Are you a fan of time traveling or mystical characters? Then you’ve probably come across the genre of science fiction. Also known as sci-fi, this is a popular genre among both kids and adults alike. Stories that fall into this category depict ideas, phenomena, and concepts beyond the realms of reality and create a world that may be purely imaginary but grounded in science-based principles.
Whether you are a fan of comedy, thrillers, or romance, there’s a sci-fi series that will surely tickle your curiosity. Check out below which science fiction shows made it to our top list. If you are having trouble deciding what to see first, scroll through our short viewing guide to help you choose.
Quick List - Top Sci-Fi Series
Charlie Brooker, Jesse Armstrong, William Bridges
Thought-Provoking Anthology Series That Provides a Chilling Glimpse Into the Future
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Table of Contents
Having trouble deciding what show to watch? Kick the habit of scrolling endlessly to find the right one and read through our brief sci-fi series viewing guide below.
When it comes to any kind of series, there are two main categories a show could fall into. This is based on their overall production and can play a very big difference in what you see onscreen. Check out their key differences below.
Animated or cartoon shows are not just meant for kids and young audiences. In the genre of science fiction, creating an animated show gives the producers a simpler canvas to create just about anything. They can better depict speculative and fictional ideas and totally transport you into another time and space while actors give voice and life to the characters.
Live-action shows are those that involve real actors and sets. Thanks to amazing costume and set designers, they can tell unique stories that are beyond one’s imagination. Sci-fi shows that are made in a live-action production naturally feel more realistic and can be more effective in conveying complex emotions and evoking empathy in the audience.
Sci-fi is a large film category that is often paired with other exciting genres. Some of the most common ones include mystery, thriller, comedy, and fantasy. If you are after a good laugh or a heart-stopping thriller, then find a show that matches your mood.
Shows under the sci-fi category may also fall under different themes like dystopian, superhero, or time travel. If you are unsure of what to choose, try watching a show that follows a theme you’ve enjoyed in the past. Alternatively, you can take on a new adventure by choosing something totally different.
To better convey a story, a series is usually divided into episodes which are grouped into seasons. Each episode can go from anywhere between 30 minutes to over an hour. When choosing a series to watch, make sure to consider how many episodes are available and how long it would take you to finish. This will let you pace out the story or binge-watch the entire show.
Before you get started on a show, make sure you have a good understanding of the themes that are going to be portrayed throughout. This can help filter out any series that may deal with sensitive or explicit subjects, especially if you have kids watching with you. Check the show’s age rating that may be indicated as 12+, 16+, or 18+.
If you are unsure about the show’s storyline, take a sneak peek at some clips and trailers. You can also read up on the synopsis or summary of the plot, as well as critics' reviews, from websites like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes. These will provide you with a good outline of the show without spoiling any important details.
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Themes | Cast | Status | Age Rating | Number of Seasons | Episode Length | Total Number of Episodes | Type of Production | |||||
1 | Charlie Brooker, Jesse Armstrong, William Bridges Black Mirror|2011 | ![]() | Thought-Provoking Anthology Series That Provides a Chilling Glimpse Into the Future | Dystopia, Simulated Reality and Consciousness, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Post-Apocalypse | Jesse Plemons, Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson, and More | Season 6 Fully Released | 16+ | 6 | 40-89 Minutes | 26 | Live-Action | |
2 | Dan Erickson Severance |2022 | ![]() | A Science Fiction Thriller Set in the Workplace | Dystopia, Memory Erasure/Editing | Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Patricia Arquette, and More | Season 1 Fully Released; Renewed for Season 2 | 18+ | 1 | 40-57 Minutes | 9 | Live-Action | |
