It can be overwhelming to dive straight into the sci-fi genre. Known to bend the very fabric of reality and challenge us to question our perception of space, time, and even our own existence, it’s easy to see that it’s not for everyone.
Fortunately, though, there are a number of lighter sci-fi TV shows that cater to those who don’t typically like the genre. These shows tend to focus on less complicated concepts and blend their sci-fi elements with other genres like comedy or horror. When putting this list together, I chose eight great shows that prove that you don’t need a degree in quantum physics to enjoy great television.
Why You Should Trust Me: An avid lover of cinema and television, I’ve been writing for MovieWeb for five years. I have a particular affinity for the sci-fi genre and was raised on so much Doctor Who and Star Wars that I still like to use “the Force” to open every automatic door I come across. Over the years, I have made a concerted effort to explore the genre thoroughly, and have encountered everything from mind-bending hard sci-fi epics to light-hearted sci-fi comedy cartoons. My expertise in all things sci-fi allows me to point you in the direction of the most accessible shows the genre has to offer.
Honorable Mentions
‘Inside Job’ (2021 – 2022): This one is an animated sci-fi series that skewers the absurdities of conspiracy culture in a fun and playful way and never takes itself too seriously. A brilliantly smart and funny ride that revels in sharp satire and surrealism, it was sadly canceled after just one season. Since it never got to reach its true potential, I kept it off the main list.
‘Maniac’ (2018): A perception-warping trip that is both funny and thought-provoking, Maniac stars Emma Stone and Jonah Hill. I almost chose the show for the main list because of the appeal of these Hollywood heavyweights. However, its combination of sci-fi, psychological melodrama, and a heavy dose of surrealism and retro-futuristic aesthetics might be overwhelming.
‘The Last of Us’ (2023 – Present)
Focuses More on Drama and Brooding Horror Over Sci-Fi Exposition
Watch This If: You enjoy watching zombie thrillers. The Last of Us is a critically acclaimed, superbly acted “zombie” horror show that’s dark and atmospheric, and focuses on drama over sci-fi exposition. While the word “zombie” is never actually used in the show and there is a scientific explanation given for their existence, the”infected creatures Joel, Ellie, and the other characters face are zombies by any other definition.
Skip This If: You like your zombie-horror fast-paced and frenetic. The Last of Us is brutal and violent at times, but unlike the non-stop action seen in Train to Busan and World War Z, it’s a slow-burn, character-driven drama. Its moments of bloodshed are few and far between but hit hard and carry devastating emotional weight.
‘The Boys’ (2019 – 2026)
Outrageous Superhero Shenanigans and Sharp Social Satire
Watch This If: You’re looking for a story with superhero carnage. Pushing the boundaries of good taste to the absolute limit, The Boys is rude, crude, violent, and utterly outrageous. Beyond the shock value lies a sharp superhero satire that explores real-world issues including late-stage capitalism, celebrity culture, political extremism, sexism, and racism. The sci-fi elements mostly revolve around the use of a chemical compound known as “Compound V,” which is used to give people powers. This takes a back seat for most of the show, though, and is organically incorporated into the story where appropriate.
Skip This If: You’re easily offended. From the get-go, The Boys has explicit language and violence, and just about every other taboo there is. While it’s done in a cartoonishly over-the-top manner, it might be a bit much for some.
‘Quantum Leap’ (1989 – 1993)
Time Travel Enables Standalone Period Pieces
Watch This If: You like the idea of sci-fi being used merely as a vehicle to tell deeply human, grounded stories. Quantum Leap finds Dr. Sam Beckett jumping between time periods into other people’s lives to fix historical faux pas, in the hopes of one day returning to his own home and time. The anthology format means that each standalone episode feels more like a period piece or historical drama as opposed to a sci-fi adventure.
Skip This If: You’re a stickler for consistency when it comes to a show’s logic, rules, and lore. With the sci-fi elements and the rules of time travel, Quantum Leap violates its own parameters in many episodes, especially if a storyline is meant to be humorous.
‘Upload’ (2020 – 2025)
A Rom-Com Mystery Set in a Virtual Reality Afterlife
Watch This If: You’re looking for a breezy, light-hearted mystery comedy. Upload follows a man who, after dying in a car crash, is uploaded to a virtual reality afterlife where he investigates the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death. Despite its sci-fi premise, the show plays out as a romantic comedy and murder mystery filled with sharp social humor that anyone can enjoy.
Skip This If: You’re seeking a gritty, layered, and complex mystery that avoids traditional clichés and tropes. Upload is a cozy, easy-to-follow murder mystery, closer in tone to Only Murders in the Building than the likes of True Detective, but with a sci-fi twist.
‘Stranger Things’ (2016 – 2025)
A Loving Sci-Fi Homage to Classic Coming-of-Age Adventure Movies
Watch This If: You love the coming-of-age classics of yesteryear. Stranger Things took the world by storm throughout its nearly 10-year run with its loving sci-fi homage to classic coming-of-age adventure movies like The Goonies and Stand by Me. Stranger Things was praised for its intricately woven tapestry of intrigue, atmosphere, horror, and humor. However, you’ll be most impressed by the performances of the young cast, and by the character-driven stories.
Skip This If: You’re attracted to the idea of Stranger Things’ inclusion of horror, but are expecting blood, guts, and visceral violence. While the show veers into darker territory in its later seasons, it’s a fairly palatable horror story. You won’t find the type of brutality found in much of the genre, like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Halloween franchises.
‘Misfits’ (2009 – 2013)
Dark Comedy and Teen Drama Collide in This Underrated British Gem
Watch This If: You enjoy pitch-black British humor and the kind of teen drama found in Skins and Euphoria. While the core premise involves a freak electrical storm that gives a group of young juvenile delinquents superpowers, the show rejects traditional sci-fi formulas, tropes, and aesthetics. Instead, it focuses on gritty realism, irreverent humor, and the raw, chaotic social dynamics of its core characters.
Skip This If: You’re looking for something to watch with your kids. On paper, the Misfits’ superhero premise sounds like fun for the entire family, but the humor here is dark and foul-mouthed. The series also explores heavier topics including mental health struggles, sexual assault, and substance abuse.
‘Severance’ (2022 –)
A Modern Masterpiece That Combines Sci-Fi With Relatable Workplace Drama
Watch This If: You enjoy psychological thrillers. Severance blends workplace drama and mystery with an undercurrent of darker humor. Focusing on character-driven suspense over conventional science fiction elements, its retro-styled aesthetics strip away traditional futuristic technology. Its compelling exploration of corporate control and workplace burnout feels relatable. You might even forget you’re watching a sci-fi series.
Skip This If: You’ve grown accustomed to the fast-paced, blockbuster explosive spectacle found in movies like Mission: Impossible or Bond. Severance is a slow-burn, thought-provoking masterclass in tension and psychological thrills that requires patience and concentration.
‘Silo’ (2023 – Present)
A Deeply Immersive Dystopian Thriller
Watch This If: You’re looking for a deeply engaging, immersive viewing experience that will leave you desperate for more. Set in a dystopian future where society exists within a giant underground silo, Rebecca Ferguson shines as an engineer who becomes embroiled in the mysteries surrounding the events leading up to where they find themselves now. With its awe-inspiring set designs and sharp social commentary, Silo has proven to be one of the most compelling sci-fi shows in recent years.
Skip This If: You want immediate answers. Many love the show’s strong character development, intriguing plot, and meticulous world-building. But it’s a slow-burning, deeply immersive experience, not a fast-paced story.
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