The 20 best science fiction/fantasy shows on Netflix in 2019

If you’re looking for the best science fiction/fantasy shows to binge on Netflix in 2019, then look no further! Here are our recommendations.

Are you looking for your next favorite show? There’s a lot to sift through on Netflix, especially if you’re looking for a genre show. The streaming platform has some great options, but not every one is a winner.

If you want the best science fiction/fantasy show on Netflix, this list will provide those currently available in 2019. Some of them you’ve probably heard of before, but a few of them might be some hidden gems.

Of course, we couldn’t include every single one, but with 20 options between these two lists, you’re bound to find something new to enjoy!

Best science fiction shows on Netflix 2019

‘Black Mirror’

This one is both easy and difficult to get into. It’s an anthology, so no two episodes are connected. That can be great if you’re not looking for a big commitment, but it can also be tough if you’re looking for characters to fall in love with. Black Mirror can be hard to watch at times, but it speaks to a future that isn’t as far off as we’d probably hope. This one will make you think.

‘Lost in Space’

I was delighted by Lost in Space when I first started watching it. I never saw the original, but the new one feels like it would have a lot of holdover from the previous iteration. It’s all about sticking together as a family in one of the harshest climates around (space, obviously). There are some interesting obstacles to navigate here, both between each member of the family and because of their new environment. You’ll fall in love with all the main characters, which makes the stakes feel even higher when they get into trouble.

‘Love, Death & Robots’

This series is also an anthology. Bonus points for being animated. Each one is in a different style, and some are longer than others. They pull from different mythologies and serve different purposes. Each one speaks to a specific theme, and some of them are laugh-out-loud funny while others are quite dark. There’s something for everyone here, so make sure you don’t pass it over!

‘The Twilight Zone’

I couldn’t make a list about the best science fiction series on Netflix without talking about The Twilight Zone. This series inspired so many others, including Jordan Peele’s updated version of the show (pictured above). It might be a little old school for some of you, but don’t think that means its themes don’t still apply. Look out for a particularly interesting episode starring George Takei.

‘Sense8’

R.I.P. Sense8 was canceled just as it was getting into its prime. We’re lucky we were able to get a movie to send off the series after only two seasons, but there was so much more story to tell. This one is a little light on the sci-fi, but it still attempts to navigate a fairly complicated story of eight people who are tied together for life.

‘The 100’

You may have discounted this show because it aired on The CW, but don’t be so quick to pass it up! After a group of teenagers lands on a supposedly uninhabited Earth, they have to figure out how to survive. It starts off very Lord of the Flies and then turns into something grander. We’re coming up on the final season soon, so this is the perfect time to start watching!

‘Stranger Things’

Is any ‘best of sci fi’ list complete without the addition of Stranger Things? This one feels like it toes the line between fantasy thanks to all the creepy creatures, but it’s very much rooted in science. After three seasons, the series is still going strong. The mythology just gets more and more interesting, and the last season really expanded the world. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

‘Roswell, New Mexico’

There was a little trepidation when this series was announced. The original Roswell was a staple for a lot of us growing up, even if it doesn’t exactly hold up to a rewatch. Still, any time there’s a reboot, you have to be cautious. Luckily, Roswell, New Mexico has updated the story with some incredible additions, including some parallels to our current political climate that shouldn’t go unmentioned. This one is definitely worth your time, whether or not you were a fan of the original.

‘The Rain’

If post-apocalyptic worlds are still your jam, then be sure to check out The Rain. It’s a Danish television series that already has two seasons out on Netflix, plus a third and final one coming up in 2020. For this one, the rain carries a virus that wiped out nearly all of humanity. It puts an interesting spin on the genre, which makes it feel fresh and new.

‘iZombie’

iZombie is one of those shows that sort of snuck up on me. It sounded like a cool premise when it first aired, but it could’ve gone either way — super cheesy or super dark. Thankfully, Rob Thomas and The CW have found a way to walk a careful line between the two. At times absolutely hilarious and particularly gut-wrenching, iZombie is a zombie drama like no other. It’ll keep you entertained while still asking those hard-hitting moral questions we love from our science fiction stories.

Best fantasy shows on Netflix 2019

‘The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’

I’ll admit that this is the show which inspired this list to begin with. It’s obviously a continuation of the original movie and has been receiving high praise from fans of the film. The aesthetic of the series looks so much like the movie that it’s hard not to feel nostalgic. If you’ve never seen The Dark Crystal, you can also watch the movie on Netflix before you hop into the show!

‘The Magicians’

This series is one of the most unique and engaging shows I’ve ever watched. It’s so damn weird, and I love every second of it. The show has been described as grown-up Harry Potter, and there is some merit to that. It’s about a guy who thinks he’s normal until he’s taken to a school that promises to teach him magic. It takes a total left turn from there, but in the best possible way.

‘The Order’

This might be one of those new Netflix shows you haven’t heard about just yet. This series has a Magicians vibe, but it focuses a little bit more on werewolves and witches. It’s also a little off the beaten path, with some cool characters and some kickass women. I’d recommend it if you were a fan of Teen Wolf, but just know it’s very much its own entity.

‘The Shannara Chronicles’

You should go into this one knowing that it’s been cancelled. It came from the creators of Smallville and Into the Badlands, but this is a post-apocalyptic fantasy world based off a series of books by Terry Brooks. We only got two seasons before it was unceremoniously pulled, and it truly is a tragedy. Season 2 felt even more epic than season 1, and I’m convinced it would’ve just gotten better from there on out.

‘The Dragon Prince’

Here’s another animated series that you shouldn’t pass up. The Dragon Prince does exactly what it says on the tin — there’s a prince and a dragon and a war brewing between the elves and the humans. The animation is beautiful and the story is both epic and intimate. There are some wonderful character moments and lots of growth in even just the first two seasons. This one is going to get better and better, and I feel like we’re only just getting started on the story the creators are trying to tell here.

‘The Umbrella Academy’

If you’re already a fan of how weird The Magicians is and are looking for another show to capture that spirit, The Umbrella Academy is going to be a close second. This show starts off moderately normal and just keeps getting more and more twisted. All of the main characters are fascinating, if not always likable, but you can’t help but love them anyway. If you like superheroes and end-of-the-world scenarios, this one is for you.

‘Outlander’

We’re taking a break from some fairly modern or otherworldly fantasies to bring you a historical tale of love across the ages. If you’ve never heard of Outlander, you’ve probably been living under a rock (the irony). If you crave something to replace Game of Thrones but don’t mind if there are no dragons, then Outlander is a good choice. The costumes alone make this worth a watch.

‘Supernatural’

I would’ve gotten flogged if I didn’t add Supernatural to a list of the best fantasy shows on Netflix, and it certainly deserves the title. This series has been going for 15 seasons, and I’ve heard it keeps getting better, especially in the last few. If you’re looking for a long commitment and something to really immerse yourself in, you can’t go wrong here.

‘The Vampire Diaries’

Just like Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries has been formative for a lot of people’s fandom experiences. This show premiered back in 2009 and its world just keeps on living (seems appropriate). I remember how frustratingly addictive the love triangle was between Damon, Elena, and Stefan, and I know a lot of others would agree. The best part is that once you finish TVD, you can move onto the spinoff The Originals (complete), which also has its own spinoff, Legacies (currently airing).

‘Wynonna Earp’

This show got me hooked right from the first episode. The titular character is a hurricane of a woman who gets in (and out of) plenty of trouble, even when you’re not talking about the demonic kind. This show has a Supernatural vibe to it but with more of a female focus. It’s like a modern western where rules don’t apply, and though the fandom is still small, they’re quite mighty.