The Best Sci-Fi Shows Based On Books
Vote for the best TV series based on science fiction novels or short stories.
Based on the Expanse series of novels and shorter works by James S. A. Corey.
The Expanse, a gripping science fiction series, offers a rich narrative that unfolds in a meticulously crafted universe. Set amidst the vast expanse of space, the show delves into political intrigue, interstellar conflict, and the complexities of human nature. Featuring an ensemble cast, standout performances include Thomas Jane as Detective Josephus Miller and Shohreh Aghdashloo as the formidable Chrisjen Avasarala. The series has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fan following, earning a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation. With its stunning visuals and thought-provoking themes, The Expanse is a must-watch for any sci-fi aficionado.- Premiered: December 14, 2015
- Network: Syfy, Amazon
featured
subscription
paid
- Professor Jason Dessen is abducted into an alternate version of his life.
- Premiered: May 8, 2024
- Network: Apple TV+
subscription
- A fateful decision echoes across space and time, forcing scientists to face an enormous threat.
- Premiered: March 21, 2024
- Network: Netflix
subscription
Based on the book series of the same name by Isaac Asimov.
Exiles embark on a journey to save humanity and rebuild civilization amid the fall of an empire.- Premiered: September 24, 2021
- Network: Apple TV+
subscription
Based on the Takeshi Kovacs book series by Richard K. Morgan (three published since 2002).
A soldier 300 years in the future must solve a murder.- Premiered: February 2, 2018
- Network: Netflix
featured
subscription
paid
Based on the 1962 Philip K. Dick novel of the same name.
An alternate look at history if the Allies had lost WWII and Japan and Germany took over the U.S.- Premiered: January 15, 2015
- Network: Amazon
featured
Based on the Wayward Pines novels by Blake Crouch.
In a small, mysterious town in Idaho, not everything is as it seems.- Premiered: May 14, 2015
- Network: FOX
featured
subscription
paid
Based on Kass Morgan's series of four novels (2013-2016).
A century after nuclear Armageddon on Earth, 100 youths return to test the planet's habitability.- Premiered: March 19, 2014
- Network: CW
featured
subscription
paid
Based loosely on the 1954 William Golding novel The Lord of the Flies.
Teenagers struggle to survive after they're transported to a replica of their wealthy town.- Premiered: May 10, 2019
- Network: Netflix
subscription
Based on Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel of the same name.
A woman forced into sexual servitude struggles to survive in a terrifying, totalitarian society.- Premiered: April 26, 2017
- Network: Hulu
featured
subscription
paid
- In a ruined and toxic future, a community exists in a giant underground silo.
- Premiered: May 5, 2023
- Network: Apple TV+
subscription
Based on the 1932 Aldous Huxley novel of the same name.
A utopia's peace hinges upon control of monogamy, privacy and history itself.- Premiered: July 15, 2020
- Network: Peacock
free
Based on the Melinda Metz Roswell High book series (ten published since 1998).
Alien orphans pass as Earth teen-agers in Roswell, N.M.- Premiered: October 6, 1999
- Network: The WB
subscription
paid
- 14
The One
Hannah Ware, Dimitri Leonidas, Amir El-MasryBased on the 2017 John Mars novel of the same name.
The One delves into the thrilling world of love, science, and technology, as it explores the consequences of finding one's perfect match through DNA testing. This thought-provoking drama series has garnered critical acclaim for its engaging storyline and outstanding performances by its ensemble cast, including Hannah Ware in the role of Rebecca Webb, the mastermind behind the revolutionary matchmaking service. As the show unfolds, viewers are taken on a rollercoaster of emotions, witnessing the intertwining lives of various characters dealing with the repercussions of knowing their soulmates. The One is a testament to the power of love and the complexities of human relationships, leaving audiences intrigued and eager for more.- Premiered: March 12, 2021
- Network: MULTI
subscription
Based on the 2009 Stephen King novel of the same name.
A mysterious dome suddenly seals off a small New England town from the rest of the world.- Premiered: June 24, 2013
- Network: CBS
featured
subscription
Based on the Nick Clark Windo novel of the same name.
Drama set in the near future, when a social media brain implant falls into the wrong hands.- Premiered: April 1, 2019
- Network: Amazon
featured
Based on the first book in the novel series of the same name by Malorie Blackman.
Sephy and Callum are star-crossed lovers in a violently oppressive society divided by color.- Premiered: March 5, 2020
- Network: BBC One
free
Based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Emily St. John Mandel.
Survivors of a devastating flu attempt to rebuild and reimagine the world.- Premiered: December 16, 2021
- Network: HBO Max
subscription
- 19
Roswell, New Mexico
Jeanine Mason, Nathan Parsons, Michael TrevinoBased on the Melinda Metz Roswell High book series (ten published since 1998).
When Liz Ortecho reconnects with her school crush after 10 years, she discovers he is an alien.- Premiered: January 15, 2019
- Network: CW
featured
subscription
paid
Based on the 2009 Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan novel trilogy of the same name.
A team investigates a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an evil strain of vampirism.- Premiered: July 13, 2014
- Network: FX
featured
subscription
paid
Based on characters and settings from the stories of Stephen King.
A psychological-horror series set in the Stephen King multiverse.- Premiered: July 25, 2018
- Network: Hulu
featured
subscription
paid
- Eva is forced to flee her underground sanctuary for Earth's surface.
- Premiered: June 28, 2024
- Network: Apple TV+
subscription
Based on the 2003 novel of the same name by Audrey Niffenegger.
Clare and Henry's love story involves a marriage with a problem -- time travel.- Premiered: May 15, 2022
- Network: HBO
featured
paid
Based on the 1963 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis.
The Man Who Fell to Earth, which premiered on April 24, 2022, is a gripping science fiction drama that explores themes of alienation and identity. The show centers around an extraterrestrial being who arrives on Earth at a pivotal point in human evolution and must confront his own past to determine our future. It's a thought-provoking narrative that seamlessly blends elements of mystery, suspense, and existentialism, featuring stars like Bill Nighy as Thomas Jerome Newton and Chiwetel Ejoifor as the alien Faraday.- Premiered: April 24, 2022
- Network: Showtime
featured
paid