October is often associated with spooky entertainment, and for good reason – Halloween and the fall season naturally lend themselves to thrills and scares. But while horror is popular this time of year, science fiction is another excellent choice for a binge-worthy watch. Sci-fi transports viewers to imaginative worlds, explores the possibilities of science and technology, and tells compelling stories about what it means to be human – all within a framework of the unknown. And sometimes, it can be just as spooky as a horror movie, making it a genre with broad appeal.
Streaming services are a fantastic resource for science fiction lovers. With so many options available, viewers can easily find shows to binge-watch, escaping to incredible new worlds or exploring darker, thought-provoking takes on our own. Here are ten of the best sci-fi series to enjoy this month, offering everything from hopeful adventures to intense survival stories in the face of disaster.
10) Station Eleven (HBO Max)
Considering it’s a show about life after a major pandemic, *Station Eleven* came out at a difficult time – in 2021, while we were still dealing with COVID-19. However, this adaptation of Emily St. John Mandel’s popular novel is definitely worth watching. It’s a concise, single-season series of just 10 episodes, making it perfect for a weekend. The story takes place two decades after a flu pandemic destroys civilization and follows a troupe of traveling performers who cross paths with a dangerous cult, unaware of a connection between one of their own and the group.
Although revisiting stories about pandemics might feel discouraging, *Station Eleven* is truly worth watching. It focuses less on the devastation itself and more on the enduring power of art and the importance of human connection, even after a major disaster and over long periods of time. The show emphasizes hope rather than suffering, which is a refreshing change in science fiction and something many of us could benefit from right now.
9) Upload (Prime Video)
The sci-fi series *Upload* is a surprisingly cheerful show set in the near future. It imagines a world where people can have their consciousness uploaded to a digital afterlife of their choice. The story follows Robbie Amell, who plays a programmer who discovers his seemingly perfect afterlife isn’t what it appears, and that his death might not have been accidental.
Upload is a standout sci-fi series. It blends futuristic technology with humor, romance, and even action, all while exploring thought-provoking questions about life, death, and how technology impacts our most personal experiences. What’s great is that it doesn’t feel depressing, despite these big themes. Plus, with the recent release of its fourth and final season, you can watch the entire series now – no waiting for new episodes or dealing with unresolved endings!
8) The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Some might question including *The Handmaid’s Tale* in a science fiction list, as even author Margaret Atwood labels the original novel as speculative fiction. However, it can certainly be argued that it fits the genre. The story presents a frighteningly realistic near-future dystopia where the United States has become a totalitarian state, stripping women of their rights and forcing fertile individuals into sexual servitude for the purpose of bearing children. While the show doesn’t rely on the futuristic technology typically associated with science fiction, it *does* explore the social and political consequences of drastic change – which is a core element of the genre, as the study of society is still a science, and exploring outcomes of change is central to science fiction.
As a huge fan of well-crafted stories, I’ve been completely captivated by *The Handmaid’s Tale*. It’s not your typical sci-fi, and honestly, it can be a really tough watch because of what the women go through – especially June, played brilliantly by Elisabeth Moss. But despite the dark themes, it’s a powerfully written show about fighting back, and its message about women’s rights feels incredibly relevant today. The good news is, the story is complete – the sixth and final season just came out – and they’re even planning a spin-off, which is exciting!
7) Bodies (Netflix)
The eight-episode series *Bodies*, based on the DC Vertigo graphic novel, is ideal for watching all at once, and the story doesn’t disappoint. A single dead body is discovered in London’s Whitechapel district across four different time periods—1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053. As detectives investigate in each era, their cases become connected, and the four investigators realize they’re facing a conspiracy far larger than they initially thought.
Bodies isn’t your typical murder mystery; it cleverly blends the genre with science fiction. What makes the show so compelling is that it focuses less on *who* committed the crime and more on the repeating patterns in the lives of the detectives involved. It beautifully demonstrates how, despite changes in time, certain issues persist. The storytelling is masterful, with each time period feeling distinct and complete, like its own individual story. Overall, it’s a truly excellent series.
6) The Ark
Set a century from now, *The Ark* centers on the Ark One, a spacecraft carrying colonists away from a ruined Earth to a new planet, Proxima Centauri B. Disaster strikes during the journey, wiping out most of the ship’s engineers and leadership. The remaining crew must then learn to keep the ship running and reach their destination. The show has two seasons out now, with a third one coming soon.
