The Star Wars franchise has grown exponentially since Disney’s purchase of it back in 2012, but not everything has completely landed with long-time fans. With the conclusion of Andor in early 2025, however, Star Wars carved out its first entry into prestige television. I enjoyed it so much that I have struggled to consume other media within the franchise or even science fiction in general without having to compare it to Andor.
Luckily, science fiction television has existed for a long time, and it will continue to exist beyond Andor and its brilliance. In my quest to find sci-fi shows that measured up to my own expectations for the genre, it was actually not as difficult as I initially feared it would be.
The Expanse
Watch The Expanse on Amazon Prime Video
Based on the equally brilliant book series of the same name, The Expanse is exactly the type of politically grounded science fiction that made me so enamored with the genre in the first place. Taking place centuries in the future, The Expanse centers around growing tensions between humans on Earth, Mars, and those living along the asteroid belt (Belters). Usually found at the center of these conflicts is protagonist James Holden (Steven Strait) and his small, ragtag crew of diverse shipmates.
The Expanse has a solid first season, but it really starts firing on all cylinders in season two and beyond. Picked up by Amazon upon being canceled at Syfy after its third season, The Expanse only became bolder after its move to streaming. While it never got the chance to adapt all the books in the series before wrapping up with season six, The Expanse still manages to end on a very high note. It’s not exactly on the list of unmissable Prime Video gems, since it did have its time to shine, but this sci-fi show never really got the love it deserved, either.
Farscape
Watch Farscape on Peacock
Sometimes you need a little bit of the absurd with your science fiction, and Farscape excels at this like no other show. If you’re into bizarre character studies, then look no further than protagonist John Crichton (Ben Browder). As a human astronaut who finds himself pulled into a wormhole that spits him out far away from Earth and surrounded by strange alien life, Crichton eventually comes to terms with his new life—but slowly loses his sanity throughout four seasons.
Farscape doesn’t have the political complexity of shows like Andor or The Expanse, but it’s no less thought-provoking, thanks in large part to its characters and look into the human psyche. Plus, there’s a lot of great practical animatronics and puppets in the show, courtesy of the Jim Henson Company, that look just as great as they did in 1999.
Dark
Watch Dark on Netflix
When it comes to science fiction, I mostly gravitate toward futuristic political pieces or fun space operas, but sometimes I just want something that will completely break my brain. Enter Dark, Netflix’s moody, German time travel show with so many layers that you’ll have to keep notes just to stay above water. Dark spans several generations and timelines simultaneously, and features a family tree confusing enough to turn a lot of people away.
But I found Dark to be an extremely rewarding watch, especially if you’re looking for something that won’t hold your hand. It may not be in the same realm of sci-fi as Andor or most of the other shows on this list, but it’s a time travel story done right.
Babylon 5
Watch Babylon 5 on Tubi
It may not seem like it in the modern streaming era, but once upon a time, serialized network television was not a very common thing. Think of any Star Trek show you’ve watched from the ’80s or ’90s. Mostly standalone fare that could be viewed by anyone, whether they had previous knowledge or not. Babylon 5 was not that kind of show. Envisioned as a novel series for TV, creator J. Michael Straczynski pushed the boundaries of what science fiction could be before that was commonplace.
Given that it began airing in 1993, Babylon 5 hasn’t exactly aged the best in terms of graphics or even acting. But its ambitious approach to storytelling and the way it connected narratives throughout its run will forever ensure its place in the higher echelons of sci-fi television. And you can watch it for free on Tubi, along with a bunch of unbelievable free movies.
Firefly
Watch Firefly on Hulu
We all have that show that was canceled far too soon, despite its quality being extremely high. For many, including myself, that’s Firefly, the ambitious science fiction western series from Joss Whedon. Featuring a cast of colorful characters led by the charismatic Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds (Nathan Fillion), Firefly explores what it means to be human in a galaxy still recovering from a brutal civil war.
Firefly never truly got to explore its potential, and it was canceled after one season. However, what we did get was brilliantly told, and there was something intriguing about mixing the space opera, sci-fi, and western genres to perfection. The story would get something of a conclusion with the follow-up film Serenity, but it’s still difficult not to wonder what could have been. Still, what we got is fantastic, and more than worth watching.
There’s a lot of high-quality science fiction out there that really captures what Andor meant to a lot of viewers. Of course, if you’re looking for new sci-fi shows that will make you forget you’re on Earth, there are options available.
