20 Best 2020s Sci-Fi Shows So Far, Ranked

Image via Apple TV Updated Aug 4, 2026, 4:58 AM EDT Jiminna Shillingford is an avid reader and a passionate storyteller. She is obsessed with all things TV, from anime and romantic fantasy to action-packed series. With that deep affection, Jiminna longs to share her excitement with all her readers through the Collider platform as a TV author. Through her writing she has created stories and blog posts of amazing book recommendations, showcasing her love of writing. Jiminna's goal is to inspire others to discover and embrace their love of stories in all of its forms. Sign in to your Collider account For the past few years, television has done some remarkable things for the entertainment of viewers. From heart-aching romances to thrilling, action-filled adventures, TV has shone bright in both plot and visuals. The sci-fi genre is, of course, no exception. Shows like Stranger Things and Foundation have proven just how far television has come, and how far it'll eventually go. Over the past half-decade, audiences have enjoyed several thrills, with over 100 sci-fi shows for them to devour. The strongest of these series helped define the era through ambitious ideas, immersive worlds, and compelling storytelling that kept fans invested. From intense narratives to consuming storytelling, this list is the best of the sci-fi TV genre that keeps fans locked in. 20 'Dandadan' (2024–Present) Image via Crunchyroll Dandadan is a sci-fi anime gem that stands as one of the most exciting viewing experiences. The series follows Ken Takakura, better known as Okarun (Natsuki Hanae), and Momo Ayase (Shion Wakayama), who start as classmates arguing over whether ghosts or aliens are real, only to discover that both exist, as their relationship heads towards so much more. Dandadan is definitely a masterful work of fiction that wields absolutely electric animation and a fantastic story. The series’ tonal agility is almost reckless in the best way, and fans have lauded it as a creative bout of brilliance that mixes spirits, psychic powers, aliens, curses, romance, comedy, and chaotic action into something that feels intoxicatingly alive. Dandadan is genuinely the perfect addition to this list of 2020s sci-fi shows, as it brings a rather new and strange energy to the genre. 19 'Paper Girls' (2022) Image via Prime Video This is an underrated sci-fi watch that left audiences way too soon. Taking place on the morning after Halloween 1988, Paper Girls centers on Tiffany Quilkin (Camryn Jones), Erin Tieng (Riley Lai Nelet), Mac Coyle (Sofia Rosinsky), and KJ Brandman (Fina Strazza), new friends who, while on their paper route as paper girls, find themselves caught in a war between time travelers. Paper Girls is honestly one of the most unique teen sci-fi shows to ever exist, an ambitious piece of fiction that deserves far more attention than it’s received. Its potential is remarkable, with its warm, funny, and emotionally intelligent story that hosts a rather great young ensemble and a genuine feel for the ache of seeing your future far too soon. Paper Girls is one of those sci-fi shows that didn’t get a chance to excel to its full potential, but what is shown is truly exceptional, marking it an ideal pick for this list of the best 2020s sci-fi shows. 18 'Kaiju No. 8' (2024–2025) Image via Crunchyroll Kaiju No. 8 brings giant monster fighting sci-fi into the 2020s with tons of heart, comedy, and scale. The anime series follows a man who dreams of joining the Defense Force, Kafka Hibino (Masaya Fukunishi), as he unexpectedly gains the ability to transform into a kaiju himself. Kaiju No. 8 is a great addition to any list of sci-fi bangers of the 2020s because it knows how to revitalize familiar material fantastically well. Yes, it is indeed a monster-action watch, but its captivating hook—an older, disappointed protagonist attempting to rebuild his life—gives it a comic humanity and raw melancholy that many other similar shows tend to lack. Kaiju No. 8 is polished and wields emotional intensity that keeps viewers locked in, making it a truly satisfying sci-fi series that stands as one of the best and brightest. 17 'Dark Matter' (2024–Present) Image via Apple TV Dark Matter, not to be confused with the 2015 sci-fi series of the same name, is a great spin on alternate realities. The show is based on Blake Crouch’s novel and premiered in 2024, following a man abducted and forced into an alternate universe. Amid the struggles of realizing what his life could have been for him, he must also fight to return to his life before an unexpected enemy takes all he holds dear. With great plot progression and some fantastic character development, Dark Matter is an entertaining watch that keeps audiences questioning the essence of reality. Fans are alight with anticipation for the adaptation to soar to higher heights and continue to enchant with its stunning visuals and stimulating scenes. 16 'The Peripheral' (2022) Image via Prime Video This sci-fi thriller TV series is an entertaining mesh of mystery and futuristic technology. The Peripheral captures the world in the near future, introducing its audience to a young woman who stumbles across some pretty heavy-duty tech that is capable of transporting her into an alternate timeline. As the character falls deeper into the new reality, she is confronted with a vision of her own future, which looks rather bleak. The Peripheral was quick to become a fan-favorite among sci-fi fans due to its strong character delivery and immersive world-building. The series' unique and intriguing story, as well as its performance, makes up for any flaws that may linger within the series, affording it a place among some of the decade's best. 15 'Sweet Tooth' (2021–2024) Image via Netflix Sweet Tooth is an emotional joyride with a unique dystopian twist. The sci-fi series centers around the young Gus, a deer boy hybrid, living in an isolated world at his father’s creation. When curiosity and grief get the best of him, Gus ventures out, away from the only place he’s ever known. Gus then gradually discovers both the wickedness and the beauty of humanity as he searches for his mother, pushing past his limits. Sweet Tooth offers its viewers emotional storytelling and impressive visuals. The series’ plot captivates its audience with its hope-against-hope narrative and its moments of melancholy, giving it an innovative approach to the sci-fi genre. This keeps the sweet series as a treasured favorite in fans’ past and current watchlists. 