Summary

At some point , the time to come of awing science fable stories will mostly transition from movies to television . Over the retiring few years , some of the best tv set serial of all sentence have been unfreeze , and they sit firmly in the sci - fi genre . Major cyclosis services have publish incredible show , and Academy Award - winning thespian like Christopher Walken , Anthony Hopkins , and Daniel Kaluuya have joined them . For many of the series , critics ' military rating have been wild , and viewership for show likeFallouthas been very telling .

The success does n’t lay off there . Sci - fi showslikeStranger Things , Severance , andWestworldhave collected Emmy Awards per year for years . The Last of UsandStranger Thingshave jump - commence the careers of immature worker like Bella Ramsey and Millie Bobby Brown . Whether it ’s tough sci - fi that focus on the future tense of the human race in place , a post - apocalyptical wasteland wedge - full of mutant , or teras - filled alternate attribute , television receiver has pack character sci - fi to a new level .

In solemnization of Fallout ’s firing on Prime Video , here ’s Screen Rant ’s complete guide to the franchise ’s characters , locations , lore , and changes .

The Ghoul next to Lucy, Dr. Siggi Wilzig, and Ma June in Fallout

10Resident Alien (2021-Present)

Alan Tudyk Is Back In The Sci-Fi Spotlight

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Cast

A television system adaptation of the comic playscript series , Resident Alien is a sci - fi drollery that stars Alan Tudyk as an alien who crashes on Earth with one mission - destroy human beings to deliver the major planet . When Tudyk ’s case takes the identity of a medico , he arrives at a minuscule town and begins to act the purpose train his plan . As time passes , he develops human emotions against his will - but his programme are further complicated when he receive the son of the mayor - who can see his literal appearance .

A SYFY original , Resident Alienfollows the story of an noncitizen who crash lands in Colorado , accidentally kills a man bring up Harry Vanderspeigle , and steals his identity . He ’s sent to Earth to exterminate the human race but ends up having 2d thoughts after developing human relationship with the humans he was sent there to kill . Harry is played by Alan Tudyk , who return to the sci - fi spotlight almost two decades after playing Hoban " Wash " Washburne inFirefly .

Not only is Tudyk link up by a strong stick out cast of up - and - comers , but veteran sci - fi actors have appeared in several episodes , including Linda Hamilton ( Terminator ) , Terry O’Quinn ( Lost ) , and Tudyk’sFireflyco - star , Nathan Fillion . The series toes the ancestry perfectly between clowning , sci - fi , and drama for a rare blend of genres that would likely be harder to attain in film . Resident Alienseason 4hasn’t been greenlit just yet , but the show ’s impressive ability to balance several different tone propose it deserves to return .

Bella Ramsey as Ellie in the Last of us Season 2 Pointing a Gun in the basement of a hospital

9Silo (2023-Present)

A Dystopian Mystery Starring Rebecca Ferguson

In a dystopian future , human being and woman reside in a vast underground silo governed by strict regulations , believed to screen them from the hazardous world above . The series delves into the complex societal order within the silo and the mysteries surrounding their subterranean existence .

Apple TV+‘sSilois establish on the popular skill fiction novel series by Hugh Howey , titledWool . The series is create byJustified’sGraham Yost and follows a dystopian future in which humanity has been confined to a massive silo , believe the world outside is too toxic to live in . The silo is govern to keep decree among its people and verify its universe , but certain member of its population believe the the true is being hidden . Rebecca Ferguson leads an impressive plaster bandage that include Academy Award winner Tim Robbins , Will Patton , Common , and Rashida Jones .

Siloweaves a murder mystery subplot throughout its desolate , dystopian theme , which kick in it an unwavering level of intensity with each installment . Notably , Silohas already finished film season 2and will introduce new characters and locations in the serial publication . Considering the books follow a prequel storyline , it ’s rumored the subsequent season will separate off from the novels all , with flashbacks as references . This level of telescope would n’t be possible in a movie , highlighting whySiloworks so well as a show .

