These shows are worth the subscription! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best original science fiction and fantasy TV series from Netflix.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00You're my favorite, you've always been my favorite.
00:04Really?
00:05Yeah.
00:06Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best original science fiction and fantasy TV series from Netflix.
00:13We won't be including any animated series or shows that began on other networks before making the jump to Netflix.
00:20I think we're alone now.
00:23Doesn't seem to be anyone around.
00:2820. Three-Body Problem
00:31Adapted from the much-acclaimed book series by Suxin Liu, Three-Body Problem is a sci-fi thriller with cosmic proportions and grounded stakes.
00:39Following a Chinese astrophysicist's contact with extraterrestrial life, the consequences of that contact play out years later.
00:57Conspiracies develop, factions form, and the aliens' intentions for humanity prove less than benevolent.
01:03It can be a little heady and oddly paced for some viewers, and the differences from the source material have become somewhat controversial.
01:10Nevertheless, Three-Body Problem is a quality sci-fi series that examines some pertinent questions about life among the stars.
01:1719. Travelers
01:31According to a media consumption report put out by Netflix, Travelers was one of the streaming service's top 10 most binged shows in 2017.
01:41And based on its plot, it's easy to understand why.
01:44The show is set in a post-apocalyptic future and revolves around a group of operatives known as Travelers who venture back in time to prevent a global catastrophe.
01:58They do this by having their consciousness transferred into the bodies of 21st century humans on the cusp of death, thereby limiting their impact on the past.
02:07It's pure sci-fi fun, with enough action and suspense to keep newcomers to the genre thoroughly entertained.
02:1318. 3%
02:323%, a foreign-language dystopian thriller, is the first show on Netflix to be produced entirely in Portuguese, so prepare for subtitles.
02:41The world the show presents is a fractured one, one in which the wealthy live in the offshore and the poor live in the inland.
02:47However, through the process, citizens of the inland are given the opportunity to leave.
02:56Of course, the path to paradise is not without obstacles.
02:59The show takes its name from the fact that only 3% of the people make it through the process.
03:03A tightly woven tale of sacrifice, betrayal and the quest for a better life,
03:083% is one Netflix original that lives up to its name.
03:1617. Alice in Borderland
03:18A Japanese-language series based on the manga of the same name, Alice in Borderland follows a group of young people in Tokyo who find the city mysteriously deserted.
03:26Not only that, but they're soon forced to play various games under the threat of death.
03:39The group must compete with fellow players for survival while also unraveling what's going on.
03:46Survival game stories have been a big hit on Netflix in general.
03:50Remember Squid Game?
03:51Alice in Borderland offers all the same thrills, but with the added mystery of its sci-fi Alice in Wonderland twist on the genre.
03:5816. Sweet Tooth
04:08Post-apocalyptic shows tend to be gritty and grim, but Sweet Tooth adds a fairytale spin on the genre.
04:14Following a pandemic that kills most of humanity, the survivors coexist with a newborn group of animal-human hybrids.
04:21One of these kids, a dear boy named Gus, sets out on a journey to find his mother, accompanied by a former hunter of hybrids.
04:37While the adult and kid in an apocalypse setup is familiar, Sweet Tooth has an appropriately sweet charm about it that recalls kids' movies of the past.
04:45The great acting, world-building and timely themes on the after-effects of a pandemic make it something children and adults alike can enjoy.
05:04Based on a graphic novel series, this series follows the eponymous Locke family as they return to the family home following the loss of the children's father.
05:12While exploring the house, the kids find a series of magical keys that open doors in strange and unusual ways.
05:28The show sees the family dive into this mystery while also grappling with grief from their loss and other drama.
05:34While with its detailed set design and mix of fantasy and horror with everyday life, Locke and Key is a Locke for any fantasy enthusiast's Netflix queue.
05:54In this darker take on the popular Supernatural franchise, Sabrina is a teenage witch who has to deal with all the typical pitfalls of youth.
06:02Boys, school, devil worship.
06:15While it may have ended prematurely, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina has gained a loyal following thanks to its well-realized characters and spooky plots.
06:23The show sends shivers down our spines with how entertaining it can be.
06:27There are plenty of Supernatural teen dramas out there, but few of them are dripping with this much atmosphere or feature visuals as gorgeous as these.
