10 Near-Perfect Sci-Fi Shows on Apple TV+

Apple TV+ has built a reputation for ambitious, thoughtful science fiction. Its shows tend to be stylish, patient and full of ideas, which is great when you want something more than a quick thrill. The trouble is that a few of them demand a lot of patience, and others can feel like a puzzle with no clear answer. You want a series that rewards your attention, with characters you care about and a world that stays with you.

This ranking gives you ten Apple TV+ sci-fi shows that come close to perfect. You will find workplace mysteries, epic space dramas, time-spanning sagas, alien invasions and a few stories that surprise you with their tone. Each pick earns its place through a strong premise, memorable characters and ideas that keep you thinking after the credits roll.

So what makes an Apple TV+ sci-fi show great? For me, it starts with the premise. The best series have an idea that is simple to explain but hard to shake.

The second thing I look for is the human story. A show that uses its futuristic setting to explore families, loyalty and identity always lands harder. The third is design. Apple’s sci-fi shows tend to look stunning, and the ones that use that visual style to support their stories are the most memorable.

It is also worth noting that these shows vary a lot. Some are cool and cerebral, others are warm and emotional. I have tried to explain each premise clearly, so you can find the one that suits your next binge.

Ranking sci-fi shows is always personal, and you may have a different order in your head. What you will get here is a clear explanation for every position, so you can see why each show sits where it does and decide for yourself whether you agree.

Each entry starts with the premise, so you know exactly what you are watching before you read my opinion. After that comes the reasoning behind its ranking, followed by who will enjoy it most. Think of it as a friend who has spent plenty of evenings with Apple TV+ and wants to point you to the best of its sci-fi.

One practical tip before you start. If you like puzzles that unfold slowly, begin with the workplace mysteries. If you prefer epic scale, try the space and time-spanning series. Either way, the right show is the one that makes you pause the episode to talk about it.

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10. Sunny

Suzie Sakamoto is an American woman living in Kyoto, Japan. Her husband, Masa, and their son disappear in a mysterious plane crash, and Suzie is left grieving. As a consolation gift, she is given Sunny, a domestic robot built by Masa’s company.

At first she resents the machine, but the two gradually form an unexpected friendship as they uncover what really happened to her family. The conflict is Suzie’s grief against the dark secrets she uncovers, and the stakes are her family and her own safety.

Rashida Jones gives Suzie a funny, vulnerable performance that anchors the show. The mix of dark comedy and mystery is unusual, and the robot’s relationship with Suzie adds warmth. The series was cancelled after one season, and some of its mystery threads are left unresolved, but the tone is distinctive.

Why it ranks here: It sits at number 10 because its tone is fresh and Jones is excellent, but its mystery is less satisfying than the shows above it. It beats the lower entries because its robot friendship is so original, while it falls behind the top nine because its story was cut short.

Who should watch: Fans of dark comedy and anyone who enjoys a mystery built around an unlikely friendship.

Where to watch: Check Apple TV+ for the current listing.

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9. See

In a distant future, a virus has left humanity blind, and the survivors have built communities that rely on their other senses. A woman named Maghra gives birth to twins who can see, and her choices set off a struggle for power and survival. Jason Momoa leads the series as a warrior who must protect his people. The conflict is the survival of a society against the danger posed by sighted people, and the stakes are the lives of everyone in the world the characters inhabit.

Jason Momoa brings his usual physical presence to the show, and the world-building is lush and distinctive. The use of sound and touch to tell the story is inventive. The pacing can be uneven, and the series sometimes struggles with its larger ideas, but the look and feel of the world are striking.

Why it ranks here: It sits at number 9 because its concept is bold and its world is striking, but its storytelling wobbles. It beats the lower entries because its sensory approach is unique, while it falls behind the top eight because its characters are less developed than in the shows above it.

Who should watch: Fans of post-apocalyptic drama and viewers who enjoy an unusual take on how we experience the world.

Where to watch: Check Apple TV+ for the current listing.