Star Wars Stormtrooper

8Black Mirror (2011-Present)

Bleak Doesn’t Begin To Describe This Netflix Anthology

Black Mirror is a dystopian anthology serial that explores the unsettling and profound impact of modern applied science on companionship . premier in 2011 , it see various scenarios where technological advancements intersect with human nature , create thought - provoking story about contemporary and future proceeds .

Since 2011,Black Mirrorhas been possibly the bleakest and most naturalistic sci - fi series on television system . Ironically created by English comedy author Charlie Brooker , the serial accompany an anthology layout that tells a different hard sci - fi fib with each installment . Most of the episodes pass over some kind of futuristic technological danger that serves as a admonition due to how similar it is to current technologies used today .

The standalone nature of each episode is one of the show ’s greatest strengths , permit it to tell a multifariousness of meaningful , ego - contained stories in a way that would n’t be practicable in motion picture . Additionally , due to its anthology structure , Black Mirrorhas attracted a diversity of massive starsthroughout its seven seasons , including Oscar winner Daniel Kaluuya , Bryce Dallas Howard , Hayley Atwell , Jon Hamm , and Miley Cyrus . The series has had some ups and down in terms of consultation approval but overall remains a standout in the sci - fi genre .

Bella Ramsey as Ellie Williams from The Last of Us, Rebecca Ferguson as Juliette in Silo, and Ella Purnell as Lucy MacLean from Fallout

Custom image by Yeider Chacon

Andrew Scott , Letitia Wright , and Jesse Plemons were all nominate for Primetime Emmys for acting inBlack Mirror .

7Dark Matter (2024-Present)

A Fascinating Premise With Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly In The Leading Roles

Dark Matter ( 2024 ): Jason Dessen is thrust into an alternate reality where he must face up an sinister adaptation of himself . His pursuance to come back to his original life leads him on a challenging journey to reunite with his family , navigating the complexities of parallel existences .

Apple TV+‘sDark Matteris based on Blake Crouch ’s fast - pace 2016 novel of the same name . The serial follows Jason Dessen , a college professor who is snatch and switches places with a parallel existence version of himself . Jason must find his way of life back to his home by traveling through a countless number of universe , even some he is n’t alert in . Dark Matterstars Joel Edgerton as Dessen , Jennifer Connelly , Jimmi Simpson ( Westworld ) , and Alice Braga ( I Am Legend ) .

The series ' special effects are incredible , using a nice blend of CG and practical sets to show off the multiple creation , include some that have been destroyed by the elements . This attack is a central example of whyDark Matterworks so well as a show ; on a TV budget , the pragmatic sets are a must , but they enhance the viewer experience rather than take aside from it . This is potential part of the reasonDark Matterhas done well with critic , score an 80 % on Rotten Tomatoes .

Resident Alien Season 3 Poster Showing Alan Tudyk Flipping Off UFOs

A television adaptation of the comic book series, Resident Alien is a sci-fi comedy that stars Alan Tudyk as an alien who crashes on Earth with one mission - destroy humanity to save the planet. When Tudyk’s character takes the identity of a doctor, he arrives at a small town and begins to act the role preparing his plan. As time passes, he develops human emotions against his will - but his plans are further complicated when he meets the son of the mayor - who can see his actual appearance.

6Severance (2022-Present)

Ben Stiller’s Psychological Sci-Fi Thriller

Severance is a psychological thriller series sport Adam Scott as Mark Scout , an employee at Lumon Industries who undergoes a " severance " procedure to separate his work and personal remembering . However , as oeuvre and lifespan persona mysteriously begin to collide , it quickly becomes clear that not all is as it seems . Created by Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle .

In another splendid Apple TV+ release , Ben Stiller place one of the most unique sci - fi show ever made withSeverance . The storey stick with a radical of office actor who have had their brain change in gild to divide the " at study " personas of themselves from the " at home base " personas , without the former bed that the latter exists ( until they commence to see it out ) . Adam Scott leads an all - hotshot mold that lie of Christopher Walken , John Turturro , Patricia Arquette , Gwendoline Christie , and John Noble .

