The Most Mind-Bending Sci-Fi TV Shows To Stream Now

Created by Charlie Brooker, Black Mirror is a British anthology series that explores a high-tech twisted world where humanity’s greatest innovations and darkest impulses collide. Most episodes are set in a dystopian future, examining modern society and the consequences of advanced technology. Each standalone story focuses on different characters and settings with a common theme.

Its title refers to the reflection one sees when staring at a blank screen. As such, the overarching theme of Black Mirror is society’s dependence on technology and digital devices. During its five-season run, the series won six Emmy Awards and was praised for its thought-provoking storytelling and ability to create a sense of unease. The sci-fi TV show is currently available to stream on Netflix.

Created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, Westworld premiered on HBO in 2016. The series is based on the 1973 film of the same by Michael Crichton, along with the 1976 sequel. The story is set in Westworld, an advanced technological amusement park. Populated by android hosts, the center caters to guests who pay top dollar to indulge their wildest fantasies without consequence.

The story eventually expands to real-world settings in the mid-21st century, where Rehoboam – a powerful artificial intelligence- drives and controls human life. The series is essentially chronicles the dawn of artificial consciousness and the evolution of sin. The show received critical acclaim for its storytelling, acting, and production value. All four seasons of the sci-fi TV show are available on Apple TV+.

The Expanse was developed for the Syfy Network by Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby. It is based on James S. A. Corey’s novel series of the same name in which humans have colonized the Solar System. The story follows a United Nations Security Council member, a police detective, and a ship captain who discover a vast conspiracy threatening the Solar System’s fragile relations.

An existential crisis brought forth by newly discovered alien technology adds to the drama. The Expanse was praised by critics during its six-season run. The series also received several accolades for its efforts, including a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation and three Saturn Awards nominations. The sci-fi TV shows are currently available on Amazon Prime Video.

Created by Baran Bo Odar and Jantje Friese, Dark is a sci-fi TV show that ran for three seasons from 2017 to 2020. Set in the fictional town of Winden, Germany, the story follows the connection between four estranged families who reunite when a child disappears. Together, they unravel a sinister time-travel conspiracy that spans several generations.

The series explores the existential implications of time and its effect on humanity. The show is often compared to Stranger Things because both shows have prominent storylines set in the 1980s and feature kids who wander. But it is conceptually darker than the Millie Bobbie Brown-led series, with ugly secrets and grotesque killings. Dark is currently available on Netflix.

Billed as a cyberpunk sci-fi TV show, Altered Carbon was created for Netflix by Laeta Kalogridis. The series is based on the 2002 novel of the same name by Richard K. Morgan. The story begins in a world where human consciousness can be digitized and transferred from one body to another. This technology allows humans to become immortal as long as a profile-storing device embedded in their bodies isn’tisn’t damaged.

The series follows Takeshi Kovacs, a former elite interstellar warrior known as an Envoy, who is released from prison to solve a murder. The first season premiered in 2018 and received positive reviews. But despite its mild success, Altered Carbon was canceled after two seasons. Fans can still can both seasons, which are still available on Netflix.

Created by Noah Hawley for FX, Legion is based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. The sci-fi TV show follows David Haller, a troubled young man diagnosed with schizophrenia, who discovers that he has extraordinary powers that will change his life forever. David tries to control his abilities while evading a government agency and sinister forces trying to control him.

Legion is set in an alternate timeline of the X-Men film series and was produced by FX Productions in association with Marvel Television. The show explores uncharted territory for the superhero genre, challenging its formulaic habits to expand the boundaries of its creativity. It’s a bizarre, bold, terrifying, and genuine story told across three seasons which are available on Hulu.

The OA is an original Netflix sci-fi TV show that premiered in 2016. Created by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, the story follows Prairie Johnson, who resurfaces after having been missing for seven years. But she changed during her time away and now calls herself “the OA” (Original Angel). Prairie is scarred and can see, despite having been blind when she disappeared.

The OA refuses to tell the FBI and her adoptive parents where she has been and how her eyesight was restored. Instead, she reveals that information to four high school students and a teacher. She also asks them to help save the other missing people, who can be found by opening a portal to another dimension. The sci-fi show blends elements of fantasy and mystery. It is currently available on Netflix.