TV Fans Reveal the Greatest Sci-Fi Shows of All Time
Many TV shows start strong but lose momentum in later seasons, like Game of Thrones, which went from fan favorite to widely reviled in just six episodes. However, some series maintain perfection throughout, such as Breaking Bad, Malcolm in the Middle, and Mad Men. With that in mind, Metro readers shared their favorite sci-fi series that were flawless from beginning to end. Why sci-fi? It's my favorite genre, and I got to choose the topic this week.
Get personalized updates on all things Netflix every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up and select your shows to receive tailored news. It turns out I'm not alone in loving science fiction, as readers delivered an impressive list that's all killer, no filler. If you're planning a weekend binge of the best sci-fi ever made, these seven series are perfect.
Firefly
It was inevitable that Firefly would be mentioned, and Kamran Ahmed obliged, writing: 'Firefly is the only answer simply because it was so short.' Kamran isn't wrong. Firefly ran for just fourteen episodes before cancellation, but it regularly appears in discussions of the best sci-fi series ever made. Set in 2517, the show follows the crew of the Serenity, a Firefly-class ship, as they fight to survive on the fringes of deep space while avoiding the despotic Alliance government. How beloved is Firefly? It has a 97% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes and was named 'The World's Best Space Sci-Fi Ever' by New Scientist. Firefly is available on Disney Plus.
The Expanse
Dozens of readers named The Expanse as their perfect TV show, including António Pedro, Mark Parry, and Leo Blake. Joanne McMurdo was particularly enthusiastic: 'The Expanse was a fantastic show with great actresses and actors. Just a shame that it ended so quickly in the last season.' Based on James S. A. Corey's novels, The Expanse is set in a world where humanity has conquered the stars. When UN Deputy Undersecretary Chrisjen Avasarala discovers a secret conspiracy, she must work to prevent war. Boasting a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score, critics praise its complex story, interesting characters, and impressive visuals. The show survived cancellation and all six seasons are on Amazon Prime.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Craig Bulloch, Ian Dixon, and I all agree that Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) is impeccable television. Set more than 70 years after Captain Kirk's adventures, TNG follows a new crew on the Enterprise exploring deep space. Widely recognized as one of the greatest sci-fi series ever made, TNG is an absolute classic. Katharine Trendacosta from io9 wrote: 'The Next Generation has earned its place not just in the pantheon of Star Trek, but in the pantheon of TV series, period. It's what all other science fiction shows aspire to.' All seven seasons are on Paramount Plus.
Red Dwarf
Top fan Jonathan Ineson nominated Red Dwarf as a perfect show. Created by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, this cult comedy classic follows the last human alive, Dave Lister, and the ragtag crew of the mining ship Red Dwarf as they try to return to Earth. Dave is a slob, his crewmates are dead, a cat, and a senile robot, and he's three million years from home. On Rotten Tomatoes, user Ben R wrote: 'Still absolutely essential viewing despite, or maybe because of, the shonky sets and effects.' Bob D added: 'Best show ever made.' All 12 seasons are on BBC iPlayer.
Foundation
Both Peyn Minx and Robby Penny gave Foundation a shout-out. Based on Isaac Asimov's stories, Foundation is a dense and complicated show set in the far future, centering on a group of mathematicians battling a tyrannical empire. Wildly ambitious and popular with devoted fans, it's a tough but rewarding show. As Empire's Helen O'Hara put it: 'Foundation isn't always easy… but this is sci-fi that's worth putting the time in for.' All three seasons are on Apple TV.
Stargate SG-1
Daz Wibbs named Stargate SG-1 as his pick. A sequel to the Stargate movie, the show follows military team SG-1 as they use the gate to travel the galaxy to defeat an alien threat known as the Goa'uld. SG-1 regularly appears on lists of the best sci-fi series ever made and still has a committed fanbase despite ending over a decade ago. On IMDb, jsalzman-99905 wrote: 'Hands down the best Sci Fi series ever, and it has aged well.' All ten seasons are on Netflix, NOW, and MGM Plus.
Fallout
Martin Beecroft chose Fallout, a modern show and a favorite in the Metro office. Based on the games, it's set in an alternate post-apocalyptic world where nuclear war has turned Earth into an irradiated wasteland, following three characters fighting to survive. I love Fallout, and on Reddit, user Melon5676060 called it 'one of the best video game adaptations ever' with every episode a 9/10. It has a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score. Seasons one and two are on Amazon Prime Video.
A version of this article was originally published on February 14, 2026.