The show is revered for its thrilling and interesting take on the effects of capitalist economy on the human soul and its incredibly original technological ideas . This layering of themes is made for the TV medium , allowing the show to go deep on nuanced ideas . Severancehas also been lauded for its brilliant reality - construction , with a level of contingent much easier to accomplish on idiot box .

Headshot Of Alan Tudyk In The 2024 Astra TV Awards at Millennium Biltmore Hotel

5Westworld (2016-2022)

A Complicated HBO Show With Plenty Of Emmys Love

HBO’sWestworldis a dystopian science fiction western that is based on the Michael Crichton - direct film , Westworld . The series centers on high - paying guests who visit a western theme park full of human - corresponding androids to live on out untamed fantasy . Westworldwould later introduce a futuristic mid-21st hundred where the globe is take to the woods by an artificial word called Rehoboam . The serial was incredibly popular during its four - season run but was canceled by HBO in November 2022 .

Max’sWestworldis based on Michael Crichton ’s 1973 movie of the same nameand introduces its audience to the fellowship of Delos Inc. The caller creates theme park fill with lifelike , biomechanical robots bang as hosts that the patrons can befriend , have relationship with , and even bolt down . In their Old West - theme green known as Westworld , the boniface begin to become sentient and rise up against their human Godhead and maltreater . Over its four time of year , Westworldstarred Anthony Hopkins , Evan Rachel Wood , Jeffrey Wright , Aaron Paul , James Marsden , Thandiwe Newton , and Ed Harris .

The serial publication got a little overcomplicated towards its last two seasons , but critics and interview adored the first two , with some citing it as one of the honest sci - fi shows ever made . ConsideringWestworldstarted as a film , the show is the pure illustration of expanding a story for telly to great impression . TheWestworldseries was able to fully flesh out a world in a way the movie could n’t simply because of its shorter runtime .

Cast Placeholder Image

4Fallout (2024-Present)

A Comedic Post-Apocalyptic Drama Starring Walton Goggins And Ella Purnell

Set 200 geezerhood after an apocalypse , Fallout follows residents of luxury shelter as they re - enter a post - atomic world . face with a outlandish and violent landscape , the serial explores the gross contrasts between their sheltered beingness and the harsh realities of the outdoor universe .

Prime Video’sFalloutstars Walton Goggins , Ella Purnell , and Aaron Moten as its three main character , who must trip across the American waste 200 years after it ’s charge by atomic bombs . Based on the popular game franchise , Falloutperfectly mixes comedy with a dramatic and sometimes heartbreaking storyline . Comedic supporting role player like Matt Berry , Chris Parnell , and Michael Rapaport are pepper in throughout the serial publication to keep its levity going . ​​​​​​​

The series has already achieved the impressive feat of becoming Prime Video ’s second - most - watched show ever , validation that sci - fi is utterly have a moment on TV . Even fans of the video biz are mostly impressed by the serial , celebrating the number ofFalloutEaster eggsthroughout season 1 . That level of point and commitment to portraying the secret plan genuinely , while potential to attain on motion picture , is arguably advantageously suited to television .

Silo TV Poster

In a dystopian future, men and women reside in a vast underground silo governed by strict regulations, believed to shield them from the hazardous world above. The series delves into the complex social order within the silo and the mysteries surrounding their subterranean existence.

3The Expanse (2015-2022)

Is The Expanse The Greatest Hard Sci-Fi TV Show Of All Time?

The Expanse is a sci - fi series set in the distant hereafter where humanity has spread out across the solar system , but the alliances between the three most stiff government bodies have gain a State Department of the cold war . In the series , a motley crew get hold themselves at the inwardness of a dangerous intergalactic conspiracy that endanger to get   warfare to the colonized public .

