Some of the best science fiction shows streaming on TV today started on the page. From epic space operas to dystopian wastelands, alien invasions and time travel, these series have taken their novel source material and dug deep into the stories that readers already loved. And many have done something remarkable: Made fans out of even the most discerning book readers.
Just about every major streaming service has a hit sci-fi TV adaptation. Here’s your guide to watching some of the best of them.
Looking for your next binge-worthy series? DIRECTV has plenty of sci-fi movies and TV shows to add to your watchlist!
Best Sci-Fi Adaptations TV Shows
These sci-fi series take some of the genre’s most imaginative stories from the page and bring them to life on the small screen:
‘3 Body Problem’
Starring: Benedict Wong, Jess Hong, Jovan Adepo, Eiza González, John Bradley and Rosalind Chao
Streaming on: Netflix
The hit Netflix show is based on Liu Cixin’s book series and takes its name from the first novel, The Three-Body Problem. The series follows a group of scientists who uncover a mystery connected to an extraterrestrial civilization that poses a massive threat to humanity.
The story begins with Chinese astrophysicist Ye Wenjie, who is sent to a secret military base during the Cultural Revolution, where she becomes involved in a classified effort to make contact with extraterrestrial life. Her story stretches into the present day, when a group of friends known as the Oxford Five uncover a mystery connected to the decision she made decades earlier.
‘Dark Matter’
Starring: Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Connelly, Alice Braga, Jimmi Simpson and Dayo Okeniyi
Streaming on: Apple TV+
Based on the novel by Blake Crouch of the same name, Dark Matter follows physicist Jason Dessen, who is kidnapped and dropped into an alternate version of his life by an alternate version of himself. In this reality, Jason gets a glimpse of the life he might have lived if he had made different choices years earlier. He must find a way to get back to his own timeline and reunite with his family while figuring out how the alternate versions of his life came to exist in the first place.
‘The Expanse’
Starring: Steven Strait, Cas Anvar, Dominique Tipper, Wes Chatham and Shohreh Aghdashloo
Streaming on: Prime Video
Based on the novels by James S.A. Corey, The Expanse is set in a future where humanity has colonized the solar system. There, the problems humanity has long dealt with on Earth find new terrain as tensions grow between Earth, Mars and the Belt, where air and water are more precious than gold.
A ship crew inadvertently finds itself in the middle of a conspiracy after responding to a distress call from a mysterious ship, while a detective on Ceres Station investigates the disappearance of a wealthy young woman. The two cases eventually connect, threatening to unravel the fragile peace between Earth, Mars and the Belt.
‘Foundation’
Starring: Jared Harris, Lee Pace, Lou Llobell, Leah Harvey and Laura Birn
Streaming on: Apple TV+
Apple TV’s Foundation is based on the iconic series by science fiction author Isaac Asimov. Set in the far future, the galaxy is ruled by the Empire, a genetic dynasty of clones of the long-deceased Emperor Cleon. The three clones age into their roles, with the oldest serving as a mentor, the middle clone serving as leader and the youngest training to succeed as leader one day.
The Empire is thrown into turmoil when a professor and his young pupil make a prediction that could spell the end of the galaxy. At first, the clones do not believe it until some of the events they predict begin to happen.
‘Silo’
Starring: Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Robbins, Common, Harriet Walter and Chinaza Uche
Streaming on: Apple TV+
Silo is based on the novel trilogy by Hugh Howey. The series is set in a dystopian future where humanity is forced to live underground in silos, presumably for its own protection. When Juliette Nichols begins investigating the mysterious death of someone she loves, she starts uncovering secrets about the silo and its carefully controlled society.
Over time, trickles of the past start finding their way in, and questions are raised about why humanity is living underground and whether they are actually safe after all. The binge-worthy TV show recently wrapped its third season.
‘Under the Dome’
Starring: Mike Vogel, Rachelle Lefevre, Dean Norris, Britt Robertson and Alexander Koch
Streaming on: Paramount+
Loosely based on Stephen King’s novel, Under the Dome follows residents of the small town of Chester’s Mill, Maine, after an indestructible dome is suddenly placed over it. The military and government are baffled by its appearance and unable to pierce it.
As provisions for those inside the dome start to dwindle, tensions rise among the residents as they try to maintain order while searching for answers about the mysterious barrier. The race to figure out the mystery of the dome and how to get out of it becomes more urgent.
‘Altered Carbon’
Starring: Joel Kinnaman, James Purefoy, Martha Higareda, Anthony Mackie and Renée Elise Goldsberry
Streaming on: Netflix
Altered Carbon is based on the 2002 novel by Richard K. Morgan. In this world, consciousness can be transferred to different bodies, allowing someone to theoretically live forever. The series starts when former mercenary Takeshi Kovacs is woken out of storage and placed in a new body by one of the wealthiest men in the world, who wants him to solve his own murder. As Kovacs investigates, he begins to uncover secrets surrounding the wealthy man’s death and the technology that allows people to survive beyond their original bodies.
‘Dune: Prophecy’
Starring: Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, Mark Strong and Jodhi May
Streaming on: HBO Max
Dune: Prophecy is based on the lore of Frank Herbert’s Dune universe and the novel trilogy The Great Schools of Dune by his son Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.
The series is set 10,000 years before the events of the Dune film series, as the Bene Gesserit come to power and begin to assert their influence on the Imperium. The story follows sisters Valya and Tula Harkonnen as they work to establish the sisterhood and shape the future of humanity. The series also establishes the roots of the Harkonnen and Atreides family rivalry that would last for millennia.
‘The Peripheral’
Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Gary Carr, Jack Reynor, JJ Feild and T’Nia Miller
Streaming on: Prime Video
The Peripheral is based on the novel by William Gibson of the same name. Set in the not-too-distant reality of 2032, it follows a young woman named Flynne Fisher and her brother Burton, who are trying to make cash in a virtual reality game. When Flynne tries out a new headset, she discovers that the game is actually connecting her to a version of London nearly 70 years in the future. They end up becoming ensnared in a conspiracy neither of them signed up for, but both are uniquely capable of helping solve.
Watch More Sci-Fi with DIRECTV
DIRECTV has plenty of sci-fi TV shows and movies to stream, so there’s always something new to add to your watchlist. Keep exploring and find your next favorite.
Don’t have DIRECTV yet? Sign up today!
Frequently asked questions
Where can I watch sci-fi TV adaptations?
Are sci-fi TV adaptations faithful to the books?
DIRECTV Insider brings you our views on what’s happening in streaming, t.v., movies and sports. Companies and persons mentioned are not necessarily associated with and do not necessarily endorse DIRECTV. We will disclose sponsored content on our site when we show it to you, and some of the links on the site may be ads or affiliate links which means DIRECTV may earn compensation from your purchases.
