Hyperdrive to max! Tasers set to stun! Chart a course for the next galaxy! Get your fix of sci-fi entertainment with this list of the top sci-fi shows to watch on TV right now.
Keep an eye on this list as it is updated with the latest and greatest in science fiction, so you can be sure you’re in the loop. From Westworld to War of the Worlds, this list will help fans stay up to date on the most popular science fiction TV show available.
Watch Guide Methodology: Using proprietary viewership data, DIRECTV Insider curates lists of the most popular TV shows and movies being watched by real people, in real time, to help you pick the best trending content to watch across networks. Our rolling data collection also allows readers to see how a trending show’s ranking has changed week over week.
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TOP 10 SCI-FI SHOWS TO WATCH
Let’s get started. Here are the trending science fiction shows that TV-watchers are enjoying right now, with all the information you need to check them out for yourself.
1. ‘Westworld’
↑ 13 vs. Prior Week
Westworld doesn’t happen in the Wild West, but it sure does a great job getting you to believe it does. The hit HBO show, based on Michael Crichton’s 1973 film of the same name, combines a cyberpunk future with a rip-roaring Wild West adventure where nothing is as it seems.
Westworld is a masterfully produced dive into the perils of both the old West and a future where technology has the capacity to both fulfill people’s deepest — and darkest — fantasies and shake the foundations of the world.
2. ‘SurrealEstate’
↓ 1 vs. Prior Week
Immerse yourself in the eerie world of SurrealEstate, a drama fantasy series that casts a paranormal twist on the classic genre of real estate television. The show follows smooth-talking real estate agent Luke Roman as he works to find buyers for haunted and possessed properties that seem almost impossible to sell.
Guided by his expert team, each with their own unique abilities and personal quirks, Luke delves into the mysterious and spine-chilling corners of the paranormal real estate market.
3. ‘Lost in Space’
↓ 1 vs. Prior Week
Danger, Will Robinson! Embark on a thrilling adventure through the cosmos with the science fiction and fantasy classic Lost in Space. Journey alongside the brave Robinson family, who, after their spaceship is sabotaged, become lost in outer space for three years. Led by Professor John Robinson and his brilliant wife Maureen, each member of the Robinson family and the ship’s crew brings their unique strength to the table to overcome thrilling challenges. From deadly extraterrestrials to mesmerizing planets, every episode is a deep space odyssey without parallel.
4. ‘Time Tunnel’
↓ 1 vs. Prior Week
Step back in time and witness history as it unfolds in Time Tunnel, a thrilling sci-fi TV show from 1966. Dr. Tony Newman and Dr. Doug Phillips, two daring scientists, are the test subjects of a top-secret U.S. government experiment that sends them hurdling into the past and future. The suspense escalates with every episode as the duo faces dire situations in different time periods — from the Titanic’s sinking to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Experience the adrenaline rush of time travel and historical events in
5. ‘Star Trek: Discovery’
↓ 1 vs. Prior Week
Star Trek: Discovery takes viewers on an intense journey across the cosmos. Lead character Michael Burnham, portrayed by Sonequa Martin-Green, ties her roots to the iconic Spock and his Vulcan race as the famous character’s adopted sister, which adds a compelling twist to the overall series. The show is more than just about space exploration; it takes a deep dive into interpersonal relations, political intrigue, and even touches on personal redemption. Each episode propels you deeper into the sci-fi universe, filled with high-stakes adventure, time-bending plot lines and tense encounters with hostile species.
6. ‘Doctor Who’
↔ vs. Prior Week
Ex-ter-miin-ate! your boredom with the cosmic adventures of Doctor Who, a journey through time and space like no other. With every incarnation of the Doctor, from the first to the fifteenth, battling nefarious aliens, mastering time travel in the iconic TARDIS and saving countless civilizations, the series is a whirlwind concoction of science fiction, drama, and a dash of British humor. Each new Doctor and companion combo brings their unique personalities and approaches to the story, creating an ever-evolving narrative that keeps the audience guessing as the team dodges Daleks, Cybermen, and rogue Time Lords.
7. ‘Snowpiercer’
↔ vs. Prior Week
Snowpiercer is a gripping TV series set in a dystopian future where the Earth has become a frozen wasteland. The show takes place aboard a massive, perpetually moving train that circles the globe, carrying the last remnants of humanity. Inside the train, a strict class system divides the passengers, leading to tension, conflict, and rebellion. With an ensemble cast led by Jennifer Connelly and Daveed Diggs, Snowpiercer delves deep into themes of survival, social inequality and the human condition. Packed with suspense, drama, and unexpected twists, this series offers a thought-provoking and visually stunning exploration of a world on the brink.
8. ‘The Ark’
↓ 3 vs. Prior Week
In the near future, the world in The Ark (2023) teeters on the brink of extinction. Our last hope rests in a spacecraft filled with human civilization’s finest minds and a few survivors. Yet, in the midst of the persisting threats outside, internal strife and survival politics threaten to tear the dwindling population apart. Witness this riveting tale of survival, human determination, and the will to endure as breathtaking plot twists, rich character development, and tense relationships unfold. Embarking into the unknown, the crew must navigate uncharted territory, both within their ship and within themselves.
9. ‘Halo’
↓ 1 vs. Prior Week
Join Master Chief, a cybernetically enhanced super-soldier, as he takes on a relentless alien invasion in Halo (2022). Part-human, part-machine, Master Chief exudes heroic charisma as he risks everything to defend humanity against the formidable Covenant in the 26th century. The show dives deep into intense battles, unpredictable plot twists, and mind-bending sci-fi concepts. Witness the future of humankind through riveting war scenes, interspecies diplomacy, and an exploration of our place in the universe. Halo offers a thrilling journey into the unknown that will have sci-fi fans captivated from start to finish.
10. ‘War of the Worlds’
↓ 1 vs. Prior Week
The War of the Worlds (2019) is a riveting re-imagination of H.G. Wells’s groundbreaking science fiction novel. When astronomers receive a mind-boggling transmission from an entirely different galaxy, every soul on earth holds their breath for the next big encounter. But little do they know, a cataclysmic attack awaits them, throwing the world into a stage of survival like never before. Join the remaining human survivors as they grapple with extinction, only to rise against the most formidable and dangerous threat humanity has ever faced. Unearth new layers of suspense, desperation, and resilience in this enthralling apocalyptic drama.
And there you have it: the top sci-fi shows to stream at home. Stay tuned for updates to come so you can keep up with the best content available right now.
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And for even more insight into the top shows and movies to watch right now, check out these other lists:
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the most popular sci-fi shows of all time?
Star Trek, The Twilight Zone, Doctor Who, The X-Files, Lost, Black Mirror,
What makes something a sci-fi show?
A science fiction show is one that explores a world in which advanced science and technology are the norm, and often take have to do with space, time travel, parallel universes, AI, robotics or other futuristic topics.
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