Science fiction and horrorare a match made in heaven as these two genres have continually come together to produce some of the best TV shows of all time. With the sci-fi side of things opening the door to any number of thought-provoking themes or premises and horror adding to the unnerving, eerie appeal of a series, sci-fi horrors represent some of the most entertaining, engaging, and engrossing programs ever made. With anthology series, animated shows, and ongoing mysteries, sci-fi horror has the power to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
While thebest sci-fi showsinclude mind-bending explorations of other worlds and great horror TV shows leave viewers quaking in their boots, the best of both styles together amounts to some truly thought-provoking television series. Whether it’sfrom the mind of the late visionary David Lynchor more recent shows that have beenpraised by the likes of Stephen King, sci-fi horror series have long kept audiences happy with original and intriguing concepts. With shows that date back several decades,sci-fi horror has been one of the most consistently popular genres across TV’s history.
While post-apocalyptic series likeThe Walking Deadshowcased the aftereffects of a society decimated by a zombie outbreak,Helixwould appeal to those more interested in the preventative efforts to stop such an event from happening. Following a team of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at an Arctic research facility investigating a potentially catastrophic outbreak,Helixfocused on a small team entering a life-or-death situationthat has ripple effects for the future of mankind as a whole.
Helixwas sadly canceled before its time and had a disappointingly short run of just two seasons; however, in the wake of the major global viral outbreak of Covid-19, its realistic take on a society-destroying viral emergency feels shockingly relevant in hindsight. With incredible suspense, strong characterization, and exceptional worldbuilding, the twists and turns ofHelixmade it an underappreciated and engrossing sci-fi horror show.
Fromis truly one of the most exciting sci-fi horror TV series to come out in recent years, as its sense of mystery and intriguing revelations made for truly spectacular viewing. Having received a glowingreview from the master of horror Stephen King,Fromsevered as the perfect replacement for mysterious bingeable series likeLostand even starred Michael Dawson’s actor, Harold Perrineau. Exploring the circumstances of a nightmarish U.S. town in which everyone who enters becomes a prisoner,Fromhas kept audiences guessing and added more mystery with each subsequent season.
From terrifying creatures who emerge after darkness to the spooky forest that surrounds the town,Fromis a mystery box that continues to deepen andboasts an incredible 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes. While it remains to be seen how wellFromcan deliver on all the promises of its cryptic narrative, the best shows are about the journey, not the destination, and this one has certainly been a wild ride so far.
While the original version ofThe Outer Limitsfrom the 1960s stood as an enjoyable alternative toThe Twilight Zone, it was in the 1990s revival that the series truly came into its own. This anthology series focused primarily on sci-fi stories and usually infused them with elements of horror to tell self-contained stories, often featuring a twist ending.The Outer Limitsexplored thought-provoking, philosophical topics in a way that was much deeper and more intriguing than the original series.
Anchored by the narration of Kevin Conway as the Control Voice,The Outer Limitswas more interested in story and characterization than impressive guest starsas it told creative and unique sci-fi horror tales of terror. With a mix of happy, tragic, and catastrophic endings, part of the appeal ofThe Outer Limitswas viewers never being fully sure what was in store from one episode to the next.
It’s famously difficult to make a good video game adaptation, and the writers behind HBO’sThe Last of Ushad their work cut out for them when they sought to make their version of one of the most acclaimed PlayStation titles of all time. As a narrative-driven game, the zombie apocalypse seen inThe Last of Usconnected with audiences due to the depth of its characters and heartfelt themes of parental bonding and sacrifice, meaning the TV series had a lot to live up to when it came to the characterization ofJoel and Ellie’s father-daughter-like relationship.
The Last of Usseries lived up to its source material to deliver a sci-fi horror that recaptured the magic that made the game such an emotional rollercoaster. By expanding upon the stories of characters seen in the game,The Last of Useven took the time to explore secondary characters’ backstories and deliver the astounding episode “Long, Long Time.” Telling the story of a post-apocalyptic same-sex romance over the course of 20 years, this episode ofThe Last ofUs justified the show’s existence by pushing beyond what was already explored in the game.
Love Death & Robotsblends elements of comedy, horror, science fiction, and fantasy and emerged from Tim Miller and David Fincher’s planned reimagining of the cult animated movieHeavy Metal. As an anthology animated series that focused each episode on at least one of either love, death, or robots, this highly creative look into alternate histories, life for robots after the apocalypse, or plots for world domination offered a varied and unique glimpse into sci-fi horror-based concepts.
With plenty of violence, humor, and heart,Love Death & Robotsechoed the appeal ofBlack Mirrorwhile wrapping up in a highly stylized animated package. While some episodes delivered on their concepts better than others, this series' willingness to tell creative, self-contained stories in episodes that sometimes didn’t amount to more than a few minutes truly embraced streaming’s potential to discard preestablished rules of runtimes.Love Death & Robotswas a fun watch that will appeal to any sci-fi or horror lovers.
