15 Best Shows Like Resident Alien

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Resident Alien

As one of the most underrated shows on television, there are a lot of fans eager to find other shows like Resident Alien with its unique mixing of genres. Resident Alien stands out as a tasty blend of quirky humor, offbeat storytelling, and heartfelt moments amidst its sci-fi backdrop. Resident Alien stars Alan Tudyk as Harry Vanderspeigle, a flawed, genocidal alien who poses as a small-town Colorado doctor and eventually becomes sympathetic to the human cause. It is a fun premise that takes the show in directions viewers won't expect.

As unique and fresh as Resident Alien feels, there are still some other great shows that capture some of the great aspects of this series. The show dives into everything from offbeat human interactions to larger existential matters. Whether it’s the off-kilter small-town atmosphere, clever humor, or supernatural storylines, there are a handful of sci-fi comedy shows that capture a similar balance likely to tick all the right boxes with Resident Alien viewers.

15 Mork & Mindy (1978-1982)

91 Episodes

Mork & Mindy

When talking about a comedy series in which an alien tries to fit in on Earth, it is hard not to think about Mork & Mindy. The series started as one of the many Happy Days spinoffs and starred Robin Williams as Mork, an eccentric alien who has come to Earth to study the people of the planet. He meets a young woman named Mindy (Pam Dawber) who is fascinated by this oddball character and agrees to let the alien live with her.

As a sitcom from the 1970s, it is a much sillier show than Resident Alien with Mork being a surface-level comedic character compared to the complexities of Harry in that series.

The series served as a launching point for Williams' acting career, and though he later showed how effective he was in dramatic roles, Mork & Mindy is a lot of fun because it lets the star totally embrace his madcap comedy style. As a sitcom from the 1970s, it is a much sillier show than Resident Alien with Mork being a surface-level comedic character compared to the complexities of Harry in that series. However, the fun of seeing an alien learn about Earth and its culture makes for a fun ride even decades apart.

14 Sneaky Pete (2015-2019)

30 Episodes

sneaky pete

Release Date 2015 - 2018

Network Amazon Prime Video

Directors David Shore

A lot of the excitement from Resident Alien comes from Harry posing as someone he is not while surrounded by people who think they know him. It creates a lot of tension throughout the series and Sneaky Pete is another series that expertly pulls off this trick. Giovanni Ribisi stars in the series as Marius, a con artist who is escaping some trouble and decides to adopt the identity of Pete, his former cellmate. When Marius is taken in by Pete's estranged family, his lies are put to the test.

While it does not feature any of the sci-fi elements of Resident Alien, Sneaky Pete has a lot of similarities. There is a lot of fun to the protagonist constantly being at risk of being found out which, like Resident Alien, provides moments of humor as well as drama. There is also the sense that the protagonists of both shows are hiding their true identities while also putting everyone else at risk without them knowing.

13 American Dad (2014-)

381 Episodes

Seth McFarlane has always had a love for sci-fi which is evident in mostly all of his shows. American Dad shows how McFarlane is about to embrace his genre fashion while making his typical quirky animated comedy. American Dad follows an American family, led by Stan, the conservative, patriotic, and ridiculous patriarch of the family. Along with Stan's children and wife, the Smith household also features Roger, an alien who Stan rescued from Area 51.

It is easy to see similarities between Roger and Harry as they are both somewhat flamboyant and eccentric aliens who can be quite blunt and insensitive, leading to big laughs.

American Dad is similar to Family Guy in its tone and irreverent humor, not embracing sci-fi as much as Resident Alien. However, it is easy to see similarities between Roger and Harry as they are both somewhat flamboyant and eccentric aliens who can be quite blunt and insensitive, leading to big laughs. The mundane depiction of aliens living a domestic life is also quite similar to how Harry is depicted.

12 Futurama (1999-)

160 Episodes

Futurama

8/10

Release Date March 28, 1999

Another animated comedy series that Resident Alien fans will love is Futurama. This is another fish-out-of-water story that follows Philip J. Fry, a lazy pizza delivery man who, on the eve of the year 2000 is accidentally cryogenically frozen and wakes up 1000 years later. Fry forms friendships in this new existence, such as a robot, a mutant, and his great descendent (who is an old man himself). With their help, he settles into the new life of the 30th century.

