Top 20 Must-Watch Netflix Original Sci-Fi and Fantasy Series
These shows are worth the subscription! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best original science fiction and fantasy TV series from Netflix.
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00:00You're my favorite, you've always been my favorite.
00:04Really?
00:05Yeah.
00:06Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best original science fiction and fantasy TV series from Netflix.
00:13We won't be including any animated series or shows that began on other networks before making the jump to Netflix.
00:20I think we're alone now.
00:23Doesn't seem to be anyone around.
00:2820. Three-Body Problem
00:31Adapted from the much-acclaimed book series by Suxin Liu, Three-Body Problem is a sci-fi thriller with cosmic proportions and grounded stakes.
00:39Following a Chinese astrophysicist's contact with extraterrestrial life, the consequences of that contact play out years later.
00:57Conspiracies develop, factions form, and the aliens' intentions for humanity prove less than benevolent.
01:03It can be a little heady and oddly paced for some viewers, and the differences from the source material have become somewhat controversial.
01:10Nevertheless, Three-Body Problem is a quality sci-fi series that examines some pertinent questions about life among the stars.
01:1719. Travelers
01:31According to a media consumption report put out by Netflix, Travelers was one of the streaming service's top 10 most binged shows in 2017.
01:41And based on its plot, it's easy to understand why.
01:44The show is set in a post-apocalyptic future and revolves around a group of operatives known as Travelers who venture back in time to prevent a global catastrophe.
01:58They do this by having their consciousness transferred into the bodies of 21st century humans on the cusp of death, thereby limiting their impact on the past.
02:07It's pure sci-fi fun, with enough action and suspense to keep newcomers to the genre thoroughly entertained.
02:1318. 3%
02:323%, a foreign-language dystopian thriller, is the first show on Netflix to be produced entirely in Portuguese, so prepare for subtitles.
02:41The world the show presents is a fractured one, one in which the wealthy live in the offshore and the poor live in the inland.
02:47However, through the process, citizens of the inland are given the opportunity to leave.
02:56Of course, the path to paradise is not without obstacles.
02:59The show takes its name from the fact that only 3% of the people make it through the process.
03:03A tightly woven tale of sacrifice, betrayal and the quest for a better life,
03:083% is one Netflix original that lives up to its name.
03:1617. Alice in Borderland
03:18A Japanese-language series based on the manga of the same name, Alice in Borderland follows a group of young people in Tokyo who find the city mysteriously deserted.
03:26Not only that, but they're soon forced to play various games under the threat of death.
03:39The group must compete with fellow players for survival while also unraveling what's going on.
03:46Survival game stories have been a big hit on Netflix in general.
03:50Remember Squid Game?
03:51Alice in Borderland offers all the same thrills, but with the added mystery of its sci-fi Alice in Wonderland twist on the genre.
03:5816. Sweet Tooth
04:08Post-apocalyptic shows tend to be gritty and grim, but Sweet Tooth adds a fairytale spin on the genre.
04:14Following a pandemic that kills most of humanity, the survivors coexist with a newborn group of animal-human hybrids.
04:21One of these kids, a dear boy named Gus, sets out on a journey to find his mother, accompanied by a former hunter of hybrids.
04:37While the adult and kid in an apocalypse setup is familiar, Sweet Tooth has an appropriately sweet charm about it that recalls kids' movies of the past.
04:45The great acting, world-building and timely themes on the after-effects of a pandemic make it something children and adults alike can enjoy.
05:04Based on a graphic novel series, this series follows the eponymous Locke family as they return to the family home following the loss of the children's father.
05:12While exploring the house, the kids find a series of magical keys that open doors in strange and unusual ways.
05:28The show sees the family dive into this mystery while also grappling with grief from their loss and other drama.
05:34While with its detailed set design and mix of fantasy and horror with everyday life, Locke and Key is a Locke for any fantasy enthusiast's Netflix queue.
05:54In this darker take on the popular Supernatural franchise, Sabrina is a teenage witch who has to deal with all the typical pitfalls of youth.
06:02Boys, school, devil worship.
06:15While it may have ended prematurely, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina has gained a loyal following thanks to its well-realized characters and spooky plots.
06:23The show sends shivers down our spines with how entertaining it can be.
