Discover the 15 Best Sci-fi Series on Netflix to Watch in 2023! Dive into captivating worlds and thrilling narratives handpicked for your viewing pleasure.
There are lots of sci-fi movies on Netflix that are definitely worth watching, but if you’re looking for something that will take a little longer to finish, you might want to look for a series. We’ve done the hard work of sifting through all of Netflix’s many options to find the best solutions for you. The following are the best science fiction shows on Netflix. After you’ve finished watching any of these episodes, you might want to see the best sci-fi series on Netflix of all time.
If you enjoy science fiction and have become disoriented by the plethora of episodes available on Netflix, here is a list of the best sci-fi series on Netflix to help you decide what to watch next. This list covers science fiction shows that explore various facets of the genre, ranging from hugely famous shows like Dark, Stranger Things, and Black Mirror to unappreciated treasures like The Rain. The majority of the series on this list are binge-worthy and will keep you entertained throughout the weekend and even into the week.
Best Sci-fi Series on Netflix For 2023
Black Mirror (2011-2019)
Black Mirror, the anthology series that examines our relationship with technology and the potential and threat that comes with it has endured, even as some of its most recent episodes have fallen in quality. It was established by Charlie Booker in 2011, and it remained particularly incisive throughout its first four seasons. It has firmly established itself as one of the more imaginative anthologies shows available, having covered a wide range of genres and settings.
It is a show that frequently leaves a pit in your stomach while remaining endlessly amusing, combining dark comedy with horrific views of our future. Whether in the improbable romance of “San Junipero” or the dark horror of “USS Callister,” it also plays with the worlds we make for us with a deftness that keeps you hooked. The various episodes cover a wide spectrum of diverse stories that really touch home, so there is something for everyone.
Dark (2017-2020)
Dark, Germany’s smash science-fiction thriller, was a surprising hit for the streaming service. This narrative, presented as a family drama, contains strange twists and intriguing riddles. Dark investigates the disappearance of two young children from this small German village, uncovering a scandal involving four families. Dark, like the renowned Stranger Things series, is a beautifully intriguing series full of deep relationships and exhilarating experiences. Dark stars Louis Hofmann, Karoline Eichhorn, Lisa Vicari, and Maja Schöne were created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese. You can watch the “Dark” like best sci-fi series on Netflix.
Sense8 (2015-2018)
Most of us have to cope with the chaos that comes with being born into a household with siblings and relatives. Now suppose you are born with a mind and feelings shared with seven other people all around the world. Sense8 is the Netflix series created by The Wachowski Sisters and J. Michael Straczynski. It will undoubtedly be the most bizarre item you see on this list, as a group of eight “sense8” meet and join together as they are pursued by a strange and malevolent company.
Sense8 is an international narrative with characters from all walks of life and from all over the world, but it’s ultimately about connection, acceptance, and accepting who you are and the world around you. Underneath the sci-fi idea comes a narrative about mankind. This series is one of the best sci-fi series on Netflix.
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Love, Death and Robots (2019-present)
The animated anthology series Love, Death & Robots, executive produced by Tim Miller (Deadpool) and acclaimed filmmaker David Fincher, is the ultimate catch-all for sci-fi aficionados. Each episode is written and directed by a different person, with the topic of sci-fi technology connecting them all. This series may also known as one of the best sci-fi series on Netflix. As a consequence, the tone ranges from extremely aggressive to romantic to hilariously amusing. Overall, there’s just some pretty good sci-fi narrative in here.
Stranger Things (2016-present)
You’ve probably heard the hype, so let us set the record straight: believe it. Stranger Things appeared practically out of nowhere as a new Netflix original series with no pre-release fanfare. If you want to watch this series may also known as one of the best sci-fi series on Netflix. However, the mystery thriller set in the 1980s is equal parts It, Stand by Me, and The Goonies, combining the spooky atmosphere of a Stephen King novel with engaging characters and a strong narrative drive. Stranger Things’ ultimate test is whether it works without the nostalgic 80s background, and the answer is yes.
There’s a big mystery, spectacular VFX, and most importantly, interesting people that are a delight to watch, and creators/writers/directors Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer build each season like a single lengthy movie broken into segments. Indeed, one could easily watch a complete season in one day without feeling like it’s dragging or reaching an obvious “stopping point,” since this is more television as book than episodic television. As a result, it’s a pleasant binge. So go for it!
The 100 (2014-2020)
The CW’s post-apocalyptic sci-fi series takes a few episodes to find its feet, but once there, The 100 cranks up the stakes and suspense to the limit and never lets up. The show apparently follows a gang of 100 juvenile delinquents who are brought down from a dying starship to the surface of a post-nuclear earth to see if the land has become livable again.
