HBO Max consistently offers a great variety of science fiction shows, both new and old, making it a fantastic time to be a fan of the genre. If you’ve already watched popular series like the zombie drama The Last of Us or the AI thriller Westworld, you might want to explore some of their lesser-known titles.
HBO has gained a reputation for delivering captivating science fiction, with both classic shows making a comeback and fresh series constantly appearing. If you’re looking for your next sci-fi binge-watch, we’ve put together a list of the best options currently available on the platform.
7) Dune: Prophecy
Long before the events of Dune, Dune: Prophecy tells the story of how the Bene Gesserit—a powerful and secretive group of women with extraordinary abilities—first came to be. The show, starring Emily Watson and Olivia Williams, reveals the beginnings of their breeding programs and how they shaped religion, ultimately leading to the birth of Paul Atreides, the central figure in the original Dune. This series expands on Frank Herbert’s universe with a fresh, feminist perspective and is ideal for both Dune enthusiasts and fans of high-quality science fiction. With another season already being made and the third Dune movie on its way, it’s a great time to dive in.
6) Scavenger’s Reign
I recently finished watching Scavenger’s Reign, and wow, it’s something special. It started as a short on Adult Swim, but this 12-episode series is a visually gorgeous, mind-bending sci-fi adventure. Imagine if James Cameron and Studio Ghibli teamed up – that’s the vibe. It follows the crew of a spaceship who crash land on an alien planet that’s both breathtakingly beautiful and incredibly dangerous, filled with creatures you’ve never seen before. Sadly, it was cancelled after one season, but trust me, it’s absolutely worth a weekend binge. Critics are raving about it – it currently has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes! They’re calling it one of the best sci-fi shows in years, putting it in the same league as The Expanse, Battlestar Galactica, and even Arcane. The storytelling is complex and the characters feel genuinely well-developed, which is rare these days.
5) Avenue 5
HBO’s Avenue 5 is a brilliantly funny satire about a disaster in space, created by Armando Iannucci – the comedic mind behind Veep and The Thick of It. Hugh Laurie stars as Ryan Clark, the confused captain of a luxury space cruise that gets knocked off course, turning what should be an eight-week trip into an eight-year struggle. The show also features a great cast including Josh Gad as a wealthy passenger, Zach Woods as the ship’s customer service representative, and Rebecca Front as another passenger. Avenue 5 cleverly mocks everything from modern capitalism and social media influencers to outdated government systems. If you enjoy dark, comedic shows like Wrecked or The Last Man on Earth, this sci-fi comedy is a perfect way to poke fun at the absurdity of today’s world.
4) Dream Raider
If you enjoy noir mysteries and mind-bending thrillers, the Taiwanese series Dream Raider is a must-watch. This show, HBO Asia’s first foray into the genre, follows detective Li Xiao (Weber Yang) and neuroscientist Dr. Miaoshan (Ellen Wu) as they team up to solve bizarre cases by entering people’s dreams. With a dark, futuristic style and inspiration from films like Inception and Ghost in the Shell, Dream Raider is a thrilling crime drama with a surreal sci-fi twist – and well worth the subtitles. Though only one season is currently available, it’s been popular in Asia and is gaining a following in America. HBO hasn’t decided whether to renew it for another season, but the existing eight episodes are sure to captivate you.
3) The Leftovers
Even though it ended in 2017, HBO’s The Leftovers remains a fascinating and often overlooked blend of science fiction and the supernatural. The show starts with a compelling premise: what if 2% of the world’s population simply disappeared? Based on Tom Perrotta’s novel and adapted for television by Damon Lindelof and Perrotta, it immediately grabs your attention and delves deep into themes of loss and faith, similar to the most impactful episodes of Black Mirror. Featuring incredible performances from Justin Theroux, Carrie Coon, and Regina King, the series tackles difficult questions about what it means to be human with a beautiful, poetic style. And unlike Lindelof’s previous show, Lost, The Leftovers delivers a satisfying and meaningful conclusion. Despite all this, it’s still a sci-fi gem that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.
2) Falling Skies
Before popular shows like The Last of Us and The 100, there was Falling Skies, a post-apocalyptic alien invasion series from TNT and produced by Steven Spielberg. The show, which originally aired from 2011 to 2015, stars Noah Wyle as a history professor who becomes a leader in the fight against alien invaders. Over five seasons, Falling Skies follows a group of survivors as they struggle to adapt and fight back. Now streaming on HBO Max in HD for the first time in years, the series recently topped streaming charts, possibly boosted by the popularity of another Noah Wyle show, HBO’s The Pitt. With five complete seasons available, viewers can enjoy a fully resolved story.
1) Station Eleven
HBO’s Station Eleven is a beautifully made sci-fi series that often gets overlooked. Based on the popular novel by Emily St. John Mandel, it tells an interconnected story about a group of actors traveling through a world devastated by a flu pandemic. The show features fantastic performances from Mackenzie Davis, Himesh Patel, and Matilda Lawler, and is directed in part by Hiro Murai, known for his work on Atlanta. Critics and viewers alike loved its hopeful vision of a post-pandemic future, and it currently boasts a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a dedicated fanbase. If you haven’t already, Station Eleven is a must-see on HBO Max.
What platforms are you hoping to get sci-fi recommendations for? Let us know in the comments, and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-11-05 19:13