14 'Supacell' (2024–Present) Image via Netflix With a great cast and an interesting story, Supacell gives fans of powered humans another great series to watch. The series follows a group of South Londoners who suddenly gain extraordinary abilities. This brings on a harsh set of trials that the group must face. Without shying away from real-world issues, the show brings awareness to sickle cell disease, while still delivering an appealing story. Though the premise may seem familiar, Supacell brings its own uniqueness to draw fans in. The first season leaves several conflicts unresolved while establishing the foundation for the story's continuation. 13 'Loki' (2021–2023) Image via Disney+ Loki is a Marvel banger, gaining a mass following from its very first episode. The series brings back fan-favorite villain Loki, whole and alive, as he is an alternate version of himself. For simply being an alternate, Loki is taken to the TVA and forced to confront his past, present, and potential future. On the cusp of change, Loki must become the god he never thought he could be, a good one. With Loki’s abrupt death by Thanos' large purple hands, fans were excited about the announcement that the character would return for the series. Loki offers an interesting take on different timelines and time travel, pinning it as one of the better cornerstones of Marvel’s expansion into the realm of TV. 12 'Alice in Borderland' (2020–2025) Image via Netflix Alice in Borderland is an unexpected drop of amazingness that came to sci-fi fans in 2020. The fantastic death game series follows Arisu and friends, who are abruptly thrown into challenging and deadly games where survival is the main objective. Each challenge tests their grit, wit, and endurance as they all struggle to escape. With a well-executed story and an intense amount of suspense, Alice in Borderland keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, with a longing to see their favorite characters survive. The series’ originality cements it as one of the 2020s' best TV shows. 11 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' (2022–Present) Image via Netflix This animated series is a Netflix sci-fi gem that burst onto the platform in a show of true sci-fi excellence. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, set in the universe of the Cyberpunk 2077 video game, follows street kid David Martinez (Zach Aguilar) as he attempts to survive Night City—a body modification and technology-obsessed city of the future. The heartfelt and frenetic anime series masterfully combines emotional coming-of-age content with explosive action that locks viewers into its story. Viewers have hailed the series as an emotionally charged sci-fi must-watch that wields a surprisingly poignant tale and captivatingly stunning, vibrant animation. With a self-contained story that’s equal parts heart and adrenaline, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners skillfully transcends its game-tie-in origins to stand as one of the best sci-fi animated hits of the last decade. Collider Exclusive · Sci-Fi Survival Quiz Which Sci-Fi World Would You Survive? The Matrix · Mad Max · Blade Runner · Dune · Star Wars Five universes. Five completely different ways the future went wrong — or sideways, or up in flames. Only one of them is the world your instincts were built for. Eight questions will figure out which dystopia, galaxy, or desert wasteland you'd actually make it out of alive. 💊The Matrix 🔥Mad Max 🌧️Blade Runner 🏜️Dune 🚀Star Wars TEST YOUR SURVIVAL → 01 You sense something is deeply wrong with the world around you. What do you do? The first instinct is often the truest one. APull on every thread until I understand the system — then figure out how to break it. BStop asking questions and start stockpiling — food, fuel, weapons. Questions don't keep you alive. CKeep my head down, observe carefully, and trust no one until I know who's pulling the strings. DStudy the patterns. Every system has a rhythm — learn it, and you learn how to survive it. EFind the people fighting back and join them. You can't fix a broken galaxy alone. NEXT QUESTION → 02 In a world of scarcity, what resource do you guard most fiercely? What we protect reveals what we believe survival actually requires. AKnowledge. If you understand the system, you don't need resources — you can generate them. BFuel. Everything else — movement, power, escape — runs on it. CTrust. In a world of fakes and informants, a truly reliable ally is rarer than any commodity. DWater. And after water, information — the two things empires are truly built on. EShips and credits. The galaxy is big — you survive it by being able to move through it freely. NEXT QUESTION → 03 What kind of threat keeps you up at night? Fear is useful data — if you're honest about what you're actually afraid of. AThat reality itself is a lie — that everything I experience has been constructed to keep me compliant. BA raid. No warning, no mercy — just the roar of engines and then nothing left. CBeing identified. Once someone with power decides you're a problem, you're