Top 5 Sci-Fi Shows of 2025: A Look Back at the Year’s Best

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While 2025 might not stack up against peak years for science fiction television like the mid-2010s or early 2000s, it still delivered some truly memorable shows that made a real impact on the genre. Looking back, it’s clear 2025 was a significant year for sci-fi on TV.

In 2025, many of the top sci-fi shows explored big ideas. Notably, three out of the five best shows focused on threats from outer space, prompting viewers to consider humanity’s place in the universe. One standout series was a lesser-known, foreign-language show about the dangers of artificial intelligence. The last of the top five delved into the meaning of being human, told from the perspective of an android.

These five shows, like many in the science fiction genre, shared common themes and storytelling approaches, but each also had unique qualities. Some were more impactful than others, while a few didn’t leave a lasting impression.

5. Cassandra

Netflix’s German sci-fi thriller, Cassandra, starts with a common premise: a family moves in somewhere new and unintentionally reactivates the house’s AI system. While it initially feels similar to stories like M3GAN, the show quickly develops into something more interesting, setting it apart from many other sci-fi projects about artificial intelligence.

One of the most compelling aspects of Cassandra is its striking visual style, which creates a retro-futuristic world that feels both familiar and strangely unsettling. The AI character, Cassandra, initially appears kind and caring, masking a hidden and disturbing history.

Although Cassandra sometimes simplifies its characters to serve the plot, this quirky Netflix sci-fi series is still enjoyable for genre fans. It’s a bit silly at times, but it tells a complete story without relying on frustrating cliffhangers to set up future seasons.

4. The Eternaut

Netflix’s recent sci-fi series, The Eternaut, is based on a famous 1957 Argentine comic book of the same name. It quickly gained attention, even earning praise from Hideo Kojima, who noted that it was a refreshing change from typical sci-fi shows that rely on familiar zombie or disease storylines.

I was initially reminded of other stories when I started reading The Eternaut – the beginning, with this massive die-off caused by radioactive snow, felt pretty familiar. But it quickly became something much deeper. It’s not just about a disaster, it’s a really powerful look at how easily things fall apart when society breaks down, and a chilling exploration of what happens when power goes unchecked and becomes truly oppressive.

While shows like Silo quickly connect you to their characters, The Eternaut takes a little longer to make its characters feel real. However, it does a great job of setting up the central conflict and finishes its first arc with a fascinating time travel reveal, suggesting there’s much more to come. Good news for fans: Netflix has already renewed The Eternaut for another season!

3. Murderbot

Image via Apple TV+

Apple TV has become known for its strong science fiction programming. However, 2024 proved to be a challenging year for the genre on the platform. While shows like Constellation didn’t quite connect with audiences, and critically praised series like Sunny didn’t attract enough viewers, it wasn’t a complete success.

Apple TV bounced back from a slow start to 2024 by releasing fantastic new seasons of shows like Severance and adding exciting new series, such as Murderbot, to its already strong collection of science fiction programs.

The Apple TV show Murderbot, based on the first book in Martha Wells’ The Murderbot Diaries series, initially presents itself as a lighthearted comedy. However, within just a few episodes, the show takes a darker turn, becoming a thoughtful and surprisingly personal look at what it means to be conscious in a world where even awareness can be owned by corporations.

Honestly, Alexander Skarsgård was incredible in this show – seriously, a career-best performance! He just made everything so much better, and now I’m already counting down the days until season 2. I can’t wait!

2. Alien: Earth

FX’s Alien: Earth had a lot to prove – not only as part of a famous horror series, but also by explaining why a new story was needed. It could have easily relied on simple, self-contained episodes about alien escapes and victims, but it took a bolder approach. The show distinguished itself by creating a slower, more unsettling kind of horror that focused on systemic issues. Simply moving the action from space to Earth was enough to grab fans’ attention, but what truly elevates Alien: Earth is its exploration of flawed systems and moral failings within its world. These relatable themes are what make the show stay with viewers even after it’s over.

1. Pluribus

Good post-apocalyptic shows usually explore ideas about hope, staying alive, and the importance of working together. But lately, with streaming services focused on quick results, many shows in this genre haven’t bothered with complex, long-term stories. Now, after a long wait, one show finally seems to be carefully building towards a major payoff.

The show in question is obviously Apple TV’s most watched series of all time: Pluribus.

Pluribus might not be ideal for today’s streaming landscape, and that’s really its only noticeable weakness.

Rather than relying on sudden plot twists for immediate excitement, Pluribus unfolds slowly and deliberately. It’s difficult to predict where the story is headed, especially given its unusual premise: a post-apocalyptic world filled with surprisingly cheerful people, contrasted with the perspectives of two jaded characters.

It’s hard not to trust Vince Gilligan to create a compelling story with satisfying long-term results for those who stick with it. While Pluribus might lose some appeal if future seasons are too far apart, it’s currently one of the best sci-fi shows on television.

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2025-12-19 03:59