10 Near-Perfect Sci-Fi Shows Set in Space

Space has always been one of the best settings for science fiction. It offers vast distances, strange new worlds and crews who have to rely on each other when everything goes wrong. The trouble is that space shows can look spectacular and still feel empty if the characters are thin. You want a series with a sense of wonder, a crew you care about and stories that feel bigger than the ship they travel on.

This ranking gives you ten sci-fi shows set in space that come close to perfect. You will find political space operas, grim survival dramas, cheerful Star Trek adventures and a few shows that send crews across the galaxy in very different ways. Each pick earns its place through a strong premise, memorable characters and a sense of scale that rewards you for watching.

So what makes a space show great? For me, it starts with the crew. The best series give you people who feel like a family, with their own rules and tensions.

The second thing I look for is a sense of scale. A show set in space should make you feel how small and how big the universe is at the same time. The third is tone. The strongest shows balance wonder with danger, humour or politics.

It is also worth noting that these shows vary a lot. Some are gritty and political, others are bright and optimistic. I have tried to explain each premise clearly, so you can pick the one that suits your next binge.

Ranking space 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 time among the stars and wants to point you to the crews worth following.

One practical tip before you start. If you want political intrigue and serious stakes, begin with the space operas. If you prefer warmth and adventure, try the family and exploration shows. Either way, the right show is the one that makes you look up at the sky.

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10. Dark Matter

Six strangers wake up on a derelict spaceship with no memory of who they are or how they got there. Each has a number instead of a name, and a ship’s android offers them only partial answers. As the crew works out what happened to them, they find that the ship holds dangerous secrets and that their pasts are darker than they hoped. The conflict is the crew’s struggle to recover their identities while staying alive, and the stakes are their lives and the truth about who they really are.

The cast gives the show a warm, ensemble feel, and the spaceship setting is well used. The series builds its mystery with clever reveals about identity. The early episodes are more engaging than the later ones, and some plotting is repetitive, but the premise is intriguing.

Why it ranks here: It sits at number 10 because its ensemble and identity mystery are engaging, but its later episodes lose momentum. It beats the lower entries because its ship setting is well realised, while it falls behind the top nine because its storytelling is less consistent.

Who should watch: Fans of space adventures with mystery and viewers who enjoy a crew piecing together its own past.

Where to watch: Check your streaming service or rental store for current availability.

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9. Farscape

When an astronaut named John Crichton is flung across the galaxy through a wormhole, he ends up aboard Moya, a living spaceship crewed by a band of alien fugitives. The series follows Crichton as he tries to get home while dealing with the dangers of the galaxy and the strange crew around him. The conflict is his desire to return to Earth against the constant threats of the universe, and the stakes are his life and his place among the crew.

Ben Browder gives Crichton a likeable, earnest presence, and Claudia Black is memorable as the fierce Aeryn Sun. The show’s creature design is inventive, with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop bringing its aliens to life. The early episodes can feel rough, and some plots are episodic, but the crew’s bond is engaging.

Why it ranks here: It sits at number 9 because its creatures and crew are inventive, but its production is rough and its plots are episodic. It beats the lower entries because its alien ensemble is so distinctive, while it falls behind the top eight because its storytelling is less polished.

Why fans love it: Many viewers praise its inventive aliens, its daring tone and its devoted cult following.

Who should watch: Fans of cult sci-fi and anyone who enjoys a space adventure with a quirky, alien crew.

Where to watch: Check your streaming service or rental store for current availability.

8. Lost in Space

The Robinson family is sent on a long voyage to colonise a distant planet, but their ship is knocked off course and they become stranded in an unfamiliar galaxy. The series follows the family as they struggle to survive, keep their bonds strong and face a series of dangers. Toby Stephens plays the father, John Robinson, and the show is a reimagining of the classic 1960s series. The conflict is the family’s struggle to survive against the hostile galaxy and their own tensions, and the stakes are their lives.

The family dynamics are the strongest element, and the visual effects are impressive. The show balances adventure with emotion, and the young cast is engaging. The pacing can be uneven and some plotlines are repetitive, but the family drama holds up.

Why it ranks here: It sits at number 8 because its family drama and visuals are strong, but its pacing is uneven. It beats the lower entries because its family dynamics are warm, while it falls behind the top seven because its plotting is less focused.

Why critics admire it: Many critics praise its warm family drama and its ambitious reimagining of a classic series.

Who should watch: Fans of family-focused sci-fi and anyone who enjoys a classic space adventure with fresh energy.

