Dwi Wanna
The science fiction genre has long served as a mirror for humanity’s collective anxieties and aspirations. Whether it is projecting a utopia we strive to reach or a cautionary dystopia we must desperately avoid, the genre remains the most potent tool for examining the human condition. As we reach the halfway point of the 2020s, the television landscape has been transformed by a relentless surge in high-concept, technology-driven storytelling. Streaming services, led largely by the aggressive output of Apple TV+, have turned the small screen into a laboratory for bold, often terrifying, explorations of where our species is headed.
As we analyze the current decade, it is clear that we are living in a golden age of speculative fiction. Below, we rank the 15 definitive sci-fi series of the 2020s so far, considering narrative ambition, cultural impact, and their ability to grapple with the complexities of modern existence.
15. 3 Body Problem (Netflix)
The first three entries on this list are characterized by immense potential and high-stakes ambition. Netflix’s 3 Body Problem, helmed by Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss alongside Alexander Woo, attempts to adapt Liu Cixin’s seminal trilogy—a work of hard science fiction that rivals the scale of George R.R. Martin’s fantasy epics. The series dives into the chilling consequences of humanity’s first contact with extraterrestrial intelligence. While the show faced some criticism regarding its dialogue upon release, its commitment to hard science and its Emmy-nominated scope mark it as a foundational text for the decade.
14. Dark Matter (Apple TV+)
The multiverse has become a weary trope in recent years, often reduced to fan-service cameos in superhero blockbusters. However, Dark Matter, based on the novel by showrunner Blake Crouch, breathes new life into the concept. By focusing on the emotional torment of Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton), a man kidnapped by an alternate version of himself, the series turns a "what-if" scenario into an intimate character study. It explores the path not taken and the weight of our choices, proving that the multiverse is best served as a psychological thriller rather than an action set piece.
13. Pluribus (Apple TV+)
A newcomer to the landscape, Pluribus has quickly made waves with its mysterious narrative and compelling performances, notably from Rhea Seehorn. While the show is still early in its run, its atmosphere and tight storytelling suggest it will be a cornerstone of mid-decade television, blending complex character arcs with the high-stakes intrigue that Apple TV+ has mastered.
12. Scavengers Reign (HBO Max)
In the realm of animation, Scavengers Reign stands as a haunting, singular achievement. Created by Joe Bennett and Charles Huettner, this survival series follows the crew of a crashed spacecraft navigating the alien, biological horrors of the planet Vesta. Though it was tragically canceled after one season, its surreal, visceral animation and unique approach to ecosystem-based horror earned it a place as one of the highest-rated adult animated shows on IMDb.
11. Foundation (Apple TV+)
Adapting Isaac Asimov’s "un-adaptable" novels was always a Herculean task. While the first season of Foundation struggled to find its footing, the series has since evolved into a stunning visual and thematic triumph. By moving away from a strict adherence to the source material, showrunners David S. Goyer and Josh Friedman have crafted a show that stands on its own merits, exploring the cyclical nature of empires and the fragility of knowledge.
10. Loki (Disney+)
Marvel’s Loki represents the rare instance where a franchise spinoff transcends its parent material. By freeing its titular character from the rigid structures of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and placing him in the surreal, bureaucratic environment of the Time Variance Authority, the series delivered a poignant meditation on identity, destiny, and redemption. It remains one of the few superhero-adjacent shows that feels like true, intellectual science fiction.
9. Fallout (Amazon Prime Video)
Fallout set a new benchmark for video game adaptations, blending the dark, retro-futuristic satire of the source material with a fresh, character-driven narrative. The first season was a masterclass in tone, but the series experienced some growing pains in its sophomore outing. Despite pacing issues, its world-building remains unmatched, and it stands as a testament to the potential of adapting interactive media for the screen.
8. Star Trek: Picard (Paramount+)
The journey of Star Trek: Picard was, at times, turbulent. The first two seasons were uneven, struggling to balance nostalgia with new narrative stakes. However, the third season achieved what many thought impossible: a meaningful, emotional, and satisfying epilogue for the crew of The Next Generation. It serves as a masterclass in how to treat a legacy cast with respect while still moving the needle of the story forward.