06:27There are plenty of Supernatural teen dramas out there, but few of them are dripping with this much atmosphere or feature visuals as gorgeous as these.
06:58A modern remake of a classic sci-fi staple, this show follows the Robinson family, whose colony ship is attacked en route to their new home.
07:08After their escape craft crash lands on a habitable world, they and their fellow survivors seek to find a new way back to their ship, while also contending with the robotic foes that attacked them.
07:18A more grounded and realistic take than its predecessor, Lucky Chicken aside, Lost in Space features stellar effects, along with some great interpersonal drama.
07:38It may not have made as big a splash as it deserved, but Lost in Space certainly deserves your time.
07:49Sense8 is about eight strangers from across the globe who slowly discover that they share a mental and emotional link.
07:55They're able to jump in and out of each other's minds, swapping knowledge and mentally projecting into each other's environment.
08:02A nuanced piece of science fiction, the show is blessed with a unique plot and an excellent, not to mention diverse ensemble cast that meshes together beautifully.
08:19Don't let the fact that the show was cancelled in 2017 get you down. Grab a bowl of popcorn and get to binging.
08:25We promise you'll soon count yourself among the devoted fans calling for more, especially following the June 2018 series finale.
08:39Based on Neil Gaiman's acclaimed graphic novels, this series follows Dream, aka Morpheus, who is the embodiment of Dreams.
08:46After being imprisoned for a century, Dream escapes to reclaim his throne, while also reuniting with old friends, family and foes.
08:54Though there is some overlap there.
09:06Lovingly faithful to its source material, The Sandman takes us through Dream's comeback tour and features fantastical landscapes and creatures aplenty.
09:15The brilliant performances, surprisingly moving exploration of the human condition and sheer imagination make The Sandman a dream come true that nobody should sleep on.
09:25What power would hell have if those here imprisoned were not able to dream of heaven?
09:37The OA is a fantastic mix of sci-fi and fantasy with a plot that revolves around the re-emergence of a young woman who's been missing for seven years.
09:46Upon her mysterious return, she has a new name and the ability to see, despite having been blind when she initially disappeared.
09:53The biggest mistake I made was believing that if I cast a beautiful net, I'd catch only beautiful things.
10:00Co-created by and starring the uber-talented Britt Marling, the show has received generally positive reviews from critics,
10:06with one hailing it as, quote,
10:13From the striking visuals to the acting and everything in between, this is one program you need to check out.
10:24A live-action version of the highest-selling anime and manga in the world, One Piece managed to do the impossible with its faithfulness to its origins and overall quality.
10:39The tale of Monkey D. Luffy, a young aspiring pirate in search of the late Pirate King's fabled treasure,
10:44One Piece sees its endlessly optimistic and stretchy hero assemble a crew in search of adventure.
10:50The action scenes are thrilling, the set design is impeccable, and the backstories hit like a rubbery fist to the face.
10:57One Piece may not dive as deeply as the decades of existing material,
11:01but it still perfectly captures the silly yet emotional spirit of adventure that pervades this beloved story.
11:07It's all gonna be smooth sailing.
11:18Number 8. Wednesday.
11:20There's no shortage of supernatural teen series on Netflix, but Wednesday has been among the most successful, winning awards and sparking memes in their thousands.
11:29A spin-off of The Addams Family, it focuses on the eponymous gloomy teenage girl.
11:34Forced to attend a school of outcasts, Wednesday's entertainingly abrasive personality is TV gold.
11:50Whether she's one-upping the preppy students, unraveling a local mystery, or interacting with her off-the-wall family members,
11:56Wednesday, the girl as well as the show, makes for exceptional viewing that makes us want to dance with joy.
12:02You know how.
12:15Number 7. Altered Carbon.
12:24In the year 2384, your memories can be digitized and downloaded in human and non-human vessels known as sleeves.
12:32To be used for a variety of purposes.
12:34Takeshi Kovach, a criminal and political operative, wakes up centuries after his death in a new body,
12:40and is tasked with solving the murder of one of the world's wealthiest men.
12:49Starring Joel Kinnaman, Altered Carbon is easily one of the most binge-worthy Netflix originals in recent memory,
12:54thanks to its unique concept, stunning visuals, and top-notch acting.
12:59A sci-fi murder mystery with cyberpunk overtures.
