7 Most Rewatchable Sci-Fi TV Shows You Can Never Get Tired Of (And No. 3 Is A Masterpiece)

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Science fiction and television are a perfect pairing. TV’s structure, with episodes that can go on indefinitely, is especially well-suited to the detailed world-creation often found in sci-fi. It also allows us, the viewers, to really connect with characters in environments that feel both familiar and strange.

There are plenty of science fiction shows available today, both on traditional cable and streaming services, but quality varies greatly. Here are seven top-tier sci-fi series that we believe are worth revisiting repeatedly – we highly recommend watching them again and again.

7) Stranger Things

Stranger Things quickly became a hit when it first appeared on Netflix in 2016, successfully combining a retro feel with an exciting, new science fiction storyline. The show’s initial season expertly introduced the characters and the workings of a world that creators Matt and Ross Duffer have carefully and engagingly developed throughout the series. Stranger Things manages the unusual accomplishment of blending appealing visuals with a strong story, resulting in a show that has become a beloved and endlessly re-watchable classic for viewers of all ages.

6) The Expanse

The Expanse stands out because it successfully combines a detailed, futuristic vision of a colonized solar system with a political thriller that feels strikingly current. While many science fiction stories feature futuristic space mysteries, The Expanse – originally a series of novels by James S. A. Corey – is unique in how it realistically imagines the evolution of existing organizations like the U.N. It’s this focus on relatable human struggles, even when dealing with incredible things like alien technology, that makes all six seasons so enjoyable and keeps viewers coming back.

5) Star Trek

Do we really need to explain why Star Trek is the original and best? The first three seasons of the show that started the Star Trek universe are still relevant today thanks to its optimistic and compassionate take on the challenges faced by the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise during their adventures. Star Trek remains a prime example of how to use symbolism in science fiction, and it’s still considered one of the greatest shows of all time.

4) Resident Alien

Although science fiction often explores dark and serious themes, Resident Alien stands out as a hilarious take on the genre. Alan Tudyk stars as an alien who crash-lands on Earth intending to destroy humankind, but instead becomes a key part of life in a small town in Colorado. Tudyk revitalizes the familiar “fish out of water” story, and the show expertly combines comedy, science fiction, and genuine emotional depth. It’s disappointing that Resident Alien will end with its fourth season, as announced at San Diego Comic-Con, but we’ll certainly be revisiting it often for a good laugh.

3) Firefly

Joss Whedon’s early 2000s show, Firefly, is basically a Western set in space, and that’s a big part of its appeal. Nathan Fillion heads up an amazing cast as a group of outlaws living on the fringes of a futuristic world. Whedon’s clever and witty writing, along with his characteristic playful style, are key to the show’s success. Interestingly, the darker, more unsettling parts of Firefly feel surprisingly accurate when you look at what’s happening today. It’s such a fun and enjoyable series that, more than twenty years later, we’re still wondering why FOX cancelled it after just one season!

2) Battlestar Galactica

Given how much the themes of Battlestar Galactica resonate today, we highly recommend revisiting this incredible space adventure. The series centers on the crew of the Battlestar Galactica, the last remaining military ship after a devastating attack by the androids they’ve been fighting. Their mission? To guide a small group of survivors to the legendary planet Earth. If the idea of humans battling a race of self-made androids isn’t enough to bring you back, Battlestar Galactica has consistently appeared on numerous “best TV shows” lists since it first aired in 2003.

1) Orphan Black

The series Orphan Black begins with con artist Sarah Manning seeing a woman who is her exact look-alike die. When Sarah takes on the dead woman’s identity as a police detective, she learns she’s one of several genetically identical clones created in a secret, unlawful experiment-and someone is trying to eliminate them all. Actress Tatiana Maslany brilliantly portrays Sarah *and* all of her clones, an incredible feat that earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 2018. Beyond Maslany’s astounding performance, Orphan Black thoughtfully uses the concept of cloning to raise complex questions about morality and what defines a person. It’s the series’ careful exploration of these ideas throughout its five seasons that keeps viewers revisiting Orphan Black again and again.

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2025-10-01 01:15