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Netflix has been growing steadily ever since its inception back in 1997. Although the company started out as a DVD-rental service (a fact that some younger viewers might not be aware of), it's since grown into one of the most widely-known and beloved streaming services on the Internet. With millions of dollars of revenue each year, and a slew of original programs popping up, Netflix is showing no signs of stopping anytime soon.

This is great news for fans, especially those that enjoy sci-fi series. Netflix is home to a lot of genres and science-fiction sees just as much love as the rest. Viewers that are looking for something to binge should definitely consider some of the following shows, as they're some of the best science-fiction series on Netflix.

Alice In Borderland

alice in borderland city

Netflix Link

Alice In Borderland

Number of Episodes

16

Based on Haro Aso's manga, Alice in Borderland falls within the ever-so-rare "play or die" subgenre. Various characters are stuck in a desolate Tokyo, where they are forced to compete in games to win cards with numbers on them. As those numbers designate their owner's remaining days alive, everyone is trying to get their hands on as many cards as possible.

RELATED: Things Netflix's Alice In Borderland Changes From The Manga

Alice in Borderland frames its episodes around different games, and the show continuously shakes things up to ensure a situation rarely overstays its welcome. This lends the series an episodic quality that makes it easy to get invested in the minute-to-minute action; at the same time, the overarching story is always cooking in the background as well. Alice in Borderland is also not afraid to throw out the occasional gut punch, creating the feeling that no character is truly safe.

Lost In Space

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Netflix Link

Lost in Space

Number of Episodes

28

Sci-fi fanatics are likely familiar with the name Lost in Space, considering it's one of the most influential and important shows in the history of the genre. The original series ran from 1965 to 1968, but it has recently been rebooted as of 2018. The reboot follows a similar premise to the original release, with incredibly updated visuals and a much darker look overall. Lost in Space follows the Robinson family as they end up crash-landing on an alien planet.

Viewers will get three seasons of sci-fi goodness out of this release, as they watch the group try to survive (and escape) the strange landscape.

Sweet Tooth

Gus and Jepperd in Sweet Tooth

Netflix Link

Sweet Tooth

Number of Episodes

8

Easily one of the strangest shows on this list, Sweet Tooth follows the journey of a young half-human/half-deer hybrid as he tries to survive a post-apocalyptic world. Based on the DC Comic series, Sweet Tooth can be best described as a child's fairytale for grown-ups. With mature themes of loss, greed, and hatred, this sci-fi fantasy perfectly blends edge-of-the-seat excitement with whimsical drama.

The end result is truly a trip, with a great cast of characters that make the journey even better. There's currently only one season but (as of writing) season 2 has been in production since January 2022.

Shadow And Bone

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Netflix Link

Shadow and Bone

Number of Episodes

8

Viewers craving something that fits the sci-fi bill but features heavy Fantasy-influences should check out Shadow and Bone. This surreal series feels like something out of the Warhammer universe, blending old and new worlds to create a beautiful and aesthetically pleasing world that perfectly mixes old and new technologies. Time feels irrelevant in this adventure, which exists in its own mysterious world, filled with monsters, mayhem, and a bleak overarching storyline.

With only one season currently, fans can easily catch up on this series, which takes the traditional hero's journey and adds some amazing sci-fi fantasy elements.

The 100

Jarod Joseph as Nathan Miller in The 100

Netflix Link

The 100

Number of Episodes

100

The first binge-worthy series to hit this list is a lengthy post-apocalyptic science-fiction adventure that originally aired on the CW and lasted seven seasons. Cleverly ending on the one-hundredth episode, The 100 follows a dark future in which the Earth has become uninhabitable following a world-ending nuclear event. The series opens with the introduction of The Ark, a space station situated in orbit that houses some of the last remaining survivors and the families they've been raising.

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After ninety-seven years, unfortunate events on the Ark have forced a group of detainees to return to Earth in order to see if it's habitable. The end result is a thrilling sci-fi ride through a post-apocalyptic world and the struggles humanity faces when trying to re-inhabit a world they lost.

Arcane

Arcane League of Legends Netflix trailer

Netflix Link

Arcane

Number of Episodes

9

Once upon a time, movies or shows based on video games were destined to disappoint or infuriate; however, things have somewhat changed in recent years. While Hollywood continues to churn out merely passable blockbusters based on sure-fire franchises like Uncharted, Netflix has built up a respectable catalog of series adaptations of games. Castlevania started this trend, but an argument could be made that Arcane perfected it.

