Science-fiction television is rising in the public consciousness. With the numerous outlets that opened their doors to creative and diverse stories, the possibilities for many more sci-fi tales to come to life is wonderfully endless. And for fans and devotees of science fiction, this is a great relief.
On Amazon Prime Video, there are plenty of sci-fi shows from all eras that audiences can binge and marvel at their creativity. Those who love sci-fi should be more than happy to check out these quality shows and thanks to the streaming service's ever-changing lineup, there are so many possibilities.
Updated on January 2nd, 2021 by Scoot Allan: Amazon Prime Video has continued to compete in the streaming wars with great new original programming and classic series that are sure to appeal to fans of science-fiction, which can be a very flexible genre that blends well with all kinds of stories. Comedy, horror, and even superhero films can find their origins in science-fiction. The following sci-fi series covers a wide range of options that are available to fans of the genre and subscribers to Amazon Prime Video, though unfortunately not all of the great options are available in every country.
Updated on March 18th, 2022 by Kevin Pantoja: Amazon Prime is constantly refreshing its catalog, including some outstanding sci-fi TV shows. That means there's always something intriguing or new to check out. Interestingly, some of the best sci-fi series on Amazon Prime are actually Prime originals. They range from galaxy-spanning shows to shocking superhero tales. Even if some of these shows don't last a long time, audiences are treated to at least a season or two of fantastic science fiction storytelling that is must-see for longtime fans of the genre.
Invincible (2021-)
Many TV shows based on comic books, especially ones about people with superpowers, are set in a sci-fi world. That's the case with Invincible, Amazon Prime's animated superhero series. Aimed at adults, the show pulls no punches when it comes to violence, gore, and its content.
Invincible centers on a teenage superhero who finds out that his father, the most powerful being on the planet, is actually a ruthless villain. Everything from the animation style to the writing to the character development was praised and the show has been renewed for two more seasons.
Utopia (2020)
David Fincher and Gillian Flynn adapted Utopia from the British series of the same name for Amazon Prime Video in 2020 and brought fans of comic books, sci-fi, and conspiracies together with stars like John Cusack, Jessica Rothe, and Rainn Wilson.
The series follows a group of online friends who manage to track down a conspiracy-laden comic book that put them in the targets of a shadow organization amidst a worldwide pandemic. The series was unfortunately canceled by Amazon as it suffered from bad timing due to the real-world pandemic.
The Tick (2016-2019)
Peter Serafinowicz starred as The Tick in Amazon Prime's big-budget live-action adaptation of Bed Edlund's comic of the same name, which also spanned a fan-favorite animated series on Fox Kids in the '90s.
The series follows costumed crime-fighter The Tick in The City as he takes on the criminal underworld alongside his new partner Arthur (played by Griffin Newman) in a city filled with other costumed heroes and villains. Unfortunately, The Tick wasn't picked up for a third season, but fans can still enjoy one of the funniest takes on superheroes ever adapted.
Pandora (2019 - )
Pandora takes place in the future and follows a mysterious young woman named Jax as she begins her training alongside other cadets at the Space Training Academy, which prepares them to defend Earth from cosmic threats.
The series first aired on The CW and fits well alongside the lighter offerings on the network, though still focuses on the sci-fi elements of the series that will undoubtedly appeal to fans of the genre.
The Boys (2019 - )
One of Amazon Prime's biggest original hits of recent years is the live-action adaptation of Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson's The Boys, which takes a dark look at a world filled with superheroes who are more corrupt than they are around to help people.
The series explores a powerful corporation's work with superheroes, their sinister plans and origins, and the team of humans led by Karl Urban's Billy Butcher who tasks themselves with exposing the "heroes" while trying to stay alive. Season 3 of The Boys is on the horizon and the show is a major hit for the streaming service.
The Boys Presents: Diabolical (2022 - )
The popularity of The Boys reached such heights that Amazon has begun producing spin-offs. The first one to make a splash is The Boys Presents: Diabolical, which is an animated anthology series where each episode has its own unique animation style. It also keeps the franchise's dark tone.
The show is new but already received critical acclaim. It's not a necessity to watch with the live-action show but it's a great companion piece that adds onto many of the characters. It's also interesting that characters like Hughie are drawn to look more like the comics counterpart than the live-action one.
The Feed (2019 - )
The Feed is a British sci-fi thriller that recalls the philosophies of Minority Report in regards to cybersecurity, technology, ethics and information sharing. It centers on Lawrence Hatfield (David Thewlis) and his family as they become the center of scrutiny after Lawrence invented The Feed, an omnipresent software that can share anyone’s information, feelings, and memories.
In its current 10-episode slate, the fear of current technology’s threat to privacy is relevant. And even if the show sometimes strays into familiar territory to the point where storylines become predictable, the aesthetics are sleek and well-presented.
