From Blake's 7 to Primeval, the United Kingdom has created some of the greatest science-fiction stories, with these often grand adventures entertaining many audiences over the years. The hugely popular genre has inspired the works of some of Great Britain's most beloved writers, offering a gigantic canvas for these highly creative minds to explore.
The UK's film and television output has provided some of the world's biggest sci-fi franchises, with their ambitious storytelling and expertly crafted screenplays attracting an impressive global audience. IMDb users, in particular, have expressed their strong enthusiasm for this country's science-fiction offerings, with its posters giving these beloved movies and television programs some especially high ratings.
Humans - 7.9
- Available To Stream On Amazon Prime Video
Artificial Intelligence has influenced the narratives of countless sci-fi film and television offerings, and one of the most outstanding examples is Channel 4's Humans. Based on the Swedish drama, Real Humans, the British adaptation presents audiences with an alternate reality where synthetic androids, known as "Synths," assist their humans in completing basic domestic tasks. When these emotionless robots start to develop feelings, however, the world begins to question whether their android assistants can still be trusted.
This rich and vibrant world from writers Sam Vincent and Jonathan Brackley is a powerful storyline, which questions what it means to be "human." The philosophical sci-fi program follows the social and political ramifications of the Synths' development of emotions in an intelligent and provocative manner, delving deep into themes of racism and terrorism, which offer a mirror to the real world. The most striking element of this series is, however, Gemma Chan's performance as the Hawkins' Synth, who effortlessly conveys the unnerving contrast between the robotic Anita and her more emotional side as Mia (with the Hawkins' family disturbed by "Mia’s” more human behavior).
2001: A Space Odyssey - 8.3
- Available To Stream On HBO Max
The idea of human evolution has fascinated many of the world's greatest minds, and a particularly poignant take on this scientific concept can be found in one of Stanley Kubrick's finest works. Filmed and edited in England, where the famed American director had become a permanent resident (via The Guardian), 2001: A Space Odyssey tells the epic tale of astronaut Dave Bowman, as he journeys to Jupiter on the search for a mysterious alien monolith.
2001: A Space Odyssey is a profound exploration of human creation, as it presents the intriguing idea that humanity's development was guided by a mysterious extra-terrestrial race. This hugely artistic piece from Stanley Kubrick leaves viewers with many tantalizing questions, with its surreal imagery and enigmatic storyline sparking several fascinating fan theories. 2001: A Space Odyssey is one of the UK's most influential movies, with its complex examination of such heightened concepts having inspired several similarly immersive sci-fi stories since its release.
The Avengers - 8.3
- Available To Buy On Amazon Video
The spy genre has contributed some of the Media Industry's finest sci-fi stories, and among these great science-fiction offerings is ITV's The Avengers. First broadcast in 1961, this thrilling espionage drama follows the adventures of John Steed and Emma Peel, as they embark on numerous undercover operations, on behalf of British Intelligence.
This quirky British program carries an excellent sense of humor, with John and Emma investigating various wacky scenarios, such as killer cyborgs and deadly computers. It also boasts some of the biggest names in British television, such as Dame Diana Rigg and Honor Blackman, resulting in one of Britain's most fondly-remembered sci-fi franchises.
A Clockwork Orange - 8.3
- Available To Stream On HBO Max
Science-Fiction grants writers the opportunity to challenge the viewers of their media productions, with the genre's larger-than-life concepts opening the door to some truly wild storytelling avenues. This is particularly evident in Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange, which transports audiences to a particularly bleak depiction of a futuristic England, where they meet the defiant gang leader Alex, as he is subjected to some horrific brainwashing experiments.
This dark and twisted movie conveys a considerably unsettling take on the UK's future, as it showcases a morally ambiguous society. With its striking imagery and shocking representation of futuristic Britain's aversion therapy, A Clockwork Orange is a deeply disturbing picture, delivering a truly harrowing experience that many audiences believe still holds up today.
