Like fantasy or any other facet of speculative fiction,sci-fiTV shows lend themselves to being revived and making epic comebacks. Series within the sci-fi genre have some of the most dedicated and loyal fanbases, which make them prime candidates for being brought back to the small screen and further explored. Whether they’re cult classics, hidden gems, or massive crossover hits, these shows offered something unique within the sci-fi landscape, allowing them to age well and be fondly remembered today.
Too often,great sci-fi TV shows are canceled after one season, leaving audiences wanting more. Whilemany of these series ran for multiple seasons, even reaching their planned conclusions,that doesn’t mean we wouldn’t be interested in additional installments of the story. When a show creates a vivid and intricate fictional world, this allows the narrative to progress in many unexpected ways and sometimes outlive the original premise of a series. Exploring new characters and additional plotlines within these imaginative universes would be as engaging today as it was when these works were originally airing.
There have been many screen adaptations of Stephen King’s beloved horror and fantasy stories, but one of the greatest TV shows based on King’s work is a sci-fi series. Similar to a modern-dayLord of the Flies, where it’s the adults who lose their humanity,Under the Domesees its characters trapped in their small town under an invisible but impenetrable dome.Faced with a vacuum of resources and authority, the residents turn on each other, though they know they must work together.
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Under the Domeis proof thatStephen King should return to the sci-fi genre, as it’s one of his most interrogative explorations of human nature.The TV series ended after three seasons, but it would have been easy to watch many more,as there were so many opportunities for drama and intrigue. ThoughUnder the Dometook some creative liberties with King’s work, these changes served to increase the show’s longevity.
Under the Dome (2013–2015)
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Before the multiverse was popularized in recent years, TV shows likeSliderswere exploring the concept of multiple dimensions and realities. However, inSliders, traveling between these worlds isn’t easy, and the central characters in the show are just trying to find their way home for most of the story.Slidersis similar to popular works of science fantasy likeDoctor Who,as the technology that moves the characters through dimensions takes them to various historical or futuristic societies as well.
It’s a great concept for a series, as the characters don’t have control over where they’re sent or how long they stay there, forcing the characters and writers to get creative in every episode.
It’s a great concept for a series, as the characters don’t have control over where they’re sent or how long they stay there, forcing the characters and writers to get creative in every episode.Slidersfaced some complications as the series progressed, but the first two seasons are fantastic works of television that serve as a time capsule of sci-fi during the transition from the 1990s to the early 2000s. Every adventure the characters inSlidersgo on immerses the audience into the world and shows they something they’ve never seen before.
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The term space opera gets thrown around too often in the sci-fi genre. However,Babylon 5is a true space opera, spanning five tightly planned seasons with strong serialized story arcs.Babylon 5was hailed for its well-laid plot threads and intricate character developmentthroughout its run, allowing the series to hold up well today. Throughout the seasons,Babylon 5was continuously at the forefront of innovations within sci-fi and TV in general, both narratively and visually.
Babylon 5is a great gateway show for newcomers to the genre, making it one of thebest sci-fi TV shows for teens. Recently, an animated film,Babylon 5: The Road Home, continued the story in 2023, proving that there’s still concrete interest in the narrative.Many contemporary works owe a lot toBabylon 5and its interweaving story structure,which lends itself to a modern revival that would seamlessly fit into the contemporary TV landscape.
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Alien Nationwas an unexpected sci-fi twist on the crime procedural genre. Based on the 1988 film of the same name,Alien Nationis an early example of a story that’s been played out many times in science fiction in recent years.The series pairs a human police officer with an alien partnerin the wake of the aliens' arrival on Earth. Using their differences as a way to explore contemporary cultural differences and prejudice,Alien Nationtackles difficult subjects.
In many ways,Alien Nationwas ahead of its time in grappling with relevant social issues and challenging societal norms of the later 1980s and early 1990s.
In many ways,Alien Nationwas ahead of its time in grappling with relevant social issues and challenging societal norms of the later 1980s and early 1990s. Today,Alien Nationwould easily find an audience, as many of the taboo topics thatAlien Nationattempted to engage with are even more relevant today. A new iteration ofAlien Nationwould be even more boundary-pushing and benefit from the new visual effects and technologies of the modern era.
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The acclaimed sci-fi seriesFireflyis one of the TV shows frequently brought up in conversations about projects that were canceled too soon. Facing setbacks and technical issues when it was first released in 2002,Fireflynever got a fair chance on network television. However, as the years progressed,Fireflyhas been recognized as one of the most influential space Western TV showsas well as an enduring cult classic that stays with you.