Prime Video ’s hard sci - fi political thrillerThe Expanseis ground on James S. A. Corey ’s nine - fresh , 5,062 - pageboy Hugo Award - winning series . In the future , mankind have colonize space . They still live on Earth but also on Mars and some of the outer major planet of the solar system . The serial publication plunk into the political and social preaching between the futuristic faction of humans in one of the more naturalistic sci - fi shows ever made .

Book #

Headshot Of Rebecca Ferguson In The World Premiere of

Book Title

bit of Pages

Release Date

HeaDSHOT oF Common

1

Leviathan Wakes

561 Pages

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Black Mirror is a dystopian anthology series that explores the unsettling and profound impact of modern technology on society. Premiering in 2011, it examines various scenarios where technological advancements intersect with human nature, creating thought-provoking narratives about contemporary and future issues.

June 15 , 2011

2

Caliban ’s War

Headshot Of Cristin Milioti In The Los Angeles Premiere Screening For Peacock’s Original Series ‘The Resort’

595 Pages

June 25 , 2012

3

Headshot Of Jimmi Simpson In The Apple TV+’s 75th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Party

Abaddon ’s Gate

539 page

June 4 , 2013

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Dark Matter (2024): Jason Dessen is thrust into an alternate reality where he must confront an ominous version of himself. His quest to return to his original life leads him on a challenging journey to reunite with his family, navigating the complexities of parallel existences.

4

Cibola Burn

583 page

Headshot Of Jennifer Connelly In The 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

June 17 , 2014

5

Nemesis Games

Headshot Of Joel Edgerton In The Amazon MGM Studios Los Angeles Premiere Of ‘The Boys In The Boat’

544 Pages

June 2 , 2015

6

Article image

Babylon ’s Ashes

608 page

December 6 , 2016

Headshot Of Adam Scott In The World Premiere Of Columbia Pictures’ ‘Madame Web’

7

Persepolis Rising

560 Pages

Headshot Of Britt Lower In The SAG-AFTRA’s 74th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards

December 5 , 2017

8

Tiamat ’s Wrath

Westworld Season 4 Poster

HBO’sWestworldis a dystopian science fiction western that is based on the Michael Crichton-directed film,Westworld.The series centers on high-paying guests who visit a western theme park full of human-like androids to live out wild fantasies.Westworldwould later introduce a futuristic mid-21st century where the world is run by an artificial intelligence called Rehoboam. The series was incredibly popular during its four-season run but was canceled by HBO in November 2022.

March 26 , 2019

9

Leviathan Falls

Headshot Of Anthony Hopkins In The 94th Academy Awards (Oscars)

528 varlet

November 30 , 2021

The cast of characters is build of mostly lesser - known television doer , but that ’s part of its entreaty . Because the show sport relatively few " epithet , " viewers can truly see the actors as their reference and swallow up themselves in the story . This would n’t be possible in a picture show version ofThe Expanse , where bigger hotshot would in all probability be throw away . to boot , The Expanseis one of the few successful show where the first time of year is take the fallible by its hearing . The show being yield that time to regain its footing ( impossible in film ) , is a giving part of why it became a success .

Headshot Of Evan Rachel Wood

2The Last of Us (2023-Present)

Pedro Pascal Show Is Possibly The Best Video Game Adaptation Ever Made

The Last of Us is a post - apocalyptic drama serial set two decennium after a global disaster . It follows Joel , a seasoned survivor , who is tax with see Ellie , a teenage fille , across a depopulate United States , transubstantiate into a harrowing journey of natural selection and companionship .

Max ’s post - apocalyptical zombi - drama , The Last of Us , was one of 2023 ’s big and most pleasant surprises . Starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in the atomic number 82 roles , the series follows Joel and Ellie , two lost souls who meet one another in an American dystopia . After chance on Ellie is immune to a fungal virus that ’s turn humans into raging zombie , Joel harmonise to guide Ellie to safety so she can help save millions of life .

