.
Dark (2017-2020)
Once in a while, a series that is executed so perfectly is released, and it changes how we view TV shows and their impact. Netflix’s critically acclaimed series, Dark, was the first German-language series to debut on the platform, and it exceeded all expectations. While sci-fi TV shows with mysteries are common, Dark is in a class of its own.
Dark is a complex series, with its character arcs, small town of Winden, and shocking plot twists, grabbing its audience and never letting go. What the series does so well is that it carefully lays out its mysteries in a way that will leave you guessing and wanting more.
While it’s undoubtedly heavy, Dark is masterfully written and perfectly paced, so it comes as no shock that it’s received such critical acclaim. Dark is the type of series that you will go back to time and time again, but it will still be appealing on every rewatch.
Black Mirror (2011-Present)
Black Mirror is considered one of the best TV shows from the 2010s, and for good reason. With inspiration from Twin Peaks, Black Mirror chronicles a dystopian future that tackles topics like technology and how humans relate to it. The anthology series is revolutionary and sophisticated because it carefully outlines different storylines that are relevant.
Despite its masterpiece status, not every episode of the sci-fi show is flawless, and many feel like it has begun to fall off. Thankfully, Black Mirror remembers what makes it a great series, and that is by having the wildest storylines but maintaining its biting commentary on life, humanity, and the issues we grapple with.
Stranger Things (2016-Present)
Stranger Things did one of the few things that many Netflix original shows have failed to achieve: ran for five seasons, with the fifth and final installment releasing later this year. The sci-fi show is one of the streamer’s biggest series, and it will continue to be so long after it comes to a conclusion. Stranger Things offers a masterclass on blending genres, as it’s equal parts sci-fi and horror.