Let’s get real—there’s nothing better than diving into a fantastic sci-fi series. From mind-bending time travel loops, alien takeovers, or enigmatic dystopias, science fiction has a knack for drawing us into worlds that are just a little (or quite a bit) stranger than home. And if you’re a Netflix subscriber, you’ve got some solid choices to choose from. From action-packed space operas to mind-tripping psychological thrills, here are 10 of the top sci-fi TV series available on Netflix that should be on your watchlist.
10. Resident Alien
Begin on a lighthearted note with Resident Alien. Alan Tudyk stars as an alien who crash-lands on Earth and awkwardly integrates into a tiny Colorado town by pretending to be a doctor. He was initially designed to destroy all humanity, but after a series of wacky mishaps and chance friendships, things take on a life of their own. Tudyk’s unorthodox charm makes this secret alien yarn feel new and strangely sentimental. It’s science fiction with a dash of small-town humor, and it’s a hoot to see.
9. The Rain
Post-apocalyptic drama comes with a Scandi spin in The Rain, a Danish thriller about how a lethal virus, spread through rain, devastates the world. Two siblings venture out of their bunker to discover that the world has been completely remade and must struggle to survive in a brutal new world. The series is about how to adapt, learn to trust others, and maintain hope—even when your death is literally in the sky. Dark and brooding, it’s an engrossing watch for those who love pandemic survival tales.
8. Welcome to Eden
What starts as an invite to a luxurious island party quickly morphs into something far darker in Welcome to Eden. This Spanish-language series takes aim at influencer culture and cult dynamics, throwing its characters into a mysterious paradise that isn’t what it seems. With plenty of sci-fi undertones and suspenseful twists, this show keeps the tension high and the questions coming. You’ll be hooked trying to figure out what’s going on beneath the surface.
7. Love, Death & Robots
If variety is your thing, Love, Death & Robots is your sci-fi buffet. This animated anthology features standalone stories ranging from dark, dystopian futures to absurd, imaginative adventures. Each episode offers a new animation style, tone, and theme—sometimes wild, sometimes philosophical, always creative. With most episodes under 20 minutes, it’s dangerously easy to fall into a binge. Think of it as sci-fi tapas for your brain.
6. Lost in Space
This stylish reimagining of the original ’60s series tracks the Robinson family as they crash-land on a distant planet and battle against a variety of extraterrestrial threats. Lost in Space combines high-octane space action with emotional family drama to provide the tale with a heart at its center amidst all the high-tech excitement. Visually breathtaking and full of suspense, it’s a great choice for those who love great sci-fi remade for the new generation.
5. Alice in Borderland
Tokyo has never looked quite like this. In Alice in Borderland, a group of people finds themselves transported to a deserted version of the city, where survival depends on winning increasingly deadly games. Combining sci-fi elements with suspense and psychological drama, this Japanese series keeps the adrenaline pumping. It’s stylish, intense, and full of twists—and you’ll find yourself guessing who’ll survive right up until the end.
4. Dark
Get ready for a time travel tale that will not spoon-feed you. Dark, Germany’s brain-twisting mystery series, follows a small town that’s unraveling because of a wormhole that intersects various timelines. The story is complicated, the characters are richly developed, and the atmosphere is heavy with foreboding. If you’re a fan of cerebral sci-fi that won’t let you rest, Dark will pay you back with one of the best-plotted stories in the genre.
3. Maniac
In Maniac, two strangers—played brilliantly by Emma Stone and Jonah Hill—sign up for a drug trial promising to fix their mental health struggles. But instead of clarity, they’re plunged into a surreal, simulated world where fantasy, trauma, and sci-fi blur together. With its retro-future aesthetic, trippy visuals, and emotional core, this limited series is as unique as it is thought-provoking. You’ll laugh, cry, and possibly question reality by the end.
2. The Umbrella Academy
Not your average superhero show, The Umbrella Academy tells the story of seven superpowered siblings adopted by a mysterious billionaire. Reunited after his death, they quickly become entangled in a time-traveling, world-ending crisis (or two). The show mixes weird humor, emotional depth, and chaotic family dynamics into a compelling story with killer music and memorable characters. Even if you’re not a superhero fan, this one’s worth a shot.
1. 3 Body Problem
Coming on top is 3 Body Problem, Netflix’s ambitious adaptation of Liu Cixin’s legendary sci-fi novel. This epic series starts with a series of unexplained deaths and opens out into a global and interstellar mystery surrounding first contact with an alien civilization. Produced by the people behind Game of Thrones, it’s visually stunning and mentally engaging. The show is set across decades and dimensions and raises questions about science, survival, and humanity’s role in the world. It’s ambitious, intellectual, and just the tip of the iceberg—Netflix has already ordered more seasons.
Ready to Binge?
From space-faring families to extraterrestrial threats and reality-warping simulations, these 10 shows show Netflix is a treasure trove for sci-fi enthusiasts. Whether you like brain-teasing action, psychological suspense, or existential questions about the nature of reality, there’s something here to propel you into your next binge-watching frenzy. Streaming on—and don’t forget to question everything.