13:02What's not to like?
13:09Number 6. The Witcher.
13:10Based on the epic fantasy books and video game series of the same name,
13:14The Witcher follows monster hunter Geralt of Rivia.
13:16She got to you too, didn't she?
13:21Do not touch her.
13:24Despite his mercenary origins, Geralt frequently finds himself caught up in world-altering events,
13:29particularly once he makes the acquaintance of Ciri, a young girl tied to him by destiny.
13:34With its rich lore, fantastic yet gritty setting, and excellent character development,
13:39it's no wonder The Witcher has been as successful as it has been.
13:42If nothing else, we haven't been able to get that song out of our heads for years.
13:52Number 5. Jessica Jones.
13:54It was open.
13:55If you're one of those people who's yet to watch any of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's small screen productions
14:00because you're not into the whole superhero thing, Jessica Jones is a very good place to start.
14:04Kristen Ritter shines in the titular role,
14:07and David Tennant's mind-controlling baddie with a penchant for the color purple
14:10manages to be both terrifying and complex.
14:17You'd be wise not to dismiss this one as just another comic book adaptation,
14:21because Jessica Jones plays more like a hard-boiled detective novel,
14:24one that is admittedly peppered with fantastical elements,
14:27but also tackles serious, pressing contemporary themes.
14:30Seriously, you've got to check this one out.
14:32God didn't do this.
14:35The devil did.
14:38And I'm gonna find him.
14:39Number 4. The Umbrella Academy.
14:41The elevator pitch for this show might be X-Men directed by Wes Anderson,
14:45but it's even weirder and more entertaining than that.
14:48He thinks one of us killed Dad.
14:54You do?
14:55How could you think that?
14:57Great job, loser.
14:59A group of dysfunctional, super-powered siblings come together again after the death of their father.
15:04However, their reunion marks a series of events that may lead to the end of the world.
15:10The show is a delightful blend of a chaotic family comedy and the superhero genre.
15:14It's thoroughly bizarre throughout, yet it never shines away from serious, heartfelt moments.
15:28The Umbrella Academy has all the chaos of a family get-together,
15:32with the added bonus of great stakes, incredible action, and some of the strangest stuff on TV.
15:38Number 3. Dark.
15:43This German sci-fi thriller has been called Stranger Things for grown-ups,
15:47and it's a fitting comparison.
15:49The show is set in a small town, a portion of the action takes place in the 80s,
15:53and the plot revolves around the disappearance of a child.
15:56However, that's where the similarities end.
15:59Dark involves time travel, wormholes, and a decades-old secret that's impacted three generations of families
16:05from the 1950s to the present day.
16:11The show is expertly paced, slowly pulling back the veil on a tiny German town
16:16with no shortage of terrifying secrets.
16:23Number 2. Daredevil.
16:26A comic book show first and foremost,
16:29Daredevil strikes an interesting balance between grounded and gritty, and more fantastical elements.
16:34From its blind protagonist who can see using his other senses,
16:38to the plot of season 2, which revolves partially around an ancient mystical organization
16:43full of ninjas who won't stay dead.
16:49This Netflix original series has garnered considerable praise from critics,
16:53thanks to its brilliantly choreographed fight sequences, multifaceted characters,
16:57and tightly woven narrative.
16:59Featuring a star-making performance from Charlie Cox, and a strong supporting cast,
17:03Daredevil is one fantasy show you need to be watching.
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17:27Number 1. Stranger Things.
17:33Few recent sci-fi series, Netflix original or otherwise,
17:36have come anywhere near close to having the cultural impact of this one.
17:40Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, and focusing on the mysterious Upside Down,
17:45Stranger Things took the world by storm in 2016.
17:48Season 1 and Season 2 picked up Golden Globe nominations for Best Television Series Drama,
17:53and the show has been heralded by critics for its action, pacing, and steady flow of 80s nostalgia.
18:03After its second season, the aforementioned Netflix Media Report listed it number 1
18:08in the Shows That Brought Us Together category.
18:10Not too shabby.
18:13No! Are you okay?
18:16Is there a science fiction or fantasy series we forgot?
18:19Toss a coin to the comments, oh viewers of Plenty.
18:21Toss a coin to your Witcher, oh Valley of Plenty.
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