List RulesOnly science fiction (not fantasy) television series that historically offer galactic levels of excitement.
The top sci-fi TV shows ever aired are some of the most exciting and thought-provoking to watch on television, but which is the best of them all? Determining which science fiction TV series is the best isn't an easy task given the plethora of options available, but this list might make it just a bit easier. These days, with the use of digital streaming, more and more shows people have forgotten are being rewatched, checked out for the first time, or even remade into new classics for new generations to enjoy, but which of these sci-fi shows is the best of them all in terms of excitement?
Would something newer like Star Trek: Discovery beat out a classic on this list like Star Trek: The Original Series, the very show that inspired it? For a science fiction series to be truly exciting, it has to be the kind that depicts more than just cool new tech or rapid-fire sci-fi action scenes - it needs to show a conflict between one or more groups of people, aliens, robots, or whatever in which survival is key. An exciting sci-fi show gets the audience has to get invested in the story.
The only way to find out which are the best is to vote up your favorite sci-fi series below, but remember, this list is all about excitement! Which series is more exciting than the one below it? Don't forget to add your favorite sci-fi show to the list if it's missing and vote for your favorites below!
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16380Firefly
Nathan Fillion, Gina TorresFirefly (Fox, 2002) is an American space western science fiction drama television series... more2
14571Star Trek: The Next Generation
Patrick Stewart, Brent SpinerStar Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by... more- 310846
Fringe
Anna Torv, Joshua JacksonFringe (Fox, 2008) is an American science fiction television series created by J. J. Abrams,... more - 412461
Stargate SG-1
Richard Dean Anderson, Michael ShanksStargate SG-1 is an adventure and military science fiction television series and part of... more - 512260
Star Trek: The Original Series
William Shatner, Leonard NimoyStar Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry that... more - 67926
The Mandalorian
Pedro Pascal, Gina CaranoThe Mandalorian (Disney+, 2019) is an American space opera web television series set in the... more - 714279
Battlestar Galactica
Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnellBattlestar Galactica (Sc-Fi, 2004) is an American military science fiction television series... more - 810759
The Expanse
Thomas Jane, Steven StraitThe Expanse (Syfy, 2015) is an American science fiction television series developed by Mark... more - 98746
Farscape
Ben Browder, Claudia BlackFarscape is an Australian/American science fiction television series, produced originally for... more - 108948
Babylon 5
Jerry Doyle, Mira FurlanBabylon 5 (Syndicated, 1994) is an American space opera television series created by writer... more - 1111473
Doctor Who
Christopher Eccleston, David TennantDoctor Who (BBC, 2005) is a British science-fiction television show created by Sydney Newman,... more - 128548
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Avery Brooks, Rene AuberjonoisStar Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek... more - 138143
Star Trek: Voyager
Kate Mulgrew, Robert BeltranStar Trek: Voyager (UPN, 1995) is a science fiction television series created by Rick Berman,... more - 148952
Stranger Things
Winona Ryder, David HarbourStranger Things (Netflix, 2016) is an American science fiction-horror web television series... more - 159867
Stargate Atlantis
Joe Flanigan, Rachel LuttrellStargate Atlantis is a Canadian-American adventure and military science fiction television... more - 166741
Lost in Space (2018-
Molly Parker, Toby StephensLost in Space (Netflix, 2018) is an American science fiction web television series created by... more - 176337
Eureka
Colin Ferguson, Salli Richardson-WhitfieldEureka (Syfy, 2006) is an American science fiction television series created by Andrew Cosby... more - 187045
Battlestar Galactica
Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnellBattlestar Galactica is an American science fiction television series, created by Glen A.... more - 196742
Westworld
Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie NewtonWestworld (HBO, 2016) is an American science fiction western thriller television series... more - 208461
Star Trek: Enterprise
Scott Bakula, John BillingsleyStar Trek: Enterprise is a science fiction TV series and a prequel to the original Star Trek.... more - 216643
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Clark Gregg, Ming-Na WenMarvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC, 2013) is an American action drama superhero series... more - 225840
Quantum Leap
Scott Bakula, Dean StockwellQuantum Leap is an American television series that originally aired on NBC for five seasons,... more - 235536
Timeless
Abigail Spencer, Matt LanterTimeless (NBC, 2016) follows the adventures of an unusual trio; a history professor (Abigail... more - 245132
Warehouse 13
Eddie McClintock, Joanne KellyWarehouse 13 is a U.S. television science fiction series that premiered on July 7, 2009, on... more - 254728
Orphan Black
Tatiana Maslany, Dylan BruceOrphan Black is a Canadian science fiction television series created by screenwriter Graeme... more