Comedies are delightful, dramas are cathartic, but sometimes you want something with just that little extra. Maybe it's time travel, maybe it's space aliens, monsters, or a masked man with a knife, but when you want a story that's going to tap into the far reaches of creativity and get weird with it, you can't do better than a good sci-fi series.
With that in mind, we're running down the best sci-fi TV shows on Hulu right now, from animated gems to 90s classics, along with recent gems. No matter what you're in the mood for, Hulu has a solid lineup of genre series to binge-watch.
Rick and Morty (2013-present)
- Created by: Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon
- Cast: Justin Roiland, Chris Parnell, Sarah Chalke, and Spencer Grammer
Rick and Morty is not only one of the most delightfully twisted animated shows on television, but it’s actually also one of the most consistently brilliant pieces of sci-fi storytelling in recent memory. Loosely based on the Back to the Future relationship of Doc Brown and Marty McFly, the series revolves around a meek young boy named Morty and his genius, sci-fi-gadget-equipped grandfather Rick. The two go on sci-fi adventures week-in and week-out, with the show consistently delivering wildly compelling science-fiction stories set on different planets or even sometimes different dimensions. While hilarious, the show also has a finger on its self-aware pulse, allowing the characters to behave badly, but not allowing them to go on like it doesn’t affect them and the loved ones around them. The result is this insane—and insanely entertaining—cocktail of humor, heart, philosophy, and sci-fi. – Adam Chitwood
Smallville (2001-2011)
- Creator: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar
- Cast: Tom Welling, Erica Durance, Justin Hartley, Cassidy Freeman
Smallville is the superhero coming-of-age teen drama that paved the way for the DC CW Arrowverse that would follow soon after this show’s decade-long run. The series tells the story of a young Clark Kent long before his life as the symbol of hope protecting the world and mainly takes place in his small Kansas town during his high school years. Taking on the role of the boy of steel is Tom Welling (The Fog), who does an amazing job portraying the struggle to keep his powers a secret while doing his best to manage the superpowered citizens that have been altered by the meteor shower of radioactive Kryptonian debris that followed him to earth. – Tauri Miller
Fear the Walking Dead (2015-2023)
- Creator: Dave Erickson, Robert Kirkman
- Cast: Kim Dickens, Frank Dillane, Cliff Curtis, Lennie James
Fear the Walking Dead is a spin-off to the hit graphic novel turned dramatic epic The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman. Initially a prequel series following two families in Los Angeles during the early stages of the zombie apocalypse, the show slowly catches up to the main series, giving fans a new perspective on the world. With Kirkman co-writing along with showrunner Dave Erickson (Sons of Anarchy), you can rest assured these new characters are just as complex and interesting as the ones fans have come to expect from the Walking Dead series. Plus, the cast is filled with outstanding actors that make the tragedy of their fallen world feel visceral and real, including recognizable faces like Elizabeth Rodriguez (Orange Is the New Black), Alycia Debnam-Carey (The 100), and Mercedes Mason (The Finder).
Extraordinary (2023-present)
- Creator: Emma Moran
- Cast: Máiréad Tyers, Sofia Oxenham, Bilal Hasna, Luke Rollason
Extraordinary is a hilarious British science-fiction comedy created by newcomer Emma Moran. Set in an alternate present in the UK, Extraordinary follows a group of twenty-something friends struggling through life in a world where every person develops superpowers. Máiréad Tyers stars as Jen, a young woman who doesn’t have any abilities, alongside the incredibly talented Sofia Oxenham, who plays Carrie, Jen’s best friend and roommate, who has the power to act as a conduit for the dead. The first season of Extraordinary abruptly drops viewers into the playful reality of the series, cleverly allowing the audience to wade through the struggles of the characters. – Yael Tygiel
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
- Created by: Joss Whedon
- Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of the most famous and acclaimed fantasy shows of all time – and for good reason. Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar in the titular role, the series follows a young woman who is destined to fight evil, supernatural creatures. Though she is reluctant at first, instead of wanting a normal life, she ultimately embraces her destiny with the help of her friends: the shy brainiac Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and comedic Xander (Nicholas Brendon). TV was never the same after Buffy aired. Its cultural impact can still be felt today, making it one of the most enjoyable and impactful series to ever hit the small screen. – Taylor Gates
