Ever since televised media became mainstream and accessible,sci-fiTV shows have captured audiences with their creative and imaginative tales. Even before the world had seen the inventions, these shows tried to predict the future of technology and fashioned breathtaking adventures around it. In those early days of the 1950s and 1960s, whenblack-and-white media were prevalent, sci-fi shows likeThe Twilight Zonehad viewers thinking about dystopian worlds and space travel.
Now, over half a century later, the genre has only evolved. While still maintaining the wonder and philosophy, modern sci-fi takes things to the next level by using cutting-edge special effects to explore civilizations both alien and artificial. A creative dystopia inWestworld, traveling the stars withDoctor Who, and exploring alternate dimensions inStranger Things, today’s science fiction shows poke at bigger questions about society and what it means to be human.
While laser guns and spaceships have viewers' minds blown all the time, the first seasons of these great sci-fi TV shows have the distinct power to churn our imaginations and have us thoroughly invested in a story. This list celebrates 15 sci-fi TV shows with highly entertaining and immediately addictive first seasons that have helped establish an entire franchise as a mainstay in the genre.
15The Last Ship (2014-2018)
The Last Ship
Loosely adapted from a novel written by William Brinkley,The Last Shipis a sci-fi thriller and a post-apocalyptic drama juxtaposed into one. Its premise goes something like this – a global pandemic has destroyed over 80% of the world’s population. While the cause of it is unknown, a US Navy vessel, the fictional USS Nathan James, manages to escape detection. Meaning the 218-member crew inside the shot is unharmed due to isolation. However, with little resources, Dr. Rachel Scott and her team must find a cure.
An Impactful and Gripping Story
With names like Michael Bay and Jack Bender backing the series as executive producers,The Last Shipshowed immense promise in the initial season. The series introduced compelling characters, precise storylines, and themes of isolated leadership and sacrifice. Among the best the genre has to offer, the series also created a realistic portrayal of social divide if such an event occurs. The following seasons expanded the scope, but it was the debut that made the outing so impactful and gripping.Stream on Max.
14Lost in Space (2018-2021)
Lost In Space
Lost in Spaceis a reboot of the classic 1960s series. It takes place in the future, year 2046, where the Robinson family is among the colonists selected to start a new life on the Alpha Centauri planetary system. However, before their ship can land, it is knocked off course and the Robinsons, among other families, find themselves stranded on an unknown planet. They must fight with the strange environment, supernatural forces, and their inner demons to make it out alive.
Offers a Fresh Perspective
The fresh and beloved sci-fi series takes a deep dive into both the emotional depth of the family andthe fantastic elements of space. The first season triumphed in fabricating an exciting human story against a glorious outer-space backdrop. The standout direction paired with gripping performances from Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Taylor Russell, and Maxwell Jenkins created a believable premise. The subsequent runs have maintained the adventure and intrigue, but are as grand as the first season.Stream on Netflix.
13Westworld (2016-2022)
The titular Westworld is a fictional, technologically enhanced Wild-West-themed amusement park that is designed specifically for rich people on vacations and high-paying guests looking for adventure. The place also has android “hosts,” who act as storytellers and assistants to the guests. However, when certain hosts gain self-awareness, things change. Bernard Lowe, the park’s co-founder, tries to balance the company with the disaster.
Explores the Concept of Artificial Intelligence
Westworldis known to be one of the most intricately-crafted and realistic-looking sci-fi series of recent times. While its depiction of autonomous androids and non-linear storytelling alone is enough to build considerable intrigue, it is the series’ capacity to explore themes of consciousness, ethics, and human nature that makes it stand out among the rest. Evan Rachel Wood delivers a surprising turn as the oldest host, establishing the first season as a potentially great beginning of a series.Buy on Apple TV.
Related:Why Westworld is One of the Best Sci-Fi Dramas of All Time
12Black Mirror (2011-Present)
Black Mirror
Black Mirroris an anthology series that premiered on Netflix in 2011. Created by Charlie Brooke, the series features individual stand-alone episodes that are spread across various genres. They present an alternate dystopia-like future where the latest advancements in technology have consumed people to the point where they’re embracing the unexpected consequences of it. Whether it is society or human behavior, the effect of technology on the new world is what carries the storylines.
Never Ceases to Mesmerize
WhenBlack Mirrorfirst made its way to streaming, it was a thriller. The series sparked discussion among critics and audiences. We started to reassess our digital dependence, our relationship with gadgets and screens. In a way, the series challenged our preconceived notions about change.
The varied worlds and tales crafted in the first season, particularly, altered our brain chemistry in the best possible way.Episodes like “The National Anthem"and “15 Million Merits” left a lasting impression. While later seasons retained all the good elements, it is the nuance, conceptual brilliance, and scientific accuracy that makes the first season the best one.Stream on Netflix.
11Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)
Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galacticais a fantastic re-imagining of the 1978 series of the same name. It takes place after a cybernetic race known as the Cylons acquire help from a human scientist named Gaius Baltar and cause the destruction of the Twelve Colonies. Following the attack, about 50,000 survivors and a lone military capital ship manned by Commander William “Bill” Adama and President Laura Roslin venture into the unknown in search for the fabled colony known as Earth.
Redefines a Cult Classic for the New Generation
Carrying a certain moodiness in tone throughout the first season, this reboot finds itself providing peak entertainment when it dives into character studies, the meaning of Cylons, and mind-blowing space battle scenes. Fans who already adoredBattlestar Galacticafor its fascinating and contrasting backdrop of human and machine found delight in this hard sci-fi thriller that was unafraid and suspenseful. The seasons that followed were brilliant too, but the first season is still praised for redefining a timeless classic.Buy on Apple TV.
