10 Old Sci-Fi TV Shows That Are Still Entertaining

2 weeks ago 15

A custom image of Rod Serling of The Twilight Zone surrounded by a twisting clock and eyeballs

For a genre that so frequently looks to the future for thrilling storylines, science fiction retains entertainment value regardless of when it was made. For modern audiences, older science fiction is a time capsule of the cultural beliefs of the time it was made, letting viewers peek into the past while speculating about the future.

With streaming services offering many classic examples of science fiction in their catalogs, there’s no better time to find a new old favorite to binge. Whether it’s a space station filled with political intrigue or a dogged pursuit of the unknown, these are ten older science fiction shows that deserve a watch.

10 'Farscape' (1999-2003)

Created by Rockne S. O’Bannon

The cast of Farscape featuring Chiana, Aeryn Sun, John Crichton, and Sikozu.

A wormhole sends human astronaut John Crichton (Ben Browder) into the middle of an alien conflict in the beloved SciFi series, Farscape. Crichton may not understand who the Peacekeepers are, but he does know they consider him an enemy when the lost earthling is inadvertently responsible for the death of one of their own. With no clear way home and no understanding of the world he’s stranded in, Crichton will team with a motley crew in hopes they can all find their way to safety.

Farscape didn’t receive as much mainstream attention as a few of its contemporaries, primarily due to the lower viewership on the SciFi network, but the show commands a loyal fanbase. Practical effects created by the Jim Henson Company give the aliens a familiar charm that makes the series look unique compared to similarly structured programs. Farscape ran for four seasons before an unexpected cancelation led to storylines being wrapped up in a miniseries.

Farscape

Release Date March 19, 1999

Cast Ben Browder , Claudia Black , Virginia Hey , Anthony Simcoe , Gigi Edgley , Paul Goddard , Lani Tupu , Wayne Pygram , Jonathan Hardy , Tammy MacIntosh , Raelee Hill , Melissa Jaffer , David Franklin , Rebecca Riggs

Main Genre Sci-Fi

Seasons 4

Studio

Creator(s) Rockne S. O'Bannon

Writers Rockne S. O'Bannon , David Kemper , Justin Monjo , Richard Manning

WATCH ON PLUTO TV

9 'Babylon 5' (1993-1998)

Created by J. Michael Straczynski

The cast of Babylon 5 looking at the camera.

A post-war space station designed in the hopes of diplomacy is the setting for Babylon 5. Earth is still recovering from a devastating war with the Minbari Federation, but ten years have begun to heal old wounds and create pathways for a shared and cooperative existence. On the Babylon 5 station, diplomats and military personnel from the galaxy’s different species are encouraged to meet and avoid future wars with peaceful resolutions.

The dense and carefully constructed plot was loved by its fans, who appreciated the overarching narrative's careful attention to detail. The series would run for five seasons, with series creator J. Michael Straczynski writing the majority of the episodes himself. Science fiction fans who have the patience to learn the intricacies of the show’s intergalactic politics will find Babylon 5 a rewarding watch.

Babylon 5

Release Date February 22, 1993

Cast Bruce Boxleitner , michael o'hare , Tracy Scoggins , Richard Biggs , Peter Jurasik , Jason Carter , Robert Rusler , Mira Furlan , patricia tallman , bill mumy , Claudia Christian , Jerry Doyle , stephen furst , Jeff Conaway , Andrea Thompson , Andreas Katsulas

Rating

Seasons 5

Story By J. Michael Straczynski

8 'Battlestar Galactica' (2004-2009)

Created by Glen A. Larson & Ronald D. Moore

The Battlestar Galactica cast in a group posing for a promo for Season 1.

Humanity's last desperate attempt to survive extermination at the hands of its own creation is the driving force of the highly praised Battlestar Galactica. A reimagining of the 1978 science fiction series of the same name, Battlestar Galactica followed the last remnants of humanity that survived an attack from the deadly Cylons, an army of androids that humans were responsible for creating. Now adrift in space, the remaining humans look for a new place to colonize and thrive in, unaware the threat of the Cylons is closer than they think.

Originally released as a three-hour miniseries, Battlestar Galactica quickly received a series order on the SciFi network. Compelling scripts and strong performances from cast members like Edward James Olmos as Admiral Adama and Mary McDonnell as President Laura Roslin attracted viewers who were not typically science fiction aficionados. Considered one of the greatest shows of its era, Battlestar Galactica is worth a watch for newcomers and a rewatch for fans ready to reacquaint themselves with tense and intriguing storytelling.