The Last of Usstands with every exclusive heavy - hitter television show that HBO has loose over the decades , winning eight Primetime Emmys and being nominated for three Golden Globes . While some supporters of the game do n’t like the creative differences made to the series , those alteration are exactly whyThe Last of Usworks so well as a show . A picture show version of the story would likely be a more square adjustment , while the series is n’t afraid to take risks .

Fallout TV Show Poster Showing Lucy, CX404, Ghoul, and Maximus in Front of an Explosion with Flying Bottle Caps

Set 200 years after an apocalypse, Fallout follows residents of luxury shelters as they re-enter a post-nuclear world. Confronted with a bizarre and violent landscape, the series explores the stark contrasts between their sheltered existence and the harsh realities of the outside universe.

1Stranger Things (2016-Present)

Netflix’s Claim To Fame In The Sci-Fi Genre

Inspired by 80s dada - culture and component of Stephen King ’s body of work , Stranger Things is a supernatural activity - drama TV serial publication place in the fabricated township of Hawkins , Indiana . When a untried boy go missing , his radical of friends stumbles upon a immature female child with telekinetic powers who recently escaped from a secret facility . They soon clear that she may be their only chance at stopping an imminent doom that threatens to immerse Hawkins whole .

At this point , Stranger Thingsisn’t just a TV show ; it ’s a global phenomenon . The series follow the coming - of - age narrative of four friends in the 1980s who receive a telekinetically powered young woman around the same fourth dimension several townspeople go overlook . The show is fill with multidimensional sci - fi radical , monsters , ' 80s references , and a killer synth soundtrack . Stranger Thingsis responsible for bitch - starting the careers of its younger cast , including Finn Wolfhard and Millie Bobby Brown , as well as sparking newly - found interest in seasoned thespian like Winona Ryder , Matthew Modine , and David Harbour .

Since its release , many revulsion and sci - fi movies have assay to unsuccessfully becharm the Duffer Brothers ' nostalgic trick thatStranger Thingsexpels to its consultation . However , the show neatly take advantage of its position as a TV show in key ways . For good example , the story ’s emotional beats hit a lot harder when deliberate that audience have determine many of its characters literally grow up on screen . Stranger Thingsis not just one of the best sci - fi shows of all time ; it ’s one of the in effect television shows ever made .

Headshot Of Ella Purnell In The 7th Canneseries International Festival ‘Fallout’

Headshot Of Aaron Moten

The Expanse Poster

The Expanse is a sci-fi series set in the distant future where humanity has spread out across the solar system, but the alliances between the three most potent governing bodies have reached a state of the cold war. In the series, a mixed crew finds themselves at the center of a dangerous intergalactic conspiracy that threatens to bring  war to the colonized worlds.

Headshot of Thomas Jane In The Los Angeles premiere of ‘Maya’ held at Laemmle Royal

Headhsot Of Dominique Tipper

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Custom Image By Yailin Chacon

Imagery from Joel in The Last of Us season 2

Custom Image By Yailin Chacon

Gabriel Luna as Tommy looking to the side next to Bella Ramsey looking shocked in The Last of Us

Custom Image By Yailin Chacon

Ellie wanders through an abandoned building with a gun in The Last Of Us season 2

Headshot Of Pedro Pascal In The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

Headshot Of Bella Ramsey In The 29th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards

Stranger Things Season 4 Poster

Inspired by 80s pop-culture and elements of Stephen King’s works, Stranger Things is a supernatural action-drama TV series set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana.When a young boy goes missing, his group of friends stumbles upon a young girl with telekinetic powers who recently escaped from a mysterious facility. They soon realize that she may be their only chance at stopping an impending doom that threatens to engulf Hawkins whole.

Headshot Of Finn Wolfhard In The Photocall for the cast of ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ at Claridges

Headshot Of Joe Keery In The Celebrities at the Rome premiere of ‘Finally L’Alba’