Science fiction has been one of the most popular and prolific genres of both movies and television since both media came into existence. People simply can’t resist these stories of space exploration and technological advancement, and as a result, more and more of these stories have been told on the small screen over the years. There’s an argument to be had about what the peak of the genre was for television,but there’s a decade that clearly stands out above the others: the 1990s.
One look at shows likeThe X-Files,Futurama, andStar Trek: Deep Space Nineis all it takes to figure out why people tend to say that the ’90s were the best years for sci-fi TV. However,there are also plenty of series from the era that have unfortunately fallen into relative oblivion. Seeing as these, too, are some of the best sci-fi shows of the decade, it’s worth it to bring them back into the spotlight.
10’SeaQuest DSV' (1993–1996)
Created by Rockne S. O’Bannon
Created by the sameRockne S. O’Bannonwho created the underrated cult classicFarscape,SeaQuest DSVis even more of a hidden gem.Set during the early 21st century, it finds humanity having colonized the oceans. Captain Nathan Bridger and the submarine SeaQuest DSV are enlisted to keep the peace and explore the last frontier on Earth.Executive-produced bySteven Spielbergand starring the likes ofRoy ScheiderandTed Raimi,SeaQuestwas unfortunately marked by a troubled production, and thus kept declining in ratings until it was canceled in the middle of its third season. Despite its terrible downs, though, the show’s ups are more than enough to make it worth a watch. Nostalgic, imaginative, and delightfully unique, it may be mostly poorly written, but it’s also undeniably entertaining.
SeaQuest DSV
9’Total Recall 2070' (1999)
Created by Art Monterastelli
Total Recallis one of the most legendary sci-fi films of the ’90s, as well as one ofArnold Schwarzenegger’s most rewatchable films, based on thePhilip K. DicknoveletteWe Can Remember It For You Wholesale. Loosely based on both that and Dick’sDo Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, on whichBlade Runnerwas based,Total Recall 2070is a love letter to the works of this legendary author.
The show is about a detective for a police agency who’s teamed with a naive new officer, secretly an android. This Canadian-German co-production wears its influences out on its sleeve, andalthough it definitely feels like a product of its time, that shouldn’t be much of an issue for fansof ’90s sci-fi television anyway.
Total Recall 2070
8’Earth 2' (1994–1995)
Created by Michael Duggan, Carol Flint, and Mark Levin
AlthoughEarth 2debuted to pretty healthy ratings, it kept dropping throughout its run; and thus, it was canceled after just one short-lived season.It’s a space adventure where colonists, crash-landed on an alien planet, begin the long trek to their originally designated landing place, facing alien and human threats along the way.It’s a bit cheesy and not particularly well written, but there was an awful lot of potential there. HadEarth 2been given at least one more season to find its voice, it could have been a highly successful and absolutely unforgettable show. However, it’s still phenomenal today, with a great cast (includingClancy Brown), interesting characters, and a fun story.
7’The Visitor' (1997–1998)
Created by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich
Co-created byRoland Emmerich, director of some ofthe most iconic disaster movies ever,The Visitoris the tale ofAdam MacArthur, who disappeared 50 years ago in the Bermuda Triangle and has returned to save humanity from destruction. Chased by the government and aliens who abducted him, he travels across the United States to help people.Createdin parallel with the world’s first webshows (on the now defunct thevisitor.com),The Visitorwas yet another casualty of networks' unfortunate tradition of canceling sci-fi seriesbefore they’re able to find their footing. Even with just a few episodes in existence, though,The Visitoris great. The writing is fantastic, the cast is memorable, and the sound design—which was nominated for an Emmy—has aged like fine wine.
The Visitor
6’Sliders' (1995–2000)
Created by Tracy Tormé and Robert K. Weiss
Slidersjumped the shark a bit as it kept going, but even then, it remains one of the most enjoyable sci-fi shows of the 1990s. The characters are fun and enjoyable, and the creative premise makes for some really entertaining storylines. Even if they stop watching before the show goes off the rails, viewers are in for a hell of a fun sci-fi experience.