Even though *The Ark* hasn’t received widespread critical acclaim, it’s a great choice for fans who enjoy shows like *Stargate*. It’s a sci-fi series that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s part of its appeal. The show throws its characters into a desperate situation, leading to plenty of compelling drama and mystery. It’s a really enjoyable space opera with significant risks, making it a fun and easy watch that improves as the season progresses.
5) The Expanse (Prime Video)
Many fans consider *The Expanse* to be one of the best science fiction shows of the 21st century. With six seasons and 62 episodes, it’s a bit of a commitment to watch the whole series – which is why it falls in the middle of our list. However, it’s absolutely worth the time, as the show is complex and richly detailed. Set in a future where humans have colonized the solar system, the story follows a group caught up in a dangerous conspiracy that threatens the stability of the entire system. It’s a brilliantly crafted tale of political conflict and a looming existential threat.
Although it’s set in space, *The Expanse* is about much more than just science fiction. It uses the futuristic setting to delve into relatable human issues like inequality, prejudice, hardship, and power struggles, while also borrowing elements from other genres – think mystery, thriller, and even Westerns with its focus on a lawless frontier. The show is incredibly detailed and well-written, and its commitment to scientific accuracy adds a lot to the experience. It’s a show you really shouldn’t miss.
4) Alien: Earth (Hulu)
The newest addition to this list, *Alien: Earth*, blends science fiction with horror as the first TV series in the *Alien* universe. Set two years before the original *Alien* movie, the show centers on a spaceship carrying dangerous alien creatures that crashes on Earth. A woman who is part alien, along with a team of soldiers, must then try to contain the situation. As you might expect from an *Alien* story, things quickly become terrifying.
Now that the first season has finished airing, this show is ideal for a spooky October binge-watch, especially if you’ve been waiting to watch the whole thing at once. Critics loved it, and the story introduces exciting new elements that change how we think about the *Alien* universe. It’s a bit frightening, but definitely worth checking out.
3) The Eternaut (Netflix)
The series *The Eternaut* is based on a popular Argentine comic book. It begins with a strange snowfall in Buenos Aires that instantly kills anyone it touches. The story follows Juan Salvo and his group of friends, who are among the few survivors. They quickly discover, however, that the snowfall wasn’t a natural event, but the beginning of an invasion by aliens.
Currently with one season of six episodes (and a second one on the way!), *The Eternaut* is a smart mystery that’s much more than just a science fiction survival story. At its core, it’s a show about its characters. The survivors in Juan’s group are all complex and avoid typical clichés – even the seemingly unreliable Omar is surprisingly relatable. The story also focuses on family, as Juan searches for his daughter. If you enjoyed *The Last of Us*, you might like this too. While the disaster in *The Eternaut* is different, both shows explore how a changed world highlights the importance of community and relationships, making it a truly captivating watch.
2) Silo (Apple TV)
The series, inspired by Hugh Howey’s *Silo* novels (*Wool*, *Shift*, and *Dust*), takes place in a future where people live in a massive, 144-story underground silo. They’ve been told the outside world is deadly and have no knowledge of their past. When one woman starts searching for the truth about what lies beyond the silo, she uncovers a far more complex reality, and the origins of the silo itself become a puzzling mystery.
If you enjoyed *Fallout*, you’ll likely love *Silo*, which currently has two seasons available with two more planned. While both shows share some similarities, *Silo* stands on its own with a realistic and captivating story. The series brilliantly unfolds its mysteries alongside its characters and the audience, and the first episode immediately grabs your attention with a shocking twist. It’s unpredictable and thrilling, making it a show you won’t want to stop watching.
1) Halo (Netflix)
Now available on Netflix, Halo is one of Paramount+’s initial and most popular original series, making it perfect for a binge-watch this October. Based on the popular Halo video game, the show centers on Master Chief (played by Pablo Schreiber) and a futuristic war in the 26th century. Humanity, represented by the United Nations Space Command, is fighting for survival against the Covenant, a group of alien races determined to wipe them out.
The *Halo* series had a rocky start, but it’s really found its stride with its second season and a new home on Netflix. While the first season was a bit slow, the show has evolved into a compelling sci-fi story about the battle between humans and aliens. Even if you’ve never played the video game, you can still enjoy this original and engaging series. It’s gaining popularity on Netflix and is well worth a watch for sci-fi fans.
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2025-10-07 17:45