Guide to Science Fiction: Must See TV Shows

There are so many good science fiction television shows that it’s really hard to pin down a list of the essentials. So, what I’m going to do is go by decade. For each decade, starting in the 1960s, I’ll list the best or most influential series and a runner up. (If a series ran in multiple decades, I’m just going to pick one) I guarantee that there will be a lot of series missing from this list, but it should be more than enough for those who don’t have a lot of experience in the genre.

60s

There were so many fantastic science fiction shows in the 60s that it’s really hard to pick just two. Nearly every list of the most influential science fiction shows contains multiple shows from the 60s, as the popularity of the genre exploded in this decade. Here are my picks for the two essential series to watch.

The Twilight Zone (1959–1964)

Rod Serling’s masterpiece started in 1959 and really started the sci-fi boom. The world had never seen anything like this sci-fi anthology series. It was depressing, thought-provoking, funny, and (most importantly) limitlessly varied. In a time where science fiction literature was just starting to gain respect, Serling brought that same respect to television. The series wasn’t afraid of forcing its viewers to examine themselves and the world, as it explored topics like civil rights, eugenics, welfare, warfare, and death.

Recommended episodes: “Where is Everybody?” (S01 E01), “The Encounter” (S05 E31), “To Serve Man” (S03 E24), “The Monsters are Due on Maple Street” (S01 E22)

Star Trek (1966–1969)

Star Trek is a fantastic show that broke a lot of new ground. It started a cultural phenomenon that has lasted decades and is truly one of the greatest science fiction shows of all time.

Recommended episodes: “The City on the Edge of Forever” (S01 E28), “Where No Man Has Gone Before” (S01 E03), “Mirror, Mirror” (S02 E04), “The Trouble with Tribbles” (S02 E15)

70s

The 70s didn’t have a lot of great sci-fi, but it did have a lot of influential shows. Many of the shows that debuted in the 70s only lasted for a season or two. Even those that have made a significant cultural impact focused primarily on the non-science fiction aspects. There are quite a few modern sci-fi shows that drew their inspiration from this time, whether they were full remakes, or just expansions of the ideas.

Doctor Who (1963–Present)

This British series has never officially been cancelled in over 5 decades (though it has had several hiatuses). It’s not only the longest running science fiction series, it’s one of the longest running television series in history. While Doctor Who is probably more popular now than it has ever been, the series really established itself during Tom Baker’s iconic run as the 4th Doctor from 1974 to 1981.

Recommended episodes: “Genesis Of The Daleks” (S12 E11–16), “The Talons Of Weng-Chiang” (S14 E21–27), “City Of Death” (S17 E05–08)

The Six Million Dollar Man (1974–1978)

There was better science fiction than The Six Million Dollar Man on television in the 70s, but not many were more influential. The show is probably spoofed more often than not, but it’s done more out of fondness than mockery.

Recommended episodes: “The Seven Million Dollar Man” (S02 E05), “The Secret of Bigfoot” (S03 E16–17), “Death Probe” (S04 E13–14)

80s

The 80s were a rough time for television sci-fi. Technology was advancing rapidly, and special effects were becoming more important to the genre. While movies were able to use their budgets to produce fantastic visuals, television shows just didn’t have the resources to compete in the first half of the decade.

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994)

This is widely considered one of the 10 best science fiction shows of all time. Star Trek: The Next Generation (or TNG, for short), managed to take the exploration and wonder of the original series and modernize it, streamline it, and ultimately make it better. The series is still the most popular in the franchise, and Capt. Picard is getting a spin-off series in late 2019, 25 years after TNG went off the air.

Recommended episodes: “Chain of Command” (S06 E10–11), “The Measure of a Man” (S02 E09), “The Inner Light” (S05 E25)

The Transformers

This was tough as there were several other series that could have filled the runner-up spot, but I had to go with Transformers for two reasons. One is the longevity of the series, which has been remade or rebooted multiple times over the years. The second is that I felt I had to include a show primarily intended for children. Transformers was the introduction to science fiction concepts for so many kids, that I had to put it on my list.

Recommended episodes: “Heavy Metal War” (S01 E14), “The Search for Alpha Trion” (S02 E32), “The Golden lagoon” (S02 E27)

90s

The 1990s were a turning point for science fiction on the small screen. This was the decade where sci-fi transitioned from a fringe genre for nerds to the mainstream. Science fiction began to be a staple of prime-time lineups, and the sheer number of shows within the genre exploded.

The X-Files

This is the show that really triggered the sci-fi revolution in television. The combination of Mulder’s optimistic faith and Scully’s tenacious skepticism resonated with such a large variety of people that it became a must-watch for every household, not just sci-fi fans. It was so successful that modern shows like Breaking Bad, NCIS, and Game of Thrones can all trace some fundamental aspect of themselves back to The X-Files.

Recommended episodes: “Triangle” (S06 E03), “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” (S03 E04), “Home” (S04 E02)

Babylon 5

The attention to detail in Babylon 5 is amazing. All five seasons of the show were completely outlined before the pilot was even filmed. The creator also worked closely with his technical advisors to make sure that the show was as scientifically accurate as possible.

Recommended episodes*: “The Coming of Shadows” (S02 E09), “Z’ha’dum” (S03 E22), “Babylon Squared” (S01 E20)

*NOTE – Babylon 5 is not an episodic series and should be viewed in order.

00s

Futurama

It was hard for me to pick this one above the runner-up, but the longevity, accessibility, and the sheer variety of stories put Futurama as the best sci-fi- show of the 2000s. Matt Groening’s signature animation style is fantastic in a universe of bizarre, yet relatable beings. The voice acting is top notch, and the consistent quality of stories, jokes, and references make the show a joy to watch.

Recommended episodes: “Godfellas” (S03 E20), “The Problem with Popplers” (S02 E15), “The Prisoner of Benda” (S06 E10), “Jurassic Bark” (S05 E02)

Battlestar Galactica

This is widely considered one of the best television dramas of the last 20 years, not just best sci-fi dramas. It has complex characters and narratives, where no one is purely good or bad. Character motivations constantly change and adapt with the situations. It’s compelling TV (though the ending was a disappointment).

Recommended episodes: “Pegasus” (S02 E10), “Exodus” (S03 E03–04), “Flesh and Bone” (S01 E08), “Revelations” (S04 E10)

10s

Black Mirror

It seems fitting to have this as the best sci-fi show of the decade, as Black Mirror is the modern successor to the first show on my list. The world of Black Mirror is darker and less magical than The Twilight Zone (at least for the first few seasons), but still just as thought provoking. Each episode feels like a short film rather than just a TV episode, and the more you watch, the more connected the episodes become. Black Mirror has also experimented with new formats, with the episode “Bandersnatch” being interactive, so the viewer can influence the character’s decisions.

Recommended episodes: “Be Right Back” (S02 E1), “The Entire History of You” (S01 E03), “San Junipero” (S03 E04), “USS Callister” (S04 E1)

Rick and Morty

The series is a weird blend of off-beat, unpredictable humor and a philosophical examination of nihilism. The series is still fairly young, but just keeps getting better and took its first Emmy in 2018.

Recommended episodes: “Big Trouble in Little Sanchez” (S02 E07), “Total Rickall” (S02 E04), “The Ricklantis Misxup” (S03 E07), “Rick Potion No. 9” (S01 E06)