For people who love parallel universe stories,Slidersis a must-see. Fox, a common culprit in canceling sci-fi shows before their time, canceled this one after three seasons, but the show moved to the Sci-Fi Channel for its final two, which tend to be regarded as the show’s worst seasons. One thing remains true:Slidersis creative, smart, and made with terrific passion.
5’Roswell' (1999–2002)
Created by Jason Katims
In 1947, debris was recovered in Roswell, New Mexico. This later became the basis for conspiracy theories alleging that the U.S. military had actually recovered a crashed extraterrestrial spacecraft, and later, the basis for 1999’sRoswell. Set in a timeline where the Roswell UFO exists, the series started out as a more relationship-driven romance drama, only to become much more heavily focused on sci-fi in its latter two seasons.
One of themost underrated sci-fi shows of the ’90s,Roswellcan be effectively sweet and tender in its first season, and delightfully creative in its second and third.Youthful, clever, and fresh, the show benefits from its talented cast and strong writing. It’s definitely not made for those who are more interested in the action side of sci-fi, but for those who enjoy the genre when it’s at its most character-driven, it’s a perfect watch.
4’Nowhere Man' (1995–1996)
Created by Lawrence Hertzog
Though it was canceled after just one season,Nowhere Manwas critically acclaimed upon release. While it’s hugely underrated today, with just a little over two thousand ratings on IMDb, it’s still very much worth bringing into the mainstream. Its story is a psychological thriller followinga documentary photographer who has to erase his entire existence over the course of an evening.
The themes are surprisingly layered and thought-provoking, the relatively simple premise makes for some fascinating storylines, and the cast, led byBruce Greenwoodat the top of his game, is fantastic. The cherry on top is that the series actually got an ending of sorts, so watching its sole season isn’t a dissatisfying experience in the slightest—though it definitely leaves you craving more.
Nowhere Man
3’Millennium' (1996–1999)
Created by Chris Carter
For those who enjoyshows likeThe X-Files,Millenniumis a must-see. Created by the sameChris Carterwho created the legendaryX-Files, it’s a significantly darker and more serious show, but that’s precisely the source of much of its strength. With fantastic visuals and a commanding lead performance byLance Henriksen, it’s the kind of highly bingeable show that keeps your eyes glued to the screen.
Millenniumisn’t quite as legendary asThe X-Files, and its ending mostly dissatisfied fans,but it’s still very much worth watching in 2025. One of the best sci-fi shows of the ’90s, it’s a phenomenally-written gem with some top-tier production qualities. Scarier and grittier than its sister show, it’s just as much of a must-see.
Millennium
2’Space: Above and Beyond' (1995–1996)
Created by Glen Morgan and James Wong
One ofthe most scientifically accurate sci-fi showsout there,Space: Above and Beyondwas planned to run for five seasons, but was tragically canceled after just one due to low ratings. Produced by the same team who madeX-FilesandMillennium, it’s an ideal watch for fans of both shows and of space-exploration sci-fi.
It’s a tragedy that, even today,Space: Above and Beyondremains so criminally underappreciated. The premise is straight-forward, but it’s the perfect foundation for thematically rich stories made with cutting-edge production qualities, including CGI that has aged quite well for the time. There’s an argument to be made that its depiction of the military feels more than a bit propagandistic, but if one is willing to overlook that, one is in for a hell of a ride.
Space: Above and Beyond
1’Eerie, Indiana' (1991–1992)
Created by Jose Rivera and Karl Schaefer
WithJoe Danteas its creative consultant,Eerie, Indianais a horror sci-fi cult classic that has been described by fans asTwin Peaksfor kids. A creative predecessor toStranger Things, it’s one of the most iconic shows of the ’90s, and although it’s so often referred to as a “forgotten show” that one has to wonder if it trulyhasbeen forgotten, it’s undeniable that it’s tragically underrated.
The series is astylish, absurdist spectacle that all fans of the genre are guaranteed to enjoy, no matter their age or general taste in sci-fi. Wearing its influences out on its sleeve with pride, it’s a nostalgic masterpiece of a family-friendly show, with surprising amounts of depth and a great sense of humor. People who love ’90s science fiction ought to check outEerie, Indianaat least once in their lives.