8. Invasion

Aliens arrive on Earth in a series of small, mysterious events that slowly reveal a larger threat. The story follows a range of characters around the world as they try to understand what is happening and how to respond. Simon Kinberg and David Weil create a sprawling, globe-spanning drama. The conflict is the struggle to understand an invading force before it is too late, and the stakes are the survival of humanity.

The cast is strong, with Sam Neill and Golshifteh Farahani among the standouts, and the show’s global scope is impressive. The slow build creates a sense of dread that suits the subject. The show can feel diffuse as it jumps between storylines, and some plot points are underdeveloped, but the tension is effective.

Why it ranks here: It sits at number 8 because its global ambition and slow-building dread are effective, but its storylines are scattered. It beats the lower entries because its alien threat is handled with real care, while it falls behind the top seven because its focus is less sharp.

Who should watch: Fans of alien invasion stories and viewers who enjoy a global, ensemble sci-fi drama.

Where to watch: Check Apple TV+ for the current listing.

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7. Constellation

Jo is an astronaut who returns to Earth after a disaster in space, only to discover that key pieces of her life seem to be missing. As she tries to piece together what happened, she begins to question her own memories and perception. Created by Peter Harness, the eight-episode psychological thriller stars Noomi Rapace alongside Jonathan Banks. The conflict is Jo’s search for the truth against the uncertainty of her own mind, and the stakes are her family and her sense of reality.

Noomi Rapace is compelling as Jo, bringing intensity and vulnerability to the role. Jonathan Banks is a strong foil as the mission controller who is not sure what to make of her. The show is atmospheric and tense, and its uncertainty keeps you guessing. The plotting is sometimes slow and some reviewers found it floats aimlessly, but the central performance is strong.

Why it ranks here: It sits at number 7 because Rapace’s performance and the psychological tension are strong, but its pace can drift. It beats the lower entries because its mystery is unusually personal, while it falls behind the top six because its answers are less satisfying.

Who should watch: Fans of psychological sci-fi thrillers and anyone who enjoys a story about memory and identity.

Where to watch: Check Apple TV+ for the current listing.

6. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters follows a family whose secrets connect to the monsters of the Monsterverse. Kurt Russell and Wyatt Russell lead the series as father and son, and Anna Sawai plays a key role in uncovering the truth. The conflict is the family’s attempt to face the past against the monsters that threaten the world, and the stakes are the people they care about and the future of humanity.

Kurt Russell and Wyatt Russell have a natural, gruff chemistry that anchors the show, and Anna Sawai is a strong presence. The monster set pieces are impressive, and the show gives the wider Monsterverse a human focus. The pacing can be uneven and the family drama sometimes outweighs the spectacle, but the series is fun.

Why it ranks here: It sits at number 6 because its monster set pieces are fun and its cast is strong, but its family drama can feel uneven. It beats the lower entries because it has a clear emotional core, while it falls behind the top five because its story is less ambitious.

Who should watch: Fans of the Monsterverse and anyone who enjoys a family-led sci-fi adventure with big creatures.

Where to watch: Check Apple TV+ for the current listing.

5. Dark Matter

Dark Matter series starring Joel Edgerton

Jason Dessen is a physics professor who is abducted and wakes up in a world where his life has gone very differently. Based on Blake Crouch’s novel, the series follows him as he tries to find his way back to his family and to understand the multiverse he has been pulled into. The conflict is Jason’s search for his true life against the dangers of the alternate worlds, and the stakes are his family and his identity.

Joel Edgerton gives Jason a tense, emotionally layered performance, and Jennifer Connelly is excellent as the woman he loves. The show’s multiverse concept is clearly explained and its tension builds steadily. Some of the mid-season twists can feel repetitive, but the central relationship keeps it grounded.

Why it ranks here: It sits at number 5 because its premise is compelling and Edgerton and Connelly are strong, but its middle episodes can drag. It beats the lower entries because its emotional stakes are clear, while it falls behind the top four because its ideas are less distinctive than those in the stronger shows above it.

Who should watch: Fans of multiverse stories and viewers who enjoy a thriller built on a relationship under pressure.

