Best Prime Video Sci-Fi Shows

Science-fiction shows are not particularly common, but when a great one comes along, it tends to be something truly special. Whether someone is seeking a space opera or a low-key futuristic comedy, the sci-fi genre should have them covered, and the same can be said for the myriad of streaming services currently awaiting subscribers.

Amazon Prime Video has a massive selection of movies and shows that can be streamed at the click of a button, and that includes a number of high-profile sci-fi properties. Let's take a look at the best sci-fi shows on Prime Video​​​​​.

The Peripheral

Launching on October 21, 2022, The Peripheral is a sci-fi show from the minds behind HBO's Westworld. Starring Chloë Grace Moretz and set in 2032, this series envisions a universe that is largely true to the real one, albeit with a few tweaks that could plausibly occur over the next decade. Flynne, a capable gamer, is invited to test out a VR headset, one that delivers unprecedented realism along with an opportunity to lead an action-packed existence. However, before long, Flynne begins to question whether this experience is really just fantasy.

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Based on William Gibson's 2014 novel, The Peripheral presents plenty of exciting concepts and ideas, and the show takes its time exploring them. While the plot is convoluted in places, sci-fi veterans are unlikely to struggle too greatly to follow along. The acting is also good for the most part, and Moretz delivers a strong performance as Flynne.

The Expanse

If there is one sci-fi show on Prime Video that justifies a subscription all on its own, it is The Expanse. Based on James S. A. Corey's novel and lasting for six seasons, The Expanse is a hard science-fiction show that deals with politics, war, and human conflict. Balancing multiple storylines at the same time and introducing lofty ideas that it is more than ready to explore to their fullest, this series is ambitious in terms of both its presentation and narrative.

While alien technology plays a significant role in driving the characters, The Expanse's interest lies in investigating humanity's reaction to these types of discoveries. Season 1's opening few episodes can be disorienting since the show has a lot of world-building it needs to set up, but things pick up steam quite quickly after that. Every season after that is arguably better than the last, although seasons 4 and 5 can be polarizing.

Paper Girls

Amazon Prime Video's adaptation of Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang's fantastic comic does an admirable job of capturing the tone and charm of the source material, particularly in its depiction of its main characters. Living in Cleveland, four paper-delivery girls from widely different backgrounds form a friendship as they try to withstand the everyday challenges they face while on the job. However, things get a bit strange when they are dragged into a time-traveling adventure.

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Paper Girls is a character-driven sci-fi series, and an argument could be made that the time-travel aspect is the story's weak link because it takes too long to pick up momentum. Thankfully, the leads are fully realized characters with well-established backstories, goals, and flaws. They carry this show on their shoulders, and they do it easily.

The Outer Limits

1959's The Twilight Zone left a huge cultural impact, to the point of still being referenced to this day. Its success has directly or indirectly inspired many creators to try their hands at anthology series, and one of the most successful attempts was 1963's The Outer Limits. The show basically added a heavy dose of sci-fi to The Twilight Zone, and the mix worked brilliantly. In 1995, a revival was launched that lasted for seven seasons, and it arguably surpassed its predecessor in many ways. For quite a long time, this series was not easy to find, but it is now available in its entirety on Amazon Prime Video.

As an anthology concept, most of the show's episodes tell stand-alone stories with a fresh cast of characters and premises; however, The Outer Limits occasionally continues a previous narrative, and these segments are always a delight when they happen. Featuring a strong roster of contributing writers and frequently impressive performers, this 1995 series is surprisingly consistent, with most episodes managing to be at least decent. Obviously, a few stories such as "A Stitch in Time" and "Decompression" stand out from the crowd, but The Outer Limits rarely drops the ball.

Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams

Consisting of standalone episodes, Electric Dreams adapts 10 short stories by Philip K. Dick. As the source material is more than a half-century old by this point, this British series is not afraid to take some creative liberties to adjust the stories' themes for a modern climate. These changes largely work well, even if overall the episodes are hit-and-miss.

Featuring a talented cast of actors such as Bryan Cranston, Steve Buscemi, and Terrence Howard, Electric Dreams has good production value and performances. This show is a good pick for anyone looking for an Amazon Prime Video sci-fi series similar to Black Mirror.

Garth Marenghi's Darkplace

Garth Marenghi's Darkplace cannot be pigeonholed into one descriptor. This short-lived comedy dips into horror, medical dramas, and science-fiction, and it manages to parody all of these genres expertly. Presented as a fictional '80s series that was shelved for roughly two decades for being ahead of its time, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace recreates the look and feel of that era's shows in meticulous detail, be it the inconsistent acting or the cheesy set design.

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While more interested in horror, Darkplace also takes a few stabs at sci-fi cliches, including an alien infection that takes the form of broccoli. Boasting a stellar cast of recognizable British comedians, Darkplace is a loving homage to the corny classics of yesteryear. Since the show only lasted for a measly six episodes, someone can easily watch the entire thing in an afternoon. And, there are certainly worse ways to spend a couple of hours.

Upload

An Amazon Original, Upload imagines a future where humanity has achieved something resembling immortality through the ability for the deceased to live on in a virtual afterlife. After unexpectedly dying, Nathan winds up in the lush Lake View, causing him to become dependent on his girlfriend. In the meantime, Nathan forms a bond with Nora, the customer service agent charged with guiding him through the process of settling down in Lake View.

Upload starts with almost a rom-com tone but quickly reveals itself to be closer to a murder mystery. With likable characters, charismatic performers, and social commentary, Upload's season 1 is an engaging watch that does a stellar job of setting up its sequel, which debuted on March 11, 2022. Season 2 is just as good as its predecessor, and it nicely expands upon the characters, world, and mystery.

Kamen Rider Black Sun

Released in celebration of the franchise's 50th anniversary, Kamen Rider Black Sun is a reboot of 1987's Kamen Rider Black, which is generally considered to be among the license's better releases. Popular as Kamen Rider might be in Japan, the property is not all that well known in North America, and the extensive range of available seasons and incarnations can put off newcomers looking for an entry point. Kamen Rider Black Sun provides an answer for that issue.

The 2022 reboot can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of Kamen Rider or the original Black. Black Sun opts for a more mature tone than the typical entry in the series, although it still retains some goofy charm. Set in a world where some people can transform into Kaijins and suffer discrimination for it, the story follows two young guys with wildly different ideologies.

Utopia

A short-lived and criminally underrated British sci-fi thriller, Utopia centers around an unpublished sequel to a popular comic book, one that might contain shocking details revolving around a global conspiracy. When a group of obsessed fans try to track down this manuscript, they quickly find themselves facing ethical dilemmas as they try to avoid being taken down by hired killers.

Utopia combines a high-octane conspiracy storyline with an everyday British setting, and this juxtaposition works brilliantly. The show can get overly violent at times, but the story, acting, and visuals are consistently great.

The Man In The High Castle

Based on Philip K. Dick's award-winning 1962 novel, The Man in the High Castle is an ambitious alternate history show that envisions a United States run by the Nazis and Japan, a result of the country losing World War 2. As TV has expanded its reach through streaming services, high-concept shows have become more feasible, and few are quite as ambitious as Amazon Prime Video's dystopian sci-fi series.

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The Man in the High Castle is not an easy sit, but it is a constantly compelling one. The series backs its grand visuals with nuanced storytelling that mirrors the current political climate, particularly in its later seasons. Ending after four seasons, The Man in the High Castle is a complete experience and one of the best shows on Amazon Prime Video, even if it is not quite as overtly sci-fi as some other series mentioned in this article.