Where to watch: Check Netflix for the current listing.

7. The Mandalorian

A bounty hunter, known only as the Mandalorian, is hired to track down a mysterious child in the outer reaches of the galaxy. The child, Grogu, becomes the heart of the series as the Mandalorian protects him from powerful enemies. Pedro Pascal leads the show, and Jon Favreau created it. The conflict is the Mandalorian’s loyalty to the child against the forces that want to take him, and the stakes are the child’s life and the Mandalorian’s own code.

Pedro Pascal gives a restrained, deeply human performance that works beneath his helmet. The show’s episodic adventures are inventive, and the bond between the Mandalorian and Grogu is genuinely touching. Some later episodes feel more like fan service than story, but the best moments are among the strongest in Star Wars.

Why it ranks here: It sits at number 7 because its lead performance and central bond are excellent, but some later episodes lean on fan service. It beats the lower entries because its episodic format is so fresh, while it falls behind the top six because its space politics are less developed than in the shows above.

Why fans love it: Many viewers praise its episodic structure and its warmth.

Who should watch: Star Wars fans and anyone who enjoys a lone hero with a strong code.

Where to watch: Check Disney+ for the current listing.

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6. Firefly

In the year 2517, a small band of outlaws flies a battered transport ship across a new star system colonised by humans. Captain Malcolm Reynolds and his crew take on odd jobs while trying to stay one step ahead of the law. Created by Joss Whedon, the Fox series was cancelled after one season but remains a cult favourite. The conflict is the crew’s struggle to survive on the frontier against the authorities that want them caught, and the stakes are their freedom and their loyalty to each other.

Nathan Fillion gives Reynolds a witty, charismatic presence, and the ensemble is warm and funny. The Western-inspired tone gives the show a distinct flavour. The series was cut short, and some storylines are left unresolved, but its crew is one of the most beloved in sci-fi.

Why it ranks here: It sits at number 6 because its crew and tone are beloved, but its short run left stories unfinished. It beats the lower entries because its ensemble is so charming, while it falls behind the top five because its world is less expansive.

Why fans love it: Many viewers adore its crew, its witty dialogue and its devoted following, which helped bring about a feature film.

Who should watch: Fans of space Westerns and viewers who enjoy a found-family crew with a sense of humour.

Where to watch: Check your streaming service or rental store for current availability.

5. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Captain Christopher Pike leads the crew of the USS Enterprise on a mission to explore the galaxy and seek out new life. Each episode is a self-contained adventure, with a hopeful, optimistic tone and a crew that works as a family. Anson Mount plays Pike, and Ethan Peck returns as Spock. The conflict is the crew’s effort to do good in the unknown against the dangers they face, and the stakes are the lives of the people they meet and the values the Federation stands for.

Anson Mount gives Pike warmth and gravitas, and the supporting cast is excellent. The episodic adventures are inventive, and the show balances humour and drama well. Some episodes are more successful than others, and the optimism can feel old-fashioned, but the crew is a joy to watch.

Why it ranks here: It sits at number 5 because its warmth and episodic adventures are strong, but its episodes vary in quality. It beats the lower entries because its optimism is so refreshing, while it falls behind the top four because its stakes are less serialised.

Why critics admire it: Many critics praise its hopeful tone and the chemistry of its crew.

Who should watch: Star Trek fans and anyone who enjoys a hopeful space adventure with a crew that feels like a family.

Where to watch: Check Paramount+ for the current listing.

4. 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, but its ambition is undeniable.

Why it ranks here: It sits at number 4 because its scale and ideas are among the most ambitious on this list, but its pace can slow its momentum. It beats the lower entries because its politics are gripping, while it falls behind the top three because its emotional stakes are less immediate.

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.

3. 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 sense of history is vivid. The early seasons are slow to build, and some storylines feel stretched, but the series grows more confident as it goes.

Why it ranks here: It sits at number 3 because its alternate history of space exploration 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 two because its tension is less consistent.

Why critics admire it: Many critics praise its 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.

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2. Battlestar Galactica

After a nuclear attack by machines called Cylons destroys most of humanity’s worlds, the survivors flee aboard a fleet of ships led by the battlestar Galactica. Commander Adama and President Roslin must lead the fleet while searching for a new home, and the Cylons are hunting them. Created by Ronald D.

Moore, the series is a gritty drama about survival, faith and power. The conflict is the fleet’s struggle to survive against an enemy that looks like them, and the stakes are the lives of the last human beings.

