20 Most Captivating Sci-Fi / Fantasy TV Series of 2023

This year has seen groundbreaking storytelling in sci-fi/fantasy TV series, pushing the boundaries of the speculative genre to new heights.

From a new group of powerful Supes on Gen V and emotional stories from classic superheroes on Superman & Lois to time-traveling dramas that told complex stories, there were plenty of incredible stories to be told. 

In no particular order, here are the 20 Best Sci-fi / Fantasy Series of 2023. 

1. Gen V

Superheroes are the premier fantasy genre onscreen these days. While Prime Video’s The Boys counter-programs the Marvel Universe with blackhearted parody, 2023’s college-set spin-off Gen V proves how gore and heart can go together.

Gen V offers a new perspective in the crass, commercialized world of “Supes,” but with a charming younger cast who are more innocent, if still damaged and fallible like the adult ones we’ve been following on The Boys.

From the superhero school setting to the hormones-pumping relationship drama to the propulsive season-spanning mystery about evil science experiments, Gen V is the best X-Men show we never had. What could have been a cheap cash grab stands on its own as a story about young people who are trying to find their place in the world.

2. Good Omens

Since the thwarted apocalypse, both Aziraphale and Crowley have been biding their time waiting for the other shoe to drop. Good Omens Season 2 opens with that shoe drop they’d been fearing — the appearance of Gabriel who supposedly doesn’t know who he is.

Crowley is no longer the top dog of Hell, so he has to be careful what skills he uses in order to stay under the radar from his fellow demons. So, he remains in Aziraphale’s bookshop, babysitting the one Angel he hates more than anything.

What proceeds is a season filled with silly, romantic shenanigans as Crowley starts interacting more with the locals and starts to further assess his feelings for Aziraphale.

The acting talents of David Tennant, Michael Sheen, and Jon Hamm are unmatched as the trio navigates new ground and what it means to be human. And while the finale broke everyone’s heart, we are still hopeful Neil Gaiman and company will be awarded a 3rd season to clean things up.

3. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Star Trek is a franchise about exploration, and in Strange New Worlds Season 2 the show keeps up the same bold yet classical feel that made Season 1 a breath of fresh air. Strange New Worlds keeps taking itself to new frontiers, from the live-action/animated crossover with sister series Star Trek: Lower Decks to a full-blown musical on the starship Enterprise.

Refreshingly episodic, Strange New Worlds takes the sci-fi adventure meets social messaging formula that defined The Original Series and The Next Generation, but with modern effects and dynamic interpretations of old characters.

See Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 5, “Charades,” when Spock (Ethan Peck) becomes a full-blooded human with emotions to spare. The series’ tone runs the gamut from funny to scary, but it’s always optimistic in the way Star Trek should be.

4. The Last of Us

The long-awaited live-action adaptation of The Last Of Us did not disappoint. The series walks a very fine line of keeping things close to the source material while also fleshing out other elements when given the opportunity.

As a result, The Last of Us took viewers on a ride through a world ravaged by cordyceps. Throughout six episodes, Joel and Elle travel across the United States, encountering a variety of towns that have responded differently to the dystopian challenges of life after an outbreak.

While Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are the stars of the series, The Last of Us also features talented guest actors and numerous easter eggs for those who played the game. And although the journey is harrowing, it is captivating to watch.

5. Doom Patrol

Doom Patrol aired its final six episodes in 2023. While it was sad to say goodbye to this bizarre gem of a show, Doom Patrol’s final bow gave viewers everything they could have asked for.

There was time travel, new ships, the return of a few old friends, and a glorious musical episode that should become a regular part of everyone’s holiday viewing lineup.

But as has always been the case for Doom Patrol, the heart of its last season, particularly its final six episodes, was the emotional journeys of its core characters. Unsurprisingly, Doom Patrol more than delivered on that front, too.

Everyone got a happy ending that felt satisfying, earned, and true to that character’s arc. Some were bittersweet, like the deaths of Rita and Cliff. Others were joyful, like Larry and Jane, each going off to be with their new loves.

Even the butt monsters got a happy ending, embarking on a musical partnership with this season’s big bad, Immortus.

We may not have wanted to say goodbye just yet, but it’s hard to be too mad about it when the goodbye we got was as lovely and heartfelt as this one.

6. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is a grounded take on the iconic Godzilla lore, focusing on an aspect rarely seen in monster media: the aftermath.

While the appeal of Godzilla is almost always the titular character, the show’s humanity has been very refreshing. Godzilla is always looming as the humans all struggle to move on with their lives due to how the world changed after the monster attacks.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has successfully redefined the genre, offering a new and compelling take that captivates the audience from the start by focusing on the key word: legacy. Godzilla’s legacy is destruction, but what will be the human’s?

This adaptation is about the questions that remain after the end of a Godzilla film, how does humanity move on? How do the people in power handle this? How do people go on with their lives as best as they can? Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is slowly but surely tackling all these questions.