RELATED: Things Arcane Does Different From Other Animated Shows

Based on Riot Games' League of Legends, Netflix's Arcane can be appreciated even if someone is not familiar with the source material. The show does a brilliant job of establishing its world and characters, creating a fascinating universe that aches to be explored. Boasting gorgeous animation that surpasses nearly anything else on Netflix and most other streaming services, Arcane is a masterclass of presentation and storytelling. Even though only one season is currently available, these nine episodes are fantastic enough to cement Arcane as one of the best sci-fi series on Netflix.

DC's Legends Of Tomorrow

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Netflix Link

DC's Legends of Tomorrow

Number of Episodes

110

Arrowverse fans are well served by Netflix, with the streaming service containing Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Black Lightning, and DC's Legends of Tomorrow. Combined, Netflix has 33 seasons worth of superhero-themed content, which should keep someone busy for quite a while. Technically all these shows incorporate science-fiction elements, but the majority lean heavily into fantasy or crime territory.

DC's Legends of Tomorrow is the Arrowverse's most unabashedly sci-fi property, taking inspiration from the genre's b-movie offerings. Bringing together a host of heroes along with villains who have turned new leaves, this series revolves predominantly around time travel. Recruited by a Time Master, the Legends travel through history to guarantee that everything happens as it should. With a rotating roster of characters and a lighthearted tone, Legends of Tomorrow is a consistently fun ride that rarely takes itself too seriously.

Black Mirror

Netflix Link

Black Mirror

Number of Episodes

22

The Twilight Zone stands as one of the most interesting and engaging sci-fi horror series to ever hit television. The Rod Sterling-hosted franchise lasted for five years in its black-and-white form but has been revived a couple of times over the last handful of decades. There have also been some spin-offs and unique original shows that have attempted to nail the formula made popular by the original release.

One such show is Black Mirror, a Twilight Zone-like series with a much heavier focus on science-fiction themes. The series presents episodic one-off stories that showcase a much darker side to future technology and scientific discoveries.

The Midnight Gospel

Clancy Gilroy as DJ in Netflix's The Midnight Gospel

Netflix Link

The Midnight Gospel

Number of Episodes

8

From the mind behind Adventure Time, Pendleton Ward, and Duncan Trussell comes The Midnight Gospel, a psychedelic trip fueled by conversations the latter had on his podcast. The animated series uses those real-life discussions to craft fantastical stories that deal with themes of self-help and meditation. Unsurprisingly, the show does not concern itself too much with logic or consistency, opting instead to let the mind wander wherever it may want to go.

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In terms of a framework, The Midnight Gospel follows Clancy, a spacecaster who travels to different dimensions in search of fascinating conversations for his platform. Each episode features a different guest talker, along with worlds that complement their stories. An argument could be made that The Midnight Gospel is just plain old fantasy, but the show has enough sci-fi touches to warrant a recommendation.

Altered Carbon

Altered Carbon

Netflix Link

Altered Carbon

Number of Episodes

18

Those looking for a smaller, shorter sci-fi series might want to check out Altered Carbon. Although the show has somewhat of a cult following, it only managed to stick around on Netflix for two seasons before being abruptly canceled. Unfortunately, it didn't maintain the necessary viewership to keep churning forward but that has no bearing on the show itself in terms of its quality and storytelling.

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Altered Carbon follows Takeshi Kovacs as they navigate a complicated Cyberpunk-inspired world to gain their freedom from a prison sentence. Viewers will watch Takeshi attempt to solve a murder in the advanced world while he tries to keep himself safe from the technological dangers that lurk in the distant future.

Maniac

maniac emma stone jonah hill

Netflix Link

Maniac

Number of Episodes

10

Maniac might not be a ride everyone will enjoy, but nobody will forget Netflix's miniseries. Emma Stone and Jonah Hill star as Annie and Owen respectively, two New Yorkers who decide to take part in a pharmaceutical trial that advertises itself as an all-encompassing cure for mental health. Naturally, Annie and Owen quickly learn that such a promise comes with a few complications and setbacks.

