While it may feel like we’re living in a golden age ofsci-fi television, the truth is that plenty of classics from bygone eras are just as good as today’s greats. Although countless viewers have been catching up onclever shows likeSeveranceor eagerly awaiting the newStranger Things, those with a love for sci-fi should take the time to revisit the classics of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. I know that the special effects may feel dated, but trust me, there’s a vast world of programming to discover for those willing to plunge into the past.
Many of thebest sci-fi showsof all time were made more than 50 years ago, and those who opt not to revisit the classics are denying themselves some of the most iconic television that has ever aired. From cult classic shows to the starting points of some ofthe biggest franchises of all time, there’s so much rich history to discover by going back and checking out classic sci-fi series. While there has been plenty of fantastic TV in recent years,these shows laid the foundations for the greatest sci-fi series of modern times.
While it’s not fair to compare sci-fi TV series of the 1950s to modern special effects of today, it’s important to give shows likeSpace Patroltheir due for showcasing the potential of this genre on the small screen. As a pioneering series aimed primarily at young children, the juvenile appeal of the 30th-century adventures of United Planets Space Patrol Commander-in-Chief Buzz Corry was popular across TV, radio, and comic books. Along with the help of his young sidekick Cadet Happy,Corry faced interplanetary villains with diabolical schemes in 210 30-minute episodes and an astounding 900 shorter 15-minute adventures.
Not to be confused with the British 1960s sci-fi series of the same name,Space Patrolwas among the most popular kids’ Saturday morning shows of the 1950s. Ed Kemmer, who played Buzz Corry, is also recognizable for his appearance alongside future sci-fi legend William Shatner inThe Twilight Zoneclassic episode “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.”Space Patrolmay feel dated to new viewers today, but for those who grew up on the series, it was just as compelling, exciting, and awe-inspiring as today’s best sci-fi shows.
The Invadersbuilt on classic sci-fi themes of fear and paranoia, similar toInvasion of the Body Snatchers, to reflect Cold War anxieties on television. With Roy Thinnes starring as David Vincent,The Invaderstold the story of a man discovering an in-progress invasion of aliens from outer space where the otherworldly entities have disguised themselves as humans and infiltrated our institutions. While Vincent does everything in his power to stop their invasion, he constantly finds himself at odds with officials who refuse to believe the truth.
Produced by the prime-time icon Quinn Martin,The Invadersshared several similarities with Martin’s previous series,The Fugitive, as both shows depicted a man in jeopardy trying to convince the world of a hidden conspiracy. While the 1960s were a trailblazing time for civil rights and social movements, it was also an era rife with paranoia, as seen through the underlying themes ofThe Invaders. As a clever sci-fi that tapped into the time out of which it was produced,The Invaderswas a true classic of the 1960s.
With a £6.8 million budget,Space: 1999was the most expensive series ever produced for British television at the time of its release(viaThe Guardian.) This ambitious sci-fi series depicted the 311 inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha hurtling uncontrollably into space after being knocked out of orbit following the explosion of nuclear waste stored on the far side of the Moon. Featuring the wandering Moon passing through a black hole and going through space warps,Space: 1999saw the crew catapulted outside the realms of the known universe.
With a fascinating premise,Space: 1999depicted the Moonbase Alpha inhabitants coming into contact with alien civilizations, dystopian societies, and awe-inspiring phenomena previously unseen by humanity. With a mysterious, unknown force underpinning these adventures,Space: 1999was an intriguing series that pushed sci-fi TV of the 1970s to its absolute limits.
The Six Million Dollar Manwas one of the most popular series of the 1970s and turned its star, Lee Majors, into a true TV icon. As USAF Colonel Steve Austin, this former astronaut underwent a serious transformation after a NASA test flight accident and was rebuilt at considerable expense with bionic implants that give him superhuman strength, speed, and vision.The Six Million Dollar Manfollowed Austin’s role as a secret agent with the U.S. government office, the OSI, gathering intelligence and fighting against evil.
As one of the first mainstream sci-fi TV series to feature cyborgs,The Six Million Dollar Manwas a hit with viewersand even led to the female-led spin-off seriesThe Bionic Woman. The show’s famous lines, “We can rebuild him; we have the technology,” and “better, stronger, faster,” became pop culture staples. The popularity of Steve Austin and his female counterpart, Jaime Sommers, went beyond the 1970s as the pair appeared in three made-for-TV movies in the 1980s and 1990s.
Lost in Spaceexplored the eternal sci-fi theme of being marooned in the depths of the solar system and struggling to survive against the unknowable challenges of life in space. Following the adventures of the Robinson family,Lost in Spacebegan with the family leaving an overpopulated Earth on a journey to be the first humans to colonize Alpha Centauri. However, a meteor storm caused their ship to fall off course, and the family must deal with the consequences of being hopelessly lost in the infinite depths of outer space.
