Ever since we said goodbye to Stranger Things at the start of the year, we've been in desperate need of a new sci-fi obsession, and thankfully right now there are so many genuinely good sci-fi series to keep us occupied.
From a show from the creators of Game of Thrones, to a critically acclaimed Apple TV+ show, there's so much available to dive into, whether sci-fi to you is all about aliens, or whether you prefer a more chilling dystopian drama. So, keep scrolling for our top picks of the best sci-fi series to watch now on Disney+, Netflix, the BBC and more.
The best sci-fi series to watch now
Wonder Man
This new Marvel series only recently landed on Disney+ and it's already gained an army of loyal fans. Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is aspiring actor who's fighting to make it in Hollywood - and his life is about to change. When he's presented with an opportunity to star in a remake of a Wonder Man film from a famous director, he knows he's perfect for it - given he already has superpowers of his own. But can he secure it? Available to watch now on Disney+.
The War Between the Land and the Sea
Russell T Davies’ Doctor Who spin-off introduces us to Barclay (Russell Tovey), a low-level UNIT staff member whose ordinary life turns rather terrifying when an ancient species rises from the sea. Barclay becomes humanity’s ambassador when the mysterious Salt (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) emerges from the Tank at a summit on the Thames. Suddenly, humanity must confront the way it’s treated the oceans to avoid total wipeout. Available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.
Peacemaker
The first of this two-series sci-fi drama is a spin-off of The Suicide Squad, in which John Cena reprises his role as Peacemaker. Having recovered from the injuries he suffered during the events of the film, he's forced to join the mysterious A.R.G.U.S black ops squad "Project Butterfly", who are on a mission to identify and eliminate parasitic butterfly-like creatures who have taken over human bodies around the world. Series 2 moves to the DC Universe, picking up after the events of the 2025 Superman film - where Peacemaker is now a hero, but once again, he's got a mission to accomplish. Available to watch now on NOW TV.
3 Body Problem
Based on the bestselling novels by Cixin Liu, this sci-drama comes from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss and is a truly fascinating watch. Exploring humanity’s response to its greatest threat - other beings coming to conquer the planet- it picks up in 1960s China when a young woman makes a fateful decision that reverberates across space and time into the present day. A tight-knit group of scientists must join forces with an unflinching detective to save the world - but can they achieve it? Excitingly, a second series is currently in development. Series 1 of 3 Body Problem is available to watch now on Netflix.
Murderbot
The hit book series The Murderbot Diaries is the basis of this compelling series, which blends sci-fi and comedy. At the centre of it is Murderbot (played by Alexander Skarsgård), a security robot, but one day he gains free will. All he wants to do with his free will is… binge on soap operas. Perhaps robots aren’t always that dissimilar to humans, after all. However, this robot also finds itself reluctantly protecting humans, for whom it develops complicated feelings, while trying to maintain its freedom and understand its identity. Get ready for plenty of laughs, but also be prepared to be slightly freaked out. Available to watch now on Apple TV.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
This Star Trek spin-off launched on Paramount+ in January to much fanfare. Set in the 32nd century, we meet a new class of Starfleet cadets (which includes the likes of Holly Hunter, Paul Giamatti and Bella Shepard) who are prepared to do whatever it takes to become officers. Navigating blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries and a new enemy that threatens both the Academy and the Federation, it's the sort of series that'll capture your attention for hours. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is available to watch now on Paramount+.
Alien: Earth
This prequel to Ridley Scott's 1979 Alien film has earned plenty of praise from both critics and viewers - and rightly so. Set two years before the film in 2120, the story picks up when a research ship crashes on Earth, unleashing a deadly alien threat in the process. Wendy (played by Sydney Chandler), the first synthetic being to be given a human consciousness, is among those who make the discovery... but she also has a strange connection to it. While Ridley didn't direct any of the episodes, writer and creator Noah Hawley confirmed that he was very involved in the series and his influence is, happily, felt throughout. Alien: Earth is available to watch on Disney+.
Severance
This dystopian drama is set in a company where employees have a chip implanted in their brain to separate their work and home consciousness, which essentially leads to two versions of each character, known as "innies" and "outies". Innies only know their day to day lives at work and know nothing of their outside selves. Outies live their regular personal lives with no knowledge of what happens during the working day. It's a clever premise and makes for such good viewing that fans are now eagerly awaiting its third instalment. Severance is available to watch now on Apple TV.
The Beauty
Ryan Murphy (All’s Fair, Monster) is behind this creepy sci-fi horror, which revolves around FBI agents Cooper Madsen (Evan Peters) and Jordan Bennett (Rebecca Hall), who are dispatched to the world of high fashion in Paris when supermodels begin dying in mysterious and gruesome ways. As they delve deeper into the investigation, they meet tech billionaire, Byron Forst (Ashton Kutcher), who’s secretly created a miracle drug called “The Beauty”, which comes with lethal side effects… and he’ll do anything to protect his trillion-dollar empire. The Beauty is available to watch now on Disney+.
Dark Matter
This underrated series stars Joel Edgerton as Jason Dessen a physicist who finds himself stuck in an alternate version of his own life. Unable to get back, he realises the version of himself in his real life is a serious threat to his family. So how can he prevent him from doing something awful? An unsettling watch. Dark Matter is available to watch now on Apple TV.