Over the 10 episodes, the two leads find themselves living multiple lives, which are not bound by genre or era. They become magicians, elves, and a married couple, all roles that tie into their psyches and trauma. Stone and Hill deliver great dramatic performances, arguably among the best of each star's career. The series takes its themes and characters seriously, all the while maintaining a playful tone.

Neon Genesis Evangelion

A battle from Neon Genesis Evangelion

Netflix Link

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Number of Episodes

26

Netflix has a decent selection of anime, and quite a few of the library's heavy hitters fall within the sci-fi genre. Except for Gundam, Neon Genesis Evangelion is arguably the most well-known mecha anime, and the '90s series holds up beautifully after all these years.

To combat towering monsters known as Angels that are threatening humanity, children are forced to step into Evangelions, mecha that are directly linked to the pilot's mental state. NGE delivers plenty of unforgettable action sequences, but the show shines the brightest when it focuses on the psychological strain this responsibility places on the main characters, particularly Shinji Ikari. While not always an easy or comfortable watch, NGE is one of the best science-fiction shows on Netflix.

The End of Evangelion movie is also on Netflix and should be watched after the series.

The Umbrella Academy

The Umbrella Academy netflix show

Netflix Link

The Umbrella Academy

Number of Episodes

30

Even in a subgenre as oversaturated as superhero shows, The Umbrella Academy manages to carve out its own niche while not necessarily doing too much that is strictly new. Based on a comic book series by Gerard Way, Netflix's show revolves around a group of dysfunctional former heroes who unenthusiastically reunite following the death of their adoptive father. The latter serves as the plot's central mystery, while the characters also have to prepare for an impending apocalypse.

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Its parts might be familiar, but The Umbrella Academy weaves them together to craft an experience quite unlike anything else on TV outside of perhaps Doom Patrol. This is very much a character-driven sci-fi show, one that dives deep into its roster of flawed heroes and the relationships that define them. Although good from the start, season 2 is considerably better than its predecessor, and season 3 continues the good work.

Dark

Dark on Netflix

Netflix Link

Dark

Number of Episodes

26

Netflix doesn't just offer US-based original programming and has since branched out into foreign markets to bring viewers a global buffet of shows to enjoy. A great example of this practice in action is Dark, a German-language science-fiction thriller that follows the aftermath of a child's sudden disappearance.

What seems like a normal missing person's mystery soon unravels into a truly chaotic sci-fi experience that uses time travel as a tool to create a truly existential and thought-provoking narrative.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

HUD in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Netflix Link

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Number of Episodes

10

An anime prequel to CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a great companion piece to the game. Aesthetically, the series paints an unmistakably different picture of Night City than the RPG, but these differences are just surface-deep. Beyond Studio Trigger's vibrant visuals lies the same cutthroat and engrossing setting that has allowed the Cyberpunk universe to remain popular for decades.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners tells the story of David, a kid who is left with no choice but to augment their body and join the black market as a mercenary. Ambitious, engaging, and filled with ambiguous characters, this sci-fi anime is a treat for both fans of Cyberpunk 2077 and people who have never touched the game.

Inside Job

Inside Job (1)

Netflix Link

Inside Job

Number of Episodes

18

Created by Shion Takeuchi, whose writing credits include Gravity Falls, Inside Job envisions an alternate reality where conspiracy theories are very much real. The animated series revolves around Cognito, Inc., a secret organization that pulls society's strings from the shadows. Despite its powerful status, Cognito is not all that different from a typical workplace, and Inside Job extracts most of its humor by smashing the familiar with the absurd.

RELATED: Great & Spooky Animated Horror Series

Inside Job has great voice acting, animation, and writing. The show does an impressive job of fleshing out its world and characters while telling stories that are both personal and over-the-top. While, at times, coming across as a parody of sci-fi tropes, Inside Job still explores interesting ideas associated with the genre.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers

Netflix Link

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers

Number of Episodes

145

Power Rangers was inescapable during the early '90s, and the franchise is still going strong today. Mighty Morphin got the Power Rangers ball rolling, and it is comfortably the most well-known entry in the series. In order to protect Earth from Rita Repulsa and her monsters, a group of teenagers are granted powers and the ability to summon massive robots. The latter can be fused to create the powerful Megazord, a mecha capable of fighting Repulsa's warriors.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is a product of its time, and someone's mileage with the series will come down to their nostalgia and tolerance for cheese. That said, the show is charming in a comfort food type of way. The battle scenes are also fairly impressive, and they can serve as a gateway into Super Sentai.

