The 7 Best Sci-Fi Shows of the 2020s (So Far)

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Science fiction is thriving in the 2020s, with more big-budget productions and a focus on imaginative stories. Films like Dune, Avatar: The Way of Water, and Everything Everywhere All at Once have been both popular and critically acclaimed, proving that audiences love seeing grand, visually impressive worlds. This success extends to streaming, particularly on Apple TV, which has become a go-to place for high-quality sci-fi. Through investments in ambitious series like Foundation and Dark Matter, the platform has brought the genre into the spotlight and made it a major topic of cultural discussion.

Science fiction continues to be incredibly popular heading into 2026, with several exciting new shows grabbing attention. A major focus is the upcoming adaptation of William Gibson’s classic cyberpunk novel, Neuromancer, which many thought would never make it to the screen. Plus, with shows like Blade Runner 2099 and the Star City spinoff of For All Mankind, sci-fi is proving it will stay a leading genre in entertainment. Now that we’re past the halfway point of the 2020s, we can already see which sci-fi series have truly innovated and will likely be considered classics for years to come.

7) Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

The animated series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, a standalone story set in the world of the Cyberpunk 2077 video game, offers a powerful and heartbreaking look at the downsides of unchecked capitalism. The show follows David Martinez (voiced by Zach Aguilar), a gifted young man who turns to mercenary work after a personal loss leaves him struggling to survive in the sprawling, high-tech city of Night City. Unlike many cyberpunk stories that focus on cool visuals, Edgerunners highlights the real human cost of technological upgrades, showing cybernetic enhancements leading to tragic mental breakdowns. Combined with the dynamic animation style of Studio Trigger, the series effectively captures the frantic energy of a society that values profit over people, making every action scene both thrilling and disturbing.

6) Silo

I’m completely hooked on Silo! It’s based on a fantastic book series, and it’s a really gripping mystery about what’s left of humanity living deep underground in this huge, self-contained bunker. You follow Juliette, played by Rebecca Ferguson, who’s an engineer suddenly caught in the middle of things when people start dying under suspicious circumstances – it really throws the whole community into chaos. What’s amazing is how the show looks – the silo itself feels like a character, all rusty and industrial, constantly reminding you how trapped everyone is. It really makes you think about what it would be like to live like that, being watched and controlled. The show digs into some heavy themes about power, secrets, and what happens when you question everything. Juliette’s journey to uncover the truth about the people who built the silo and what’s really outside is so compelling, and it’s a slow burn that really pays off if you stick with it. Honestly, I think Silo is one of the best dystopian shows out there.

5) Fallout

The Fallout TV series brilliantly brings the unique look and darkly funny tone of the beloved video game to life, offering a thoughtful look at what it means to survive in a broken world. Two hundred years after a nuclear war, the story centers on Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell), who ventures out of a safe underground Vault and into the dangerous ruins of Los Angeles. The show cleverly switches between Lucy’s hopeful outlook and the hardened, realistic perspective of Cooper Howard (Walton Goggins), a mutated bounty hunter called The Ghoul. This contrast highlights the difference between the optimistic promises made by companies before the war and the harsh realities of the world they created. With impressive visuals and a focus on practical effects, the series perfectly captures the strange and violent atmosphere of the setting, proving that science fiction can be both fun and a sharp critique of the ideas that can lead to a society’s downfall.

4) Station Eleven

Unlike many stories about the end of the world that focus on immediate danger, Station Eleven explores what happens after a devastating flu pandemic, highlighting the lasting importance of art and memory. The show jumps between different time periods, mainly following Kirsten Raymonde, a member of a traveling theater group performing Shakespeare for small communities years after society collapses. This structure allows the series to examine how stories connect the lost world with the new one being built by those who survived. A fictional comic book, also called Station Eleven, plays a key role, showing how people express their pain and hopes through the things they read and watch. By prioritizing art, poetry, and human connection over typical post-apocalyptic themes, Station Eleven beautifully suggests that simply staying alive isn’t enough—what truly defines us is our need to create.

3) Pluribus

Vince Gilligan, the creator of Breaking Bad, takes a bold step away from typical sci-fi with his new series, Pluribus. The show follows Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), a disillusioned writer in Albuquerque, who is one of the few people unaffected by an alien virus. This virus turns everyone else into a calm, unified collective. Instead of a scary invasion story, Gilligan uses this setup to examine the conflict between having personal freedom and being part of a happy group. The transformed humans, called “Others,” aren’t enemies – they see Carol’s sadness and anger as something that needs to be fixed. This unexpected approach builds a growing sense of unease, as the show challenges the idea of what it means to be human when struggling feels like a flaw. Rhea Seehorn gives a compelling performance as a woman determined to hold onto her unhappiness in a world obsessed with positivity, making Pluribus a unique and thought-provoking entry into the science fiction genre.

2) Star Wars: Andor

Unlike other Star Wars stories, Andor ditches the magical side of the universe and dives into a realistic, gritty spy thriller. The show explores how ordinary people can become radicalized and how evil thrives in bureaucracy. It follows Cassian Andor’s journey before Rogue One, showing how he evolves from a small-time criminal into a rebel fighter. Andor focuses on the cold, impersonal nature of the Galactic Empire, with characters like Syril Karn and Dedra Meero embodying its oppressive system. This emphasis on the mechanics of control makes the story feel more real and frightening, as the horror comes from the loss of basic rights, not from fantastical threats. The series also presents the Rebellion as a flawed, desperate group, offering a complex political message that adds depth to the Star Wars universe. Its commitment to filming in real locations and using practical sets enhances the show’s realistic and mature tone, setting a new standard for blockbuster science fiction.

1) Severance

Considered one of the most thought-provoking and visually unique science fiction shows in recent years, Severance explores the isolating effects of modern work through a chillingly believable premise. The show follows Mark Scout (Adam Scott), an employee at Lumon Industries who has undergone a procedure to separate his work and personal memories. This creates an ‘Innie’ – a work-self who exists solely within the office and has no knowledge of the outside world. Director Ben Stiller uses a stark, retro design to build a sense of unease and dread, as the characters grapple with their purpose within a corporation that feels like a secretive cult. What makes Severance so compelling is its ability to find deep, unsettling tension in the everyday routines of office life, as both versions of Mark begin to uncover the hidden truths about Lumon.

As a huge sci-fi fan, I’m really curious to hear what everyone thinks: which series that’s come out in the 2020s has done the best job of making us rethink what the future might actually hold? I’d love to hear your thoughts – let’s discuss it over on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-21 21:11