While there are many amazing TV shows, sci-fi sitcoms are among the best titles out there. Of all the best sitcoms of all time, only a few fit into the sci-fi genre. This is because science fiction generally relies on being factual and dramatic, but this doesn’t mean they can’t be funny, either.
Animated sci-fi TV shows typically come under the sitcom genre, too, but not exclusively. However, there are also several live-action sci-fi sitcoms worth checking out as well. Whether it’s because you love a good laugh, or simply enjoy the complexities of the wider universe, these sci-fi sitcoms are a brilliant watch.
Hyperdrive
2006-2007, 2 Seasons
Hyperdrive is a brilliantly underrated title and one of the best TV shows from titan Nick Frost. However, unlike his usual projects, Hyperdrive is not a Nick Frost and Simon Pegg collaboration, but their overall style is apparent throughout. The hilarious sitcom follows the crew of HMS Camden Lock on a journey through space, focusing on their attempts to protect British interests across the galaxy.
Like many other Frost projects, Hyperdrive doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s still fantastically clever, but the sense of humor throughout doesn’t belittle you or make you feel stupid, either, which makes it a truly enjoyable short TV show to binge-watch over a weekend.
The Orville
2017-2019, 3 Seasons
The Orville is one of the several TV shows created by Seth MacFarlane, but it differs from his more notable titles, like American Dad! or Family Guy. The Orville takes place in the 25th century and centers on the crew of the titular spacecraft, following the likes of MacFarlane’s Captain Ed Mercer and Adrianne Palicki’s Commander Kelly Grayson on their various adventures across the universe.
The Orville is comical, naturally, but it’s also incredibly emotional at times, which makes it well worth investing in. While it appeared that the show was done, MacFarlane recently shared an update on The Orville season 4, and it now seems that the addictive sci-fi sitcom still has a future.
Rick And Morty
2013-Present, 8 Seasons
Anyone who is a fan of sci-fi comedy will be familiar with Rick and Morty, a title that has redefined the adult animation TV show subgenre. Rick and Morty follows the titular grandfather and grandson duo, along with the rest of their family, as they navigate Rick Sanchez’s wild and wacky sci-fi lifestyle in the middle of an average American suburbia and across the universe.
There is a lot of logic that goes into all 8 seasons of Rick and Morty, too, but you don’t necessarily need to fully understand the factual side of things to enjoy the show’s overall ridiculousness. Even if it’s for the sake of the memes or iconic quotes, Rick and Morty is a must-watch for those who love sci-fi comedy.
Futurama
1999-Present, 14 Seasons
Good news everyone, there are an astonishing 14 seasons of Futurama to binge through, as well as the additional specials and TV movie installments. Futurama has been canceled multiple times, but without fail, Matt Groening’s iconic animated show has made its return to screens thanks to consistent audience support.
Futurama delves into the world of science fiction in many brilliant and hilarious ways. There’s a lot of time travel involved, as well as several intriguing new species and societies to discover. In between all the sci-fi elements, there are some gripping personal storylines, too, like Fry discovering his brother’s fate back in the 21st century and his seemingly never-ending will-they-won’t-they TV romance with Leela.
3rd Rock From The Sun
1996-2001, 6 Seasons
3rd Rock from the Sun is a ’90s cult classic TV show which follows four aliens on a research expedition to Earth, who take on the identities of the Solomon family in order to blend in with human society. Over time, the Solomons get used to Earth’s customs and cultures, but the majority of the show’s humor comes from their struggles with understanding humanity.
The 3rd Rock from the Sun cast is full of well-known faces, with John Lithgow, Kristen Johnston, French Stewart, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt portraying the four main characters. Each of their characters have their own hilarious quirks and issues, like Sally (Johnston) attempting to conform to the role of homemaker or Tommy (Gordon-Levitt) experiencing a human puberty.
While this isn’t the first movie or TV show to tackle this concept, 3rd Rock from the Sun does it beautifully, and it has had an obvious influence on later, similar titles like Solar Opposites, for example. 3rd Rock from the Sun is also often compared to the 1993 movie Coneheads, and, interestingly enough, both are written by the iconic sitcom duo Bonnie and Terry Turner.