Where to watch: Check Apple TV+ for the current listing.

4. For All Mankind

For All Mankind imagines an alternate history of the space race, in which the Soviet Union reaches the Moon first. The series follows the American astronauts, engineers and families who respond to that moment and push the space programme further. Created by Ronald D.

Moore and Ben Nedivi, the show is a sweeping drama about ambition, politics and the cost of exploration. The conflict is the rivalry between nations and the personal price of each mission, and the stakes are the future of the programme and the people who serve it.

Joel Kinnaman anchors the show with a grounded, determined performance, and the ensemble is strong throughout. The period detail is impressive, and the show’s sense of history is vivid. The early seasons are slow to build, and some storylines feel stretched across seasons, but the series grows more confident as it goes.

Why it ranks here: It sits at number 4 because its alternate history is detailed and its ensemble develops well, but its early pacing is slow. It beats the lower entries because its ambition is huge, while it falls behind the top three because its tension is less consistent.

Why critics admire it: Many critics praise the show’s thoughtful approach to alternate history and its attention to the human side of space exploration.

Who should watch: Fans of space drama and viewers who enjoy a long-running series with a strong sense of history.

Where to watch: Check Apple TV+ for the current listing.

3. Foundation

Based on Isaac Asimov’s classic novels, Foundation follows mathematician Hari Seldon, who has developed psychohistory, a science that predicts the fall of a galactic empire. Seldon is exiled and begins a plan to shorten the coming dark age. Jared Harris plays Seldon with calm conviction, and the series is set across a vast galaxy. The conflict is the plan against the powerful forces that want to stop it, and the stakes are the survival of human knowledge across thousands of years.

Jared Harris is commanding as Seldon, and the show’s scale is impressive. The political intrigue and the grand ideas about history and power feel faithful to Asimov’s work. The show can be slow and talky in places, and some characters are less compelling than others, but its ambition is undeniable.

Why it ranks here: It sits at number 3 because its ideas and scale are some of the most ambitious on this list, but its pacing can slow its momentum. It beats the lower entries because its politics are gripping, while it falls behind the top two because its emotional stakes are less immediate than those in Silo and Severance.

Why fans love it: Many viewers praise its faithfulness to Asimov’s grand ideas and the ambition of its galactic scope.

Who should watch: Fans of epic science fiction and anyone who enjoys stories about history, politics and big ideas.

Where to watch: Check Apple TV+ for the current listing.

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2. Silo

Silo is set in a vast underground structure where thousands of people live under strict rules. Juliette Nichols, an engineer, begins to question the truth about the Silo and its history. Based on Hugh Howey’s novels, the series follows her as she investigates a secret that could change everything. The conflict is Juliette’s curiosity against the powerful people who control the Silo, and the stakes are the lives of everyone inside and the truth about their world.

Rebecca Ferguson gives Juliette a compelling, determined presence, and the show is full of tense, claustrophobic moments. The production design is striking, and the mystery builds with clever reveals. Some storylines can feel repetitive, and the show sometimes leans on its cliffhangers, but the central idea is powerful.

Why it ranks here: It sits at number 2 because its premise is tight, its production is striking and Ferguson is excellent. It nearly takes the top spot, but Severance has the more distinctive idea and the stronger character work.

Why critics admire it: Critics often praise its design and the way it turns a claustrophobic setting into an engrossing mystery.

Who should watch: Fans of dystopian sci-fi and viewers who enjoy a slow-burn mystery in an enclosed world.

Where to watch: Check Apple TV+ for the current listing.

1. Severance

Mark Scout works at Lumon Industries, where a procedure called severance splits his work memories from his personal life. At the office, he knows nothing of his life outside, and outside he knows nothing of his job. When a colleague’s curiosity pushes Mark to question the company’s secrets, the boundary between his two lives starts to crack. The conflict is Mark’s desire for the truth against the company that controls his memories, and the stakes are his identity and his family.

