There are several incredible Science fiction programs that spend long seasons on television, airing without seeing a single bad season. This is in stark contrast to the trend that seems to be developing more and more lately, where sci-fi shows that don’t deserve to be canceled are ended prematurely and other underrated sci-fi shows never get the recognition they deserve. . Although some long-running science fiction programs like Doctor Who have been criticized in recent years for poorly written seasons, many sci-fi shows with five seasons or more maintain a consistent pattern.
While there are plenty of amazing sci-fi movies slated for release in 2025, sometimes an episode-heavy sci-fi TV show is just what a viewer needs. It’s rare to find a series that really doesn’t have bad seasons, remaining of a certain quality throughout. With so many quality seasons to keep anyone busy, shows like the original Quantum Leap and SG-1 Stargate are sure to satisfy anyone looking for a weekend TV binge.
10
Warehouse 13 (2009-2014)
This show was a mix of The X-Files and Indiana Jones
Often overlooked in comparison to other science fiction series, Warehouse 13 was a show that revolved around a team of secret agents and the supernatural artifacts they were tasked with collecting every week. These artifacts would then be stored in Warehouse 13 of the same name, a warehouse that, like Doctor Who’s TARDIS, looks bigger inside. Throughout the series, fictional historical events are referenced, adding more and more knowledge to the series’ universe.
To this day, Warehouse 13 holds the title of Syfy’s third biggest premiere, behind only Atlantis Stargate and Eureka. The best part is that the series only continues to improve as it goes on, adding more and more drama and context to the overarching plot of collecting these artifacts for storage. The series itself holds an incredible 87% of fans on Rotten Tomatoes, and even earned an Emmy nomination for Best Original Main Title Theme Song.
9
Black Orphan (2013-2017)
This mysterious sci-fi thriller received critical acclaim
Black Orphan begins with an immediate cliffhanger, depicting British con artist Sarah Manning as she witnesses the death of someone who appears to be her complete doppelgänger. The show soon reveals that this woman was no casual doppelgänger, but in fact one of many clones. The conspiracy of this series runs deep, with its five expertly crafted seasons tackling the mystery of how all these clones came to be.
From each of its seasons, the lowest score it Black Orphan receives on Rotten Tomatoes is an astonishing 83%, with all other seasons above 90%. The series was nominated for and won many awards, and the fact that it was not nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at the 65th and 66th Primetime Emmy Awards is considered by many to be regrettable, despite Tatiana Maslany winning the award in later seasons. Black Orphan It has since been turned into an entire franchise, including a spin-off series titled Black Orphan: Echoes.
8
Quantum Leap (1989-1993)
The original series was one of the best on television
Starring Scott Bakula in his most famous role to date, Quantum Leap is the story of a scientist who, using the power of technology, is able to “jump” into the bodies of different people over time to correct the timeline. The series deftly combines humor and drama, with the question of whether Bakula’s character, Dr. Sam Beckett, will return to the present remaining up in the air. The unique take on time travel is quite interesting, perfectly combined with incredible writing and great special effects for the time.
The show It ran for five seasons and had 97 episodes in total. It won several Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards, many of which went to Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell for their cinematography. and acting. TV Guide considers Quantum Leap one of the main cult programs of all time, cementing it as one of the greatest science fiction shows in history.
7
Eureka (2006-2012)
This sci-fi comedy has a lot of charm
Considered one of the best science fiction shows on Amazon Prime, Eureka is a science fiction comedy series set in the fictional town of Eureka, Oregon. Eureka is hidden from the outside world, mainly because the city is full of geniuses who work for the same company. This series is full of comedy and fictional technological advancements, and although each episode feels contained, there are overarching plots throughout each season.
Holding the record for the highest-rated series premiere in Syfy Channel history, it goes without saying that there are plenty of positives about Eureka. The show was praised for its quirkiness and critical thinking, and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and honored by the Independent Investigations Group.. Eureka also shares a fictional universe with the series Warehouse 13, with the two series having several crossover episodes and appearances in between.
6
Fringe (2008-2013)
JJ Abrams creates another sci-fi marvel
JJ Abrams is best known for films such as Armageddon, Cloverfield, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. However, he also created the series Fringe for Fox. The series follows the FBI’s Fringe Division, a task force that focuses on cases related to “fringe science,” which often includes topics like transhumanism and parallel universes.
