Best Sci-Fi Shows on Amazon Prime Video (August 2023)

Cast: Robbie Amell, Andy Allo, Allegra Edwards, Zainab Johnson, Kevin Bigley, Owen Daniels

Set in the near-future, technology has really ramped up. We now have even smaller phones, more daily conveniences, self-driving cars, oh, and we can now upload ourselves into a virtual afterlife, essentially becoming immortal. Upload follows Nathan (Robbie Amell) after his unexpected death and upload into the very expensive afterlife called Lakeview. Uploaded by his controlling girlfriend Ingrid (Allegra Edwards), he finds comfort in befriending his still-living customer service rep Nora (Andy Allo). Soon, inevitably, sparks fly between Nora and Nathan as they spend more time together in a virtual utopia. But problems arise in the real world where looming issues like large corporations taking over control and human rights violations are hitting far closer to home. Soon it becomes about more than just relationship problems between the alive and dead, and a fight for the future of humanity. All of that and more is wrapped up in the humor and romance of Upload. — Therese Lacson

Cast: Jim Caviezel, Michael Emerson, Taraji P. Henson, Kevin Chapman

Person of Interest is a science-fiction series inspired by a fascinating concept. Created by Jonathan Nolan, Person of Interest stars Michael Emerson (Saw) as Harold Finch, a reclusive billionaire and computer genius who creates a program that identifies people planning terrorist attacks. Similar in foundation premise to Minority Report, Person of Interest explores themes of privacy, as well as the conflicts between technology and morality. An espionage procedural series co-starring Jim Caviezel, Person of Interest attracted a wide audience resulting in five seasons of intriguing mysteries, as well as captivating characters .– Yael Tygiel

Cast: Jharrel Jerome, Olivia Washington, Brett Gray

Director and series creator Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You) uses his signature surrealist style to produce a modern folktale set in Oakland, CA. I’m a Virgo follows Cootie (Jharrel Jerome), a 13-foot-tall Black teen who finally ventures outside the confines of his adoptive parents’ home to find a world that is eager to embrace, exploit, and possibly eradicate him. The series literalizes some of the struggles that Black teens face in a society that projects so many things onto them even though they just want to be normal kids. Riley creates a visually unique and stunning coming-of-age story that feels just as grounded as it does magical. – Tauri Miller

Creator: Jane Espenson, D. Brent Mote

Cast: Eddie McClintock, Joanne Kelly, Saul Rubinek

Aptly described as Raiders of the Lost Ark meets The X-Files, Warehouse 13 is a sci-fi comedy procedural about two top government agents assigned to track down supernatural artifacts and gadgets that each have mysterious powers. Leading the hunt for these mystical and magical memorabilia are Myka Bering (Joanne Kelly) and Pete Lattimer (Eddie McClintock), who are handpicked for their skills but can’t help but feel like the assignment is a demotion. With the guidance of veteran agent Artie Nielsen (Saul Rubinek), they keep the U.S. safe every week by bagging and tagging known and unknown dangers from every part of human history.

Creator: David Cronenberg

Cast: Rachel Weisz, Emily Meade, Jennean Farmer, Jennifer Ehle, Michael Chernus

Rachel Weisz (Black Widow) is absolutely magnetic in a deeply disturbing reimagining of David Cronenberg’s 1988 film Dead Ringers. An unhinged horror series, Dead Ringers captivates with Weisz in the lead, playing twins Elliot and Beverly Mantle alongside a stellar supporting cast that includes Emily Meade (The Leftovers), Jennifer Ehle (She Said), and Michael Chernus (Orange is the New Black). Through vivid, graphic imagery, spine-tingling suspense, and an intriguing plot, Dead Ringers is six episodes of unsettling twists and turns baked into a gripping mystery and undeniably stylish visual aesthetic. – Yael Tygiel

Creators: Sarah Quintrell, Claire Wilson, Naomi Alderman

Cast: Toni Collette, Toheeb Jimoh, Halle Bush, Auli’i Cravalho, John Leguizamo

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Toni Collette stars in The Power as the mayor of Seattle, who is forced to handle an inexplicable situation where teenage girls around the world suddenly and mysteriously develop electrical powers. Adapted from Naomi Alderman’s clever book by Sarah Quintrell and Claire Wilson, The Power is a fascinatingly refreshing approach to the currently oversaturated superhero genre. Built on a foundation of reality, specifically from the perspective of young women, The Power deliberately explores imbalances of sex and class. Through carefully crafted intertwining stories, The Power features incredible performances from Collette and Auli’i Cravalho (Moana), along with co-stars Toheeb Jimoh from Ted Lasso and John Leguizamo. – Yael Tygiel

