Like fantasy or any other facet of speculative fiction, sci-fi TV shows lend themselves to being revived and making epic comebacks. Series within the sci-fi genre have some of the most dedicated and loyal fanbases, which make them prime candidates for being brought back to the small screen and further explored. Whether they're cult classics, hidden gems, or massive crossover hits, these shows offered something unique within the sci-fi landscape, allowing them to age well and be fondly ed today.

Too often, great sci-fi TV shows are canceled after one season, leaving audiences wanting more. While many of these series ran for multiple seasons, even reaching their planned conclusions, that doesn't mean we wouldn't be interested in additional installments of the story. When a show creates a vivid and intricate fictional world, this allows the narrative to progress in many unexpected ways and sometimes outlive the original premise of a series. Exploring new characters and additional plotlines within these imaginative universes would be as engaging today as it was when these works were originally airing.

10 Under The Dome (2013–2015)

Stephen King's sci-fi story is brilliantly brought to life in Under the Dome

There have been many screen adaptations of Stephen King's beloved horror and fantasy stories, but one of the greatest TV shows based on King's work is a sci-fi series. Similar to a modern-day Lord of the Flies, where it's the adults who lose their humanity, Under the Dome sees its characters trapped in their small town under an invisible but impenetrable dome. Faced with a vacuum of resources and authority, the residents turn on each other, though they know they must work together.

Under the Dome is proof that Stephen King should return to the sci-fi genre, as it's one of his most interrogative explorations of human nature. The TV series ended after three seasons, but it would have been easy to watch many more, as there were so many opportunities for drama and intrigue. Though Under the Dome took some creative liberties with King's work, these changes served to increase the show's longevity.

9 Sliders (1995–2000)

Mulitple realities and dimensional travel are fresh and exciting in Sliders

Before the multiverse was popularized in recent years, TV shows like Sliders were exploring the concept of multiple dimensions and realities. However, in Sliders, traveling between these worlds isn't easy, and the central characters in the show are just trying to find their way home for most of the story. Sliders is similar to popular works of science fantasy like Doctor Who​​​​​​, as the technology that moves the characters through dimensions takes them to various historical or futuristic societies as well.

It's a great concept for a series, as the characters don't have control over where they're sent or how long they stay there, forcing the characters and writers to get creative in every episode.

It's a great concept for a series, as the characters don't have control over where they're sent or how long they stay there, forcing the characters and writers to get creative in every episode. Sliders faced some complications as the series progressed, but the first two seasons are fantastic works of television that serve as a time capsule of sci-fi during the transition from the 1990s to the early 2000s. Every adventure the characters in Sliders go on immerses the audience into the world and shows they something they've never seen before.

8 Babylon 5 (1993–1998)

Without Babylon 5, modern sci-fi would look very different

The term space opera gets thrown around too often in the sci-fi genre. However, Babylon 5 is a true space opera, spanning five tightly planned seasons with strong serialized story arcs. Babylon 5 was hailed for its well-laid plot threads and intricate character development throughout its run, allowing the series to hold up well today. Throughout the seasons, Babylon 5 was continuously at the forefront of innovations within sci-fi and TV in general, both narratively and visually.

Babylon 5 is a great gateway show for newcomers to the genre, making it one of the best sci-fi TV shows for teens. Recently, an animated film, Babylon 5: The Road Home​​​​​​, continued the story in 2023, proving that there's still concrete interest in the narrative. Many contemporary works owe a lot to Babylon 5 and its interweaving story structure, which lends itself to a modern revival that would seamlessly fit into the contemporary TV landscape.

7 Alien Nation (1989–1990)

Alien Nation was ahead of its time and would connect with modern audiences

Alien Nation was an unexpected sci-fi twist on the crime procedural genre. Based on the 1988 film of the same name, Alien Nation is an early example of a story that's been played out many times in science fiction in recent years. The series pairs a human police officer with an alien partner in the wake of the aliens' arrival on Earth. Using their differences as a way to explore contemporary cultural differences and prejudice, Alien Nation tackles difficult subjects.

In many ways, Alien Nation was ahead of its time in grappling with relevant social issues and challenging societal norms of the later 1980s and early 1990s.

In many ways, Alien Nation was ahead of its time in grappling with relevant social issues and challenging societal norms of the later 1980s and early 1990s. Today, Alien Nation would easily find an audience, as many of the taboo topics that Alien Nation attempted to engage with are even more relevant today. A new iteration of Alien Nation would be even more boundary-pushing and benefit from the new visual effects and technologies of the modern era.

6 Firefly (2002–2003)

This iconic sci-fi series is an enduring favorite for a reason

The acclaimed sci-fi series Firefly is one of the TV shows frequently brought up in conversations about projects that were canceled too soon. Facing setbacks and technical issues when it was first released in 2002, Firefly never got a fair chance on network television. However, as the years progressed, Firefly has been recognized as one of the most influential space Western TV shows as well as an enduring cult classic that stays with you.