While Resident Alien sees Harry trying to fit in with Earth's customs, the audience gets to join Fry in being introduced to all the changes in the world that have taken place over a thousand years. While the fish-out-of-water shenanigans are a fun starting point for the series, it is really the most fun when it is exploring sci-fi ideas through a clever and hilarious lens.

11 3rd Rock From The Sun (1996-2001)

139 Episodes

The only thing funnier than an alien hiding out amid humans and trying to blend in is when there are a bunch of aliens trying to do it. 3rd Rock from the Sun stars John Lithgow, Kristen Johnston, French Stewart, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as aliens who have assumed human bodies and pose as a dysfunctional family while on a mission to learn everything they can about the planet. Along the way, they develop their own relationships and attachments to Earth.

Like Mork & Mindy, 3rd Rock From the Sun is a much more comedic take on the premise with it missing a lot of the darker and more dramatic elements seen in Resident Alien. However, just as there is a lot of fun seeing Harry's shenanigans, the Solomon family of 3rd Rock From the Sun is great entertainment as they discover their curiosities about humanity. Also like Resident Alien, it is a lot of fun to see the characters eventually becoming more comfortable with life on Earth.

10 The Orville (2017-Present)

36 Episodes

The Orville

Release Date 2017 - 2021

Network FOX

Showrunner Seth MacFarlane

Directors Jon Cassar

Writers Seth MacFarlane

While very different in setting and premise, The Orville shares a quirky, offbeat tone that makes Resident Alien feel like its distant cosmic cousin. Both shows offer a refreshing take on the genre by prioritizing character-driven comedy without losing touch with the core of sci-fi storytelling. The comedic balance in both shows keeps audiences entertained without derailing the narrative's more profound moments.

Captain Ed Mercer in The Orville often bounces between humorous interpersonal drama and grappling with intergalactic dilemmas in much the same way that Harry uses his fish-out-of-water moments to deliver funny scenes while dealing with his mission to destroy humanity. Both series feel light but never shallow when it comes to exploring deeper sci-fi themes with a layered storytelling that makes both shows accessible to casual viewers and thought-provoking enough for hardcore sci-fi fans. During the wait for The Orville season 4, the rest of the series is available for streaming on Hulu.

9 People of Earth (2016-2017)

20 Episodes

People of Earth

Release Date 2016 - 2016

Network TBS

Directors Ian Fitzgibbon

Writers David Jenkins

Ana Gasteyer

Gina Morrison

Created by David Jenkins and featuring executive producers like Conan O’Brien, People of Earth doesn’t just spoof UFO tales — it elevates them with a heartfelt touch. A comedy about support group members who believe they’ve been abducted by aliens, the show delivers a fun balance of absurdity with sincerity, as its oddball characters grapple with their UFO-related traumas.

Instead of focusing solely on the aliens, People of Earth dives into the eccentricities of its human characters, such as their wild, often contradictory abduction stories. The result is a simultaneously offbeat and relatable tone that feels grounded despite its out-of-this-world premise. Unlike the ominous extraterrestrials typically seen in sci-fi, People of Earth shares DNA with Resident Alien, giving viewers a trio of alien characters with their own flaws, quirks, and even workplace drama. Audiences can stream People of Earth on HBO Max.

8 Solar Opposites (2020-Present)

53 Episodes

Solar Opposites

Release Date May 8, 2020

Showrunner Justin Roiland

Directors Kim Arndt, Anthony Chun, Lucas Gray, Bob Suarez

Writers Justin Roiland, Mike McMahan

When it comes to balancing laugh-out-loud moments with futuristic intrigue, Hulu’s Solar Opposites walks a fine line — and does so brilliantly. Created by Justin Roiland and Mike McMahan (co-creator and writer for Rick and Morty), this animated hit follows a family of alien refugees who crash-land on Earth. While outwardly absurd, Solar Opposites offers more than surface-level slapstick, employing a unique blend of offbeat comedy and imaginative sci-fi themes that should spark with Resident Alien fans.