Sense8

Netflix Link

Sense8

Number of Episodes

24

The aptly-titled Sense8 is a metaphysical mystery that surrounds eight separate individuals who are all linked via a psychic connection. What starts out as a simple, yet strange "connection" soon devolves into a struggle for survival as the eponymous eight are hunted down by a mysterious organization known as the BPO (along with the imposing Whispers).

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Sense8 managed to last two seasons before being abruptly canceled by the platform so viewers will have 24 exciting episodes to sit through, filled with struggle, unique powers, and heavy science-fiction overtones.

Cowboy Bebop

Spike from the Cowboy Bebop anime

Netflix Link

Cowboy Bebop

Number of Episodes

26

Netflix's live-action Cowboy Bebop garnered a mixed reception and was canceled after a single season, continuing the streaming service's uneven track record when it comes to anime adaptations. The 2021 series is not the worst thing ever, but it is difficult to recommend when the 1998 anime is also available on Netflix. Cowboy Bebop is a space-western about a makeshift bounty-hunting crew who all carry heavy pasts that define their present.

Directed by Shinichirō Watanabe and created by Sunrise studio, Cowboy Bebop has impeccable animation, an unbeatable soundtrack, and brilliant writing. Although not devoid of action sequences or lighthearted moments, the anime explores quite a few philosophical themes and is not afraid to break down its characters.

Voltron: Legendary Defender

Voltron Legendary Defender

Netflix Link

Voltron: Legendary Defender

Number of Episodes

78

Lasting eight seasons, Voltron: Legendary Defender is a reboot of an animated classic that more than does justice to its predecessor. Coming from the same minds behind Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, Voltron is a space opera filled with mecha goodness, political intrigue, and interpersonal depth.

Voltron immediately hooks a viewer through its high production value and stunning action sequences. Once they are intrigued, the show secures its audience's attention through complex characterization and a consistent willingness to shake up the status quo. Although directed towards younger viewers, Voltron can be enjoyed by all ages.

Mystery Science Theater 3000

mystery science theater 3000

Netflix Link

Mystery Science Theater 3000

Number of Episodes

20

Originally debuting in 1988, Mystery Science Theater 3000 has a convincing case for being among the most influential shows of all time, with its shadow looming large over independent creators that deliver commentary content on platforms like YouTube. In 2017, Netflix launched a short-lived revival that only lasted for 20 episodes. Thankfully, this proved to be a case of quality over quantity.

The Bots are accompanied by Jonah Ray, the new trapped janitor who is forced to sit through some truly awful movies. Naturally, the only way to survive such an ordeal is to make as many snarky remarks as possible, and the team more than delivers.

Love, Death & Robots

Love Death + Robots Netflix Series

Netflix Link

Love, Death & Robots

Number of Episodes

35

Those looking for something truly different should definitely check out Love, Death & Robots, which serves as a beautiful love letter to the painstaking process of animation. Almost all the offerings in the series feature heavy science-fiction tones, and each story has its own unique, beautifully crafted narrative that features a truly unique animated styling. There is so much to enjoy just from the visuals presented in the series.

RELATED: Awesome Science Fantasy TV Shows

Some stories are downright thought-provoking, and the creators that collaborated on the series have helped to create something that is truly unique and wholly welcome in the sci-fi space. All three volumes are filled with fantastic and diverse episodes in terms of animation, themes, and tones; for instance, season 3's "Kill Team Kill", a bloody homage to '80s action flicks like Predator, is followed up by "Swarm", a haunting analysis of humanity's insignificance in the grand scheme of the universe.

Stranger Things

stranger things

Netflix Link

Stranger Things

Number of Episodes

25

Arguably the most famous and one of the best Netflix sci-fi series, Stranger Things is a throwback to '80s classics like the Goonies. Set within the seemingly ordinary town of Hawkins, Indiana, things begin to go awry when children start to disappear amidst a storm of supernatural incidents.

Balancing science-fiction with elements of horror and drama, Stranger Things is an entertaining show packed with lovable characters, great acting, and more than a few surprises to keep people on edge. Although it does not always dive deep into its sci-fi ideas, this Netflix original does a stellar job of embracing various concepts synonymous with the genre.

Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 1 has recently debuted on Netflix, and it mostly maintains the show's high standard of quality.

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