Thanks to its longevity, Firefly eventually got a movie continuation in 2005, Serenity, but this doesn't stop diehard fans from hoping that the show might come back one day. Though it's been over twenty years since Firefly hit the air, this hasn't lessened its impact, as many of the series' best episodes could have been written today. While it's not perfect, Firefly is beloved by so many sci-fi fans because of the nostalgia it sparks and its enduring themes.

5 The Peripheral (2022)

Virtual reality and time travel are a large part of the twisting story of The Peripheral

Chloë Grace Moretz stars in The Peripheral, a series set in an alternative reality that's split off from the main timeline. Based on the book by famed sci-fi author William Gibson, The Peripheral is engaged in conversations about virtual reality and the development of artificial bodies in the future. After an action-packed first season, The Peripheral set itself up for an exciting follow-up season that would continue to expand Flynne's (Moretz) world.

Unfortunately, The Peripheral season 2 was never produced despite its initial renewal for the follow-up installment. While it's disappointing that season 2 fell through, the fact that the series was popular enough to warrant a renewal indicates that there would be substantial interest in another season in the future. Moretz is at her best in The Peripheral​​​​​​, and if the success of other popular sci-fi series, like Severance and Silo, is any indication, The Peripheral could flourish today.

4 Westworld (2016–2020)

Westworld's sudden cancellation was a disappointing conclusion for the iconic series

One of the best Western TV shows of the past decade, Westworld hit a few snags along the way but deserved much better than its unexpected cancellation after season 4. Westworld successfully bounced back from a terrible second season, proving itself to still be innovative and exciting with seasons 3 and 4. However, season 5 never happened, leaving us on a gripping cliffhanger. Though it's been five years since Westworld ended, I'm still hoping the show could be brought back to life.

The concept of Westworld is iconic, as it tackles themes of humanity, the ethics of technological development, as well as the hidden violence of human nature, all in one sleek package.

The concept of Westworld is iconic, as it tackles themes of humanity, the ethics of technological development, as well as the hidden violence of human nature, all in one sleek package. Evan Rachel Wood is one of the highlights of Westworld, as the actress portrays the robotic host, Dolores, who slowly develops consciousness and asserts her agency in a fantastic character arc. As long as Westworld is still being talked about, it's easy to keep hoping the final season might one day come out.

3 Outer Range (2022–2024)

The Western and sci-fi genres make a great combination in Outer Range

Josh Brolin led the genre-bending Outer Range for both of the drama's two seasons before it was tragically canceled by Amazon Prime. Carving out a niche within both the sci-fi and Western genres, Outer Ranger immediately made an impact, distinguishing itself from similar offerings on television. While series like Yellowstone are pure neo-Western melodrama and shows like 12 Monkeys are entrenched in sci-fi and time travel, Outer Range bridges the gap between projects like this, creating something for everyone.

Outer Range successfully incorporated season-long mysteries and used the puzzle box trope to great effect. Outer Range uses these elements to pull you deeper into the story. While the narrative itself is worth watching on its own, the performances in Outer Ranger by Brolin, Imogen Poots, and the rest of the strong ensemble cast make it just as impossible to turn away from any second of Outer Range. Since the series was only recently canceled, there's even more incentive to bring it back and cultivate its audience.

2 Scavengers Reign (2023)

With only a few episodes, Scavengers Reign became unforgettable

Scavengers Reign might have only run for a single season, but these episodes made an enormous impact. The animation genre has been expanding in recent years, and Scavengers Reign is an excellent example of how the boundaries between genres and narrative forms can be broken down and made into something dynamic. With a vivid visual style and an exciting sci-fi world, Scavengers Reign transports the audience and characters into a universe where the rules of nature have changed.

Grappling directly with themes of man versus nature and the way society develops, Scavengers Reign has only become more relevant and gripping since it first premiered. Though Scavengers Reign isn't afraid to delve into the darkest parts of the human psyche, there's also a glimmer of hope in the heart of the story, making it worth watching even when it seems that all hope is lost. There's little doubt that the creators of Scavenger's Reign could craft a follow-up season just as compelling.

1 Travelers (2016–2018)

Time travel and the apocalypse get a new spin in Travelers

Netflix's critically acclaimed sci-fi series Travelers is an innovative addition to the post-apocalyptic genre that subverts many of the most common time travel tropes. Travelers is a well-acted drama, as the actors have the tough job of playing roles within roles. This is because the premise of Travelers is that people's consciousness in the future is sent back in time into people's bodies to try and prevent the apocalypse. Though it's a heady concept, Travelers manages to pull it off without confusing the audience.

Despite its overwhelming critical acclaim, Travelers ended after season 3, even though the show's story had the potential to go on for many seasons. While the television landscape is overflowing with post-apocalyptic dramas, Travelers immediately stood apart within the genre because it takes place before the world-ending event. Though it's not uncommon for Netflix to axe some of its most promising shows, there's plenty of ground Travelers could cover if it was brought back.