Created by: J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci

Cast: Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble

Fringe is a highly underrated series with deep and complex worldbuilding containing layers upon layers of lore. Initially an episodic scientific monstrosity of the week sci-fi drama like its spiritual predecessor, The X-Files, the series quickly spins out into a serialized character-driven ensemble show following the FBI’s secret Fringe Division. Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) is assigned to investigate a wave of unexplained occurrences that all deal with elements of fringe science known as “The Pattern.” Unfortunately, she is forced to enlist the help of institutionalized scientist Walter Bishop (John Noble) and his con artist son Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson). Fringe is one of the best sci-fi series of the last decade that gets better with every rewatch. – Tauri Miller

Creator: David Macpherson

Cast: Emily Hampshire, Iain Glen, Martin Compston, Mark Bonnar

Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek) and Iain Glen (Game of Thrones) star in a brand-new drama called The Rig from newcomer David Macpherson. The Rig is a tense series that blurs the line between science fiction thriller and workplace drama, as it follows a stranded oil rig crew cut off from help while off the coast of Scotland in the North Sea. Supporting Hampshire and Glen are Martin Compston and Mark Bonnar, heating up the interpersonal tensions through The Rig’s survival story, which is emphasized by the dangerous environment of oil rigs, along with the threats arising from man’s interference with nature. – Yael Tygiel

Cast: J.K. Simmons, Olivia Williams, Harry Lloyd, Nazanin Boniadi

J.K. Simmons (Invincible) stars in Counterpart, a two-season series from creator Justin Marks (Top Gun: Maverick). Counterpart originally introduces Howard Silk (Simmons), a docile employee at the Office of Interchange as part of the United Nations, before revealing that Silk is unknowingly a protector of a secret gateway to an alternate universe in a parallel dimension. Throughout Counterpart, Simmons plays two versions of the same character – the quiet paper pusher as well as a top spy. Built on a fascinating premise, Counterpart is a positively binge-worthy sci-fi spy thriller. – Yael Tygiel

Creator: Emilia di Girolamo

Cast: Alfred Molina, Rossif Sutherland, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Sarah Booth, Anna Tierney

Created by Emilia di Girolamo and based on Louise Penny’s novel series, Three Pines follows Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec police force, played stoically by Alfred Molina (Spider-man: No Way Home). Di Girolamo’s choice to spread four murder mysteries in the small idyllic town across two episodes each allows the Chief Inspector to both uncover the truths of the crimes as well as truths about himself. Although featuring Rossif Sutherland (Reign) and Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Three Pines leans heavily on Molina’s detective, whose uncanny perception reveals what others cannot see in the shadows of crime. Critically acclaimed and compared favorably to Agatha Christie and Columbo, Three Pines is an unexpected Canadian-based hit. – Yael Tygiel

Creators: Stephen Carpenter, David Greenwalt, Jim Kouf

Cast: David Giuntoli, Russell Hornsby, Silas Weir Mitchell, Bitsie Tulloch, Sasha Roiz

Grimm began its six seasons as a procedural monster-of-the-week type show centered around homicide detective Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli), who discovers his familial lineage of monster hunters who protect humanity from the monsters who walk among them. Truly an underrated gem, Grimm served as a launchpad for stars like Bitsie Tulloch, who currently dominates on Superman and Lois, as well as The L Word: Generation Q’s Jacqueline Toboni. Over the course of the series, Grimm evolved into a fun and creative ensemble with an incredibly complex and rich mythology. Creators Stephen Carpenter, David Greenwalt, and Jim Kouf cultivated a series that progressed with their audience, letting Grimm lean into what worked without compromising quality, engrossing storytelling. – Yael Tygiel

Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Gary Carr, Jack Reynor

Chloë Grace Moretz stars in The Peripheral, a lofty science-fiction thriller set in the not-too-distant future where society has become manipulated by technology. With a mysterious premise that forces viewers to question everything, The Peripheral explores the idea that virtual reality systems may actually be windows to alternate timelines or even our future. Centrally placed in a gripping puzzle, Moretz’s Flynne flows through realities, approaching fascinating questions about time, destiny, and truth. Created by Scott Smith and based on William Gibson’s novel, The Peripheral is a mind-bending series with a great cast wrapped up in a riveting adventure. – Yael Tygiel

Created by: Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk

Cast: Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, Denis O’Hare, Lily Rabe, Kathy Bates, Frances Roy, Jessica Lange

A horror show from the creators of Glee and Pose? Yup, you heard us right. Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk offer up a plethora of scares in anthology series American Horror Story. In its decade-long run, the show has covered everything from a haunted house to a creepy hotel, a coven to a cult. It’s served up countless screams and memes alike and featured some memorable performances from Lady Gaga in one of her first acting roles and veterans Sarah Paulson and Jessica Lange. – Taylor Gates