Other Space
2015, 1 Season
Other Space follows the new crew assigned to the UMP Cruiser, a ship previously used as the setting of a reality TV show. After their first mission goes awry, the Cruiser is consumed by a wormhole, leaving the team trapped in a strange universe with little idea of how to return home.
There is a lot of conflict between the members of the team, which results in all kinds of hilarity. The sibling relationship between Karan Soni’s Stewart and Bess Rous’ Karen is amazing, for example, and Neil Casey’s Kent, who struggles with social conventions after spending most of his life in a coma, is a fantastic character all around.
Other Space is a massively underrated sitcom that deserves a lot more attention. This is mainly because the show was made for the short-lived Yahoo! Screen streaming service and only aired 8 episodes, which didn’t allow enough time for audiences to discover it. It’s worth noting that Other Space can be quite difficult to find nowadays, but it is available on YouTube in certain territories.
The Jetsons
1962-1987, 3 Seasons
The Jetsons is one of the earliest titles to combine sci-fi and comedy, with a fascinating and futuristic alternative to The Flintstones being offered to families all across the world throughout the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. The Jetsons focuses on the titular family, who live in a comical interpretation of the future, which is full of wacky, over-the-top inventions and an array of wild figures.
It’s rather comical to watch The Jetsons back, especially when you notice all the technology that the show assumed would exist nowadays. Hilariously, a lot of the inventions shown are either nonsensical, or we as a society have moved way past them now.
The show is iconic for a lot of reasons, including the fact that The Jetsons theme song reached the Billboard Hot 100 list. The characters are legendary, too, especially fashion-obsessed, typical teenage girl Judy Jetson. Even though there are technically only 3 seasons of The Jetsons, that doesn’t mean it’s a quick watch, as the show’s 75 episodes aired across multiple decades.
Mork & Mindy
1978-1982, 4 Seasons
Mork & Mindy is a great sci-fi sitcom, but the way it came into existence is odd. Mork & Mindy sees the return of Robin Williams as alien Mork, who reprises his role from the extremely successful Happy Days episode “My Favorite Orkan.”
While this show is technically a Happy Days spinoff, it’s separate enough that you don’t need to have seen it to understand Mork & Mindy. Throughout the show, plenty of chaos ensues as Mork tries to build a connection with Pam Dawber as his human friend and later love interest, Mindy, while also learning more about humanity.
Mork & Mindy is an essential watch not just for sci-fi comedy fans, but for those who love the late, great Robin Williams. While Happy Days’ “My Favorite Orkan” helped introduce the legendary comedian to a wider audience, Mork & Mindy only made his career blossom even more.
My Parents Are Aliens
1999-2006, 8 Seasons
My Parents Are Aliens​ is a great ’00s children’s TV show that many British viewers will be familiar with. The show follows the Johnson family, who are made up of three orphaned children and their two new foster parents, who are actually aliens in disguise.
After they accidentally crash on Earth, Brian (Tony Gardner) and Sophie (Barbara Durkin/Carla Mendonça) transform their ship into a home and change their appearances to appear human.​​​​​​ Throughout My Parents Are Aliens, plenty of chaos ensues as the kids balance their school lives and the antics of the strange new adults in their lives.
Over the years, My Parents Are Aliens has developed more of an adult following. While it is a show aimed at children, some parts are highly complex and tackle more complicated topics, which allows audiences of all ages to enjoy My Parents Are Aliens.
Red Dwarf
1988-2020, 12 Seasons & 1 Special
While it’s hard to compare every sci-fi sitcom to one another, and each has its own strengths, there is no doubt that Red Dwarf is the best of the best. Red Dwarf follows the technician crew of the titular mining spacecraft, including Craig Charles as Lister, the last human in existence.
There are several elements that later sci-fi sitcoms also feature. For example, like Futurama, Red Dwarf’s lead character wakes up from suspended animation in another time period from his own, and there are other figures of different species and cultures.