However, the title immediately becomes a misnomer as a large portion of the youngsters are quickly killed and the scope of the series grows feverishly, introducing a slew of new places and people, each bringing with them a separate microcosmic universe and culture. There is limitless potential for development and exploration. The way The 100 careens across sci-fi subgenres, tying them together in a single story with endless capacity to develop and explore, is what makes it one of the finest genre shows on TV.
The series also distinguishes itself by never providing its protagonists an easy way out. As the stakes rise, the young survivors become entangled in politics and combat much beyond their knowledge and experience. They are constantly confronted with terrifying life-or-death decisions, and they are forced to bear the repercussions of their actions. Clarke, the show’s ostensible hero, is one of the most ruthless, strategically-minded characters on television, capable of managing morally terrible survival circumstances with a self-assurance that puts Jack Bauer to shame.
Clarke is unlike any other television character: she is a realistic, stubborn, bisexual warrior woman who uses her authority fearlessly without becoming an unfeeling “tough girl.” That distinct character pervades the show as a whole, as it deftly explores the moral difficulties of government, fighting, and survival. This series also has good reviews and one of the best sci-fi series on Netflix.
The Flash (2014-present)
If you aren’t prepared for The Flash’s completely insane, authentic comic book fever, then the CW’s superhero show might not be for you. Those who are willing to work with it in its entirety, including time travel, parallel worlds, and Gorilla Grodd, will be rewarded. The Flash deals with many serious and tough subjects, yet it also feels like a light and joyful romp around Central City’s chaotic environment much of the time. It tells the narrative of Barry Allen (Grant Gustin), who struggles to accept his newly-acquired superspeed and his city’s need to combat a slew of superpowered enemies.
This series also has good reviews known as best sci-fi series on Netflix. The Flash has an instantly likeable ensemble, an endless supply of terrific hooks, and a slew of long-form storylines that serve as anchors for its Villain of the Week plots. It’s completely understandable to non-comic readers (or people who aren’t normally lovers of the superhero genre), but it also includes plenty of insider allusions to keep comic enthusiasts pleased. Above all, it never loses its heart or its sense of humour, even when rescuing the world.
iZombie (2015-2019)
iZombie, loosely based on the comic by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred, stars Rose McIver as Liz, a medical resident with the perfect career, fiancée, and life who loses it all one night when she is converted into a zombie. However, this is not a Walking Dead scenario. Her hair may be chalk white, and her heart may only beat twice a minute, but she can still walk, talk, act, think, and feel like a person if she is fed human brains on a regular basis. Liz, on the other hand, utilizes her medical degree to find a position at the local mortuary, where she has a steady supply.
The bad news is that she momentarily takes on the memories, personality, and talents of anybody she feeds, putting her on the trail of a series of murders committed by some less ethically sound zombies. This web series also has good reviews known as best sci-fi series on Netflix.
Working as a psychic, she utilises her visions to collaborate with a local detective (Malcolm Goodwin) to solve the murders and give her new life meaning. iZombie, from the brains of Veronica Mars, is sometimes oversimplified as “Veronica Mars with zombies,” yet that definition does a disservice to the creativity of both shows. To be clear, there is only one Veronica Mars, and while there are some parallels (Liz is another clever blonde detective, for example), they’re very distinct series. Despite dealing with death, iZombie’s first season is primarily lighter fare that focuses on the procedural element.
Fortunately, the cases of the week are endlessly entertaining because to McIver’s constantly pleasant yet marvelously varied acting as she mimics the victims’ personality features.
Altered Carbon
Altered Carbon is a cyberpunk noir TV series based on Richard K. Morgan’s 2002 novel of the same name. It is set in a futuristic universe where mind may be transferred to multiple bodies. Takeshi Kovacs, played by Joel Kinnaman in Season 1 and Anthony Mackie in Season 2, is the sole survivor of an elite cadre of intergalactic warriors who rebelled against the new global order and have been given a second shot at life. However, his liberation comes at a cost: he must investigate the murder of 300-year-old Meth Laurens Bancroft, who actually released him.
The second season takes place 30 years after the first season. The show, which has been dubbed “one of the most costly Netflix productions,” is guaranteed to delight cyberpunk fans by paying tribute to various prior masterpieces such as Blade Runner and Ghost in the Shell. The show also has strong philosophical implications, questioning everything from religion to judicial systems and familial bonds. The show has received accolades for its outstanding set pieces, excellent acting, and excellent action sequences. If you like the genre, you should check out this show. This web series also has overwhelming reviews and my top pick for Sci-fi series on Netflix.