already out of time. DBeing outmanoeuvred — losing a political game I didn't even know I was playing. EThe Empire tightening its grip until there's nowhere left to run. NEXT QUESTION → 04 How do you deal with authority you don't trust? Every dystopia has a power structure. Your approach to it determines everything. ASubvert it from the inside — learn its rules well enough to weaponise them against it. BIgnore it and stay out of its reach. The further from any power structure, the better. CAppear to comply while doing exactly what I need to do. Visibility is the enemy. DManoeuvre within it carefully. You can't beat a system you refuse to understand. EResist openly when I have to. Some things are worth the risk of being seen. NEXT QUESTION → 05 Which environment could you actually endure long-term? Survival isn't just tactical — it's physical, psychological, and very much about where you are. AUnderground bunkers and server rooms — cramped, artificial, but with access to everything that matters. BOpen wasteland — brutal sun, no shelter, constant movement. At least the threat is honest. CA dense, rain-soaked city where you can disappear into the crowd and nobody asks questions. DMerciless desert — extreme heat, no water, and something enormous living beneath the sand. EThe fringe — backwater planets and busy spaceports where the Empire's attention rarely reaches. NEXT QUESTION → 06 Who do you want in your corner when things fall apart? The company you keep is the clearest signal of who you actually are. AA tight crew of believers who've seen behind the curtain and have nothing left to lose. BOne or two people I'd trust with my life. Any more than that and someone talks. CNobody, ideally. Alliances are liabilities. I work alone unless I have no choice. DA community bound by shared hardship and mutual survival — people who need each other to last. EA ragtag team with wildly different skills and total commitment when it counts. NEXT QUESTION → 07 Where do you draw the line — if you draw one at all? Every survivor eventually faces a moment that tests what they're actually made of. AI won't harm the innocent — even the ones who'd report me without hesitation. BI do what I have to to protect the people I've chosen. Everything else is negotiable. CThe line shifts depending on who's asking and what's at stake. DI draw a long-term line — nothing that compromises my people's future, even if it'd help now. ESome lines, once crossed, can't be uncrossed. I know which ones they are. NEXT QUESTION → 08 What would actually make survival worth it? Staying alive is one thing. Having a reason to is another. AWaking others up — dismantling the illusion so no one else has to live inside it. BFinding somewhere — or someone — worth protecting. A reason to keep moving. CAnswers. Understanding what I am, what any of this means, before time runs out. DLegacy — shaping the future in a way that outlasts me by generations. EFreedom — for myself, for others, for every world still living under someone else's boot. REVEAL MY WORLD → Your Fate Has Been Calculated You'd Survive In…Your answers point to the world your instincts were built for. This is the universe your temperament, your survival instincts, and your particular brand of stubbornness were made for. The MatrixYou took the red pill a long time ago — probably before anyone offered it to you. You're a systems thinker who can't help but notice the seams in things. You're drawn to understanding how the system works before figuring out how to break it. You'd find the Resistance, or it would find you — your instinct for spotting constructed realities is the machines' worst nightmare. You function best when you have access to information and the freedom to act on it. The Matrix built an airtight prison. You'd be the one probing the walls for the door. Mad MaxThe wasteland doesn't reward the clever or the well-connected — it rewards those who are hard to kill and harder to break. That's you. You don't need comfort, community, or a cause larger than the next horizon. You need a vehicle, a clear threat, and enough fuel to outrun it — and you're good at all three. You are unsentimental enough to survive that world, and decent enough — just barely — to be something more than another raider. In the wasteland, that distinction is everything. Blade RunnerYou'd survive here because you know how to exist in moral grey areas without losing yourself completely. You read people accurately, keep your circle small, and ask the questions others prefer not to answer. In a city where humanity is a legal designation rather than a feeling, you hold onto something that keeps you functional. You're not a hero. But you're not lost, either. In Blade Runner's world, that distinction is everything. DuneArrakis is the most hostile environment in the known universe — and you are precisely the kind of person it rewards. Patience, discipline, and political awareness are your core strengths — and on Arrakis, they're survival tools. You understand that the long game matters more than any single victory. Others come to Dune and are consumed by it. You'd learn its logic and earn its respect. In time, you wouldn't just survive Arrakis — you'd begin to reshape it. Star WarsThe galaxy far, far away is vast, loud, and in a constant state of violent political upheaval — and you wouldn't have it any other way. You find meaning in being part of something larger than yourself — a cause, a crew, a rebellion. You'd gravitate toward the Rebellion, or the fringes, or whatever pocket of the galaxy still believes the Empire's grip can be broken. You fight — not because you have to, but because standing aside isn't something you're capable of. In Star Wars, that willingness is what makes all the difference. ↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