We recently asked our Facebook followers to name the best science fiction TV shows ever, and the response has been incredible! We’ve received almost 1000 comments with fans sharing their top picks.
Science fiction covers a huge range of stories, and that’s reflected in our results. We looked through everything to find the 10 most popular shows, and the clear winner was mentioned in nearly 20% of all comments.
Similar to our previous film poll, this list doesn’t include any shows that started in the last ten years. The newest show on the top 10 began in 2015, and the oldest one premiered way back in 1963 – a classic for any science fiction enthusiast!
Here’s TopMob readers’ ultimate ranking of the best science fiction TV shows ever, starting with number ten and counting down to the number one pick.
10. Quantum Leap
Coming in at number ten on our list, with 2.5% of all mentions, is Quantum Leap. I have such fond memories of that show! The original, starring Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell, ran for five seasons back in the late eighties and early nineties, and it was great to see them revisit the concept with a reboot in 2022, though that one only lasted two seasons. Still, a classic sci-fi series!
The show followed Dr. Sam Beckett, a scientist who accidentally used a time travel machine to leap into the bodies of different people in the past. He discovered that to get back to his own life, he needed to fix problems in those people’s pasts. Throughout his adventures, he was guided by a holographic projection of his close friend, Admiral Al Calavicci.
The series is beloved by many science fiction fans for its sincere and emotional storytelling, which is why it’s included on this list.
9. Stargate
I was surprised, but delighted to see Stargate land in ninth place! It all started with the original movie in 1944, but it was the SG-1 TV show in 1997 that really got me hooked. Since then, there have been four other series, including an animated one that some fans don’t consider part of the main story. And the best part? As of November 2025, there’s even more Stargate on the way – I can’t wait!
This science fiction series, set in a military world, revolves around teams sent on missions and the Stargate network. These ancient devices, built by an alien race, enable instant travel to any other Stargate within the network.
The fact that a new show is being made nearly 30 years after the original SG-1 proves how popular it still is, so it’s no surprise to see it on this list.
8. The Expanse
With 3% of all mentions, The Expanse is the newest series on the list to gain attention. The show, which ran for six seasons and stars Thomas Jane, Steven Strait, and Dominique Tipper, is based on the novels by James S.A. Corey.
The series follows a group caught up in a centuries-old conspiracy, set in a future where humans have colonized the entire solar system. It’s known for its intricate political plots and its unique mix of science fiction and detective noir. After being saved from cancellation following its third season, the show continued for three more seasons, allowing it to fully develop its story and earn its place among the best.
7. Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica, currently number 5 on our list, has had a rather unusual history. It first appeared in 1978, with a follow-up series in 1980. Then, after a gap, it was revived with a miniseries in 2003, followed by four more seasons between 2004 and 2008. There was also a spin-off prequel series called Caprica. Overall, the franchise generated 4.2% of all mentions in the discussion.
The story centers around a human civilization spread across twelve planets, locked in a war with a robotic race called the Cylons. After a massive attack, the remaining humans escape aboard the spaceship Battlestar Galactica, searching for the legendary thirteenth colony – Earth.
The series blends compelling personal stories with exciting action and visual flair. While it tackles political themes, it’s also highly engaging and entertaining.
6. Firefly
Many science fiction fans have a strong connection to Firefly, largely because it was cancelled after just one season. Though the show only lasted briefly, its story continued in other formats, like the movie Serenity. It was mentioned in 4.3% of all comments in the discussion, showing its continued popularity.
As a huge fan, I always loved Firefly! It starred Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, and Morena Baccarin, and followed the adventures of the crew aboard their ship, Serenity, way back in 2517. What really made it special were the characters – they were so well-developed and the show wasn’t afraid to tackle some really interesting and complicated questions about politics and what’s right and wrong. It’s still incredibly popular, which is why I’m so excited to hear they’re finally working on an animated sequel!
5. Babylon 5
The science fiction series created by J. Michael Straczynski, which originally aired from 1993 to 1998 and continued in several movies, appeared in nearly 6% of the online conversation. The show was famous for its complex, season-long storylines and followed the lives of humans and aliens working together on a space station built after a series of wars between different species.
This show is a classic of science fiction and is frequently ranked among the greatest cult TV series of all time, leaving a lasting mark on the genre.
4. Red Dwarf
Red Dwarf is the funniest show on this list, getting 6.3% of all mentions in the discussion. This British comedy originally ran on BBC Two from 1988 to 1999 and later returned with new seasons and specials on Dave between 2009 and 2020.
Created by Doug Naylor and Rob Grant, the series centers on Dave Lister, the last human alive, who wakes up three million years in the future aboard a spaceship. He discovers he’s joined by a hologram of his old roommate, Arnold Rimmer, a creature called Cat, a sanitation droid named Kryten, and the ship’s computer, Holly.
Over the years, the show has evolved in terms of its story, format, and overall feel, leading to mixed reactions from fans. Despite these changes, viewers still connect with the show’s fundamental ideas and the characters they’ve come to love.
3. Blake’s 7
News emerged earlier this year about a planned reboot of Blake’s 7. The show clearly still has a dedicated following, as it was mentioned in 7.2% of all posts on the discussion thread, placing it third among the greatest sci-fi TV shows of all time.
The science fiction series Blake’s 7 aired from 1978 to 1981 and was set far in the future. It initially centered on Roj Blake, a political rebel who, along with a small team, fought against the oppressive Terran Federation – the rulers of Earth and its colonies. After escaping prison with a high-tech alien ship, Blake and his crew, known as the Seven, launched a campaign to disrupt the Federation. In later seasons, the character Kerr Avon took the lead and became the central figure in the show.
Like several other shows on this list, this series stood out for tackling tough political, ethical, and social issues. These powerful themes more than compensated for its sometimes limited production quality.
2. Star Trek
Star Trek remains one of the most popular science fiction franchises ever created. Starting with the original series in 1966, it continues to grow with new stories, and still has a dedicated fanbase – accounting for over 15% of the conversation on the thread.
The original Star Trek series centered on the adventures of the USS Enterprise crew, featuring iconic characters like Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and Uhura (Nichelle Nichols). Known for its optimistic outlook and innovative stories, Star Trek has continued to explore new frontiers in many different ways for decades, and its enduring popularity suggests it will keep doing so for years to come.
1. Doctor Who
The competition for first and second place was tight, but ultimately the Doctor won with 17.7% of the mentions in the discussion. It’s not really surprising, though!
Doctor Who has been one of the BBC’s most beloved and enduring shows ever since it first aired in 1963, with only a few periods where it went off the air.
The show, featuring an alien from the planet Gallifrey who can regenerate into a new body when facing death, is still incredibly popular, and a Christmas special is planned for December.
From shows like Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures to the newer series, The War Between the Land and the Sea, and with instantly recognizable elements like the TARDIS and the Daleks, Doctor Who has become a major force in science fiction and truly deserves its success.
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For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The TopMob Podcast.
Authors
I’m a huge fan of James Hibbs’ work! He’s a Drama Writer at TopMob, and he really knows his stuff when it comes to shows on all kinds of platforms – streaming services and traditional TV. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-focused agency and then at Fremantle, a big international TV production company. He’s got a solid background too, with a degree in English and Theatre Studies and a journalism diploma.
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2026-05-07 09:39