Best Sci-Fi TV Shows Of 2022 (2023)

Several noteworthy entries in the science fiction genre have made it to the small screen in 2022, and here are all of the best sci-fi shows 2022 had to offer. 2022 was a breakout year for both the science fiction and horror genres, pumping out major hits on the big and small screen alike. Since the advent of streaming, budgets for television shows have skyrocketed, affording the sci-fi genre as a whole a shiny new makeover. Gone are the days of low-budget, grainy sci-fi shows with campy action sequences and puppet aliens, as 2022 brought big budget spectacles to the screen.

The large number of networks and streaming services have provided viewers with tons of options each month when it comes to sc-fi entertainment. As usual, Netflix is doing its part to produce high-profile sci-fi shows, but they’re far from the only ones contributing now. HBO Max, Disney+, Paramount+, Apple TV+, and Hulu have all had their hands in creating some of the best sci-fi shows 2022 had to offer. Some of the standouts of 2022 were returning favorites that were already beloved TV shows, like Stranger Things and Westworld. Others are new installments in popular franchises (Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor) and live-action adaptations of worlds that have never been on TV before (Halo). Here are the best science fiction shows of 2022.

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Halo

Although it’s taken some deserved heat for the massive changes made to the source material, Paramount’s Halo show has introduced viewers to a breathtaking, vibrant world set in the far future. Regardless of the deviations it’s made to the video games it’s based on, Halo’s first season has succeeded in weaving a fascinating narrative centered on Master Chief’s role in a struggle between an alien organization known as the Covenant and the United Nations Space Command. So far, Halo has made excellent use of several big sci-fi concepts from the games, with some examples being the A.I. called Cortana and the Keystones.

Westworld Season 4

Like the Michael Crichton movie of the same name, HBO Max’s Westworld is a high-concept story that revolves around hosts, androids built to populate and run a western theme park. At the heart of the series is the conflict between humans and the hosts, who are typically objectified and abused by the people they’re forced to interact with. The show’s story progressed to a point where a war broke out, with the fallout of the fighting being the focus of Westworld season 4. Similar to the previous seasons, the latest chapter in the story proved to be a compelling ride, although sadly not compelling enough to provent Westworld's cancellation in November.

Raised By Wolves Season 2

Raises by Wolves, an HBO Max original, quickly built a sizable fanbase with its top-notch visuals, well-developed main protagonists and supporting characters, and its immersive, science fiction setting. The whole story hinges on a pair of androids, played by Abubukar Salim and Amanda Colin, who must provide guidance to an entire colony of children amidst a growing religious conflict. The first season was received rather well, whereas Raised by Wolves season 2 was met with across-the-board acclaim. Sadly Raised by Wolves’ story will be left unfinished, as HBO Max has elected against renewing it for a third season.

For All Mankind Season 3

Set in an alternate version of American history, Apple TV+’s For All Mankind explores what would have happened if the Soviet Union beat the United States to the Moon. The way in which the show’s first two seasons has developed its characters and crafted its own world around this underlying theme has granted it critical acclaim. For All Mankind season 3 wound up sharing this praise by continuing its approach to the concept. For season 3, the series took the characters into the 1990s and set them on a journey to find Mars.

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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Described by many as the best Star Trek has been in decades, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is a long-awaited return to form for the iconic franchise. Strange New Worlds gets back to basics with standalone missions to the various worlds encountered by the crew of the Enterprise. In a lot of ways, Strange New Worlds is the science fiction series that fans wanted Star Trek: Discovery to be, as the tone and format of the series, the heavy sci-fi elements, and the stories have so much in common with the original Star Trek show. Considering that the 1960s series is a pioneer of the genre and widely regarded as one of the best of its kind, comparisons to it speak volumes about Strange New Worlds’ quality.

Quantum Leap

The Quantum Leap revival series hit NBC in September, and it's one of the best sci-fi shows 2022 has on the roster. Set 30 years in the future after Dr. Sam Beckett stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator, the Quantum Leap show follows Dr. Ben Song (Raymond Lee) as he uploads a new program code to the project systems and uses the upgraded accelerator to go back in time. Definitively a more serialized version than the original, Quantum Leap has opened up to middling reviews, however, it set up exciting prospects for season 2, which was greenlit in December 2022.

The Peripheral

Loosley based on William Gibson's eponymous 2014 novel, The Peripheral follows VR gamer Flynne Fisher (Chloë Grace Moretz) roughly a decade in the future is delivered a connection to an alternate reality. Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy have signed on to produce the Amazon Prime TV show, which debuted in October. This entry to the best sci-fi shows 2022 has to offer features a compelling narrative that takes viewers to an entirely new world through Fisher's alternate reality. The Peripheral opened to generally average reviews, however, there's no word yet when The Peripheral season 2 will be airing, as it hasn't been greenlit.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Obi-Wan Kenobi revived the Obi-Wan vs. Darth Vader conflict from the Skywalker Saga by diving into a previously unknown chapter of the two characters’ lives. By pitting Ewan McGregor’s character against his classic nemesis (and the Inquisitors), the new Star Wars show forced a series of grueling challenges on the aging Jedi. Though not exactly a necessary addition to Star Wars canon, Obi-Wan Kenobi turned out to be a meaningful story that made the decision to revisit the character feel like a worthwhile move for the franchise.

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Resident Alien Season 2

Resident Alien season 2 is one of the best sci-fi shows 2022 had to offer, as Harry's journey into becoming human only escalates. Lots of things happened during Resident Alien season 2 parts 1 and 2 that helped Harry learn how to live alongside his human cohorts — but there were plenty of close calls for the alien, too. General McAllister is closer to finding Harry than ever before, but Harry finds himself downtrodden as he has the information from the future that he will not be able to save Earth. Resident Alien season 2 ended on a notable cliffhanger, and season 3 is set to premiere sometime in mid-to-late 2023.

Stranger Things season 4

Released in two parts, Stranger Things season 4 tied up the loose ends left by the season 3 finale and upped the ante in a huge way by introducing its greatest threat yet. Known as Vecna, season 4’s main villain further deepened the sprawling world Stranger Things had already created with the Upside Down and set in motion some huge new stories for the show’s principal characters. What the Netflix series was able to do in season 4 set the bar extremely high for its fifth and final season.

Severance

Created by Ben Stiller, Severance is a dystopian, corporate drama built around the titular “Severance” program designed to separate employees’ work and non-work memories. Participating in this program creates new personalities referred to as “innies” on the show. Exactly how these people and their interpersonal relationships are affected by the “Severence” program defines the series and has allowed the show to build a complex and interesting cast of characters. The uniqueness of the idea (and the stories it’s laid the groundwork for) has made Severance a welcome addition to Apple TV+’s lineup.

Andor

The best sci-fi show of 2022 was the latest Star Wars spinoff, Andor. A prequel to the film Rogue One, Andor sees Diego Luna reprise his role as Cassian Andor and, along with an ensemble cast, build the Rebel Alliance in opposition to the Galactic Empire. Andor is set 5 years before the events of Rogue One and A New Hope, and has been praised for taking on a darker and more mature tone than previous Star Wars spinoffs. Andor season 1 premiered on Disney+ in September to stellar reviews and has been greenlit for season 2. Andor season 2 will be the final installment of the science fiction television series, leading into the events of Rogue One.

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