Silverpoint (2022-present)
- Creator: Lee Walters
- Cast: Claire Goose, Maiya Silveston, Katy Byrne, Krish Misra
Silverpoint is a British series set 23 years after four children disappear from the Silverpoint camp. Starring Claire Goose, Maiya Silveston, Katy Byrne, Krish Misra, Aoife Hughes, and Oliver Cunliffe, Silverpoint is a fascinating mystery wrapped in a cute coming-of-age story. Creator Lee Walters, who is best known for writing and producing children’s content, embraces the family-friendly tone of Silverpoint without patronizing or underestimating the intelligence of the audience. Silverpoint balances suspense and intrigue with clean playfulness that can be described as Disney versions of Netflix’s Stranger Things or Prime Video’s Paper Girls. – Yael Tygiel
Motherland: Fort Salem (2020-2022)
- Creator: Eliot Laurence
- Cast: Taylor Hickson, Amalia Holm, Demetria McKinney
From creator Eliot Laurence, Motherland: Fort Salem reimagines the alternate United States where the Salem witch trials resulted in the government hiring witches as their military. The series follows three young witches, played by Taylor Hickson, Amalia Holm, and Demetria McKinney, as they enlist and begin their training to defend their country. Through the three seasons of the show, Motherland: Fort Salem’s fascinating premise explores themes of familial expectations, volunteering for service versus mandatory conscription, and complexities of female relationships. With an expensive look and impressive casting, Motherland: Fort Salem launched with all the privileges of a long-running show but unfortunately only lasted twenty-six episodes. –Yael Tygiel
The Orville (2017-present)
- Creator: Seth MacFarlane
- Cast: Seth MacFarlane, Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald
The man both behind The Orville and standing front and center of it, Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy, Ted) has provided science-fiction lovers a quality alternative to the slew of Star Trek shows currently available. The Orville follows the diverse crew of an exploratory ship as they venture through space, meeting and engaging with previously uncharted lifeforms. Each adventure provides some signature MacFarlane comedy, and due to the move to Hulu, the latest seasons should build on MacFarlane’s crude humor. However, episodes often also veer into interesting themes and ethical questions. To balance the comedy, MacFarlane pulled together a hilarious team, including longtime collaborator Scott Grimes (American Dad) and Agents of SHIELD veteran Adrianne Palicki. – Yael Tygiel
The Librarians (2014-2018)
- Creator: John Rogers
- Cast: Rebecca Romijn, Lindy Booth, John Harlon Kim, Christian Kane, Noah Wyle
A continuation of the films starring Noah Wyle, The Librarians introduces a group of new librarians tasked with finding and cataloging magical objects before they fall into the wrong hands. Joining Wyle’s team for the series are art and architecture expert Jacob Stone (Christian Kane), brilliant mathematician Cassandra Cillian (Lindy Booth), and thief Ezekiel Jones (John Harlon Kim). Rounding out the gang is their new guardian Colonel Eve Baird, played wonderfully by Rebecca Romijn (X-Men). The cast is a playful ensemble that captivates with their chemistry and showcases the whimsical stories, characters, and mysteries built by showrunner and creator John Rogers and executive producer Dean Devlin (Leverage: Redemption). – Yael Tygiel
Stitchers (2015-2017)
- Creator: Jeff Schechter
- Cast: Emma Ishta, Kyle Harris, Ritesh Rajan
Stitchers is a science-fiction crime drama about a young woman, played by Emma Ishta, who is recruited by a mysterious agency to secretly investigate murders by “stitching” her consciousness into the minds of deceased victims. Unfortunately for the stellar cast, which includes Kyle Harris, Ritesh Rajan (Russian Doll), Salli Richardson-Whitfield, and Allison Scagliotti (Warehouse 13), the series only lasted three seasons. Within its limited run, however, creator Jeff Schechter built the foundation to open an imaginative and engrossing philosophical conversation. – Yael Tygiel
Utopia Falls (2020)
- Creator: Joseph Mallozzi, R.T. Thorne
- Cast: Robyn Alomar, Akiel Julien, Robbie Graham-Kuntz
An inventive collaboration between R.T. Thorne and Dark Matter creator Joseph Mallozzi, Utopia Falls takes place in a delightfully intriguing future where the leadership of the last living colony focuses on maintaining its inclusive, multicultural, and productive society. Marrying science fiction with hip-hop, Utopia Falls follows a group of teenagers in the colony as they train to participate in a prestigious performing arts competition called The Exemplar. The eclectic and multi-hyphenate talented cast includes Robyn Alomar, Humberly González (Ginny and Georgia), and Phillip Lewitski (Vikings) in demanding roles that allow these performers to highlight their immense and varying skill sets. But the true highlight of the short-lived series is guest star Snoop Dogg. – Yael Tygiel