Utopia - 8.4
- Available To Stream On Amazon Prime Video
Channel 4 has provided some of Britain's edgiest television dramas, with the UK television network having broadcast some particularly experimental series. Among these unique offerings is the sci-fi show Utopia, which follows a group of comic book fans, who discover a graphic novel that has correctly predicted several global events, and subsequently find themselves on the run from the shady organization known as "The Network."
Created by British screenwriter Dennis Kelly, Utopia is a tense and dramatic piece of storytelling, as the Network ruthlessly hunts down the group of comics nerds, before they find the manuscript for the graphic novel's planned sequel. Kelly's television production is an enjoyably unpredictable narrative, full of many twists and turns, leaving viewers fearful for the show's central characters as they grow closer to the truth regarding the mysterious graphic novel's predictions.
Red Dwarf - 8.4
- Available To Stream On BritBox
Sitcoms are home to some of television’s most colorful characters, and Red Dwarf is no exception. First broadcast in 1988, this futuristic comedy follows the crew of the mining ship “Red Dwarf,” who become accidentally embroiled in a variety of exaggerated sci-fi scenarios.
Red Dwarf is a hilariously witty comedy caper, as the mining crew battle holographic clones and deadly videogames during their interstellar voyages. It also boasts one of television’s finest casts, with British comedy legends such as Craig Charles and Robert Llewellyn embodying the program’s quirky intergalactic protagonists.
Alien - 8.5
- Available To Buy On Amazon Video
Science-fiction has spawned some of the scariest stories, and one of the most terrifying movies within this genre is Ridley Scott's Alien. Filmed in England and produced by Twentieth Century Fox's British division, this intense sci-fi thriller features the crew of the Nostromo spaceship, as they accidentally bring a dangerous extra-terrestrial being onboard, following their decision to answer a mysterious distress signal emitting from an alien vessel.
With its horrifying visuals and gruesome violence, this Ridley Scott classic is considered by many moviegoers to be one of the greatest creature features. Alien delivers some of cinema's most iconic sequences, including the famous chest-burster scene and Ash's robot reveal.
The Prisoner - 8.5
- Available To Buy On Amazon Video
The 1960s has produced several major televisual hits, such as Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons, but one of the most well-known British releases from this decade is The Prisoner. Created by screenwriter Patrick McGoohan, this truly novel espionage series sees a secret service agent abducted after leaving his civil service duties, and taken to a coastal village run by a community of nameless individuals.
The Prisoner is a captivating tale, which invites audiences to explore the surreal world of the village and its unusual inhabitants. McGoohan's unique series conveys an intriguingly enigmatic vibe, as the government spy finds himself trapped within the seaside setting. With its strange imagery and morally ambiguous narrative, The Prisoner is one of Britain's most fondly remembered sci-fi series.
Doctor Who - 8.6
- Available To Buy On HBO Max
The BBC is one of the UK’s most critically acclaimed broadcasters, and one of their finest television releases is Doctor Who. Considered one of the best multiverse shows, this quirky sci-fi program follows an eccentric time traveler from Gallifrey and their loyal companions, as they embark on numerous thrilling adventures across space and time.
Doctor Who’s central premise gives the show truly limitless potential, with the legendary Time Lord having journeyed to many far-flung places and times across their many escapades. The show also contains the unique ability to reinvent itself through the regeneration of its lead character, with the Doctor having been played by many of Britain’s greatest acting talents over the years, who have each brought their unique style to the family drama series.
Black Mirror - 8.8
- Available To Stream On HBO Max
Anthology series are among some of TV’s most ambitious shows, with each episode tasked with introducing a new main cast and setting for audiences to enjoy. One of the most successful within this television format is Black Mirror, which presents viewers with some chilling tales regarding the dangers of technology.
Charlie Brooker’s dark and edgy sci-fi series presents a cynical outlook on modern devices, with his rather bleak anthology show acting as a warning against the over-reliance on technology. Brooker’s deep and thought-provoking program features startling depictions of futuristic societies, which feel shockingly close to the Present Day, and has also delivered one of the best online interactive films, proving itself to be one of the most influential sci-fi franchises of the modern age.