You Can’t Call Yourself a Sci-Fi Fan if You Haven’t Seen These 5 TV Shows

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Many science fiction TV shows have become iconic parts of our culture, but there are five series every serious sci-fi fan should experience. While you can definitely enjoy the genre without knowing these shows – it’s never good to exclude people from a fandom based on opinion – watching them will give you a deeper understanding of how sci-fi has evolved and the lasting influence these programs have had.

Science fiction is hugely popular on television right now. Shows like Westworld, Rick and Morty, Fallout, and The Boys have significantly shaped what we watch today, and their impact is clear. But these five shows, in particular, offer a great way to understand the history and evolution of sci-fi on TV.

5) Doctor Who

Doctor Who is the most enduring science fiction show ever made, so it’s a must-watch for any sci-fi enthusiast. This British series began in 1963 and centers on a Time Lord who travels through time and space on exciting adventures. Over the decades, different actors have played the Doctor, offering viewers a fascinating look at how the sci-fi genre itself has changed.

Doctor Who has always been a show that reinvents itself, and that’s a big part of its appeal. The classic episodes from 1963 to 1989 are very different from the show as it is today, which returned in 2005. Even within the newer seasons, the style has changed, moving between long, connected storylines and self-contained episodes. Over the years, Doctor Who has covered almost every idea in science fiction, making it a fantastic introduction to the genre.

4) Black Mirror

Among today’s science fiction shows, Black Mirror is widely considered the most impactful. The series began in 2011 and has run for seven seasons, with each episode presenting a unique sci-fi idea. What sets it apart from other similar shows is its realistic approach, making it particularly compelling. Black Mirror has become a benchmark for the genre, and many films and TV series, such as Her and Ex Machina, share a similar tone and explore comparable themes.

Black Mirror is a modern science fiction show that cleverly examines the dangers technology presents to our society. It’s often proven right by real-world events in areas like surveillance and artificial intelligence, and its predictions are remarkably accurate – almost as good as The Simpsons! The series features both new and experienced sci-fi talent, making it a perfect choice for anyone looking for a short, scary dose of science fiction.

3) The Twilight Zone

It’s safe to say Black Mirror owes a lot to The Twilight Zone. The classic anthology series from the 1960s used science fiction and the supernatural to examine what it means to be human, and it’s known for its sharp social commentary within the sci-fi genre. The show cleverly combined familiar, low-budget sci-fi elements with genuinely thought-provoking ideas, making it appealing to a wide audience.

The show’s impact is clear, as it’s been copied and referenced in many other works. Films such as The Mist, Us, and Child’s Play feel very similar to episodes of The Twilight Zone, and it also paved the way for later shows with a similar format, like The X-Files.

2) The X-Files

The original X-Files is a landmark series that popularized the use of science fiction to explore conspiracy theories, making it incredibly influential. It aired from 1993 to 2018, spanning 11 seasons. It’s considered one of the best shows about aliens and UFOs, and it also launched the career of Vince Gilligan, the creator of Breaking Bad.

1) Star Trek: The Original Series

Many consider Star Trek to be the most famous science fiction series ever made, achieving a level of success and impact on popular culture comparable to Star Wars. It began in 1966 with the original series, which ran for three seasons. Since then, Star Trek has grown into a massive franchise, including 13 different TV shows and 14 movies.

Star Trek had a huge impact on science fiction. Shows and movies like Galaxy Quest and The Orville are essentially built around commenting on Star Trek, and others, such as Battlestar Galactica, Babylon 5, and Futurama, likely wouldn’t exist without it. To really understand the genre, it’s almost necessary to watch at least part of the original Star Trek: The Original Series to see its origins.

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2026-02-12 18:12