Whether it's debating the merits of soda flavors or the importance of theme parks, their misadventures are brought to life with razor-sharp wit. Korvo’s grumpiness over mundane human tasks like mowing the lawn will definitely give Resident Alien watchers Harry vibes. As for social commentary, it doesn’t get more pointed than Solar Opposites episodes that revolve around The Wall, a terrarium where Korvo and Terry shrink people who annoy them.

7 Eureka (2006-2012)

77 Episodes

Eureka

Release Date 2006 - 2011

Showrunner Andrew Cosby

Directors Colin Ferguson

Writers Andrew Cosby

When it comes to blending genres, few shows do it as seamlessly as Eureka. A quirky series set in a fictional small town inhabited by geniuses working on cutting-edge experiments that usually go wildly wrong, Eureka is wrapped in a layer of humor that keeps things light. Whether it’s a weather-controlling machine creating chaos or an AI house named SARAH with unexpected “quirks,” the sci-fi scenarios are imaginative yet relatable. However, Eureka isn’t just about flashy gadgets — it digs into human relationships with science, making its futuristic world feel grounded while raising thoughtful "what if" questions.

While Eureka delivers thought-provoking ideas, it’s the humor that ensures it remains accessible. A show that might otherwise feel heavy instead becomes fun and addictive. The series' unique tone maintains its appeal across all five seasons, keeping viewers engaged whether the stakes are life-and-death or humorously low. Eureka is available to stream on platforms like Peacock and Amazon Prime Video.

6 Upload (2020-Present)

25 Episodes

Upload

Release Date May 1, 2020

Showrunner Greg Daniels

Writers Greg Daniels

Set in 2033, Upload introduces viewers to a world where people on the brink of death can "upload" their consciousness into a luxurious digital afterlife. Created by The Office and Parks and Recreation vet Greg Daniels, Upload skillfully blends the high-tech wonders of science fiction with the absurdities of human behavior, delivering a pleasant mix of clever satire with some laugh-out-loud moments.

This premise allows the show to tread boldly into futuristic themes like AI companions, virtual reality environments, and the ethics of corporate control over afterlives. Yet, much like Resident Alien, Upload doesn’t overwhelm viewers with complex sci-fi jargon, instead infusing those concepts with playful absurdity. Virtual assistants are literal floating heads, and system bugs manifest as glitches in someone's “afterlife.” Available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Upload explores futuristic technology and delivers sharp satire alongside its genuinely funny moments.

5 The Good Place (2016-2020)

53 Episodes

Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) finds herself in "The Good Place" after death, but quickly realizes she doesn’t belong there – and few shows have achieved the seamless mix of genres quite like The Good Place. Balancing laugh-out-loud moments with philosophical sci-fi intrigue, this series is as thought-provoking as it is rapid-fire. Created by Michael Schur (Parks and Recreation, The Office), The Good Place is a shining example of how blending the absurd with the profound can create magic.

While the humor reels viewers in, the sci-fi underpinnings keep the plot intriguing as The Good Place toys with classic sci-fi concepts like alternate realities, memory wipes, and time loops. However, the show places those genre tropes squarely in moral and philosophical contexts, tackling questions like "What makes a good person?" or "Can people improve?" Plus, it never hurts to have a comedy icon like Ted Danson providing meta commentary on the mechanics of existence. Available for streaming on Netflix, The Good Place is a rewatch-worthy gem that packs huge laughs with a healthy dose of existential pondering.

4 Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (2016-2017)

18 Episodes

From its very first episode, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency establishes its offbeat tone with unapologetic confidence that Resident Alien fans will recognize. The titular character, played by Samuel Barnett, operates less like a typical detective and more like a cheerful agent of chaos. Dirk insists that everything in the universe is interconnected, a principle that leads to hilariously random, yet strangely logical, outcomes.