Edward James Olmos brings gravitas to Adama, and Katee Sackhoff is electrifying as Starbuck. The show’s grim tone and its questions about humanity and faith are unforgettable. The later seasons can feel uneven, and some plot points stretch belief, but the first two seasons are among the best sci-fi on television.

Why it ranks here: It sits at number 2 because its drama is grim, emotional and unforgettable. It nearly takes the top spot, but The Expanse offers a more complete and believable political universe.

Why critics admire it: Many critics praise its ambitious storytelling and its questions about humanity, faith and power.

Who should watch: Fans of gritty space drama and viewers who enjoy a story about survival against an enemy that looks like them.

Where to watch: Check your streaming service or rental store for current availability.

1. The Expanse

In the future, humanity has spread across the solar system, and tensions between Earth, Mars and the asteroid belt threaten to explode into war. A detective on Ceres, a Martian marine and a freighter crew find themselves caught in a conspiracy involving a deadly alien substance. Based on James S.A.

Corey’s novels, the series follows them as they uncover the truth. The conflict is the struggle between the factions of the solar system, and the stakes are the future of humanity.

Steven Strait, Thomas Jane and Dominique Tipper lead an ensemble that is strong throughout. The show’s world-building is detailed and believable, with ships, stations and politics that feel lived-in. The pacing is brisk, and the mysteries pay off across its seasons. Some early episodes take time to find their feet, but the series becomes richer as it goes.

Why it ranks here: It takes the number 1 spot because it combines the most complete solar-system politics, the strongest ensemble and the most ambitious scope on this list. Its world feels real, and its characters grow across the series. Battlestar Galactica is a close second, but The Expanse has the deeper world and the more rewarding long-term story, which is why it beats everything else here.

Why fans and critics love it: It is widely praised as one of the best space operas on television, with a loyal following for its believable politics and its ensemble.

Who should watch: Anyone who loves space opera with political intrigue, a believable world and a cast that grows with the story.

Where to watch: Check Prime Video 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 space shows make the crew feel like a family and the universe feel enormous. Politics, identity and survival recur across the list, and the best series find something human in every long voyage.

Different viewers will land on different favourites. If you want political space drama, The Expanse and Battlestar Galactica are the places to start. For warm, optimistic adventure, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Firefly deliver. If you want something playful and family-friendly, Lost in Space and The Mandalorian are fun picks.

The Expanse stays at the top because it does nearly everything a space show should. Its world feels real, its crew grows with the story and its politics carry real weight. It is the show I would recommend first to anyone who wants space drama with real scope.

Now I would love to hear from you. Which space 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 space sci-fi show on this list?

The Expanse is the top pick because its solar-system politics are detailed, its ensemble is strong and its story pays off across seasons. Battlestar Galactica is a close second for viewers who want a grittier, more emotional space drama.

Which space show is the easiest to binge?

The Mandalorian and Lost in Space are easy to binge, thanks to clear hooks and strong family or hero dynamics. Firefly is short and quick to watch, with a crew you will want to spend more time with.

What should I watch after The Expanse?

If you loved The Expanse, Battlestar Galactica is a natural next step for another grounded space drama with political stakes. For All Mankind is another good choice for a thoughtful take on the space race.

Is Firefly really cancelled after one season?

It ran for one season on Fox and was cancelled before its story was finished. It was later followed by a feature film, which gave fans a conclusion of sorts.

Is Dark Matter the same show as the Apple TV+ series?

No. This entry is the 2015 Syfy series about a crew with lost memories on a spaceship. The Apple TV+ series is a different show, which is covered in the Apple TV+ article.

Are any of these shows based on books?

Yes. Foundation is based on Isaac Asimov’s novels, and The Expanse is based on James S.A. Corey’s novels. Battlestar Galactica and Lost in Space are not based on books but on earlier TV and film versions.

Is Farscape still worth watching?

Yes, especially for fans of cult sci-fi and inventive aliens. Its production is rough in places, but the crew and creatures are memorable.

Which space show has the best performances?

Steven Strait and Dominique Tipper in The Expanse and Edward James Olmos and Katee Sackhoff in Battlestar Galactica both give standout performances. Nathan Fillion in Firefly is also excellent.

Where can I stream these shows?

Availability varies by region and changes over time, so check your preferred streaming service or a rental store for the current listing. Each entry above includes a reminder for this, so you can confirm before you press play.

Are there more space lists on That Love Podcast?

Yes. That Love Podcast has several sci-fi and streaming guides, including lists for Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV+ 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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