3 | Jeff Rake Manifest |2018 | ![]() | Experience Time Anomaly With the Passengers of Flight 828 | Time Travel, Psi Powers and Psychic Phenomena | Melissa Roxburgh. Josh Dallas, J.R. Ramirez, and More | Fourth and Final Season Fully Released | 13+ | 4 | 41-61 Minutes | 62 | Live-Action | |
4 | Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer Stranger Things|2016 | ![]() | A Sci-Fi Horror Throwback to the 1980s | Superhumans, Parallel World | Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, and More | Season 4 Fully Released; Renewed for Fifth and Final Season | 16+ | 4 | 42-139 Minutes | 34 | Live-Action | |
5 | Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann The Last of Us |2023 | ![]() | Depicts a Post-apocalyptic Society Infested by Zombies | Post-Apocalypse | Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Anna Torv, and More | Season 1 Fully Released; Renewed for Season 2 | 18+ | 1 | 43-81 Minutes | 9 | Live-Action | |
6 | Greg Daniels Upload|2020 | ![]() | A Science Fiction Comedy About a Virtual Afterlife | Artificial Intelligence, Virtual reality, Mind Uploading | Robbie Amell, Andy Allo, Allegra Edwards, and More | Season 2 Fully Released; Renewed for Season 3 | 16+ | 2 | 24-46 Minutes | 17 | Live-Action | |
7 | Tim Miller and David Fincher Love Death + Robots|2019 | ![]() | Features Futuristic-Themed Animated Short Stories That Are Ideal for Binge-Watching | Artificial Intelligence, Extraterrestrial Life, Biohacking, Space Exploration, Time Loop, Alternate History | Joe Manganiello, Rosario Dawson, Seth Green, and More | Season 3 Fully Released; Renewed for Season 4 | 18+ | 3 | 6-21 Minutes | 35 | Animated | |
8 | Shinsuke Sato Alice in Borderland|2020 | ![]() | A Tension-Packed Series Involving Deadly Games | Parallel World | Kento Yamazaki, Tao Tsuchiya, Nijiro Murakami, and More | Season 2 Fully Released | 16+ | 2 | 41-80 Minutes | 16 | Live-Action | |
9 | Park Eun-kyo and Choi Hang-yong The Silent Sea |2021 | ![]() | Portrays a Perilous Expedition to the Moon | Space Exploration, Superhumans | Bae Doona, Gong Yoo, Lee Joon, and More | Season 1 Fully Released | 16+ | 1 | 39-51 Minutes | 8 | Live-Action | |
10 | Graham Yost Silo |2023 | ![]() | A Dystopian Future Where People Dwell Underground | Dystopia | Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Robbins, Common, and More | Season 1 Fully Released; Renewed for Season 2 | 18+ | 1 | 43-62 Minutes | 8 | Live-Action |
Fresh with a new season, Black Mirror, is an anthology series that examines the dark side of technology and its impact on society. Each self-contained episode presents a unique and often dystopian vision of the future, highlighting the potential consequences of our ever-growing reliance on technology. It explores privacy invasion, social media obsession, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, painting a cautionary picture of a future that feels uncomfortably close.
The show's ability to present complex ideas in an accessible yet unnerving manner is a testament to its brilliance. It raises profound questions about the ethical and moral implications of technological advancements with its unsettling narratives. Lastly, Black Mirror stands out for its ability to deliver social commentary that leaves a lasting impact on its viewers long after the credits roll.
Themes | Dystopia, Simulated Reality and Consciousness, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Post-Apocalypse |
---|---|
Cast | Jesse Plemons, Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson, and More |
Status | Season 6 Fully Released |
Age Rating | 16+ |
Number of Seasons | 6 |
Episode Length | 40-89 Minutes |
Total Number of Episodes | 26 |
Type of Production | Live-Action |
Themes | Dystopia, Memory Erasure/Editing |
---|---|
Cast | Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Patricia Arquette, and More |
Status | Season 1 Fully Released; Renewed for Season 2 |
Age Rating | 18+ |
Number of Seasons | 1 |
Episode Length | 40-57 Minutes |
Total Number of Episodes | 9 |
Type of Production | Live-Action |
Themes | Time Travel, Psi Powers and Psychic Phenomena |
---|---|
Cast | Melissa Roxburgh. Josh Dallas, J.R. Ramirez, and More |
Status | Fourth and Final Season Fully Released |
Age Rating | 13+ |
Number of Seasons | 4 |
Episode Length | 41-61 Minutes |
Total Number of Episodes | 62 |
Type of Production | Live-Action |
Instead of being futuristic like other science fiction shows, this series takes a nostalgic approach by being set in the 1980s. It follows the lives of the residents of a small town in Indiana as they uncover various mysteries, including unusual disappearances, a strange girl with superpowers, secret government projects, and an alternate dimension.
