The best sci-fi franchises of all time often feel as if they could go on forever, endlessly expanding their worlds with new perspectives from their settings and characters. Franchises like Doctor Who and Star Trek have even transcended their genre, with some installments in the story defining a generation of their fans. Still, despite being an exciting genre, other sci-fi shows have not done so well.
Many of the most heartbreaking TV cancellations have been sci-fi shows which have attracted a smaller audience than anticipated, or have not returned for a variety of reasons. However, there are some fantastic sci-fi TV shows that are both standing out in the genre and gaining attention. Sci-fi fans will be pleased to know that many of these are returning.
Alien: Earth
Season 2 Expected In 2027
Three characters standing by rubble in Alien Earth
The first two Alien movies are generally hailed as cinematic masterpieces, with the sequels and spin-offs generally falling short. However, after the success of Alien: Romulus, this opened the door for more spinoffs. Alien: Earth introduces new lore that adds major retcons to the existing canon, but the show is so good that we forgive it for breaking the Alien franchise,
Alien: Earth is very different to the other installments in the Alien saga, but it still earned a 94% positive critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and left plenty of possibilities for continuing the story. The show was renewed for season 2 last year, and the next season of Alien: Earth is expected to arive onscreen in 2027 depending on how long post-production takes.
Pluribus
Season 2 Expected In 2027 or 2028
When Vince Gilligan’s sci-fi project Pluribus first aired, it already was clear that the show was intended to run for multiple seasons and should be given the chance. Starring Rhea Seehorn (Better Call Saul) at her best, the series grew progressively more sinister, which is an achievement considering the plot is about people immune to a hive mind that makes everyone blissfully happy.
Pluribus is a Latin word meaning “of many,” and the show is styled as “Plur1bus,” emphasizing the “1” in many.
After season 1’s cliffhanger ending where Carol brings home a bomb, Karolina Wydra, who plays Zosia, revealed an exciting update for Pluribus season 2. While being interviewed by ScreenRant at Paleyfest. Wydra shared that the second season of the show is expected to begin fiming later this year. With the series expected to release in fall but not annually, 2027 is a good estimate.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Season 4 Expected In 2026
The sci-fi genre is well-known for being progressive and reflecting both real-world issues and contributing to innovation, but no franchise has embodied this more than Star Trek. Season 3 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds felt both crowded and fun, with each episode offering something different, and building on the tone of season 1. That said, the season split critics and audiences.
While critics gave the show an 88% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences were less impressed, giving it just 52%, with reviewers feeling that there was too much fan service and not enough creativity. Still, while some feel that the end of Star Trek is official, there is still a chance to redeem the series with a stellar season 4, estimated to arrive this year.
IT: Welcome to Derry
Season 2 Expected In 2027
Pennywise from Welcome to Derry
Stephen King’s horror masterpiece, IT, is described as “sci-fi tinged horror” as the story heavily features elements of government scientific experimentation and cosmic horror, which is often considered a sci-fi subgenre. Like its terrifying shapeshifter Pennywise, the story includes elements of several other genres, even including fantasy. IT: Welcome to Derry uses this mix to create the most unsettling atmosphere yet.
Each season is expected to go back further in time, allowing for different casts and versions of Pennywise that have not been seen before. In a press conference for the 2026 Saturn Awards, the show’s co-creator and executive producer, Andy Muschietti, confirmed that season 2 of IT: Welcome to Derry will be “greater.” As it is already in the works, a 2027 release looks likely.
Silo
Season 3 Expected In 2026
Unlike many other streaming platforms, Apple TV has been known to give sci-fi TV shows longer to establish themselves, and this has paid off, making the platform the home of some of the best recent sci-fi TV shows. However, season 3 is set to be a make or break moment for Silo, after season 2 had some major pacing issues.
The show stars Rebecca Ferguson (Dune) and follows characters living in an underground silo after an apocalypse seemingly rendered the rest of the Earth’s surface uninhabitable. Season 3 of Silo has some major questions to answer, and with the season being confirmed for a 2026 release, we will not have long to wait to find out if the show redeems itself.
Foundation
Season 4 Expected In 2027
Lee Pace in front of an army in Foundation
Another excellent sci-fi TV show that may not have found success with another streaming platform, Apple TV’s Foundation defies all the rules of storytelling and yet has an 87% positive critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes and excellent reviews. The show is based on Isaac Asimov’s metaphysical book, once thought unadaptable, yet Foundation has maneged to translate the story for the screen.
The story follows a group of exiled humans who are trying to preserve the knowledge of humankind, but centuries can pass between seasons and the show has been hailed as one of the most ambitious sci-fi TV shows of all time. The scope will only increase next season, as Foundation is reportedly getting “a whole new dimension.”
Fallout
Season 3 Expected In 2027
Video game adaptations are generally a difficult thing to get right, but the post-apocalyptic sci-fi Fallout is the greatest game adaptation of the century for a surprising reason. Rather than telling one of the stories from the games, the TV show instead nails its adaptation of the source material by capturing the tone, aesthetic and spirit of the game instead.
With both critics and audiences giving Fallout a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the show is going from strength to strength, which is partly due to spot-on casting, with Walton Goggins giving a perfect performance as The Ghoul. With plenty more Fallout games, the show is not running out of inspiration soon, and Fallout season 3 will include long-awaited game elements, expected in 2027.
Paradise
Season 3 Expected In 2027
Enuka Okuma as Teri Rogers-Collins looking serious in Paradise season 2Anne Marie Fox/©Hulu/Disney/Courtesy Everett Collection
The hit sci-fi thriller Paradise has the rare honor of being praised by Stephen King, who said “the acting is good, the story actually hangs together, and the dialogue is the best part. Sharp. Few cliches.” This, combined with an excellent and compelling first two seasons appeared to get the attention of Hulu, as Paradise was renewed before the second season ended.
Season 2 concluded at the end of March, and yet it is reported that filming for season 3 is already underway. Paradise has been described as the perfect Lost replacement, as the series is essentially a tangle of interwoven mysteries. Creator Dan Fogelman has always been clear that he pitched three seasons of the show, so season 3 may form an explosive finale.