With a mix of drama and comedy,Lost in Spacehad an intriguing premise and, although it began as a family adventure series, later shifted its focus toward The Robot, a superpower machine armed with futuristic weaponry. WhileLost in Spacewas not able to live up to its rival series,Star Trek, in terms of popularity at the time, looking back, it was a great example of how ambitious sci-fi TV was back in the 1960s.
While most viewers will probably be more familiar with the reimagined version of this show from the 2000s, theBattlestar Galacticafranchise would not exist if not for the original 1970s television series. As a cult TV show following a group of humans fleeing the destruction of their homeworlds, the crew of the Battlestar Galactica spaceship must search for a new home while being pursued by the Cylons. This fearful robotic society is bent on exterminating all humans, which gave the series a dark, genocidal subtext.
Battlestar Galacticawas an ambitious and thought-provoking series that suffered from budgetary constraints, yet the ideas of the original show were so compelling that it remains a popular franchise to this day.Created by Glen A. Larson, this prolific producer was also responsible for many other classic series, such asBuck Rogers in the 25th Century,Magnum, P.I., andKnight Rider. While the originalBattlestar Galacticamay not be as visually impressive as its later revived version, the ideas it posed and the world it built were just as compelling as today’s best shows.
The Outer Limitswas an anthology show with a greater emphasis on science fiction stories than its main competitor,The Twilight Zone, which often blended in aspects of the supernatural or fantasy.The Outer Limitsplayed with television conventions, immersing viewers with its eerie, Orwellian introduction that implied it was taking over the television screen. Episodes often included plot twists in their self-contained episodes. The series was revived in the 1990s, and there are rumors of a return in the future (viaVariety), showcasing that interest inThe Outer Limitshas not waned in the 60-plus years since it premiered.
WhileThe Outer Limitswas consistently compared toThe Twilight Zone, it also had several connections toStar Trek, as some monsters from the show actually reappeared in episodes of the Gene Roddenberry series. As a classic series that sadly only aired for two seasons in its original run,The Outer Limitswas a groundbreaking sci-fi series and among the best shows of the 1960s.
It’s easy to compareDoctor Whoto today’s great sci-fi shows because they are one and the same. WhileDoctor Whowas the definitive British sci-fi series of the 1960s, it’s a testament to its widespread legacy that the show has continued to this day after it was revived in 2005. Although production budgets have gone up, it’s essential to give credit to the show’s original run for introducing all the elements that have made it such a persistent success, including the concept of Time Lords regenerating, villains like the Daleks, and the rich lore behind the planet of Gallifrey.
From William Hartnell’s turn as the First Doctor through to iconic performances such as Tom Baker’s Fourth Doctor,Doctor Whowas a mainstay of British television across the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Through the regeneration of its main character,Doctor Whowas able to remain eternally relevant and reinvent itself for each subsequent generation. For this reason,the original run ofDoctor Whowas just as good as today’s greatsand has managed to grow and develop throughout the ages.
As one of the best-known sci-fi franchises of all time, it’s clear that the popularity ofStar Trekhas only grown since the 1960s. While later shows likeThe Next GenerationandDeep Space Ninehave achieved their own devoted followings, the truth is that characters like Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock have remained the most recognizable aspects of this long-running franchise. Created by Gene Roddenberry,Star Trekwas a groundbreaking series for its progressive depiction of social and political issues, as its space setting allowed the show to thoughtfully address topics that could have been controversial in any other genre.
Star Trekran for just three seasons, yet its popularity flourished through syndication as its thematic depth, imaginative worldbuilding, and widespread cultural influence made it a true classic of the 1960s. With a shared universe that has grown increasingly complex and vast over the decades,Star Trek: The Original Serieslaid the groundwork for a fictional world that countless people hold near and dear to their hearts. While its campy nature and special effects may look dated today, viewers will continue to watch and enjoyStar Trekeven 100 years from now.
When it comes to sci-fi series of times gone by, one series stands head and shoulders above the rest:The Twilight Zone. Not only did series creator Rod Serling carve out his own distinctive style of storytelling with this acclaimed anthology series, but countless episodes have become an intrinsic part of mainstream popular culture and have been endlessly parodied in subsequent media. From Serling’s classic voiceover introductions to the thrilling plot twists and thoughtful messages within its episodes,The Twilight Zonelaid the foundations for everything fromBlack MirrortoThe X-Files.
While it’s true thatThe Twilight Zonedid not have the benefit of modern special effects, the show made up for this with unmatched writing and psychologically rich narratives that did not require massive budgets. The best episodes ofThe Twilight Zonestill hold up incredibly well today, and countless modernsci-fi showshave tried to emulate its unnerving appeal and intelligent moral messaging. If any viewers feel reluctant to go back and watch older shows,The Twilight Zonewas a prime example of how the classics really can live up to modern expectations.