This wildly popular TV series expertly combines the genres of coming-of-age and sci-fi horror. You'll find yourself certainly rooting for the show's protagonists, particularly the groups of kids and teenagers. Moreover, you won't be bitin if you start binge-watching the previous seasons, as the fifth and final season is just around the corner.
Themes | Superhumans, Parallel World |
---|---|
Cast | Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, and More |
Status | Season 4 Fully Released; Renewed for Fifth and Final Season |
Age Rating | 16+ |
Number of Seasons | 4 |
Episode Length | 42-139 Minutes |
Total Number of Episodes | 34 |
Type of Production | Live-Action |
Themes | Post-Apocalypse |
---|---|
Cast | Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Anna Torv, and More |
Status | Season 1 Fully Released; Renewed for Season 2 |
Age Rating | 18+ |
Number of Seasons | 1 |
Episode Length | 43-81 Minutes |
Total Number of Episodes | 9 |
Type of Production | Live-Action |
Themes | Artificial Intelligence, Virtual reality, Mind Uploading |
---|---|
Cast | Robbie Amell, Andy Allo, Allegra Edwards, and More |
Status | Season 2 Fully Released; Renewed for Season 3 |
Age Rating | 16+ |
Number of Seasons | 2 |
Episode Length | 24-46 Minutes |
Total Number of Episodes | 17 |
Type of Production | Live-Action |
Themes | Artificial Intelligence, Extraterrestrial Life, Biohacking, Space Exploration, Time Loop, Alternate History |
---|---|
Cast | Joe Manganiello, Rosario Dawson, Seth Green, and More |
Status | Season 3 Fully Released; Renewed for Season 4 |
Age Rating | 18+ |
Number of Seasons | 3 |
Episode Length | 6-21 Minutes |
Total Number of Episodes | 35 |
Type of Production | Animated |
For anyone who likes Japanese dramas, this science fiction thriller is a fantastic choice. It is a live-action rendition of the same-named manga created by Haro Aso. Starring in it are famous actors and adored onscreen pair Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya.
In a parallel universe resembling Tokyo, the show follows a group of friends doing their best to survive dangerous games involving brawn, wit, and morals. Each game will keep you on the edge of your seat as you wait to see if your beloved characters will make it out alive. You even get to speculate on the best way to win each game, which makes it thrilling and enjoyable to watch!
Themes | Parallel World |
---|---|
Cast | Kento Yamazaki, Tao Tsuchiya, Nijiro Murakami, and More |
Status | Season 2 Fully Released |
Age Rating | 16+ |
Number of Seasons | 2 |
Episode Length | 41-80 Minutes |
Total Number of Episodes | 16 |
Type of Production | Live-Action |
Themes | Space Exploration, Superhumans |
---|---|
Cast | Bae Doona, Gong Yoo, Lee Joon, and More |
Status | Season 1 Fully Released |
Age Rating | 16+ |
Number of Seasons | 1 |
Episode Length | 39-51 Minutes |
Total Number of Episodes | 8 |
Type of Production | Live-Action |
Themes | Dystopia |
---|---|
Cast | Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Robbins, Common, and More |
Status | Season 1 Fully Released; Renewed for Season 2 |
Age Rating | 18+ |
Number of Seasons | 1 |
Episode Length | 43-62 Minutes |
Total Number of Episodes | 8 |
Type of Production | Live-Action |
Looking for more series to add to your list? See if you'll enjoy watching other genres like comedies or thrillers. To know more about them, check out our articles with show recommendations below.
Editor: R. Umlas
Re-editor: Jonina Martin
Our viewer's guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the viewer's guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from Netflix and other streaming sites.
No. 1: Charlie Brooker, Jesse Armstrong, William Bridges |Black Mirror|2011
No. 2: Dan Erickson|Severance |2022
No. 3: Jeff Rake|Manifest |2018
No. 4: Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer|Stranger Things|2016
No. 5: Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann|The Last of Us |2023
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