It’s hard to make audiences care about humans in a monster TV show, but their rich storytelling, character development, and impeccable visuals have made for one of the best adaptations of Godzilla in recent years.

7. Foundation

For the longest time, Foundation was labeled as unadaptable. Adapting Isaac Asimov’s novels that span centuries and explored the beginning and end of the Empire, was daunting work, but Apple TV+ took the risk and created one of the best science fiction shows of the decade.

The adaptation made various changes to make the show more palatable and be able to explore the rich world-building as best as possible. While the first season served as a setup and introduction of all the characters, the second season starts to delve more into the prophecies and unravel all the plot points that were expertly placed in the first season, making all the buildup worth it.

It’s a hard science fiction adaptation that can be difficult to get into, but the latest season proved that it has managed to make this show as simple as possible, while still keeping the original source intact.

The stellar cast and creative team have done the novels justice with an even more grandiose second season, and now the show is on its way to fully explore the lore that for many years was thought to never be able to make it to screens around the world.

8. Shadow and Bone

What makes Shadow and Bone so beloved by fans is that the show understands its characters.

Adaptations can be tricky to get right, and while Shadow and Bone Season 2 certainly has flaws, it delivers some beautiful character moments, whether it is a single line of dialogue or a conversation taken from one of our favorite passages in the books.

Season 2 featured so many fantastic moments. We finally got to see Wylan and Jesper, and they were as adorable as we wanted them to be. Nikolai schemed and flirted with even more people than expected. Kaz got his revenge, and Alina defeated the Darkling.

There’s so much more story left to tell, and hopefully, this isn’t the last we will see of our favorite characters. We still have to get Matthias out of Hellgate, after all.

9. The Witcher

The Witcher Season 3 starts Ciri’s next chapter as she becomes the center of political intrigue and war across the Continent. The show’s mythology deepens as you begin to better understand her past and destiny. You can’t help but enjoy the time spent with the reunited core trio of Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer, who are the heart of the show.

You also get the return of other beloved friends like Jaskier and Triss and plenty of new faces to liven things up, such as Hugh Skinner as the flirtatious Prince Radovid of Redania. Whether you’re there for the romance or the action, you’ll want to see Henry Cavill’s last season before he rides off into the fog.

10. Superman & Lois

Superman & Lois Season 3 premiered this year and took an emotional toll on viewers. While the show has always garnered attention for its realistic depiction of family life, this season did so even more by exploring two families’ battles with cancer.

In addition to raising awareness for cancer, it also gave a bold and emotional look into how it impacts families, encouraging understanding for both cancer patients and those supporting them.

Meanwhile, with villains like Bruno Mannheim (Chad Coleman), Onomatopoeia (Daya Vaidya), and Lex Luthor (Michael Cudlitz) converging on Smallville, there’s no lack of comic book and superhero elements to carry the show along. Superman & Lois is elevated beyond typical superhero shows by finding a solid balance between heroism and realism.

11. Star Wars: Ahsoka

Ahsoka prevailed this year both as a top-notch addition to the Star Wars franchise and as a powerful female-led sci-fi series.

The show ties up countless loose ends from Star Wars’ animated history while featuring emotional reunions and returns that viewers have been anticipating for years. However, its purpose is bigger than stirring nostalgia as the show also boldly paves the way for the franchise’s future with a deep dive into the universe’s mystical side and scope.

Ahsoka shows that women are fully capable of leading the Star Wars universe, gives viewers all the moments they’ve longed for (like Ahsoka and Anakin Skywalker’s reunion), and makes the franchise’s future look brighter and more exciting than ever before.

12. For All Mankind

Apple TV+’s most underrated drama, For All Mankind, is currently in its fourth season, and the alternate history series is as good as its ever been.

In the world of the show, it’s 2003, Al Gore is president, and the Mars colony of Happy Valley is thriving (and suddenly massive), boasting astronauts, scientists, and blue-collar workers from all over the world. But as the idealism of space exploration begins to give way to the capitalism-focused concerns of profit over science, divisions between everything from nations to colleagues begin to form.

Introducing new characters even as it relies on the seasons’ long emotional history between its existing regulars, the show is at its best when it asks uncomfortable questions about what it means for mankind to go to the stars in the first place — and what kind of people the journey will turn us into.

13. Quantum Leap

The Quantum Leap revival had big shoes to fill and, admittedly, stood in the shadow of its legendary sci-fi predecessor during the first episodes of its freshman season. Thankfully, the series found its groove, finding its own voice independent of the original while maintaining the same spirit and style.

Spearheaded by a cast of charismatic, lovable characters, Quantum Leap breaks barriers through inventive leaps and impactful storytelling. Raymond Lee’s grounded, nuanced performance as Dr. Ben Song anchors the show. He’s always a blast to watch.