Thanks to its longevity,Fireflyeventually got a movie continuation in 2005,Serenity,but this doesn’t stop diehard fans from hoping that the show might come back one day. Though it’s been over twenty years sinceFireflyhit the air, this hasn’t lessened its impact, as many of the series' best episodes could have been written today. While it’s not perfect,Fireflyis beloved by so many sci-fi fans because of the nostalgia it sparks and its enduring themes.
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Chloë Grace Moretz stars inThe Peripheral, a series set in an alternative reality that’s split off from the main timeline. Based on the book by famed sci-fi author William Gibson,The Peripheralis engaged in conversations about virtual reality and the development of artificial bodies in the future.After an action-packed first season,The Peripheralset itself up for an exciting follow-up season that would continue to expand Flynne’s (Moretz) world.
Unfortunately,The Peripheralseason 2 was never produced despite its initial renewal for the follow-up installment. While it’s disappointing that season 2 fell through, the fact that the series was popular enough to warrant a renewal indicates that there would be substantial interest in another season in the future. Moretz is at her best inThe Peripheral, and if the success of other popular sci-fi series, likeSeveranceandSilo, is any indication,The Peripheralcould flourish today.
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One of thebest Western TV shows of the past decade,Westworldhit a few snags along the way but deserved much better than its unexpected cancellation after season 4.Westworldsuccessfully bounced back from a terrible second season,proving itself to still be innovative and exciting with seasons 3 and 4. However, season 5 never happened, leaving us on a gripping cliffhanger. Though it’s been five years sinceWestworldended, I’m still hoping the show could be brought back to life.
The concept ofWestworldis iconic, as it tackles themes of humanity, the ethics of technological development, as well as the hidden violence of human nature, all in one sleek package.
The concept ofWestworldis iconic, as it tackles themes of humanity, the ethics of technological development, as well as the hidden violence of human nature, all in one sleek package. Evan Rachel Wood is one of the highlights ofWestworld, as the actress portrays the robotic host, Dolores, who slowly develops consciousness and asserts her agency in a fantastic character arc. As long asWestworldis still being talked about, it’s easy to keep hoping the final season might one day come out.
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Josh Brolin led the genre-bendingOuter Rangefor both of the drama’s two seasons before it was tragically canceled by Amazon Prime. Carving out a niche within both the sci-fi and Western genres,Outer Rangerimmediately made an impact, distinguishing itself from similar offerings on television.While series likeYellowstoneare pure neo-Western melodrama and shows like12 Monkeysare entrenched in sci-fi and time travel,Outer Rangebridges the gap between projects like this, creating something for everyone.
Outer Rangesuccessfully incorporated season-long mysteriesand used the puzzle box trope to great effect.Outer Rangeuses these elements to pull you deeper into the story. While the narrative itself is worth watching on its own, the performances inOuter Rangerby Brolin, Imogen Poots, and the rest of the strong ensemble cast make it just as impossible to turn away from any second ofOuter Range. Since the series was only recently canceled, there’s even more incentive to bring it back and cultivate its audience.
Scavengers Reignmight have only run for a single season, but these episodes made an enormous impact. The animation genre has been expanding in recent years, andScavengers Reignis an excellent example of how the boundaries between genres and narrative forms can be broken down and made into something dynamic. With a vivid visual style and an exciting sci-fi world,Scavengers Reigntransports the audience and characters into a universe where the rules of nature have changed.
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Grappling directly with themes of man versus nature and the way society develops,Scavengers Reignhas only become more relevant and gripping since it first premiered. ThoughScavengers Reignisn’t afraid to delve into the darkest parts of the human psyche,there’s also a glimmer of hope in the heart of the story, making it worth watching even when it seems that all hope is lost. There’s little doubt that the creators ofScavenger’s Reigncould craft a follow-up season just as compelling.
Netflix’s critically acclaimedsci-fiseriesTravelersis an innovative addition to the post-apocalyptic genre that subverts many of the most common time travel tropes.Travelersis a well-acted drama, as the actors have the tough job of playing roles within roles. This is because the premise ofTravelersis that people’s consciousness in the future is sent back in time into people’s bodies to try and prevent the apocalypse. Though it’s a heady concept,Travelersmanages to pull it off without confusing the audience.
Despite its overwhelming critical acclaim,Travelersended after season 3,even though the show’s story had the potential to go on for many seasons. While the television landscape is overflowing with post-apocalyptic dramas,Travelersimmediately stood apart within the genre because it takes place before the world-ending event. Though it’s not uncommon for Netflix to axe some of its most promising shows, there’s plenty of groundTravelerscould cover if it was brought back.
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