Devs (2020)
- Created by: Alex Garland
- Cast: Sonoya Mizuno, Nick Offerman, Jin Ha, Zach Grenier, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Alison Pill
If you loved what writer/director Alex Garland did with his original science fiction films Ex Machina and Annihilation, you’ll be pleased to know that his first original series continues that trajectory of bold, experimental storytelling. Devs centers on a murder mystery within the tech industry. After her boyfriend is killed on his first day working for the enigmatic tech billionaire Forest (Nick Offerman), the software engineer Lily Chan (Sonoya Mizuno) decides to investigate his company, Amaya. She learns that Forest has created technology that can look into both the past and future. Lily (and the viewer) are forced to question the nature of reality. — Liam Gaughan
Y: The Last Man (2021)
- Showrunner: Eliza Clark
- Cast: Diane Lane, Ashley Romans, Ben Schnetzer, Amber Tamblyn
Y: The Last Man is based on a comic book by Pia Guerra and Brian K. Vaughan. It spent more time in development than it ever spent on the air. The show was first announced in 2015, and it took until 2021 to make it to air, after which it was canceled after the first season. Too bad, because it is a fascinating concept. An unknown virus strikes the world, killing off mammals with a Y chromosome. The one exception is a young man named Yorick (Ben Schnetzer), and his pet monkey. Unfortunately, a world run by women isn’t the euphoria people joke about looting and violence are high, while supplies are low, and the American government is just barely holding together. A mysterious, covert agent, 355 (Ashley Romans) is tasked with taking Yorick across the country, looking for a scientist who can figure out why Yorick survived while keeping his existence a secret. – Alyse Wax
The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-present)
- Created By: Bruce Miller
- Cast: Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski, Alexis Bledel, Madaline Brewer, Ann Dowd, O-T Fagbenle, Max Minghella, Samira Wiley, Amanda Brugel, Bradley Whitford, Sam Jaeger, Jordana Blake
Based on Margaret Atwood’s dystopian classic of the same name, The Handmaid’s Tale follows protagonist June Osbourne, or Offred, and then subsequently Ofjoseph (Elisabeth Moss) as she survives life in near-future Gilead, a cult-like society that has overtaken the United States and enslaved its fertile women in the hopes of combatting rampant infertility. Tormented by her host of captors, Commander Fred Waterford (Joseph Fiennes), Serena Waterford (Yvonne Strahovski), and Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) being the most prevalent, June must persevere in finding her daughter Hannah (Jordana Blake), and protecting her new baby, Holly/Nichole, whom she is forced to conceive during her imprisonment. Rapt with hellish imagery and dark extrapolations of where misogyny might lead, The Handmaid’s Tale spins today’s sexism into a grueling and brutal tomorrow. — Rebecca Landman
Lost (2004-2010)
- Created by: Damon Lindelof, Jeffrey Lieber, and J.J. Abrams
- Cast: Matthew Fox, Evangeline Lilly, Josh Holloway, Jorge Garcia, Daniel Dae Kim, Yunjin Kim, Dominic Monaghan, Naveen Andrews, Emilie de Ravin, and Terry O’Quinn
Lost is a flawed show. It has plotlines that sometimes go nowhere. The series finale is half-great, half-infuriating. Some characters you don’t really care about, but they’ll get an entire episode about their backstory. And yet despite these flaws, Lost remains one of the greatest shows ever made. What started as a story about survivors of a plane crash landing on a mysterious island quickly revealed itself to be about so much more. While some viewers were looking for concrete answers about the Dharma Initiative or the Numbers (4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42), Lost is at its best as a show about the choices we make and the possibility of changing who we are. It’s a show with outstanding production values, but what makes it memorable is that we care about the characters and where they come from. Lost isn’t perfect, but it’s a show you’ll never be able to shake. – Matt Goldberg
The X-Files (1993-2018)
- Created By: Chris Carter
- Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson
The first four seasons of The X-Files include some of the best science-fiction storytelling to grace television in the wake of the original run of The Twilight Zone. Human-flatworm hybrids, gender-bending Amish men, werewolves, vampires, and, of course, aliens pepper the stories of Agent Mulder and Agent Scully, played by David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, and often the stories were self-contained within the episode. Certain episodes boil down premises that films would extend for two hours regularly into a rousing, funny, and occasionally scary shot of outlandishly inventive pulp.