Few sci-fi horror series have had as much of an effect on popular culture asStranger Things, a series that has achieved global success and become one of Netflix’s flagship shows. With an impressive level of worldbuilding, this highly entertaining series took influence from classic sci-fi movies of the 1980s, Spielbergian-style nostalgia, and grotesque body horror to produce a series that connected with all kinds of viewers. Starting with the compelling mystery of a missing boy named Will Byers in 1983,Stranger Thingsrevealed an alternate dimension known as the Upside Downand a vast government conspiracy of shocking experimentation.
Stranger Thingsmade stars out of child actors like Millie Bobby Brown and Finn Wolfhard, and the addition of the 1980s icon Winona Ryder added to its nostalgic aesthetic. With each season,Stranger Thingsadded intrigue to the sinister world of the Upside Down as the residents of Hawkins, Indiana, faced increasing supernatural threats. As a coming-of-age tale that has fascinated Netflix viewers for nearly a decade, it will be exciting to see how things finally wrap up in the long-anticipated fifth and final season in 2025.
The serialized mystery seen inTwin Peakstruly revolutionized television and signaled one of the earliest examples of a true mystery box TV show. As viewers eagerly tuned in each week to discover the mystery of who killed Laura Palmer, they were slowly ingratiated into the surreal and dreamlike world created by David Lynch and Mark Frost. With a focus on an ongoing story that builds in complexity with each subsequent episode, the trailblazing nature ofTwin Peaks’slow-building narrative was later emulated in everything fromThe SopranostoThe Good Place.
WhileTwin Peakswas at its core a mystery drama, the series blended aspects of horror, sci-fi, and even soap opera to produce a show that was unlike anything that came before it. The sci-fi horror nature ofTwin Peaksbecame more pronounced as the show went on, and the revived third season, subtitledThe Return, delivered some of the most confrontational and shocking visuals ever seen on television. As the culmination of the filmmaking visionary Lynch’s entire body of work,Twin Peakswas a masterclass of cryptic storytelling, and countless subsequent shows owe their existence to its legacy.
Darkwas a mind-bending German-language time travel series that truly had to be seen to be believed. With multiple timelines that require any audience member’s full and unwavering attention to get their heads around, what started as a mystery drama about a young boy’s disappearance grew into a sprawling, intergenerational story that traverses the full history of its character’s existence. Through carefully laid narrative breadcrumbs,Darkwas complex enough to keep viewers guessing right until the endbut so well-plotted and thought out that it never felt overwhelming or needlessly convoluted.
Through deeply philosophical themes of ethics and fate,Dark’sthree seasons developed as a slow-burn triumph packed with richly imagined characters. As one of the greatest TV shows of the modern era, those who are normally put off by foreign-language TV series should do themselves a favor and make an exception for this exceptional German production.Darkwas one of the few series that can be said to get better with each subsequent season and was a highly rewarding and thought-provoking experience.
The wayThe X-Filesblended monster of the week stories with a rich and constantly developing mythology made it one of the most iconic TV shows of the 1990s. Featuring the FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), the pair’s mismatched philosophies made for a winning combination as a true believer and skeptic were forced to work together on paranormal cases. From the original series, movies, revivals, and spin-offs,The X-Filesfranchise is one of the most successful sci-fi horror properties of all time.
From hunting down monsters to saving innocent civilians from government conspiracies involving alien invasions,The X-Filestook inspiration from the classic sci-fi horror series that came before itand took many cues fromTwin PeaksandThe Twilight Zone. While the longevity of the series meant it went through several highs and lows, at its best,The X-Fileswas among the most urgent and satisfying TV shows ever made.
When considering the greatest sci-fi horror TV shows of all time, it’s essential to giveThe Twilight Zoneits due as the grandfather of them all. With a blend of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and drama, this influential anthology series laid the groundwork for everything fromBlack Mirrorto the body horror seen inThe Substance.From the extraordinary mind of showrunner and head writer Rod Serling,The Twilight Zonewas not only popular at the time but has surpassed these origins to become shorthand for weird or unusual happenings in general.
The Twilight Zonehas endured incredibly well in the six decades since the original series went off the air, and countless shows have since tried to emulate its undeniable appeal. With deeply philosophical episodes that explored topics of sci-fi and horror with a level of depth never previously seen on television, the twist endings and poignant messages of many of the show’s best episodes remain masterclasses in TV writing. The best episodes ofThe Twilight Zonehave stood the test of time, and those with an interest insci-fi horrormust go back and check out this classic series.
