Science Fiction TV Shows

Could there be a more wonderful and breathtaking genre than that of science fiction? Sci-fi tv shows  can open up entirely new worlds for us!  We get to know the characters and then become engaged in a fictional story that places its roots in reality. Watching every day situations being conquered by vampire slayers  or people living in outer space can completely take hold of our interest and, in most cases, form an entire subculture based around one show. See below for an overview of this unique genre.

What Makes a Stellar Science Fiction Show?

• Special Effects: Whether it be a vampire fading into dust or a spaceship orbiting through the galaxy, every good science fiction show usually has some type of special effects . Some shows opt to go all out and include a multitude of items to dazzle the eye, while other shows will have one or two effects per episode. Either way, it adds to the story and makes the plot-line that much more engaging for viewers.
• A Hero: In some cases the hero will be more than one person, but in just about any science fiction series, a main character is working to maintain the greater good and continually fight evil. On some shows, this hero may be possessed with superpowers of his own, or he may be an ordinary seeming citizen, getting by on his wits alone.
• Fan Groups:  Whether a show has been on for one season or ten, there are always science fiction fans out there who want to celebrate and remember their favorite series. From memorabilia  to comic books , many popular sci-fi shows on and off the air have tons of products and websites dedicated especially to them.

New Releases

Typically a month or so before a new television season starts, DVDs from the previous season are released so that you can catch up on your favorite shows. Here are a few to check out

Heroes: Season 3  Last season marked a lot of revelations for our friends with superpowers. From uprisings among the imprisoned heroes to new powers emerging, this season is definitely worth catching up on...or re-watching.	Fringe: Season 1  Sometimes frightening and other times funny, the first season of Fringe was not lacking for action or intrigue. An FBI agent works with an off-kilter scientist and his son to explain strange recent phenomenon as new and exciting plot lines unfold.	The Ghost Whisperer: Season 4  It's always been Melinda's job to communicate with those spirits that are restless, making sure they are at peace. But what happens when her husband's spirit is trapped in another's body?	Battlestar Galactica: The Plan  Being released as a DVD and eventually a made-for-TV-movie, this feature forces viewers to look at the well-liked Battlestar Galactica  show in a completely new perspective, redefining the series.

Current Shows

Fear not, there is still some sci-fi on the air! Besides the list above, don't forget about these noteworthy shows.

Dollhouse  In a world where humans can be wiped clean and manipulated into new personalities, one woman named Eko struggles to find herself and trace back her roots, while a detective also looks to uncover her story.	Smallville  This show is all about the early days of Clark Kent and his story of becoming Superman. He continues to face off with famed villains such as Brainiac, Doomsday, and Lex Luthor, as he eventually meets Lois Lane and begins to realize his destiny.	Lost  There is no one word to sum up this series; it reveals everything and nothing all at once. Centered around a group of plane crash survivors living on a seemingly deserted island, each season unfolds new twists about the island and its inhabitants.	Supernatural  Two brothers who have been raised by their father to fight the world's evil, continually face off with otherwordly forces and struggle to find themselves in this action-packed show.

Fan Favorites

Most of these shows had a decent run and attracted cult followings aplenty. 

Buffy the Vampire Slayer	The X-Files	Stargate: SG-1  and Atlantis	Angel	Alias

Sliders	Lois and Clark	Earth: Final Conflict	Andromeda	Xena: Warrior Princess

Babylon 5	Star Trek The Next Generation	Mystery Science Theater 3000	Farscape	Seaquest DSV

Short-Lived Sci-Fi

Since there is an inordinate amount of science fiction shows that were canceled after a few (or in some cases, one) season, this section pays tribute to those short lived series that still resonate with fans and caused lots of upset when they were taken off the air.

Jericho	Dark Angel	Tru Calling	Roswell	Firefly

Oldies but Goodies

These shows have not been on-air for quite some time, but their popularity and reputation remains solid.

Dark Shadows	Lost in Space	Batman	Dr. Who	The Outer Limits

The Twilight Zone	Logan's Run	Wonder Woman	The Avengers	Quantum Leap

Related Guides

• Movies and Television
• Science Fiction and Fantasy Films
• Television Memorabilia
• Joss Whedon