Apple TV: 15 of the Absolute Best Sci-Fi Shows You Should Stream Now
Apple TV removed the “Plus” from its name, but the quality of its programming remained unchanged. In fact, the Apple-owned streamer has some of the best TV shows you’ve probably never seen. And this is even more true when we talk about science fiction. Apart from the notable series Breakupthere are a plethora of interesting titles that you may have never heard of. Simply put: there’s more to the content on Apple’s streaming service than what is happening at Lumon Industries.
When talking about Apple TV, it’s easy to overlook the streamer’s vast library. After all, the hardware shares the same name as its streaming platform. Not to mention the fact that Apple has relied heavily on a self-discovery model instead of investing in marketing its shows. Word of mouth can be strong, but sometimes you need a curated guide like this to point you in the right direction.
You’re here for the science fiction of it all. That means you probably want epic world-building as well as engaging performances and boundary-pushing storytelling. Genre TV shows in Apple TV’s content library accomplish all of this. Shows like For All Mankind, Murderbot, and Dark Matter immediately come to mind. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Vince Gilligan’s new series, Pluribus, which is pretty good. Hell, you can always watch Severance again while you’re at it.
Below you’ll find CNET’s guide to the best sci-fi shows to watch on Apple TV right now. You might be in the mood for a neo-noir mystery, an epic monster battle, or something with a scientific twist. Choices, choices, choices. Sit back and click play. This list will be updated regularly, so be sure to bookmark it and visit often.
Don’t miss any of our unbiased technical content and lab reviews. Add CNET as your preferred Google source.
Learn more: The Apple TV app on Android now supports Google Cast. Here’s why it’s important
Vince Gilligan’s new series is much more X-Files than Breaking Bad, and that’s a good thing. The series follows a woman named Carol (Rhea Seehorn), who finds herself trapped in the middle of a global pandemic of unbridled happiness. It’s very Invasion of the Body Snatchers, but a totally different take on the idea of an alien invasion. Smart writing and an Emmy-worthy performance from Seehorn make this show one of my favorites of the year.
Invasion is an epic science fiction drama about an alien invasion. The detail that differentiates this series is its international scope. Now in its third season, the series travels the world to offer diverse perspectives on the global threat. The events of the series unfold in real time, adding a sense of urgency to the mix.
The adaptation of Martha Wells’ bestselling book series, Murderbot Diaries, has already carved out a unique place in Apple TV Plus’ sci-fi library. Starring Alexander Skarsgård (who delivers in everything he does) as the murderous robot in question, the show follows the exploits of a security robot who protects his human clients while secretly watching hours and hours of television. If you want action, comedy, and sci-fi, Murderbot gives you all three.
All six episodes of Dr. Brain were directed by Kim Jee-woon (the director behind I Saw the Devil), which pretty much tells you that this series will be a dark and twisted adventure. The series follows a brain scientist named Sewon Koh, who found a way to hack the memories of dead people. It’s certainly a medical breakthrough, but Sewon’s focus is more on using this experimental technique to solve the mystery of a family tragedy.
Rashida Jones plays Suzie in Sunny, a series that Apple TV Plus describes as a dark comedy. After Suzie’s husband and child mysteriously disappear, she receives a robot to help her grieve. As the series unfolds, Suzie begins to uncover her husband’s secrets, leading the show to take a dark and dramatic turn. Presented in a sleek, near-future lens, Sunny looks very Black Mirror-y, which is a good thing.
If Ted Lasso paved the way for offbeat comedies on the platform, Severance has to be the title that cemented Apple TV Plus as a streamer devoted to high-profile genre programming. The series follows Mark (Adam Scott), who works for Lumon Industries, a biotechnology company that has a unique (if terrifying) system for maintaining its employees’ work-life balance. Ben Stiller produces and directs most of the first season’s episodes, proving once again that he is a remarkable talent behind the camera.
Hello tomorrow! is set in a retro future where door-to-door salesmen sell real estate on the moon. The world-building is one of the biggest draws of the series, which unfortunately didn’t get a renewal for season 2. Billy Crudup, Allison Pill, Dawshane Williams, Hank Azaria, and Susan Heyward make up the show’s strong cast.
What would life be like if the space race never ended? This is the big question that all of humanity is answering. This high-profile sci-fi drama is set in an alternate reality where America and the Soviets vie for dominance of space. Thanks to the consistently creative vision of series creator Ronald D. Moore and the committed performances of its epic cast, this is probably the best sci-fi series you’re not watching.
What if we did things differently? We have all asked ourselves this question at least once in our lives. This question comes to life in Dark Matter, a high-concept twisted series based on the book by Blake Crouch. The series stars Joel Edgerton as Jason, a college professor who experiences a strange assault that alters his life and reality. Jennifer Connelly, Jimmi Simpson and Alice Braga co-star alongside him in a show that will keep you hooked until the season finale.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
The Godzilla universe has finally arrived on television in this Apple TV series. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters seeks to reveal the organization’s secrets as they connect to the monsters that have ravaged San Francisco. Kurt Russell is playing his first role in a television series in almost five decades. Here, he and his son Wyatt play army officer Lee Shaw in the 1950s and today. The monsters and Russell’s star power alone are reason enough to tune in.
The Last Days of Ptolemy Gray
Samuel L. Jackson moves away from the superhero genre to bring topics of age and dementia to the forefront. Here he plays Ptolemy Grey, an aging man suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Thanks to the support of an orphaned teenager and the gradual research of an extraordinary doctor, Ptolemy can regain his senses to turn the page on his own life while searching for answers to the sudden death of his nephew.
Taking inspiration from Hugh Howey’s trilogy of books, Silo explores a dystopian future world where the survivors of humanity live in an underground structure. Varied classic dramas permeate the underground city. Population control, a murder mystery, and the potentially deadly outside world keep the show thrilling. Rebecca Ferguson, Common and Tim Robbins lead the cast.
Apple TV has done the unthinkable by adapting Isaac Asimov’s epic science fiction book series. But the streamer succeeded. Jared Harris plays Hari Seldon, a mathematics professor in exile for predicting the fall of the Galactic Empire. Lee Pace delivers a terrific performance as Brother Day. The space drama follows Seldon and his followers as they fight to save humanity.
Jason Momoa shows off his acting skills in See. The show, created by Peaky Blinders mastermind Steven Knight, explores a dystopian future where humanity has lost the ability to see. Losing sight does not slow people’s ability to fight, and it is certainly a sight to see blind warriors brandishing weapons for war. Momoa’s charisma and passion shine through, making the show enjoyable, even if it’s a hard concept to believe.
Mark Protosevich, the writer responsible for films like Thor, I Am Legend and The Cell, created Sugar – a series that wears his love for the film noir genre on its sleeve. Visually, Sugar is a delight. Add to that Colin Farrell’s empathetic, soft-spoken private detective, and you have a stylish murder mystery with patience and compassion. An unexpected twist turns the show on its head later in the series, transforming the story into something completely different.
