7 Cult Sci-Fi Classics That Deserve A Revival

Published Nov 1, 2026, 12:00 PM EST Mary Kassel is a Senior Writer & Critic who joined the Screen Rant team in 2023. After graduating from Emerson College with a degree in Media Arts Production, Kassel started at Screen Rant with a focus on the critical analysis side of movies and television while continuing to work on set in film production. At Screen Rant, Kassel primarily writes for the Classic TV section, mining their encyclopedic knowledge of television history for content. However, they also contribute to the Books team and review both film and television as a critic. Sci-fi stories, and most speculative fiction projects, thrive as TV shows, especially when they're based on familiar IP that can be expanded and explored further in the television arena. There are plenty of sci-fi masterpieces that didn't get the recognition they deserve when they first premiered or were airing. However, these projects have grown in the estimation of critics and audiences in the following years, becoming cult classics that define the genre. These works deserve to be brought back to life through television revivals. Whether they're sci-fi shows with spaceships or series rooted more deeply in reality with soft science fiction rules, these projects have all attained cult-classic status for a reason. With technological innovations that make otherworldly sci-fi visuals more possible than ever and great examples of sci-fi series that have found enormous success on streaming services, now is the time to bring these franchises back to screens. Sliders (1995–2000) There's no shortage of science fiction movies and TV shows about parallel universes and alternate timelines today, but Sliders was one of the best series to tackle this in the 1990s. Sliders revolves around the adventures of a group of travelers who accidentally get thrown off course and can't get back to their original universe. In an effort to return home, they travel through universes that differ from their own. This gives Sliders the opportunity to explore alternate histories or futuristic societies. Though Sliders never reached the heights of popularity of its contemporaries in the sci-fi genre, in the years since it went off the air, Sliders hasn't been forgotten. Like many older shows, Sliders found new audiences after being added to streaming services, which has increased the need for us to see Sliders return to screens. While Sliders was a thrilling series, there are elements of the show that could use an update that a reboot could provide. Dollhouse (2009–2010) A short-lived but vividly imagined sci-fi project from Joss Whedon, Dollhouse never found a wide audience base when it was airing, but it makes for a compelling watch today. The series has a lot in common with Westworld​​​​​​, as it revolves around a group of people who sign contracts to become "dolls," or human vessels who are uploaded with new personalities tailored to the company's clients' desires. It's a dark, thrilling premise that's anchored by character-driven episodes. Led by Eliza Dushku, who first collaborated with Whedon on Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Faith, Dollhouse gives Dushku the chance to shine, and it would be fitting to see her return for a reboot. While most fans and critics have been calling for a Firefly revival series, Whedon's other cult classic sci-fi show, there's a lot to be said in favor of bringing Dollhouse back as well. Alita: Battle Angel (2019) Based on the manga series by Yukito Kishiro, Robert Rodriguez's Alita: Battle Angel is a visually dynamic adaptation of the source material, introducing a new generation of sci-fi lovers to the story. Following Alita, a cyborg who fights against the stratified class system of her dystopian world, the movie received mixed-to-positive critical reviews. However, there's no denying that Alita: Battle Angel is a feast for the eyes, and that its cyberpunk style would fit right into the present landscape of sci-fi TV. James Cameron indicated that he and Rodriguez want to make the Alita sequel, but little is known about the future of the film (via Collider). In 1993, there was an OVA titled Battle Angel that brought the manga to life, but now that the feature has reached cult classic status, it would make sense for the Alita: Battle Angel universe to return to anime. A new animated series that brings the next phase of Alita's adventures to life could be the happy medium the franchise needs. Gattaca (1997) Image via MovieStillsDB.com Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Jude Law lead the cast of the iconic 1997 film Gattaca, which explored many of the biggest concerns revolving around genetic testing and engineering in the present day. Set in a future where eugenics is common practice, all children of the upper class have been genetically altered to be more "perfect," creating a caste system within society. As Vincent, Hawke poses as one of the genetically altered, attempting to fulfill his dream of space travel while constantly being challenged and pulled into conspiracies. While it's hard to imagine anyone other than Hawke, Thurman, and Law in the lead roles of Gattaca, there are interesting new avenues a reboot or spinoff TV series could take. Genetic testing and alteration have only become more possible in the years since Gattaca was released, and new, pressing issues of artificial intelligence are becoming more concerning every day. Using discussions surrounding AI and weaving them into the narrative of Gattaca would make any reboot feel more relevant than ever. Sense8 (2015–2018) Image via MovieStillsDB One of the Wachowskis' most underrated projects, Sense8, was an ambitious, sprawling sci-fi series that deserved more than the two seasons it got on Netflix. In some ways, Sense8 always had an uphill battle for success, as it was shot on location for much of the series, with productions in countries across the world, including Germany, Mexico, South Korea, and Iceland. The scale of a project like this meant that Sense8 needed to exceed expectations when it came to viewership. It's a shame that Sense8 was cut short, though it's far from the first impressive sci-fi project to face setbacks because of high production costs. However, there's a path forward for Sense8 in the future of TV, as the Wachowskis and co-creator J. Michael Straczynski had many additional seasons and storylines planned for the series. With some of the best LGBTQ+ representation of any sci-fi series and a compelling ensemble of characters who demonstrate the innate interconnectedness of humanity, returning to the excitement and empathy of Sense8 would be a treat. Starship Troopers (1997) Starship Troopers has had one of the most dramatic reevaluations in the years since the movie premiered in 1997. However, through a modern lens, the intended satire and skewering of authoritarianism becomes clear. Unfortunately, nearly 30 years ago, Starship Troopers was misinterpreted and destroyed by many critics, even those who understood the intentional ultra-violence and glorification of fascist governments. It was a commentary on the contemporary political landscape and the graphic depictions of violence onscreen that have only become more pronounced. With an influx of projects like The Boys and plenty of contemporary space operas that explicitly criticize the empires and dictatorships they portray, Starship Troopers would likely have a lot more success getting its point across now. The new appreciation for Starship Troopers and its new cult classic status paves the way for the film to be rebooted for television. Following an authoritarian future government that colonizes the stars and the humans who are brainwashed by propaganda, there's plenty of room for new stories in the Starship Troopers universe. Æon Flux (1991–1995) Part dystopian sci-fi technofuturism and part tragic genre-bending love story, Æon Flux can't be confined to just one category. The gorgeously animated TV show aired on MTV for three seasons in the '90s and holds up well today. Æon Flux hasn't been completely forgotten thanks to the 2002 film adaptation starring Charlize Theron, but this poorly received sci-fi flick wasn't the revival the animated series deserved. The story follows the titular character, Æon Flux, as she fights against an opposing regime that is led by her romantic interest and ideological opposite, Trevor Goodchild. Much of the series revolves around their star-crossed lovers' dynamic and the impact this has on Æon Flux's work as a spy. With the advancements in animation styles and the success of projects like Arcane, Invincible, and Blue Eye Samurai, it's clear that there's demand for complex adult animated television. Æon Flux was well ahead of its time, especially in its sharp political and social commentary, making now the perfect time to revive it, especially considering the many upcoming cyberpunk TV shows that will expand the sci-fi genre.