As another year closes, it’s time to look back at the science fiction television that captivated audiences in 2025. From established franchises delivering strong seasons to bold new series pushing boundaries, the small screen offered a rich landscape for sci-fi fans. Here’s a breakdown of the year’s most compelling shows, ranked and analyzed to give you the full picture.
The Year in Sci-Fi: Trends and Standouts
2025 saw a continuation of several trends: streaming services dominating the genre, prestige TV pushing narrative complexity, and a willingness to revisit established IPs with fresh perspectives. Apple TV+ emerged as a major force, consistently delivering high-quality sci-fi content. Meanwhile, franchises like Star Trek and Doctor Who continued to evolve, though with varying degrees of success.
The year also saw a resurgence in grounded, character-driven sci-fi, with shows like Alien: Earth prioritizing human drama alongside the spectacle of extraterrestrial threats. This shift suggests audiences are increasingly drawn to stories that explore the human condition even within fantastical settings.
The Top 12 Sci-Fi Shows of 2025
12. Invasion (Season 3, Apple TV+)
Invasion ’s third season felt like a soft reboot, reintroducing familiar characters and escalating the alien threat. While visually impressive, it lacked the freshness of earlier seasons. The introduction of translucent, squid-like aliens added a new dimension to the show, but ultimately, it felt like a network TV drama with a big budget – a solid, if unremarkable, entry.
11. Doctor Who (Season 2, BBC/Disney+)
The Fifteenth Doctor’s (Ncuti Gatwa) second and final season was a mixed bag. The unexpected regeneration of the Doctor into Billie Piper marked an abrupt end to the BBC’s partnership with Disney+. While Varada Sethu delivered a strong performance as Belinda Chandra, the season was hampered by an overstuffed arc plot, leaving key reveals feeling anticlimactic.
10. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Season 3, Paramount+)
Strange New Worlds continued to lean heavily into nostalgia, referencing the original series with callbacks and familiar characters. Despite moments of brilliance, gimmicky episodes detracted from the show’s potential. The introduction of the Vezda as a formidable villain and standout performances from the core crew kept it engaging, but it still struggled to fully break free from its prequel status.
9. Foundation (Season 3, Apple TV+)
Foundation finally delivered on its ambitious premise in its third season. After two seasons of dense exposition, the interstellar conflicts ignited, bringing a Star Wars -esque energy to the show. The mathematical models and spectacular spaceships remained central, but the addition of morally ambiguous characters like the Mule (Pilou Asbæk) injected much-needed chaos into the narrative.
8. The War Between the Land and the Sea (BBC)
Showrunner Russell T Davies resurrected a successful formula from Torchwood with this hard-hitting drama. The return of classic Doctor Who monsters, the Sea Devils, provided a compelling antagonist, while the series maintained a focus on the emotional core: the unlikely relationship between human Barclay and his aquatic counterpart Salt.
7. Murderbot (Apple TV+)
This adaptation of Martha Wells’ The Murderbot Diaries was a surprisingly relatable and violent take on the robotic rebellion trope. Alexander Skarsgård’s sardonic performance as the self-aware security droid resonated with audiences, and the show’s refusal to take itself too seriously made it a standout entry in Apple TV+’s lineup.
6. Silo (Season 2, Apple TV+)
Silo went deeper underground in its second season, trapping protagonist Juliette Nichols in Silo 17 while the real intrigue unfolded elsewhere. The slow-burn storytelling and drip-feed of mysteries continued to captivate, with Tim Robbins’ performance as Mayor Holland adding layers of duplicity. The season concluded with a game-changing cliffhanger, setting up an even more compelling third installment.
5. Black Mirror (Season 7, Netflix)
Charlie Brooker’s anthology series returned to form in its seventh season, delivering episodes that ranged from darkly comedic to emotionally devastating. The inclusion of sequels to popular episodes like “Bandersnatch” and “USS Callister” pleased long-time fans, while new entries continued to explore the chilling possibilities of technology.
4. Alien: Earth (FX/Hulu)
Noah Hawley’s Alien series breathed new life into the franchise by shifting the focus from the Xenomorph to the human corporations exploiting it. The show maintained the visual and sonic fidelity of Ridley Scott’s original film while discarding outdated lore. The ruthless behavior of the human characters proved more terrifying than the aliens themselves, cementing its place as a standout sci-fi series.
3. Once Upon a Time in Space (BBC)
This BBC documentary offered a rare glimpse behind the curtain of space exploration. By focusing on the post-Apollo era, the Space Shuttle, Mir, and the ISS, it filled a gap in the narrative of spaceflight history. The documentary balanced celebration with tragedy, acknowledging the disasters that shaped the industry while honoring the courage of those involved.
2. Pluribus (Apple TV+)
Vince Gilligan’s latest creation delivered a truly unique sci-fi experience. The premise – an alien virus that induces kindness – was both bizarre and compelling. Rhea Seehorn’s performance as a cynical author resisting the infection was a standout, and the show’s slow-burn pacing and philosophical depth made it Apple TV+’s most-watched series.
1. Star Wars: Andor (Season 2, Disney+)
Andor season 2 continued to redefine what a Star Wars show could be. Despite knowing the fates of many characters, Tony Gilroy crafted a relentlessly tense and gripping narrative. The series’ willingness to explore moral ambiguity and political complexity set it apart, making it the best Star Wars television to date.
Conclusion
2025 was a strong year for science fiction television, with streaming services leading the charge. Apple TV+ solidified its position as a sci-fi powerhouse, while established franchises continued to evolve. The year’s standout shows prioritized character-driven narratives and complex themes, proving that the genre remains fertile ground for innovative storytelling.
