Here is a list of the best sci-fi shows and best sci-fi series of all time, as ranked by hundreds of Ranker voters. This list includes long-running sci-fi TV shows like Doctor Who as well as some of the best canceled shows of the genre. Science fiction TV shows have been around for decades, and some of the longest running shows have fallen into this category. Popular shows such as Star Trek have enjoyed several incarnations, and fan-favorite shows like Firefly and The X-Files have made the crossover from TV to the big screen.
Thanks to networks like SyFy, FX, and The CW, new sci-fi TV shows premiere every year. Sci-fi series like The Expanse, Orphan Black, and The 100 continue to raise viewership ratings and grow fan bases. Netflix has also contributed to the science fiction genre with their original series Stranger Things, which was met with rave reviews.
Vote for your favorite science fiction shows to move them to the top of the list, or press re-rank to create your own list of your favorite science fiction series. Be sure to stop by to vote on the best British sitcoms and best current TV shows airing right now.
Are you a sci-fi fan? Check out this list of current sci-fi shows to watch.
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23,5909,797Firefly
Nathan Fillion, Gina TorresPremiered: 2002
Network: Fox Broadcasting Company
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16,8318,711Star Trek: The Next Generation
Patrick Stewart, Brent SpinerPremiered: 1987
Network: CBS
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15,3677,452Stargate SG-1
Richard Dean Anderson, Michael ShanksPremiered: 1997
Network: Showtime, Syfy
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16,7769,602Battlestar Galactica
Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnellPremiered: 2004
Network: Syfy
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15,6029,469Doctor Who
Christopher Eccleston, David TennantPremiered: 1963
Network: British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC America, BBC One, S4C, BBC HD
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11,7807,170Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Avery Brooks, Rene AuberjonoisPremiered: 1993
Network: UPN
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12,8447,867Star Trek: The Original Series
William Shatner, Leonard NimoyPremiered: 1966
Network: NBC
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10,8906,662Star Trek: Voyager
Kate Mulgrew, Robert BeltranPremiered: 1995
Network: UPN
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13,1408,122The X-Files
David Duchovny, Gillian AndersonPremiered: 1993
Network: Fox Broadcasting Company
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10,4066,705The Twilight Zone
Rod Serling, Robert McCordPremiered: 1959
Network: UPN, CBS
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11,2357,218Farscape
Ben Browder, Claudia BlackPremiered: 1999
Network: Syfy, Nine Network
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10,1196,359Stargate Atlantis
Joe Flanigan, Rachel LuttrellPremiered: 2004
Network: Syfy
Be sure to check out our list of the best Stargate Atlantis episodes.
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10,6094,461The Expanse
Thomas Jane, Steven StraitPremiered: 2015
Network: Syfy
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9,1356,105Star Trek: Enterprise
Scott Bakula, John BillingsleyPremiered: 2001
Network: UPN
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8,8835,972Quantum Leap
Scott Bakula, Dean StockwellPremiered: 1989
Network: NBC
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9,9856,757Futurama
Billy West, John DiMaggioPremiered: 1999
Network: Comedy Central, Fox Broadcasting Company
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12,4148,519Babylon 5
Jerry Doyle, Mira FurlanPremiered: 1994
Network: Prime Time Entertainment Network, TNT
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10,5217,228Fringe
Anna Torv, Joshua JacksonPremiered: 2008
Network: Fox
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8,3165,618Battlestar Galactica
Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnellPremiered: 1978
Network: American Broadcasting Company
20
7,6745,470Warehouse 13
Eddie McClintock, Joanne KellyPremiered: 2009
Network: Syfy
21
8,2905,959Eureka
Colin Ferguson, Salli Richardson-WhitfieldPremiered: 2006
Network: Syfy
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6,7572,449Stranger Things
Winona Ryder, David HarbourPremiered: 2016
Network: Netflix
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6,7155,257Red Dwarf
Chris Barrie, Craig CharlesPremiered: 1988
Network: British Broadcasting Corporation, Dave
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7,4256,149Torchwood
John Barrowman, Eve MylesPremiered: 2006
Network: British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC One, Starz, BBC HD, BBC Three
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6,0564,356Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Clark Gregg, Ming-Na WenPremiered: 2013
Network: ABC
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