Created by: Stephany Folsom

Cast: Camryn Jones, Riley Lai Nelet, Sofia Rosinsky, Fina Strazza, Adina Porter

Finished Stranger Things but are still craving some 80s nostalgia? Add Paper Girls to your watchlist! Based on the comic book series by Brian K. Vaughan, the show follows four very different girls — super-smart Tiff (Camryn Jones), new girl Erin (Riley Lai Nelet), tomboy Mac (Sofia Rosinsky), and well-off KJ (Fina Strazza) – as they get caught in a war of time travelers and must band together to save the world. As they meet their future selves, questions about destiny pop up, and they must decide whether to accept or fight against their fate. The show has been praised for the performances of its young talent and sharp writing. – Taylor Gates

Created by: Kate Purdy, Raphael Bob-Waksberg

Cast: Rosa Salazar, Angelique Cabral, Constance Marie

Undone is a unique show for a myriad of reasons, the first of which is its visuals. The show employs a technique called rotoscoping, which uses live-action footage as a basis for its animation style. This allows the show to look more fluid and realistic than even the best CGI. The second of which is its plot. The show centers around Alma Winograd-Diaz (Rosa Salazar), a woman who’s bored with her life. After she survives a car accident than nearly kills her, however, things get a lot more interesting, as her relationship with time and reality is changed, allowing her to find out the truth of her father’s death. With excellent performances, breathtaking effects, and a fascinating plot, Undone is an underrated gem you don’t want to miss. – Taylor Gates

Created by: Gillian Flynn

Cast: John Cusack, Ashleigh LaThrop, Dan Byrd

Adapted from a British program of the same name by Gillian Flynn, the mastermind behind Gone Girl and Sharp Objects, Utopia explores what happens when a group of online friends find a cult underground comic book – and shortly after become tasked with saving the world. The show explores themes of a deadly virus and eugenics, and those subjects, combined with the violent nature of the show, sometimes make for a difficult watch. However, fans of gritty shows like The Boys or Hunters are sure to be intrigued. – Taylor Gates

Cast: Morgan Freeman, Anne Hathaway, Anthony Mackie

Solos is an anthology series that tells seven different stories with a common theme: what it means to be human. The show has a fascinating thesis exploring the fact that, even when we feel our most isolated, we are connected to many different people due to our shared experience of living. There is a broad range of sci-fi staples explored throughout the episodes, from space to new technology. The acting in the show has been lauded, particularly Anne Hathaway’s depiction of a scientist attempting to time travel and Anthony Mackie’s performance as angry businessman Tom. – Taylor Gates

Created by: Nathaniel Halpern

Cast: Rebecca Hall, Paul Schneider Duncan Joiner

Nominated for two Emmys in 2020, Tales from the Loop follows a group of people in Ohio who live above an underground facility called the Mercer Center for Experimental Physics, where there’s a machine created to unlock and explore the world’s most intriguing mysteries. The shows acts as an anthology series in a way, as it follows various interconnected people affected by the Loop. Though the pace can be slow at times, Tales from the Loop is an intriguing surrealist watch. – Taylor Gates

Created by: Channing Powell

Cast: Michelle Fairley, Guy Burnet, Nina Toussaint-White, David Thewlis

Social media is a huge part of our everyday lives and an addiction for many. The Feed explores a world where feeds are implanted into people’s brains. To make things even more complicated? One day, the feed goes haywire, causing chaos. In addition to its compelling and relevant themes, The Feed is anchored by some excellent performances. Although the show can feel a bit clunky and overly confusing at times, if you like media that examines the impact technology can have on society, it’s worth sticking with. – Taylor Gates

Created by: Brian Watkins

Cast: Josh Brolin, Imogen Poots, Lewis Pullman, Lili Taylor, Tamara Podemski, Tom Pelphrey, Noah Reid

Ever wonder what would happen if someone smashed a VHS tape of an old sci-fi film together with one of your dad’s favorites Westerns? Well, if you were thinking Cowboys vs. Aliens, you’d be wrong. No, the result is Outer Range, Prime Video’s science-fiction neo-Western series that premiered in early 2022 and continues to leave audiences buzzing. Starring Josh Brolin as rancher and patriarch Royal Abbott, the series follows residents of a small town in Wyoming as strange happenings begin to complicate their daily lives, including the appearance of a massive, bottomless hole on the Abbotts’ west pasture. Even stranger is the appearance of a young woman (Imogen Poots), who seems to have answers about Royal’s life that even he doesn’t possess. The series is a slow-burn, surely, but boasts one of the best ensemble cast in Prime Video’s history, including standouts Tamara Podemski as Deputy Sheriff Joy Hawk, the only sense of real authority in tiny Wabang, and Lewis Pullman as Rhett Abbott, the down-on-his-luck, bull-riding youngest son of Royal and his wife Cecelia (Lili Taylor). The desire for answers about the hole in the Abbott’s land makes the series perfect binge material, meshing together two of Hollywood’s most celebrated genres for something entirely unique. —Maggie Boccella