Electric Dreams (2017 - )
Based on the short stories of Philip K. Dick, Electric Dreams is an anthology series that spanned 10 segments. Like its episodic cousins, The Twilight Zone and Black Mirror, the show also features subtle commentary and tackles different angles of present-day technology.
Furthermore, it boasts an ensemble cast for each episode, including Bryan Cranston, Richard Madden, Steve Buscemi, Anna Paquin, Terrence Howard, and others. While the stories may pale in comparison to other aforementioned anthologies, Electric Dreams succeeds in capturing the author’s imagination with its surreal atmosphere and sanguine tone.
Humans (2015-2018)
A tremendous sci-fi series that flew under the radar in recent years is Humans. Those who gave it a chance were treated to something special, evidenced by the show's impressive 8.0 rating on IMDb. The British series is set in a world where everyone wants an anthropomorphic robot for their family.
This set up plenty of episodes with themes relating to artificial intelligence, relationships between humans and robots, and more. The show also featured a strong cast, including Gemma Chan in what is arguably the best role of her career.
Upload (2019 - )
Amazon's Upload presents a futuristic world where people can choose their own afterlife and transfer their consciousness into the virtual world of their choice. The show centers on recently deceased 27-year-old computer engineer, Nathan Brown (Robbie Amell), who, having undergone the procedure, juggles between pursuing a girl named Nora and being confronted by his ex, Ingrid.
Created by The Office and Parks & Recreation mastermind, Greg Daniels, this show constructs a near plausible virtual world where the line between reality and technology is blurred, allowing for some sharp satire.
Tales From The Loop (2020 - )
Devoted viewers of Stranger Things should check out Tales From the Loop. Based on a retro-futuristic art book by Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag, this sci-fi drama concentrates on the lives of the residents of Mercer, Ohio, and the mysterious phenomena that occur around them, coming from a facility known as “The Loop.”
Tales from the Loop focuses on the human aspect of how technology affects society on a smaller scale. With a creative team and an impeccable cast, including Rebecca Hall and Jonathan Pryce, this is a poignant must-watch.
Orphan Black (2013 - 2017)
This one is a modern-day classic. Orphan Black is a sci-fi thriller about a woman named Sarah Manning (Tatiana Maslany) who takes on the identity of a woman who takes her own life in front of her and happens to be identical to her. She soon learns about the existence of other clones and delves into the ethics of it all, which leads to conflict.
Maslany is outstanding as Manning and the other five main clones from Project Leda and her journey to uncover the scope of her secrets is what drives the show’s success. She earned an Emmy win for her remarkable performance.
Mr. Robot (2015 - 2019)
Another contemporary series with an outstanding central performance, Mr. Robot deals with a group of hacker activists called “fsociety” (hacktivists), who rebel against the norms of a corrupt system, particularly from the technology conglomerate E Corp. The group’s anarchistic leader, Mr. Robot (Christian Slater), recruits cybersecurity engineer Elliot Anderson (Rami Malek) to aid the group in their cause.
Creator Sam Esmail authentically captures the mindset and fundamentals of a hacker in its four-season run. Rami Malek does well as Elliott as he deals with social anxiety, clinical depression, and implications about cybersecurity.
Undone (2019 - )
From Bojack Horseman maestros Raphael Bob-Waksberg and Kate Purdy comes this animated psychological comedy-drama about a woman named Alma (Rosa Salazar) who, after a fatal car crash, suddenly possesses the ability to manipulate time. With this capability, Alma investigates her father’s death but instead finds herself on the cusp of rediscovering her inner psyche.
With the help of rotoscope animation, Bob-Waksberg and Purdy are able to craft a surreal character study about a person losing hope, but redeeming herself with flawed yet bold decisions. The result is a fantastical yet human experience in animation.
The Expanse (2015 - )
Originally aired on the Syfy channel, Prime Video picked up this cult favorite series for a fourth season and even renewed it for a fifth. The Expanse explores the possibility of humans colonizing the entire Solar System. And the show centers on a band of antiheroes as they become targets of a conspiracy linked to the system’s growing Cold War.
While not wholly original, The Expanse has found its place in the space opera pantheon with its elaborate action, engaging storylines, grand universe-building, and wholesome characters, specifically Miller (Thomas Jane) and Holden (Steven Strait).
The Man In The High Castle (2015 - 2019)
Finally, back in Philip K. Dick territory comes the alternate history dystopian series, The Man in the High Castle. This show presents a parallel universe in which the Axis powers claim victory in World War II and dominate the entire world (and the United States), redefining every norm and ideology. The saga centers on a young woman discovering a film that will aid in defeating the Axis powers.
Though it is technically not sci-fi in nature, The Man in the High Castle features a technologically advanced, cyberpunk universe as a Nazi/imperialist world, and it works as a compelling war drama.