The best sci-fi shows can hook viewers in ways no other shows can. Thanks to the advancements in streaming services, we can binge-watch these shows on a weekend.
For the best television shows, that weekend will fly by as we enjoy watching each and every season available.
1. Stranger Things
A group of kids in Hawkins, Indiana, encounters supernatural mysteries, including a girl with telekinetic abilities, as they navigate the Upside Down. This show has something for every generation. The Duff brothers created it based on the TV they grew up with in the 80s, and it shows. Not only does this series capture your attention, but it also has nostalgia and a bunch of unlikely loveable characters.
2. Quantum Leap
While I am a huge fan of the original series, the reboot has grown on me. Both series are based on a character who gets lost in time, fixing things that weren’t meant to go wrong. In the original, Sam and Al’s dynamic epitomized the show with their yin and yang personas. This new version doesn’t have that, but it does have a pretty awesome crew back at headquarters, and I love that they’re exploring plenty of different eras in time.
3. Stargate
Admittedly, I was a big fan of the movie and James Spader, so when the series came out with a different actor playing Daniel, I didn’t watch it for a while. When I finally did, I binged all versions of the Stargate universe. I annoyed everyone for a while with Teal’c’s phrase, “Indeed!” What makes this show binge-worthy is not just the fact they have a gate that lets them travel to various planets, but the writing and characters have you hooked.
4. The Mandalorian
A lone bounty hunter known as the Mandalorian explores the galaxy’s outer reaches, set in the Star Wars universe, encountering diverse characters and cultures. Plus, there’s Baby Yoda. Sorry, I mean Grogu. I’d hate to see what happens to this series if they turn him into a lanky teenager. No more merchandise and cutesy antics. Of course, that’s not the only reason we love the show. Pedro Pascal’s role as the mysterious Mando and his personal dilemmas make the show addictive.
5. Doctor Who
The Doctor, a Time Lord, travels through time and space in the TARDIS, battling foes and righting wrongs with companions. This show started in the 60s, and unlike many shows that attempted to change their main character and failed, Doctor Who continues to evolve. Fans love this quirky hero who’s fun and can scare the living daylights out of alien races.
6. Fringe
Initially, I thought this was an X-Files rip-off. However, its storyline, alternate universe, and a cast of characters that complement one another set it apart from the Mulder and Scully universe. The story follows a specialized FBI division investigating mysterious and bizarre events, uncovering a larger conspiracy. While the show’s three main characters are American, they’re played by two Australians and a Canadian — just a little trivia.
7. Firefly
When this show’s cancellation was announced, fans expressed their dissatisfaction. This show was created by Joss Whedon and set in a space-faring future with a crew of lovable misfits aboard the ship Serenity navigates life on the fringes of society. The show could have been named “Cowboys in Space” — that’s the sort of vibe it had. While they were only in one season, fans followed the actors to other roles and were delighted when they cameoed in various shows.
8. Star Trek Franchise
The crew of various starships, exploring the final frontier, encounters new civilizations, technologies, and moral dilemmas in a vision of an optimistic future. This is another show that started in the ’60s and reinvented itself into different TV shows and films. Whether it’s the original series, The Next Generation, Voyager, or Discovery, the show lends itself to creating characters we care about, dealing with modern issues, and discovering new worlds.
9. Bodies
Four detectives in four different periods of London find themselves investigating the same murder, working around time travel and investigation. This show completely draws you in. Here’s the same body in the 19th century, the 1940s, the present, and the future. It even has the same wound through the eye. However, the body in the future period isn’t dead yet. As each episode draws you closer to discovering what is happening and why the future ends up the way it does, you’re drawn into watching the next episode and then the next.
10. Orphan Black
Tatiana Maslany plays a woman who discovers she’s one of many clones, each with unique abilities, and uncovers a conspiracy while navigating a complex clone world. The fact that this actress can convince you that she’s many completely different people with different personalities and accents talking to her other clones is an amazing feat. However, the storyline keeps you wanting more.
11. The X-Files
FBI agents Mulder and Scully investigate paranormal phenomena, uncovering government conspiracies and extraterrestrial mysteries. When this show first premiered in the 90s, it was unique in its story and uberplot. Scully is the skeptical one, and Mulder believes in aliens. They create the perfect yin-yang duo, and every episode is intriguing.
12. The Umbrella Academy
On the exact same day, miraculous virgin births occurred around the world. These children were adopted and raised to develop their superpowers. Each of their abilities is as unique as their personalities. However, despite their differences, they love and support each other as a family. Their job, however, is to save the world while dealing with the Temps Commission — an organization that oversees the space-time continuum to make sure everything is running as it should be.
13. Eureka
An unsuspecting sheriff winds up in a small town called Eureka. This town is home to some of the brightest minds on the planet, which means it has state-of-the-art tech and inventions that the rest of the world has never heard about. Brilliant scientists work on cutting-edge experiments, leading to unexpected outcomes. This is one of the best binge-worthy sci-fi comedies for its stellar cast, loveable characters, and laugh-out-loud moments.
14. Misfits
Misfits is a British sci-fi comedy series about anti-heroes. Unlike your typical group of heroes who find themselves with unexpected powers, feeling that they need to help humanity, this group of delinquents wants to know the best ways to help themselves. What ensues is an intriguing story and a cast of characters that you grow to love despite their differences.
15. The Last of Us
I’m not a fan of dystopian future-based sci-fi. I find it extremely depressing, but all the hype around this drew me in. Then, I was hooked. It’s not your typical “the world is dead and hopeless, and everyone must act like they aren’t human anymore” type of dystopian future. It has a heart, and it has humor. It also has the unlikely duo of Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey), whose relationship gains in strength daily. It also includes intrigue because you’re wondering why Ellie is the only human who can’t get infected.
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Ree Winter, an Australian journalist now based in New Orleans, combines her love for solo travel with a sharp eye for great flight and accommodation deals. She eagerly shares her travel insights with her audience, drawing from her rich experiences. Ree holds a Master's degree in Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and History. Her fascination with history is evident in her stint as a tour guide at historic house museums, showcasing her knowledge of architectural history. Beyond journalism and history, Ree has a unique flair for coffee culture. As a barista, she's operated a coffee van at various events and markets, showcasing her skill in coffee preparation.