As the series went on, the overriding story arc of Mulder's sister, the titular volumes of bizarre cases, and a cigarette-smoking man began to smother out the creativity of the singular episodes, whereas the original seasons never allowed the season arc to drown out the wild exuberance of the singular episodes. Now, to be fair, the bigger arcs ended up being more involving and refreshing than many series of the ilk would allow, but when I think back to this thrilling, genuinely kooky show, it's more the agents' interactions with the likes of Eugene Tooms, Clyde Bruckman, and Darin Peter Oswald that have kept the series' cult alive, and have paved the road to the imminent Fox revamp of Scully and Mulder's unique, prickly relationship. — Chris Cabin
Futurama (1999-present)
- Created by: Matt Groening and David X. Cohen
- Cast: Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, Phil LaMarr, Lauren Tom, Tress MacNellie, Maurice LaMarche, and David Herman
There’s no lack of animated programming these days, but in terms of rewatchability and satisfaction, it’s tough to beat just about any of the 140 episodes of Futurama. The show was a huge deal when it premiered in 1999, hailed as the new series from the creator of The Simpsons, and the story possibilities seemed to be endless for a show about a guy who gets frozen in 1999 and wakes up in the year 2999. Buoyed by a fantastic voice cast and whip-smart writing, the series is constantly engaging and packed with spot-on humor that never leans too hard on any one element (sci-fi, pop culture, etc.), instead succeeding on its own merits as simply a great show. – Adam Chitwood
11.22.63 (2016)
- Created by: Bridget Carpenter
- Cast: James Franco, Sarah Gadon, Lucy Fry, George McKay, T.R. Knight, Daniel Webber, Josh Duhamel, and Chris Cooper
If you’re looking for a relatively easy binge with a beginning, middle, and end, the Hulu limited series 11.22.63 is a solid choice. Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, the J.J. Abrams-produced series stars James Franco as an English teacher who is given the chance to travel back in time to 1960 to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy, which in turn is supposed to fix all the world’s problems that occurred after that event. It’s got a great sci-fi premise, but the story itself is very much a period piece, and Franco anchors this thing well. At eight episodes it’s not a massive investment, and it’s absolutely compelling throughout. For history buffs who are also fans of time travel, with a Mad Men-esque spin, you'll probably enjoy 11.22.63 – Adam Chitwood
The Last Man on Earth (2015-2018)
- Created by: Will Forte
- Cast: Will Forte, Kristen Schaal, January Jones, Mel Rodriguez, Mary Steenburgen, Cleopatra Coleman, Jason Sudeikis, and Boris Kodje
Truly one of the most innovative sitcoms of the last few years, The Last Man on Earth got off to a rollicking start with a pilot in which Will Forte is the sole character. The MacGruber star plays the titular last man on Earth (or so he thinks) after a virus decimated the world’s population. Slowly but surely, a ragtag group of survivors assembles, but this is far from The Walking Dead. Instead, Last Man on Earth leans heavily into shenanigans and family-building while not ignoring the dark psychological effects such a situation would have on a human being. The earlier episodes remain the high point of the series as it became a bit too sitcom-y by the show’s end, but if you’re a fan of Forte’s brand of silly humor, The Last Man on Earth will be right up your alley. – Adam Chitwood
Future Man (2017-2020)
- Created by: Kyle Hunter, Ariel Shaffir, and Howard Overman
- Cast: Josh Hutcherson, Eliza Coupe, Derek Wilson, Ed Begley Jr., Glenne Headly, Keith David, and Haley Joel Osment
If you’re looking for a comedy series with the sci-fi of Rick and Morty, R-rated humor of films like Neighbors and This Is the End, and pop culture references of Community, then the Hulu original series Future Man is a swell choice. Executive produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the series stars Josh Hutcherson as a lonely janitor at a scientific research facility who beats an unbeatable video game, only to be visited by two warriors from the future played by Eliza Coupe (Happy Endings) and Derek Wilson (Preacher). The game was sent back in time to find the savior that can change the course of history and prevent a terrifying dystopia, but the warriors are surprised to find that their “savior” is just a lazy dude who’s good at video games and very bad at fighting.
The show has a lot of fun with its sci-fi premise and really digs deep into time travel to hilarious and compelling results, but the relationships between the characters also blossom in surprisingly emotional ways. Future Man is incredibly funny, chock-full of movie references, and super nerdy. If that sounds like it’s your speed, give it a spin. – Adam Chitwood
12 Monkeys (2015-2018)
- Created by: Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett
- Cast: Aaron Stanford, Amanda Schull, Emily Hampshire, Barbara Sukowa, Kirk Acevedo, Noah Bean, Todd Stashwick
If you’re a fan of time travel storytelling, 12 Monkeys is one of the best series to dig into for expansive world-building and twisty, timey-wimey mythology. Built on the foundation of Terry Gilliam’s 1995 film, the series uses that basic concept as a jumping-off point and runs wild it. Basically, a man is sent back from the future to prevent a deadly plague, but unlike Gilliam’s contained film, the series is an ever-expanding, overlapping journey through time when every action has a ripple effect, but never the one you expect. Riding on fantastic performances all around, and reliably sharp writing, 12 Monkeys is one of the most imaginative, engrossing time travel stories you could ask for. – Haleigh Foutch