The series is another with a huge audience and cult following, with many comparing it to iconic shows like The X-Files. Although he did not win any Emmy Awards, he was nominated for several, winning in several awards, such as the Saturn Awards. Fringe It set the standard for many of the science fiction shows that would come after, marrying its weekly premise with serialized drama.
5
The Expansion (2015-2022)
Amazon Prime’s beloved sci-fi began on the Syfy channel
Originally based on a series of novels The Expansion is a tense science fiction series set hundreds of years in the future. The solar system was colonized by humanity and the United Nations became militaristic. As the story of The Expansion As it unfolds, more is learned about Mars and its role in the greater galaxy, as well as the cast of characters sent to investigate the conspiracy at the center of the planet.
The Expansion it only gets better as the series progresses, eventually being dropped by the Syfy channel and picked up by Amazon Prime. Several seasons of the series are 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and for good reason. The series is notable for its commendable writing and complex character arcs, constantly offering viewers something new with each episode.
4
Stargate SG-1 (1997-2007)
This long-running series was a response to the success of the film
Acting as a sequel to the 1994 film Stargate, SG-1 Stargate takes place a year later with the creation of a special operations team designed to investigate the Stargate network. Because it follows the entire network, SG-1 Stargate explores even further afield than the planet featured in the original film, but still draws inspiration from various mythologies. This series ended up becoming so popular that, just like Star Trek, spawned several series of sequels, such as Atlantis Stargate and Stargate Universe.
SG-1 Stargate is considered one of Syfy Channel’s best original series and is widely considered a staple of the genre. It was nominated for seven different Emmy Awards during its decade, but despite being praised for everything from visual effects to musical composition, it didn’t win. The show is an incredible take on the science fiction genre, examining morality through the lens of these new alien worlds.
3
Futurama (1999-present)
Futurama has been canceled and revived multiple times
Despite being an exaggerated comedy series in the same style as adult programs like The Simpsons, Futurama has gained an especially loving fan base due to its interesting stories and willingness to tackle difficult topics. Following the character of Philip J. Fry, a man from the year 2000 who wakes up from being cryogenically preserved in the year 2999, Futurama, most of the time, you see different stories in each episode. Wacky and absurd at its core, the show also frequently parodies other popular media.
Although it has been canceled and brought back by several different platforms, with its most recent home being on Hulu, Futurama remains fresh every season despite its decades-long lifespan. Many of its seasons have 100% critic scores, with viewers citing its captivating comedy and witty satire as reasons to watch the show. It’s still running today, with season 12 being the series’ most recent.
2
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)
This iconic series continues what the original started
In the grand scheme of things, the Star Trek: The Original Series is relatively short compared to the series that would come later, with just 3 seasons and 79 episodes. Star Trek: The Next Generation, however, it is much longer, spanning 7 seasons with a whopping 178 episodes between them. Much like the series that came before, Star Trek: The Next Generation has a different story in each episode, following the U.S.S. Enterprise on your journey to explore the galaxy.
During its initial release, new episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation had viewers in the millions, often surpassing massive programs like Wheel of Fortune and Health in views. The series won a phenomenal 18 Emmy Awards, becoming the only syndicated TV show to be nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series. It won Hugo Awards, Peabody Awards, and the success of this series is the reason there are so many more Star Trek series today.
1
The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)
This anthology series popularized the format and became one of the best
Known as an anthology series that covers all types of genres, from science fiction to fantasy and horror, The Twilight Zone originally aired in 1959. Since then, it has been rebooted several times, with its most recent release in 2020. Since then, the series has released a film, audio dramas, and even a theme park attraction.
The show’s creator, Rod Sterling, was known for his criticism of the television medium and the censorship found within it, and The Twilight Zone it often came into direct conflict with this censorship.
The Twilight Zone is one of the best Science fiction series of all time, notable for pushing the limits of television at the time. The show’s creator, Rod Sterling, was known for his criticism of the television medium and the censorship found within it, and The Twilight Zone it often came into direct conflict with this censorship. It paved the way for the science fiction series that would follow, boldly tackling issues of the time, including nuclear war and McCarthyism, rather than sticking to the more outlandish stories that were popular during this period.