In Season 2, the series embraces its inherent campiness and over-the-top adventurousness, which seems to be the winning formula. Quantum Leap is truly at its best when it has fun.

14. Loki

Amid the avalanche of Disney+ comic book fare, Loki stands out as Marvel’s strongest series, thanks in part to Tom Hiddleston’s magnetic performance as our favorite titular god of mischief.

The series combines out-of-this-world science fiction with clever comedy and resonant drama for a delightful viewing experience. Hiddleston’s chemistry with Owen Wilson and Sophia Di Martino, in particular, really makes the show sing.

Loki Season 2 brings standout Ke Huy Quan into the fold, who shakes up the cast dynamic in the best way with his charming take on O.B.

In addition to the powerhouse performances (Hiddleston in the finale is a revelation), Season 2 takes a page out of Doctor Who’s timey-wimey book, bringing us an immersive sci-fi experience that’s a testament to what Marvel can do when it puts storytelling – and its characters – first. Exhibit A: Loki’s incredible character development.

15. School Spirits

The murder mystery is drama’s bread and butter. Stories from the afterlife have come in a variety of flavors. But a dead girl trying to solve her own murder takes teen drama to a whole new plane of existence.

School Spirits is as campy and fun as a show about a life cut too short can be without sacrificing the nature of that tragedy. Amidst Maggie’s devastating realization of what has happened to her and her desperation to solve it, there’s plenty of witty dialogue and jaw-dropping plot twists.

On that note, the last and biggest twist of them all turns all the above on its head and leaves audiences desperate for answers. Thankfully, we’ll be getting them when the show returns for Season 2.

16. Silo

This year Hugh Howey’s book, Wool, was made into a series called Silo for Apple TV+.

What’s great about this show isn’t that it’s a dystopian future like none we’ve seen before — because, honestly, it’s par for the course. No, what stands out here are the characters.

From the start, we are drawn in by Juliette’s reluctant hero persona, Robert Sims’ overbearing menacing demeanor, and Bernard Holland’s very obvious ulterior motives. These characters move the plot forward using exciting twists from episode to episode.

While it’s obvious there are differences between the show and the book, overall, the story remains true and viewers yearn for answers right along with Juliette.

17. The Wheel of Time

The Wheel of Time Season 2 finds our core group spread out, each off on their own adventures, trying to understand their powers and their place in the pattern.

The Wheel of Time Season 1 featured the Edmond Field Five learning that they are more important than they realized, and Season 2 catches up with them after the big battle, coming to grips with everything that’s happened to them so far.

This season also explores more of the Foresaken, the politics within the white tower, and the bond between an Aes Sedai and her Warder. The world continues to expand, bringing in more beloved characters from the books.

There’s still so much to this story and this world that we’ve yet to explore, and we can’t wait for our next adventure with the Edmond Field Five and company.

18. Outlander

Outlander returned this year with the first half of Season 7, and it wasted no time in offering its viewers raw, emotional, fascinating storytelling. The show continues to masterfully weave together elements of historical drama, romance, and fantasy while showing incredible growth for Claire, Jamie, Brianna, and Roger.

This season also saw characters making impossible choices, with Jamie stepping up to lead in the next war and Brianna and Roger returning to the present time.

Jamie’s son also returns, now grown and on the opposite side that Jamie would fight. Those details are just part of the complex story that makes Outlander so captivating even in its seventh season. 

19. Lockwood and Co

This is yet another story of Netflix canceling a beloved TV series way too soon.

Lockwood and Co has all the makings of a great show: we’ve got a found family, banter galore, the supernatural terrorizing the streets, and a group of teenagers saving the day even though the rest of the world has counted them out.

Did we mention there are the makings of a stellar romance as well?

Lockwood and Co‘s short run dazzled us with its characters, worldbuilding, and lore. We fell in love with Lucy, Lockwood, and George, and it’s too bad we won’t have more adventures with them to look forward to.

20. The Way Home

Hallmark surprised us this year with a time-travel series that broke away from the norm for the network — and it was a breath of fresh air. The Way Home is the story of three generations of women finding their way back to one another with a little bit of magic and mystery.

After separating from her husband, Kat Landry and her daughter Alice move to a small town in Canada to stay with Kat’s mother, Del. As Kat grapples with ghosts from her past, Alice stumbles upon a shocking revelation — she can time travel. Suddenly, the mundane becomes extraordinary as Alice’s newfound ability opens doors to an alternate understanding of her family. 

The series is as endearing as it is captivating, with deeply moving performances from its characters — and a Season 1 cliffhanger that left viewers on the edge of their seats. The good news is that the series will return for Season 2 next year. 

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*Written by: Ashley Bissette Sumerel, Allison Nichols, Mads Misasi, Sarah Fields, Breeze Riley, Rachel Ulatowski, Melody McCune, Devin Meenan, Gabriela Burgos, Lacy Baugher, and Caitlin Wyneken

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