What makes Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency truly special is its ability to weave chaos into coherence. Seemingly unrelated storylines, ranging from a missing dog to world-ending conspiracies, converge beautifully by each season’s end. The interconnectedness isn’t just a plot gimmick; it’s the backbone of both its humor and sci-fi brilliance. By trusting the viewers' ability to connect the dots, the show rewards them with a storytelling experience that feels satisfying and organically fun. The show is currently available for streaming on Hulu, making it a convenient binge-watching option for fans of quirky, out-of-the-box storytelling.

3 Lodge 49 (2018-2019)

20 Episodes

In the crowded landscape of TV, Lodge 49 was criminally unseen by most during its brief two-year run on AMC last decade. Fans of smart, edgy programs can correct that injustice now – and likely find many Resident Alien parallels along the way. Following the misadventures of laid-back ex-surfer Sean “Dud” Dudley, Wyatt Russell channels the same laconic, yet magnetic qualities of Jeff Bridges' The Dude from The Big Lebowski as Dud searches for meaning after a string of personal failures.

Lodge 49 incorporates sci-fi through the mysterious Lynx Lodge, a rundown fraternal order that Dud stumbles upon. While the lodge initially seems like a quirky backdrop for character-driven comedy, it slowly reveals its esoteric significance as strange rituals, symbolic artifacts, and cryptic messages hint at a hidden order of mysticism. Viewers will likely spend most of Lodge 49 wondering if there’s an actual secret to uncover — or whether it’s all part of the lodge's woo-woo charm. Lodge 49 can be streamed on Hulu to experience its perfect marriage of quasi-sci-fi and slacker comedy.

2 The Middleman (2008)

12 Episodes

The Middleman

Release Date June 16, 2008

Network ABC Family

Directors Jeremiah S. Chechik, Michael Zinberg, Allan Kroeker, Guy Norman Bee, John T. Kretchmer, Michael Grossman, Norman Buckley

Writers Sarah Watson, Tracey Stern, Andy Reaser, Jordan Rosenberg, Margaret Dunlap

Matt Keeslar

The Middleman
Natalie Morales

Wendy Watson

Just like Resident Alien, The Middleman was based on a comic book series, spawning a cult classic TV show that quickly gained praise for its unique blend of sharp wit and genre-savvy storytelling. Wendy Watson (Natalie Morales) is an art school graduate recruited to work for a secret agency that combats bizarre extraterrestrial threats. Wendy pairs up with her boss, the straight-laced, pulp action hero inspired “Middleman” as the two encounter everything from evil luchadors and sentient ventriloquist dummies to carnivorous flying fish.

The quirky premise allows the show to deliver nonsensical yet highly entertaining sci-fi adventures, firmly rooted in its tongue-in-cheek approach. Filled with rapid-fire wordplay, intentional over-acting, and self-referential callbacks that poke fun at traditional sci-fi tropes, each episode parodies well-known pop culture, ensuring fans of both sci-fi and comedy genres find something to enjoy. Now streaming on iTunes and Google Play, it’s the perfect time to rediscover The Middleman as a hidden gem.

1 Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019)

30 Episodes

Santa Clarita Diet

Release Date 2017 - 2018

Network Netflix

Showrunner Victor Fresco

Directors Victor Fresco

Writers Victor Fresco

Sub in zombies for Resident Alien’s extraterrestrials, and that's the basic gist of Santa Clarita Diet, a Netflix original that combines outlandish sci-fi elements with witty comedy. At its core, Santa Clarita Diet thrives on its wild premise. Sheila Hammond (Drew Barrymore) transforms from a mild-mannered real estate agent into a flesh-craving zombie after an odd illness, while bewildered but devoted husband Joel (Timothy Olyphant) scrambles to keep her secret under wraps.

Watching the Hammonds awkwardly plot how to “ethically” acquire their next meal showcases the series’ commitment to combining macabre sci-fi scenarios with family-centered humor. This tonal contrast creates funny moments while smartly skirting the line between dark comedy and camp. Despite its lighthearted tone, Santa Clarita Diet still delivers on its sci-fi origins. The virus responsible for Sheila’s transformation isn’t just a backdrop to the humor — the mysterious pathogen and its possible origins weave into the show's narrative, adding a layer of suspense to the over-the-top zombie shenanigans.