Mulder and Scully look up as they stand at an outdoor beach restaurant in The X-Files.
Science fiction, by its very nature, encourages imagination and foresight, so it’s no wonder that many of the greatest classics of the genre still feel relevant today. Humanity may have gone through sweeping changes over the course of just the last century, but so many of the problems that plague our species still remain, and these shows represent these issues through timeless and entertaining stories that are just as resonant now as they were when they first aired.
Many of the most groundbreaking sci-fi shows of yesteryear explore prescient themes of social stratification, authoritarianism, climate erosion, and technological dependence, going back all the way to the First Golden Age of Television immediately after World War II. And though much time has passed since these TV classics first debuted before audiences, their stories feel all the more relevant in the present day because of them. Read on to discover our handpicked selection of classic sci-fi shows that now feel newly relevant again, including some of the greatest and most celebrated TV series ever made. 1 ‘The X-Files’ Created by Chris Carter, The X-Files is an iconic ‘90s sci-fi drama series starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, respectively. The duo investigates baffling cases involving apparent paranormal phenomena, with Mulder playing the part of “believer" and Scully questioning his unshakable belief in the supernatural, but their dynamic evolves over time into something more complex. Later seasons introduced new main characters, played by Robert Patrick, Annabeth Gish, and Mitch Pileggi. The X-Files is an acclaimed and enduringly popular sci-fi series with an undeniable cultural legacy. One of the earliest shows to develop an international fandom, the series has had a significant influence on pop culture and society at large. The series’ themes, particularly its fundamental distrust of authority and exploration of conspiracy theories, are far more mainstream today, as are its central characters, who continue to inspire curious minds around the world to explore careers in STEM and law enforcement. 2 ‘Battlestar Galactica’ Developed by Ronald D. Moore, Battlestar Galactica is a reimagining of the 1978 television series, set in a distant star system where human civilization lives on a group of planets known as “The twelve colonies of Kobol." When the rogue androids known as the Cylons launch a devastating attack on the colonies, the surviving humans are led by their military fleet aboard the titular battleship in search of the mythical 13th colony, Earth. Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia Helfer, and Grace Park star in the main roles. Battlestar Galactica opened its acclaimed run in December 2003, broadcasting one of the best pilots in television history and setting new benchmarks for the genre with its intense storytelling and high-quality production. Though it’s technically a reboot of an older cult show, this version of Battlestar Galactica is a sci-fi classic that’s proven far more influential, continuing to fascinate new generations of fans around the world today. With its epic scale and visionary world-building, it’s a gritty, character-driven space drama revolving around interstellar conflict and complex themes drawn from real-world issues, which still feel relevant now and likely always will. 3 ‘The Prisoner’ A genre-bending British series that combines elements of science fiction, psychological drama, and spy fiction, The Prisoner was created by Patrick McGoohan, who also stars in the show as an intelligence agent known as Number Six. After abruptly resigning from his job, Number Six finds himself imprisoned in a mysterious coastal village and sets out to explore his strange new prison, interacting with other residents , and trying to discover a way out. Angelo Muscat, Peter Swanwick, Denis Shaw, and Fenella Fielding star in recurring roles. A niche cult classic that’s had a staggering but little-discussed influence on popular culture, The Prisoner is a surreal, Kafkaesque nightmare with themes of paranoia, anti-authoritarianism, state control, and the loss of individual identity in the face of collective totalitarianism. The show wasn’t very well-received by audiences in its day, partly because it was promoted as a spy thriller in the same vein as McGoohan’s earlier hit, Danger Man, which was a more James Bond-esque series following a spy on globetrotting missions. Though it’s still not very widely talked about, the show’s themes are prescient and groundbreaking for its time, and it has had a clear influence on later shows like The X-Files and Twin Peaks. 4 ‘The Twilight Zone’ Created and narrated by Rod Serling, The Twilight Zone is a classic anthology series that consists of standalone stories in the fantasy, horror, or science fiction genres. Each episode follows a relatable everyday character as they encounter inexplicable phenomena , usually ending with a surprise twist or moral takeaway. Remade and revived multiple times in subsequent years, the original series is widely recognized as a pop culture landmark, featuring a star-studded revolving cast that includes actors like Buster Keaton, Mickey Rooney, Carol Burnett, Leonard Nimoy, Robert Redford, Burt Reynolds, and more. The Twilight Zone is an undeniably iconic show that has had a profound impact on popular culture, inspiring numerous later works in film, television, and literature. One of the most groundbreaking TV shows of all time, the series introduced several heavy concepts and now-established genre tropes to television, and many of its stories are underpinned by keen social and moral commentary that still feels relevant today, arguably even more so than they did in their time. In short, The Twilight Zone is nothing less than one of the greatest, most timeless shows ever made. 5 ‘V: The Original Miniseries’ Written and directed by Kenneth Johnson, V: The Original Miniseries is a two-part NBC miniseries