06:58A modern remake of a classic sci-fi staple, this show follows the Robinson family, whose colony ship is attacked en route to their new home.
07:08After their escape craft crash lands on a habitable world, they and their fellow survivors seek to find a new way back to their ship, while also contending with the robotic foes that attacked them.
07:18A more grounded and realistic take than its predecessor, Lucky Chicken aside, Lost in Space features stellar effects, along with some great interpersonal drama.
07:38It may not have made as big a splash as it deserved, but Lost in Space certainly deserves your time.
07:49Sense8 is about eight strangers from across the globe who slowly discover that they share a mental and emotional link.
07:55They're able to jump in and out of each other's minds, swapping knowledge and mentally projecting into each other's environment.
08:02A nuanced piece of science fiction, the show is blessed with a unique plot and an excellent, not to mention diverse ensemble cast that meshes together beautifully.
08:19Don't let the fact that the show was cancelled in 2017 get you down. Grab a bowl of popcorn and get to binging.
08:25We promise you'll soon count yourself among the devoted fans calling for more, especially following the June 2018 series finale.
08:39Based on Neil Gaiman's acclaimed graphic novels, this series follows Dream, aka Morpheus, who is the embodiment of Dreams.
08:46After being imprisoned for a century, Dream escapes to reclaim his throne, while also reuniting with old friends, family and foes.
08:54Though there is some overlap there.
09:06Lovingly faithful to its source material, The Sandman takes us through Dream's comeback tour and features fantastical landscapes and creatures aplenty.
09:15The brilliant performances, surprisingly moving exploration of the human condition and sheer imagination make The Sandman a dream come true that nobody should sleep on.
09:25What power would hell have if those here imprisoned were not able to dream of heaven?
09:37The OA is a fantastic mix of sci-fi and fantasy with a plot that revolves around the re-emergence of a young woman who's been missing for seven years.
09:46Upon her mysterious return, she has a new name and the ability to see, despite having been blind when she initially disappeared.
09:53The biggest mistake I made was believing that if I cast a beautiful net, I'd catch only beautiful things.
10:00Co-created by and starring the uber-talented Britt Marling, the show has received generally positive reviews from critics,
10:06with one hailing it as, quote,
10:13From the striking visuals to the acting and everything in between, this is one program you need to check out.
10:24A live-action version of the highest-selling anime and manga in the world, One Piece managed to do the impossible with its faithfulness to its origins and overall quality.
10:39The tale of Monkey D. Luffy, a young aspiring pirate in search of the late Pirate King's fabled treasure,
10:44One Piece sees its endlessly optimistic and stretchy hero assemble a crew in search of adventure.
10:50The action scenes are thrilling, the set design is impeccable, and the backstories hit like a rubbery fist to the face.
10:57One Piece may not dive as deeply as the decades of existing material,
11:01but it still perfectly captures the silly yet emotional spirit of adventure that pervades this beloved story.
11:07It's all gonna be smooth sailing.
11:18Number 8. Wednesday.
11:20There's no shortage of supernatural teen series on Netflix, but Wednesday has been among the most successful, winning awards and sparking memes in their thousands.
11:29A spin-off of The Addams Family, it focuses on the eponymous gloomy teenage girl.
11:34Forced to attend a school of outcasts, Wednesday's entertainingly abrasive personality is TV gold.
11:50Whether she's one-upping the preppy students, unraveling a local mystery, or interacting with her off-the-wall family members,
11:56Wednesday, the girl as well as the show, makes for exceptional viewing that makes us want to dance with joy.
12:02You know how.
12:15Number 7. Altered Carbon.
12:24In the year 2384, your memories can be digitized and downloaded in human and non-human vessels known as sleeves.
12:32To be used for a variety of purposes.
12:34Takeshi Kovach, a criminal and political operative, wakes up centuries after his death in a new body,
12:40and is tasked with solving the murder of one of the world's wealthiest men.
12:49Starring Joel Kinnaman, Altered Carbon is easily one of the most binge-worthy Netflix originals in recent memory,
12:54thanks to its unique concept, stunning visuals, and top-notch acting.
12:59A sci-fi murder mystery with cyberpunk overtures.
13:02What's not to like?
13:09Number 6. The Witcher.
13:10Based on the epic fantasy books and video game series of the same name,
13:14The Witcher follows monster hunter Geralt of Rivia.