Release Date October 18, 2004

Creator

Cast Grace Park , Katee Sackhoff , Mary McDonnell , Tahmoh Penikett , Tricia Helfer , Edward James Olmos , Aaron Douglas , James Callis , Alessandro Juliani , Michael Hogan , Jamie Bamber , Kandyse McClure

Rating

Seasons 4

Story By Glen A. Larson

Franchise(s) Battlestar Galactica

Directors Michael Rymer , Michael Nankin

7 'Firefly' (2002-2003)

Created by Joss Whedon

Alan Tudyk, Nathan Fillion & Gina Torres looking concerned at something in front of them in Firefly.

The ideal of a Western against the landscape of outer space is the setting for the criminally unwatched Firefly. In Firefly, Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) is the captain of the Serenity, a ship home to a crew doing small odd jobs in the aftermath of an unsuccessful war resisting the governing body of the Alliance. A new passenger, River (Summer Glau), puts Mal and his crew on the Alliance’s radar when the truth about River proves to be more complicated than initially believed.

The short-lived Firefly only had a brief run of 14 episodes, but the adventures of the characters aboard the Serenity would continue on in comic books. A movie spin-off, Serenity, was released in 2005 as part of a planned trilogy, but low ticket sales capped the film as a one-off. The cast of future television mainstays like Morena Baccarin (Gotham) and Gina Torres (Suits) contribute to an ensemble that deserved a longer run together on the Serenity.

Firefly

Release Date September 20, 2002

Seasons 1

Story By Joss Whedon

Writers Joss Whedon

Streaming Service(s) Hulu , Dis

Directors Joss Whedon

Showrunner Joss Whedon

6 'Lost' (2004-2010)

Created by J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof & Jeffrey Leiber

Evangeline Lilly and Matthew Fox as Kate and Jack sitting down on the sand in Lost.

Survivors may have walked away from a plane crash, but the island they find themselves on holds more questions than answers in Lost. Large in scope while still focusing on smaller character-based storylines, Lost mixed drama, romance, and science fiction into one ambitious package that became an instant hit. Whether it was deep in the jungle of the island or in the backstory of a survivor, mysteries were everywhere and audiences couldn’t wait to learn the answers to all of it.

At first glance, Lost seemed to be a show about survivors seeking rescue, but a deep mystery began to unfold that involved secret groups, timeless beings, and a healthy dose of time travel. No matter how far-flung the narrative becomes over the six seasons it was on ABC, the human connection formed between the characters grounds the conflict into relatable motivations. Lost was one of the most beautifully shot shows of its time, and years later, the mystical drama still stands out as a vibrant and fantastic series.

Release Date September 22, 2004

Cast Evangeline Lilly , Naveen Andrews , Henry Ian Cusick , Daniel Dae Kim , Harold Perrineau , Dominic Monaghan , Emilie de Ravin , Jorge Garcia , Josh Holloway , Michael Emerson , Terry O'Quinn , Matthew Fox , Ken Leung , Elizabeth Mitchell , Yunjin Kim

Main Genre Mystery

Seasons 6

Creator(s) J.J. Abrams , Damon Lindelof , Jeffrey Lieber

Network ABC

Showrunner Damon Lindelof , Carlton Cuse

5 'The X-Files' (1993-2018)

Created by Chris Carter

Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny grin sheepishly standing next to each other in The X-Files.

A dust-covered collection of FBI cases considered unsolvable was the basis for the hit Fox television show, The X-Files. Agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) is a brilliant but reclusive outlier working on cases that feature unexplained or paranormal elements when he’s assigned a new partner, Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson). Scully is primarily there to keep an eye on the unpredictable Mulder, but over time, she begins to believe that there are things in the world that defy simple explanations.

The X-Files, much like Lost, found a way to package science fiction in a way that would be attractive to viewers who typically flipped past shows featuring aliens or spaceships. While other science fiction classics might require watching the episodes in order, The X-Files at least offers the option of standalone episodes that utilize a creature-of-the-week format. Episodes building on the larger story of Mulder’s role in a vast conspiracy will become more prevalent in later seasons, but there are plenty of creepy cases to discover for the casual fans looking for a quick diversion throughout the 11-season run.

Release Date September 10, 1993

Creator

Main Genre Sci-Fi

Rating

Seasons 11

4 'The Outer Limits' (1963-1965)

Created by Leslie Stevens

A man's face is covered in scales in The Outer Limits.