10Stranger Things (2016-Present)
Stranger Things
Inspired by 80s pop-culture and elements of Stephen King’s works, Stranger Things is a supernatural action-drama TV series set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. When a young boy goes missing, his group of friends stumbles upon a young girl with telekinetic powers who recently escaped from a mysterious facility. They soon realize that she may be their only chance at stopping an impending doom that threatens to engulf Hawkins whole.
Set in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana in 1983,Stranger Thingsfollows a young boy named Will Byers suddenly disappearing into thin air. As his friends, family, and local police search for answers, they end up uncovering an extraordinary mystery involving top-secret government experiments that lead to two things – a strange little girl named Eleven, and the Upside Down, an alternate dimension ripe with terrifying supernatural forces.
Offers Nostalgia and Thrills
It goes without saying that the latter seasons ofStranger Thingswouldn’t be as thrilling if it weren’t for the phenomenal first season, which laid the foundation of a surreal summer adventure. The season leans into nostalgia bymaking neat ’80s references, without letting them distract the viewers from the ingenious plot and heartwarming performances.
It brought back Winona Ryder and David Harbour, and kick-started the careers of its young cast that includes Finn Wolfhard, Milly Bobby Brown, and more. Overall,Stranger Thingsbecame an instant classic by piloting a genre-blending epic.Stream on Netflix.
9Under the Dome (2013-2015)
Under the Dome
A three-season-long sci-fi mystery developed by Brian K. Vaughan, who drew inspiration from Stephen King’s 2009 novel of the same name,Under the Domecenters around the residents of a small fictional town named Chester’s Mill. One fine morning, they wake up to find that their community is suddenly enclosed by an invisible barrier around town that shuts them off from the outside world. Forced to live with dwindling resources and growing fear, the residents form a small group that tries to discover the truth about the dome.
Creates a Palpable Sense of Suspense
Under the Domerelies heavily on occasional predictability and melodrama. In that, the show finds its strength. The edge-of-your-seat tension in the debut as unknown terrors surround the characters is palpable, while the moral and social dilemmas sprout from circumstantial fear.
The pilot episode itself, which was lauded for “its taut script, strong performances and special effects,” draws the viewers in and keeps them hooked with exciting revelations and constant intrigue. Thus, the scope of this atmospheric sci-fi thriller only becomes greater with new seasons.Stream on Paramount+.
8Sense8 (2015-2018)
Co-created by the Wachowskis and J. Michael Straczynski for Netflix,Sense8fashions a mind-blowing premise. In it, eight strangers from diverse cultures and corners of the globe suddenly find themselves mentally and emotionally connected. Their ability to harness each other’s powers leads them to team up and find the truth about the strange phenomena. Meanwhile, a mysterious organization tries to destroy them collectively.
Diverse and Adventurous
The Wachowskis are best known for blending heart into action, and this inclusive thriller exploits their talent in the best possible ways. From exploring cultural and social identities to experiencing diversity in real-time settings of locales like London, Reykjavík, Nairobi and Mumbai, the series does an outstanding job at being fresh and resonant.
Sense8also features brilliant performances from Daryl Hannah, Doona Bae, Naveen Andrews and more. In comparison with other seasons, the debut stands out because of the stellar direction, slow-burn narrative, and wild sci-fi concepts.Stream on Netflix.
Related:10 Sci-Fi TV Series That Are Scientifically Accurate
7Altered Carbon (2018-2020)
Altered Carbon
Canceled after two seasons despite receiving widespread acclaim and generally positive reviews,Altered Carbonintroduces you to a future where consciousness can be transferred from one body to another. The main character, Takeshi Kovacs, is a former skilled interstellar warrior whose mind was imprisoned for centuries. But a chance at resurrection comes with an impossible challenge. Kovacs must investigate a murder that occurs in the far future. In the process, he also discovers the potential and consequences of “re-sleeving.”
Holds an Intricate Mystery at Its Core
Part love story, part blood-soaked thriller,Altered Carboncreates a bleak and noir atmospherefilled with existential musings. While it would not appeal to a non sci-fi fan, the philosophical depth and graphic action is a true delight in the genre. From the moment he first appears on-screen, you can tell that Joel Kinnaman’s character “has seen things.”
Thus, the first season features an exceptional world-building, which acts as the groundwork for the second season. With a mystery at its core, it is impossible not to admire every eclipsing arc and let the stunning visuals pull you into the strange world.Stream on Netflix.
6The Mandalorian (2019-Present)
The Mandalorian
A brilliant addition to the Star Wars universe that benefits greatly because of the use of familiar tropes and new technology,The Mandalorianwas a series that brought an unparalleled world back to life and created sci-fi history. Set after the fall of the Empire, the series follows the travels of Din Djarin, the faceless Mando bounty hunter, who is tasked with rescuing and protecting a strange and valuable asset while being hunted by a ruthless foe.
Features Some of the Best Episodes
Each episode of this debut season delivered immaculate thrill and a touch of humor. Some of the most memorable, well-choreographed adventures included the opening bar scene, the iconic line, “I can bring you in warm, or I can bring you in cold,” the jaw-dropping chase with a Jawa Sandcrawler.
The striking cinematography and the emotional stakes had viewers immediately invested in Mando’s story, and the fantastical context, with baby Yoda finally receiving a name, only made the rich lore more perfect than ever.Stream on Disney+.