13:16She got to you too, didn't she?
13:21Do not touch her.
13:24Despite his mercenary origins, Geralt frequently finds himself caught up in world-altering events,
13:29particularly once he makes the acquaintance of Ciri, a young girl tied to him by destiny.
13:34With its rich lore, fantastic yet gritty setting, and excellent character development,
13:39it's no wonder The Witcher has been as successful as it has been.
13:42If nothing else, we haven't been able to get that song out of our heads for years.
13:52Number 5. Jessica Jones.
13:54It was open.
13:55If you're one of those people who's yet to watch any of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's small screen productions
14:00because you're not into the whole superhero thing, Jessica Jones is a very good place to start.
14:04Kristen Ritter shines in the titular role,
14:07and David Tennant's mind-controlling baddie with a penchant for the color purple
14:10manages to be both terrifying and complex.
14:17You'd be wise not to dismiss this one as just another comic book adaptation,
14:21because Jessica Jones plays more like a hard-boiled detective novel,
14:24one that is admittedly peppered with fantastical elements,
14:27but also tackles serious, pressing contemporary themes.
14:30Seriously, you've got to check this one out.
14:32God didn't do this.
14:35The devil did.
14:38And I'm gonna find him.
14:39Number 4. The Umbrella Academy.
14:41The elevator pitch for this show might be X-Men directed by Wes Anderson,
14:45but it's even weirder and more entertaining than that.
14:48He thinks one of us killed Dad.
14:54You do?
14:55How could you think that?
14:57Great job, loser.
14:59A group of dysfunctional, super-powered siblings come together again after the death of their father.
15:04However, their reunion marks a series of events that may lead to the end of the world.
15:10The show is a delightful blend of a chaotic family comedy and the superhero genre.
15:14It's thoroughly bizarre throughout, yet it never shines away from serious, heartfelt moments.
15:28The Umbrella Academy has all the chaos of a family get-together,
15:32with the added bonus of great stakes, incredible action, and some of the strangest stuff on TV.
15:38Number 3. Dark.
15:43This German sci-fi thriller has been called Stranger Things for grown-ups,
15:47and it's a fitting comparison.
15:49The show is set in a small town, a portion of the action takes place in the 80s,
15:53and the plot revolves around the disappearance of a child.
15:56However, that's where the similarities end.
15:59Dark involves time travel, wormholes, and a decades-old secret that's impacted three generations of families
16:05from the 1950s to the present day.
16:11The show is expertly paced, slowly pulling back the veil on a tiny German town
16:16with no shortage of terrifying secrets.
16:23Number 2. Daredevil.
16:26A comic book show first and foremost,
16:29Daredevil strikes an interesting balance between grounded and gritty, and more fantastical elements.
16:34From its blind protagonist who can see using his other senses,
16:38to the plot of season 2, which revolves partially around an ancient mystical organization
16:43full of ninjas who won't stay dead.
16:49This Netflix original series has garnered considerable praise from critics,
16:53thanks to its brilliantly choreographed fight sequences, multifaceted characters,
16:57and tightly woven narrative.
16:59Featuring a star-making performance from Charlie Cox, and a strong supporting cast,
17:03Daredevil is one fantasy show you need to be watching.
17:10Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel
17:13and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos.
17:16You have the option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them.
17:21If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications.
17:27Number 1. Stranger Things.
17:33Few recent sci-fi series, Netflix original or otherwise,
17:36have come anywhere near close to having the cultural impact of this one.
17:40Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, and focusing on the mysterious Upside Down,
17:45Stranger Things took the world by storm in 2016.
17:48Season 1 and Season 2 picked up Golden Globe nominations for Best Television Series Drama,
17:53and the show has been heralded by critics for its action, pacing, and steady flow of 80s nostalgia.
18:03After its second season, the aforementioned Netflix Media Report listed it number 1
18:08in the Shows That Brought Us Together category.
18:10Not too shabby.
18:13No! Are you okay?
18:16Is there a science fiction or fantasy series we forgot?
18:19Toss a coin to the comments, oh viewers of Plenty.
18:21Toss a coin to your Witcher, oh Valley of Plenty.
18:33Did you enjoy this video?
18:35Check out these other clips from WatchMojo,
18:37and be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos.
18:42See you next time.