One of the original anthology series to push the boundaries of network television, The Outer Limits has held up as a science fiction classic for decades after its creation. Often compared to the similar The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits tends to have a stronger focus on science fiction rather than occurrences of the paranormal or magical. The combination of science fiction and horror provided a darker alternative for viewers who liked a little fear in their fantasy.

The anthology series ran for only 49 episodes over two seasons, but during that time, The Outer Limits left a lasting impression on viewers. The series showcased works by famed science fiction author Harlan Ellison and Psycho screenwriter Joseph Stefano, who also served as a producer. The Outer Limits would later have a reboot debut in 1995 that lasted seven seasons, outlasting the original.

The Outer Limits

Release Date September 16, 1963

Cast Aki Aleong , Alex Nicol , Anthony Jochim , Arthur Hunnicutt , BarBara Luna , Barbara Wilkin , Betsy Jones-Moreland , Dean Harens , Dewey Martin , Diana Sands , Don Gordon , Donald Harron , Dorothy Green , Edward Platt , George Macready , Jan Shutan , Janet Blair , Jeffrey Stone , Jill Haworth , Joan Freeman , Joanne Gilbert , John Graham , Joseph V. Perry , Kay E. Kuter , Leslie Stevens

Network ABC

Producers Leslie Stevens , Lou Morheim

WATCH ON PLUTO TV

3 'Doctor Who' (1963-1989; 2005-)

Created by Donald Wilson & Sydney Newman

Four Generations of Classic Doctors in 'The Five Doctors' (Doctor Who).

If there was ever a possibility that something could be both old and new, classic and cutting-edge, it would be the adventures of Doctor Who. Since 1963, viewers have watched the exploits of the Time Lord, known as the doctor, as they explore time in space in their Tardis. Often accompanied by a companion, the doctor uses their wits and sonic screwdriver to battle evildoers across the galaxy.

Doctor Who has seen countless incarnations of its hero during multiple eras, but the trademark mix of science fiction and whimsy has maintained a steady fan base throughout. The show continues to draw in new fans with increasingly better visuals, but the older episodes make up for their lack of special effects with a pleasurably campy aesthetic. Whether it’s stories starring fan-favorite doctor David Tennant, or vintage standout Tom Baker, Doctor Who is a treat for science fiction fans of all ages.

Release Date November 23, 1963

Cast William Hartnell , Patrick Troughton , Jon Pertwee , Tom Baker , Frazer Hines , Nicholas Courtney , Pat Gorman , Elisabeth Sladen

Seasons 26

Creator(s) Donald Wilson

Writers Sydney Newman

2 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' (1987-1994)

Created by Gene Roddenberry

The Next Generation against a starry background.

Star Trek fans were cautiously optimistic when the second live-action series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, premiered on first-run syndication. For seven seasons, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) led the crew of the USS Enterprise on a quest of discovery through uncharted space. The series would be the last that creator Gene Roddenberry would have hands-on creative input with before health reasons prohibited further contributions.

While the original Star Trek created a built-in fan base for Star Trek: The Next Generation to play to, the new series would establish a winning strategy for syndicated distribution that paved the way for future versions of the popular franchise. Star Trek: The Next Generation had impossibly big shoes to fill by introducing new characters instead of continuing the stories of Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), but fans quickly grew attached to new crew members like Data (Brent Spiner) or Lieutenant Commander Worf (Michael Dorn).

Release Date September 28, 1987

Rating

Seasons 7

1 'The Twilight Zone' (1959-1964)

Created by Rod Serling

Rod Serling sitting at a table smoking a cigarette in The Twilight Zone.

The appearance of Rod Serling in his black suit, cigarette perched in hand, could only mean one thing: viewers were about to take a voyage to The Twilight Zone. Widely considered one of the greatest television shows ever made, The Twilight Zone upheld a golden standard for storytelling, which was no easy feat over 156 episodes in its original run. Episodes such as “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” were instant classics that are still referenced in modern media.

The Twilight Zone has been the subject of multiple reboots, with the most recent narrated by Jordan Peele in 2019. The legacy of The Twilight Zone has endured in part due to reruns being accessible through home video or streaming sites to meet demand. A series that explored human-level stories through a fantastical lens of the impossible, The Twilight Zone is one of the most enjoyable sci-fi shows from the golden age of television.