Adam Scott gives a superb performance, playing two versions of the same man with precision and humour. The show’s office design and eerie tone are unforgettable, and the mystery is layered with clever reveals. The show asks a lot of its audience, and some storylines take time to develop, but the payoff is worth the patience.

Why it ranks here: It takes the number 1 spot because it combines the strongest premise, the most memorable design and one of the best lead performances on this list. Its central idea is original and its mystery rewards close attention. Silo is a close second, but Severance is the more distinctive and more rewarding show, which is why it beats everything else here.

Why fans and critics love it: It is widely praised as one of the most original workplace dramas on television, with a loyal following for Adam Scott’s performance and its unsettling mystery.

Who should watch: Anyone who loves original sci-fi with a strong mystery, a unique setting and a lead who carries the show.

Where to watch: Check Apple TV+ for the current listing.

Before we reveal our No. 1 pick…

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Final Thoughts

Looking back over the list, a few patterns stand out. The strongest Apple TV+ sci-fi shows use a big idea and then ask what it means for real people. Identity, memory, family and power recur across the list, and the best series find something human in every strange concept.

Different viewers will land on different favourites. If you want an original workplace mystery, Severance and Silo are the places to start. For epic scale, Foundation and For All Mankind deliver. If you want something playful and strange, Sunny and See are worth your time.

Severance stays at the top because it does nearly everything a sci-fi series should. Its idea is original, its design is unforgettable and Adam Scott carries the show with real skill. It is the show I would recommend first to anyone who wants sci-fi with real personality.

Now I would love to hear from you. Which Apple TV+ sci-fi show is your favourite? Do you agree with the order, or would you move something up or down?

And if I missed a show that deserves a place, tell me in the comments. I am always looking for the next series to add to the watchlist.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Apple TV+ sci-fi show on this list?

Severance is the top pick because its premise is original, its design is memorable and Adam Scott’s performance is outstanding. Silo is a close second for viewers who prefer a dystopian mystery in an enclosed world.

Which Apple TV+ sci-fi show is the easiest to binge?

Silo and Dark Matter are easy to binge, thanks to clear hooks and steady momentum. Sunny is also quick to watch, though it was cancelled after one season.

What should I watch after Severance?

If you loved Severance, Silo is a natural next step, because it also builds a mystery inside a carefully controlled world. Dark Matter is another good choice for a thriller about identity.

Is Sunny worth watching if it was cancelled?

Yes. It ran for one season and its tone is unusual, with Rashida Jones and a robot at its centre. Some threads are left open, so approach it for its characters and atmosphere.

Which Apple TV+ show is based on a book?

Silo is based on Hugh Howey’s novels, Foundation is based on Isaac Asimov’s classic books, and Dark Matter is based on Blake Crouch’s novel.

Is Constellation a good choice if I like puzzles?

Yes. Its central mystery is about memory and reality, and it asks you to question what Jo remembers. Some viewers find its pace slow, so it works best for patient viewers.

Which show has the best performances?

Adam Scott in Severance and Noomi Rapace in Constellation both give standout performances. Rebecca Ferguson in Silo and Joel Edgerton in Dark Matter are also excellent.

Where can I stream these shows?

These shows are available on Apple TV+, but availability can change by region and over time, so check Apple TV+ for the current listing. Each entry above includes a reminder for this, so you can confirm before you press play.

Is For All Mankind a good place to start for space drama?

Yes, though it is slow to build. Its alternate history of the space race is detailed and rewards patience, and the series grows more confident as it goes.

Are there more sci-fi lists on That Love Podcast?

Yes. That Love Podcast has several sci-fi and streaming guides, including lists for Netflix, Prime Video and HBO Max. The links in the You May Also Like section above are a good place to start.

More Places to Find Great Movies and TV Shows

IMDb: a large film and TV database with cast, crew and release details.
Rotten Tomatoes: critic and audience scores for movies and TV shows.
Metacritic: aggregated critic reviews that help you gauge overall reception.
Collider: movie and TV news, features and reviews.
Slashfilm: film news, trailers and reviews for a wide range of titles.
Entertainment Weekly: entertainment news and coverage of new films and TV series.

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