The Rain
The Rain, a Danish post-apocalyptic show, is next on the list of top sci-fi shows on Netflix. A virus spread by rains wipes off the majority of the population in a Scandinavian village, prompting siblings Simone and Rasmus to seek refuge in a bunker. Six years later, they emerge and begin seeking for their father, a scientist who managed to transport them to the bunker but never returned. They are joined by a group of survivors and journey through Denmark and Sweden in search of a place to settle and answers. The show has been praised for introducing fresh themes in the postapocaptic-dystopia genre while also providing an exciting journey.
The show isn’t simply about a few survivors of a disaster attempting to rebuild their lives; it also raises some philosophical themes about right and evil, love, and bravery. Give The Rain a go if you like survivalist drama with a lot of science fiction components. This web series also has good reviews known as best sci-fi series on Netflix.
Legends of Tomorrow (2016-2022)
You couldn’t have told me two years ago that The CW’s Legends of Tomorrow would be one of the finest series on television, but it is. In its third season (after a still very good second season), the series has truly come into its own, finding a wonderful rhythm in both weekly adventures and overarching villains including the rehabilitation of Damian Darhk from his time on Arrow, as well as the introduction of magical creatures where time travel isn’t always a cure-all. It’s also opened the way for Constantine! The show centres on a collection of time-traveling rogues assembled from various parts of the Arrowverse.
The first season isn’t fantastic, but it lays the basis for the show’s signature friendships. But if you need to go on to Season 2 or even Season 3, I don’t blame you.
Another factor that has contributed to the series’ popularity is its willingness to switch up its plots and actors. If something doesn’t work or a dynamic fails, they abandon it and attempt something else. Meanwhile, the show brings back what works, such as Beebo, everyone’s favourite fuzzy blue rescuer. Legends’ third season included a lot of great episodes and moments, and it was also a lot of fun. Barack Obama vs. Grodd! Time travel! Pirates! Mick Rory’s autobiography! Themyscira! Noble, John! That’s what a superhero show about a motley crew of time travellers should be about: ridiculous joy. Nonetheless, the series contains amazing emotional arcs that truly hit home. It does everything, people.
The Umbrella Academy (2019-present)
The Netflix original series The Umbrella Academy is the ideal remedy for people who have grown tired of the excess of superhero films and TV shows. The plot is based on Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba’s comic novel series about seven children with unusual abilities who were adopted by a weird (and extremely wealthy) guy who groomed them to be heroes.
Their tumultuous upbringing pushed them apart, but they reconcile at the start of the first season after their estranged father is discovered dead. Not only that, but their brother, who has been missing since they were toddlers, comes via time travel and warns them that the apocalypse is just around the corner. This show is tremendously joyous, funky, and strange, giving weight to each of its different characters while continuing on its own captivating serial mystery. Check out this show if you want something exciting, strange, and a touch creepy.
Maniac (2018)
Maniac is a brilliantly inventive science fiction adventure disguised as a dark comedy. Maniac is directed by Patrick Somerville (The Leftovers) and stars Emma Stone (Cruella) and Jonah Hill (Superbad). It depicts two strangers, Stone and Hill, who are brought together during a mysterious and mind-bending pharmacological research. Maniac, a brilliantly produced mini-series set in a psychedelic, retro-future New York City, is filled with magnificent graphics and tackling complex issues such as mental illness, human connections, and reality through absolutely unique routes.
Maniac, which leans largely on dry, sardonic comedy, is perplexingly intriguing and thought-provoking to watch. This series also has good reviews known as best sci-fi series on Netflix according to the reviews.
Alice In Borderland
Alice in Borderland, based on Haro Aso’s manga, falls within the ever-rare “play or die” category. Several characters are trapped in a bleak Tokyo, forced to play in games to earn cards with numbers on them. Because those numbers represent their owner’s remaining days alive, everyone is attempting to obtain as many cards as possible. Alice in Borderland structures its episodes around various games, and the show constantly mixes things up to ensure that no situation lasts too long. Loads of reviews also certifies Alice inBorderland as one of the best sci-fi series on Netflix.
This gives the series an episodic feel that makes it simple to become immersed in the minute-to-minute action while still keeping the overall tale simmering in the background. Alice in Borderland is also not hesitant to deliver a gut blow or two, giving the impression that no character is completely secure.
Lost In Space
Fans of science fiction are certainly aware with the moniker Lost in Space, since it is one of the genre’s most influential and essential series. The original series aired from 1965 to 1968, however it was recently revived in 2018. The relaunch follows a similar idea to the original, but with drastically upgraded aesthetics and a considerably harsher overall tone. The Robinson family ends up crash-landing on an extraterrestrial planet in Lost in Space. This Tv series will provide viewers with three seasons of sci-fi fun as they watch the crew strive to survive (and escape) the bizar. If you can watch this series it has also has good reviews as best sci-fi series on Netflix according to the reviews.