Discover the Top 10 Must-See Sci-Fi Gems on Prime Video You Can’t Miss!

Amazon’s Prime Video stands out in the current streaming landscape, boasting a solid reputation for science fiction television. This homegrown streaming platform has been fortunate enough to acquire some of the most exceptional science fiction series from the past decade, with some shows joining their lineup right from the start and others being saved from traditional TV networks or other streaming platforms. Unlike many competitors in the “streaming wars” who heavily rely on established brands and intellectual property, Prime Video has managed to grow its content library by embracing the pioneering, innovative spirit of science fiction, rather than relying excessively on nostalgia.

If you’re searching for a standout sci-fi series that could have slipped your notice in recent times, perhaps it’s featured here. These are the top 10 science fiction shows currently on Amazon Prime Video, as ranked by Rotten Tomatoes, a popular review aggregator site.

Night Sky

Instead of embarking on lengthy space voyages in sci-fi masterpieces, the series “Night Sky” offers an intriguing premise where distant galaxies are merely steps away from our own backyard. The show follows a midwestern couple, portrayed by Sissy Spacek and J.K. Simmons, who stumble upon a device hidden on their property that allows them to teleport to a small room on another planet. This unique vantage point grants them an awe-inspiring perspective of the cosmos from a whole new angle.

The series was terminated following its initial run, making it perfect for a marathon viewing, yet regrettably brief in terms of the overall experience. Still, the star-studded ensemble cast certainly warrants your attention, and the critical acclaim only adds to its appeal. Noteworthy, “Night Sky” has earned a 73% positive rating on the Tomatometer.

The Peripheral

As a devoted movie enthusiast, let me express my deep disappointment over the unexpected cancellation of “The Peripheral.” Originally renewed for a second season, its abrupt halt came during the escalating 2023 Hollywood labor strikes. This near-future sci-fi thriller stood out with its original portrayal of tech-driven dystopia, offering viewers a refreshing twist on a genre we thought we knew well.

The show is adapted from William Gibson’s eponymous novel, penned by the legendary author who has shaped the landscape of science fiction literature. It was a captivating journey into an alternate reality that blended the best aspects of suspenseful storytelling and groundbreaking technology. The cancellation of this innovative series leaves us all yearning for more.

In approximately half a century, “The Peripheral” unfolds, delving into the intricate ways technology has reshaped our world. Chloë Grace Moretz portrays Flynne Fisher, a gaming enthusiast who becomes ensnared in an alternate reality that gives her pause. The series boasts a 79% positive Tomatometer score and a passionate fanbase eagerly awaiting a continuation.

The Man in the High Castle

One title that stands out on the list is ‘The Man in the High Castle’, a dystopian drama set in an alternate history where the Axis powers emerged victorious in World War II and imposed fascism worldwide. The story unfolds in 1962, with Japan and Germany vying for dominance over North America. A leader of the resistance, known as ‘the Man in the High Castle’, manages to obtain films from other worlds and timelines, including actual historical footage from a reality where the Axis lost the war.

For four seasons, this series streamed on Prime Video, consistently earning praise. The Tomatometer rates the series highly at 84%, averaging 7.3 out of 10. Notably, viewers and critics appreciated the show’s finale in 2019, making it an excellent choice for a binge-watch as it has now concluded.

Dead Ringers

Amazon has created and broadcast a miniseries remake titled Dead Ringers, which originally hit the screens in 1988 as a movie by David Cronenberg. This series revolves around twin brothers Beverly and Elliot, portrayed by Rachel Weisz in dual roles. As gynecologists, they are determined to accelerate their profession’s progress but resort to unethical practices and seek financial autonomy for their work. Simultaneously, they grapple with concealing their private battles involving mental health issues and sexual complications.

In this remake of Cronenberg’s film and the original 1977 novel by Bari Wood and Jack Geasland, the main characters are reversed in gender roles. Critics have applauded this adaptation as a contemporary reflection on a pressing issue, while also preserving Cronenberg’s artistic heritage. With just six episodes, it offers an engaging watch that you can easily complete in one sitting.

Paper Girls

If you haven’t had a chance to dive into the “Paper Girls” comic book series yet, I highly recommend it as a must-read for you. Originating from Image Comics between 2015 and 2019, this captivating story was later adapted into a television series in 2022, but only ran for one season. The plot follows four adolescent girls out on their paper route in 1988, who find themselves unintentionally caught up in a battle between various groups of time travelers.

