Top 10 modern science fiction shows on TV

Science fiction has become very popular since the early days of TV.

Including superhero shows (which range from sci-fi to fantasy), sci-fi has become a much more popular genre today, especially on TV. Audiences have shows about dystopian futures, zombie outbreaks, superhumans, spaceships, and many more subgenres as well. As long as its well executed, any sci-fi idea can be successful (among other non-sci-fi stories as well).

There have been plenty of fine science fiction shows in the history of television, and especially since the new millennium. Some of them found wonderful success, while others faded into obscurity or developed famous cult followings. The Sci-Fi Channel, now known as SyFy, especially rose to fame with shows like Eureka and the remade Battlestar Galactica. This list will have science fiction shows that succeeded and failed, but were ultimately well done.

The Celebrity Café counts down the top 10 modern science fiction shows.
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10. Heroes

Fans can agree that the first season was the best, which is why Heroes is on the list, albeit in the lowest spot. Following different people around the world as they awaken to supernatural abilities, the show featured mostly complex characters, a neat mythology, and some pretty cool special effects. Hopefully the upcoming Heroes: Reborn redeems the series.

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9. Almost Human

A case-of-the-week show with an overarching mythology, like Fringe, the show was set in a futuristic Los Angeles with a human cop (Karl Urban) partnering with experimental emotional robot Dorian (Michael Ealy) to investigate cases. The acting and writing were great, with some stories reflecting on deep technological issues that occur today. It lasted only a few episodes, coming from a writer of Fringe and J.J Abrams, but it was well done.

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8. The Flash

A wonderful superhero show, but it's low on the list because of how new it is. Otherwise, audiences love to see Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) and his support team race to save Central City after a particle reactor at a prestigious lab malfunctions and gives people abilities, including Allen’s super speed. Everyone wants to see if The Flash can keep its successful momentum going.

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7. Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D

Joss Whedon, director of the Avengers films, helped create a show that connected to Marvel’s film universe. While set after the events of the first Avengers film, the show features unique futuristic technology and overarching mythology from the films, especially after Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The improving cast and story, along with some recently big reveals, make this show a lot of fun to watch.

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6. Eureka

A lot can happen in a small town full of highly intelligent scientists. For the less scientifically-minded town sheriff Jack Carter (Colin Ferguson), it means fighting with deadly technology and other scientific experiments gone wrong. Eureka had wonderful characters and a good balance between zany comedy and drama, and its cast was wonderful to watch as well.

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5. Caprica

If you have to do a prequel, do it well, and this show did just that. Despite lasting one season, the prequel to the remade Battlestar Galactica, followed the families of the Graystones and the Adamas after a terrorist attack kills their loved ones on the planet Caprica. At the same time, the Graystone’s daughter’s digital avatar inadvertently aids in the creation of the father’s new Cylons. The show wonderfully expanded upon the history and mythology of Galactica.

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4. Futurama

Matt Groening’s second show may not have had the same popularity of The Simpsons, but it was a hysterical sci-fi cartoon. Having similar social commentary and humor as his other show, Futurama used sci-fi to its comedic advantage in following the adventures of Fry, Leela, Bender, and other characters in the year 3000. Let’s not forget Dr. Zoidberg, because why not?

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3. Battlestar Galactica (remake)

What began as a miniseries quickly became a successful new series on the former Sci-Fi Channel. Intense stories and scenes, along with a wonderful cast and acting, helped make the Galactica crew’s search for Earth entertaining after the Cylons take over the colonies. The special effects were also some of the best ever done for a cable sci-fi show.

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2. Fringe

A twisty sci-fi mystery show about theoretical science running wild, the show centered on FBI Special Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), bizarre scientist Walter Bishop (John Noble) and his intelligent son Peter (Joshua Jackson). Their investigations, along with the show’s overarching story and character drama, were highly entertaining. Noble’s acting and character are especially notable in making this show so unique.

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1. Firefly

Before Joss Whedon got famous with directing Marvel’s films, he had done Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel. However, his best work is a cult favorite, being an outer space sci-fi western. Following a crew of smugglers on the ship Serenity, the cast included fantastic actors and great chemistry among them, the writing always had a surprise humorous kick in its dialogue, and had fantastic special effects for its time. It only lasted less than a season, but the execution of the show is what makes it number one.