7. Silo (Apple TV+)
Since 2023, Silo has captivated audiences with its claustrophobic, high-stakes mystery. Set in an underground vault where humanity hides from a supposedly toxic world, the series excels at world-building and pacing. Rebecca Ferguson’s performance as Juliette Nichols provides the show with a grounded, human heart that keeps the audience invested through every twist and turn of its dystopian conspiracy.
6. Devs (FX/Hulu)
Alex Garland’s Devs is a cold, calculating, and existentially haunting miniseries. By exploring quantum computing and the potential death of free will, Garland creates a narrative that feels terrifyingly close to our current technological reality. Nick Offerman’s turn as an eccentric CEO searching for answers to his own grief makes the show not just a technical marvel, but a profound emotional experience.
5. For All Mankind (Apple TV+)
What began as an alternate history about the Space Race has transformed into a sweeping, multi-generational epic. For All Mankind excels by allowing its characters to grow, fail, and evolve over decades. It is a rare show that challenges viewers to imagine a future that is more prosperous and technologically advanced than our own, serving as a beacon of optimism amidst a sea of dystopian fiction.
4. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (Netflix)
Studio Trigger’s Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a hyper-violent, emotionally resonant masterpiece. It proved that an adaptation could not only match the quality of its source material but arguably surpass it in terms of heart and stylistic execution. It is a perfect, single-season miniseries that functions as a self-contained story of ambition and loss in a neon-drenched future.
3. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+)
Strange New Worlds represents the very best of Star Trek. By returning to the episodic, adventure-of-the-week format, it captures the spirit of exploration and optimism that defined the original series, while updating the production values and character depth for a modern audience. It is a joyful, essential watch.
2. Andor (Disney+)
Andor changed the conversation regarding what a Star Wars show could be. Eschewing the reliance on "the Force" and "destiny," Tony Gilroy delivered a gritty, political, and ideologically charged masterpiece. It asks hard questions about the cost of revolution and the nature of oppression, making it arguably the most important piece of Star Wars content produced in the last two decades.
1. Severance (Apple TV+)
Topping our list is Severance, an existential, brain-breaking drama that defines the current zeitgeist. By introducing the concept of a "severed" work-life balance, the show taps into universal anxieties about corporate overreach, personal identity, and the meaning of labor. With its impeccable direction, haunting score, and a narrative that balances mystery with deep psychological insight, Severance is the definitive sci-fi series of the 2020s.
Chronology of Influence
The 2020s have seen a clear shift in how sci-fi is consumed. The early years (2020-2021) were defined by miniseries like Devs that focused on individual existential dread. By 2022-2023, the focus shifted toward large-scale world-building and franchise revivals like Andor and Silo. As we look toward the latter half of the decade, we expect to see a rise in AI-centric storytelling, though series like Severance have already set a high bar for how to address these themes with nuance rather than cliché.
Supporting Data and Industry Trends
The dominance of Apple TV+ in this list is not coincidental. Their business model has prioritized prestige, high-budget science fiction, often securing top-tier talent to ensure these series capture critical attention. According to recent streaming data, sci-fi shows have the highest "completion rate" for premium subscribers, suggesting that audiences are increasingly seeking long-form, complex narratives that require sustained attention—a departure from the binge-and-forget culture of the late 2010s.
Official Responses and Creative Direction
Showrunners like Tony Gilroy (Andor) and Dan Erickson (Severance) have emphasized that their goal was to prioritize human emotion over spectacle. When asked about the "political" nature of their shows, creators have consistently maintained that science fiction’s primary role is to provide a safe space to discuss uncomfortable contemporary truths. This creative philosophy has effectively silenced critics who argue that "genre fiction" should remain escapist, proving instead that audiences crave depth and social commentary.
Implications for the Future
As we head toward 2030, the implications for the genre are significant. The success of these 15 shows proves that audiences are not looking for simple "good vs. evil" narratives. They are looking for stories that challenge their understanding of the world, reflect their anxieties about the future of technology, and treat them with intellectual respect. If the current trajectory holds, the 2020s will be remembered as the decade where television science fiction finally outgrew its "B-movie" roots and became the most important literary medium of the modern age.
Raul Delapena Setiawan
Laily UPN