The program received acclaim from critics for its blend of excitement and tension, achieving an 87% positive score on the Tomatometer. It outperformed this rating among viewers, boasting a 89% positive score on the Popcornmeter – only to be cut short when it was terminated after only one season. Nevertheless, the eight episodes that were produced remain enjoyable and worth watching.

Tales From the Loop

Tales From the Loop is a science fiction drama that revolves around an isolated research facility where the rules of physics are frequently bent. Set in the fictional town of Mercer, Ohio, it explores the lives of locals who encounter peculiar occurrences and the enigmatic secrecy surrounding this research center known as “The Loop.” The narrative consists of loosely connected episodes that place greater emphasis on the concepts they introduce rather than their consequences.

2020 saw the debut of this series, but as of now, neither renewal nor cancellation has been confirmed, keeping its fate somewhat vague. For now, viewers can watch the eight available episodes, and there’s hope among fans that additional seasons might be forthcoming.

Upload

It’s refreshing to find a dramedy among all the heavy sci-fi content, and that dramedy is “Upload.” Set in the year 2033, this series explores a world where people can upload their consciousness into a digital afterlife. Despite this advancement, there are still ties to the real world, making it challenging for the deceased to truly unwind and savor their eternal existence. With an impressive 88% positive rating on the Tomatometer, “Upload” is continuing its run, with Season 5 already in the pre-production phase.

Fallout

Amazon might not have extensive ownership of established intellectual properties, but when they enter into licensing agreements, they don’t hold back. The Prime Video adaptation of the iconic video game series, Fallout, appears to be aiming for similar acclaim. The first season was released in April 2024 with eight episodes and was swiftly renewed for additional content. Currently, Season 2 is being filmed, making it an ideal moment to familiarize yourself with the show before the upcoming grand premiere.

The Expanse

In essence, the science fiction series The Expanse encompasses a wide range of subgenres – space opera, cyberpunk, mystery, horror, and others. If you’re a fan of such stories, you might enjoy the source material as well – a collection of nine novels and novellas by James S.A. Corey. The story is set in a not-too-distant future where mankind has developed a fusion engine for space travel, enabling colonization across the solar system. The show mainly focuses on the crew of a modest ship named the Rocinante, led by “Earther” James Holden, supported by “Belter” engineer Naomi Nagata, piloted by “Martian” Alex Kamal, and protected by “Earther” mechanic Amos Burton.

The science fiction TV series initially aired on SYFY, but its rescue by Amazon Prime Video has gained notoriety among fans. At the 2018 International Space Development Conference, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos made the announcement of its renewal in a theatrical manner. It is said that he had a special affinity for this show and personally intervened to prevent its cancellation. According to The Los Angeles Times, it was reportedly Bezos’ favorite TV series.

Interestingly, the team aboard the Rocinante may have some thoughts on being controlled by a single billionaire, yet they’ve managed to provide viewers with additional seasons of the show we all love – The Expanse. To date, the series spans six seasons and 62 episodes, but it doesn’t seem to have fully covered the content from the books. Frequently, fans ponder if the series will be revived in the future, however, no definitive news has been shared as of now.

Utopia

Currently, the highly-acclaimed sci-fi series on Amazon Prime Video is the 2020 sci-fi drama “Utopia”, produced by novelist Gillian Flynn. Regrettably, despite receiving outstanding reviews, the show was terminated after only one season, leaving behind eight episodes to enjoy. Nonetheless, those who appreciate dark humor should definitely give it a watch.

The narrative might resonate too deeply for certain viewers, as it’s revealed that Flynn started crafting this story as early as 2018. It centers around a mysterious group intending to combat climate change and ecological disasters by orchestrating a global pandemic, disguising a bogus “vaccine” that instead causes worldwide infertility. As the show’s release date neared in 2020, one can only imagine the emotions of its creators amidst the surge of real-life conspiracy theories. However, it does offer some entertaining plot twists to maintain a somewhat playful atmosphere. In many ways, it seems like a prophetic satire of events yet unrealized during its writing process.

At present, all the shows featured here are available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, as well as some fantastic science fiction options that might be new discoveries for you.

Read More

2025-03-04 01:45