that revolves around the arrival of a seemingly friendly alien species known as the Visitors, who quietly establish control of Earth, employing fascist tactics and targeting scientists. The show follows a journalist cameraman who investigates the Visitors, discovering their true intentions for humanity and becoming involved with the human resistance. The miniseries stars Singer, Jane Badler, Frank Ashmore, Bonnie Bartlett, Diane Cary, Michael Durrell, Robert Englund, Faye Grant, and more in significant roles. A seminal anti-fascist science fiction series, V originally started out as an adaptation of Sinclair Lewis's 1935 novel It Can't Happen Here, but it was reportedly reworked to feature man-eating extraterrestrials instead of fascists to keep with trends and make it a little less “cerebral." With or without the aliens, the show’s themes are undeniably timeless and worth revisiting today. It’s also a solid science fiction thriller that spawned a three-episode sequel, V: The Final Battle, a short-lived 1980s weekly series, V: The Series, and a two-season remake. 6 ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ A sequel to Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation was created by Gene Roddenberry and aired 178 episodes over seven seasons in syndication. Set in the latter part of the 24th century, the series follows the crew of the USS Enterprise, led by Captain Jean-Luc Picard , as they explore strange new worlds, seek out new civilizations, and “boldly go where no one has gone before.” Besides Stewart, the show also stars Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Denise Crosby, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, and Wil Wheaton. Star Trek: The Next Generation was a huge success in its day, averaging 20 million viewers and winning 19 Emmy Awards during its original broadcast. Easily one of the most beloved TV shows of all time, The Next Generation successfully revived the franchise and popularized it for a new generation, and Stewart’s Captain Picard is now regarded as a pop culture icon. Looking back on it today, audiences can find much to love in the show, especially its narratives about the responsible use of technology, humanistic philosophies, and the critical need for rationality and ethics. 7 ‘Babylon 5’ Created by writer and producer J. Michael Straczynski, Babylon 5 is an epic space opera show that kicked off with the 1993 test pilot movie, Babylon 5: The Gathering. The series follows human and alien residents aboard the titular space station, which serves as a neutral ground for diplomacy and trade in the aftermath of fierce inter-species conflicts. The show’s ensemble cast features Michael O'Hare, Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Andrea Thompson, Bill Mumy, Jason Carter, and more in main roles. Subscribe for classic sci-fi insights and recommendations Discover why timeless sci-fi matters - subscribe to the newsletter for curated context, episode recommendations, and thoughtful analysis that connects classic shows to today's themes. Ideal for fans who want smart, focused coverage of genre legacy and ideas. Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. Conceived as a “novel for TV”, Babylon 5 is a groundbreaking five-season series that developed a cult following during its broadcast and is often credited with ushering in the age of CGI visual effects in television. Its entertaining and immersive narrative aside, the show is also notable for its deep themes, including the binaries of authoritarianism and free will, order and chaos, and war and peace. While the series is not without its flaws, it’s still a landmark show that transcended its genre and time period, becoming a key influence on and perennial favorite of contemporary sci-fi audiences. 8 Classic ‘Doctor Who’ Created by Sydney Newman, C. E. Webber, and Donald Wilson, Doctor Who is one of the most legendary works of science fiction ever to be seen on television. The show’s original, classic run began in 1963, following the adventures of the Doctor, an alien Time Lord who travels across space and time in the TARDIS, a ship that looks like a British police box. The longest-running sci-fi series in the world, the show has starred over 14 actors in the title role over the course of its broadcast, with William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, and Sylvester McCoy playing the Doctor during its original broadcast, which effectively ended in 1989. The series was later revived in 2005 and continues to this day. Technically, Doctor Who has never really faded from relevance, even when it was off the air, and the franchise still produces exciting new stories for a new generation of fans. However, there’s no denying that there’s a clear distinction between Classic Doctor Who and contemporary seasons, with the former distinguished by its use of low-budget practical effects, multipart storylines, and a generally lighter tone. Looking back on these episodes today is a nostalgic experience, but it’s also surprising just how prescient the show was in its social commentary and moral explorations. Doctor Who Like Follow Followed TV-PG Drama Action Adventure Science Fiction Release Date 1963 - 1989-00-00 Network BBC One, BBC Television Directors Douglas Camfield, David Maloney, Christopher Barry, Michael E. Briant, Barry Letts, Michael Ferguson, Peter Moffatt, Richard Martin, Chris Clough, Lennie Mayne, Pennant Roberts, Ron Jones, Paddy Russell, Paul Bernard, Michael Hayes, Timothy Combe, Morris Barry, Graeme Harper, Gerald Blake, Hugh David, Mervyn Pinfield, Rodney Bennett, Waris Hussein, John Gorrie Writers Robert Holmes, Bob Baker, Malcolm Hulke, Dave Martin, David Whitaker, Brian Hayles, Robert Sloman, David Fisher, Dennis Spooner, Terrance Dicks, Eric Saward, John Lucarotti, Don Houghton, Chris Boucher, Ian Stuart Black, Louis Marks, Peter Grimwade, Henry Lincoln, Johnny Byrne, Mervyn Haisman, Jane Baker, Pip Baker, Robert Banks Stewart, Anthony Read Cast See All
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