The streaming service Apple TV+ has truly been making its mark with its lineup of great TV shows. Should other streaming services be nervous?
One of the things Apple TV+ excels at is making science fiction shows. From series about astronauts to shows set in grim post-apocalyptic futures to workplace dramas with a sci-fi twist, Apple has a sci-fi show for every occasion.
we've compiled a list of all the great science fiction shows on Apple TV+ that you should be watching. Which shows do you think made our list?
1. Silo
Based on the books by Hugh Howey, Silo is a science fiction thriller that keeps audiences invested while unveiling plot twist after plot twist. The story follows Juliette, an engineer-turned sheriff living and working at the bottom of the very large silo, built underground.
Why was it built? Who built it? No one seems to know, but what we do know is that a full-fledged society has been thriving in this silo ever since the world above ended. If anyone has to go outside (or is sentenced to), they must wear protective suits lest the toxic air kills them.
Through a wild turn of events, lies slowly come to light about who run runs the Silo and why it was built in the first place. The show has aired two seasons and been renewed for two more. The show has mystery, action, and great performances from the likes of Rebecca Ferguson and Tim Robbins.
2. Severance
Severance is in the midst of its second season, and boy has it got everyone talking!
Imagine if you clocked into work, and the next you know your day was done. You have no memory anything you did at work all day, and when you're working, you have no memory of your life outside the office. You'd probably be more productive at work, right? You'd probably be happier and able to focus on your loved ones while at home, right? Well...that's not necessarily the case for Mark and his coworkers.
Mark and several others have undergone a procedure known as "severance," which divides their personalities in two: their original self and their work self. As the show goes on, the work selves, or "Innies," become disillusions with the company where they work: Lumon Industries. What exactly are they doing? What secrets is Lumon hiding? Mark, Helly and others want to find out, but they may not like what they learn. And that's just the tip of this creative, enthralling iceberg of a show.
3. For All Mankind
This has to be one of the most interesting science fiction shows I've ever seen. For All Mankind asks how our world would be different if the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, which began in the 1950s, never ended. What if the Soviets landed on the moon first? What if, propelled by new technological discoveries, the Soviet Union didn't collapse? This show explores it all in detail by following astronauts and their families through time.
Each season of For All Mankind skips forward several years, and the world gets less and less like ours as it goes on. Characters get older and some age out of the show completely. For All Mankind is a dynamic, fascinating series.
For All Mankind has one of the most creative alternative timeline I've ever seen. I'm looking forward to the upcoming fifth season as well as the upcoming spinoff Star City.
4. Foundation
We got ourselves another hit science fiction show based on a series of books. Foundation, based on the works of Isaac Asimov, is about time, space, empire, and everything in between.
When a mathematician discovers that the Galactic Empire is in danger of slipping into a new dark age, he and his followers begin preparations to preserve civilization. Meanwhile, the trio of men who rule the empire — Brother Day, Brother Dusk and Brother Dawn, clones of the same man as an adult, an elder and a youth — try to hold things together.
Foundation is a very ambitious show we're eager to see continue. Season 3's official release date remains unknown.
5. Dark Matter
This one may require mental gymnastics to watch and explain but we'll do our best. Dark Matter, based on Blake Crouch's book of the same name, is a confusing but stirring tale of one man and alternate versions of himself.
Which one is the real Jason and how many others are alternate versions of themselves? Trust us, you'll need a notebook to keep up with all the twists.
While we do believe the show is underrated, season 2 appears to have begun filming.
6. Snoopy in Space
Who doesn't love the wisecracking, adorable, intelligent, and humorous beagle, Snoopy? Created by cartoonish Charles Schultz, Snoopy made his debut in the pages of Peanuts on October 4, 1950. Snoopy has done almost everything, from writing books on his typewriter to being a WWI pilot.
But what about becoming an astronaut? Snoopy in Space ran for two seasons. Epiodes are short but pack in a lot of effective storytelling and wholesome entertainment. Snoopy, along with the rest of the Peanuts characters, has become iconic. Their faces have become synonymous with childhood, adventure, and fun.
This show can be enjoyed by both children and adults alike. There's more to sci-fi than aliens and dystopias. Just look at our next entry:
7. Frog and Toad
Who remembers Frog and Toad from their childhood? For those who don't, Frog and Toad were a series of children's books published in the 1970s by Arnold Lobel. And yes, he illustrated his books too!
Together, Frog and Toad embark on little adventures while enjoying the simplier things of life like flying a kite and cleaning your home. This show is more fantasy than sci-fi, but it warrants a mention if you're looking for something more family-friendly on Apple TV+.
While a third season of the Frog and Toad show has not been confirmed as of yet, the first two seasons have enough episodes to keep everyone busy. The animated show is a wonderful expansion of the books. The delightful amphibians go on lots of adventures together, as well as attend celebrations, explore their hobbies, and spend lots of time ourdoors.
8. See
And we're back to grimness. See takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where most people have lost the ability to see. That includes lead character Baba Voss, a chieftain played by Game of Thrones veteran Jason Momoa. Things get hairy when he adopts two children who can see, which is heresy in this world. He must defend his family in this action drama.
Future seasons bring in Dave Bautista as Baba Voss' vengeful brother Edo Voss. The show ran for three seasons in all before coming to an end.
9. Invasion
Fans of Invasion will be happy to know that a third season has been ordered, continuing the ongoing story of how our planet is visited by aliens, thus changing the lives of our characters forever. Though audience ratings seem to vary, we still find it worthy of our list.
The show is very innovative. We've all seen stories about alien invasions before, but Invasion sets itself apart by playing out in real time for characters scattered all over the world. The show features actors speaking multiple languages, including English, Japanese, and Pashto. Invasion deserves credit for doing things different.
10. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
Godzilla has his own TV show! Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has only one season to its name thus far. It dives into the lore of Monarch, the organization that monitors giant monsters such as Godzilla.
The story takes place over multiple time periods, as we see how Monarch began and how it's going. We see lots of monsters, including Mother Longlegs, Mantleclaw, Skullcrawlers, and Frost Vark. For those who love the big monster Godzilla, who has a talent for destroying large cities, we highly recommend adding this show to your watchlist if you haven't already.
There are other sci-fi shows worth checking out on Apple TV+, even if they're not quite on this level. Amazing Stories is a fun show that tells five different fantastical stories in each of its five episodes. WondLa, about a spirited teenager and her robot caretaker, is another option if you're looking for something family-friendly. Hello Tomorrow! is a retro-futuristic story about a huckster trying to share time shares on the moon, although it's unknown whether it will get a second season. Then there are shows like Constellation, Time Bandits and Dr. Brain, all of which were fun, but all of which were cancelled after their first seasons.
Not everything is going to work, but it's hard not to admire Apple TV+'s dedication to sci-fi. It throws every idea it has against the wall while we sit back and enjoy the show.
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