It’s a rare sci-fi TV show that can not only hook you with a fascinating pilot, and fully deliver from there. There are some amazing pilots from every TV genre, but it’s hard to find series that don’t disappoint in later seasons. Sci-fi can be tricky since it’s easy to set up a cool new world and harder to tell a compelling, long-running story.
Thankfully, these sci-fi shows have pilots with action, world-building, and hints at strong character development, and when you get to the series finales, you’re not going to be upset that your major questions weren’t answered or feel that an entire season was boring. From space-set stories to a beloved ’90s show, these are all special.
Fringe (2008-2013)
Lost creator J. J. Abrams’s other sci-fi series, Fringe, has a memorable pilot that explains the main characters who work for the FBI’s Fringe Division. While the start of the show follows the regular formula of a procedural, with fresh cases each episode, their paranormal nature sets it apart.
The intriguing storyline in the pilot centers around the terrifying mystery of Agent Olivia Dunham’s (Anna Torv) former partner, John Scott (Mark Valley). But rather than five seasons of similar cases being solved, Fringe completely changes in season 5 with the future setting of 2036.
Dark (2017-2020)
The pilot episode of Dark sets up an eerie small town, complete with an odd cave that some of the kids there investigate. The episode ends with a boy named Mikkel who is nowhere to be found, and by the second episode, the characters wonder if the past is repeating itself, as older children have disappeared.
What could be another horror show in a small town switches things up by adding the sci-fi element of time travel.
Dark does a great job juggling a few timelines in every episode, a narrative device that could easily become confusing. Here, it’s so well-done that even if some moments feel perplexing, you’re excited to keep going.
Stargate Atlantis (2004-2009)
The Stargate SG spinoff Stargate Atlantis starts with a world you can’t help but want to see more of, as the crew goes to Atlantis, which is part of the Pegasus Galaxy. The sense of fear, danger, and excitement that the characters feel only builds throughout all five seasons.
The two-part pilot episode feels immersive and the series remains high quality rather than disappointing. But it doesn’t rest on its world-building alone, as smart characters like Dr. Jennifer Keller (Jewel Staite) keep you interested. Since the Stargate Atlantis characters face many villains, including the Wraith, the drama and conflict remain intense throughout the whole show.
Severance (2022-Present)
The huge AppleTV+ hit series Severance has an excellent pilot that makes it impossible to guess what lies ahead, which is what makes it so special. The premise is wild and devastating, from learning about the loss of Mark Scout’s (Adam Scott) wife Gemma (Dichen Lachman) to the explanation that people’s work and personal lives are separated from each other.
The show may not be over, but in two seasons, it’s proven itself to be a beautiful, shocking, and thought-provoking exploration of loss, happiness, and work culture. It’s easy to say that every episode of Severance so far is as fantastic as the first one, and that will likely be true of future seasons.
Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)
While the Battlestar Galactica pilot “33” aired in 2004, a miniseries came out one year earlier. The first episode is so good because it’s genuinely terrifying. From the beginning of the story, you know it’s not going to be easy for the main characters to stop their main enemies, the Cylons, from harming them.
The show is packed with intelligent characters and features a unique take on space, as the characters live in the Twelve Colonies of Kobol. There’s plenty of politics and tension between crew members with everyone wanting to be the best at what they do, and it’s fascinating watching Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) as she adjusts to this job.
Doctor Who (1963-Present)
With fans eager and curious about the Sixteenth Doctor, there’s no doubt that this is an enduring sci-fi franchise, and the pilot episode of Doctor Who’s original run is fascinating and stunning. “An Unearthly Child” features a Stone Age setting and introduces the time-traveling device TARDIS, two elements that make you excited to keep watching.
Rather than airing an incredible pilot and then boring viewers years later, Doctor Who has been must-watch sci-fi for a long time, with celebrated actors taking on the iconic role, from David Tennant to Jodie Whittaker.
The different cast members keep the show fresh, and rather than feeling confused about time travel rules that aren’t followed, you’re always riveted by the various settings, from London in the ’70s with dinosaurs to space.
The Leftovers (2014-2017)
Since it’s adapted from the book by Tom Perrotta, author of the whip-smart Election, you would expect The Leftovers to at least have a solid pilot episode. But instead of straying from the main message or not tying up loose ends, the HBO series delivers three amazing seasons of emotion and surprises.
After the pilot introduces you to the residents of Mapleton, New York, who are grieving their loved ones who went missing on October 14th, 2011, a worldwide experience called the “Sudden Departure,” the rest of the show explores whether this was paranormal or religious.
Instead of flashy sci-fi elements, the show is more about how to cope with death. And by the series finale of The Leftovers, Nora Durst (Carrie Coon) explains what happened to the people who went missing, but not everyone is sure that’s the right way to view the story. That makes it even more compelling.
The X-Files (1993-2018)
From the first episode of The X-Files, it was clear this would become a thrilling entry in the sci-fi genre as you observe the new partnership between Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson).
Watching the intelligent characters work on the strange case of a murdered teenager, which seems to be connected to the supernatural, it was definitely clear that the show could continue for over 200 episodes. Since Mulder and Scully are different from each other, as she’s cynical about the paranormal, you want to watch them solve any case under the sun.
But, of course, it’s the focus on The X-Files’ aliens that cemented its status as a sci-fi staple. It can be tricky not to tell a corny alien story with bad special effects, but the story arc of The Syndicate is genuinely creepy, and Scully and Mulder are often in real danger.
The Expanse (2015-2022)
Many sci-fi stories begin with a character alone in space, like Project Hail Mary, and The Expanse brilliantly uses that trope in the pilot, too, as Juliette Mao (Florence Faivre) is by herself in a spacecraft. It’s a smart setup because it’s impossible not to wonder why she’s there, and before long, you’re thrown into this unique world.
As the characters working on the Canterbury spaceship, including James Holden (Steven Strait), search for Julie, every season gets more intense, and that’s the fun of it. And, since it’s hard not to be curious about space, your desire to see more of this setting makes this must-see TV.
Lost (2004-2010)
Some may say that Lost peaked with its pilot and no other episodes came close, or that the controversial series finale means it was ultimately poorly constructed. Others will say that countless plot holes and storylines didn’t get wrapped up.
But the truth is that Lost explained more than fans think, including the polar bears on the island. The coolest part of the show is how closely and intensely you need to watch it, which makes it a more unique viewing experience than any other sci-fi series (or, really, most shows in general).