Every Apple Sci-Fi TV Show, Ranked Worst To Best

Apple TV+ is a top-tier streaming platform because of its well-developed shows, especially with its incredible sci-fi television series. Apple started producing its content in 2016, with its first TV show being reality competition series Planet of the Apps. On March 25th, 2019, Apple announced their streaming service Apple TV+, which would feature a lineup of original programs.

Apple TV+ was launched on November 1st, 2019, with the original shows For All Mankind, The Morning Show, and See available from day one. Since its inception, Apple TV+ has introduced 12 original sci-fi television shows. Each of these series offers a unique exploration of the science fiction genre, that ranges from interstellar journeys to people dealing with strange occurrences in their hometown.

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13 Amazing Stories

Based On: Amazing Stories (1985); By Steven Spielberg

Amazing Stories

Release Date: March 6, 2009
Cast: Dylan O’Brien , Victoria Pedretti
Seasons: 1

The 2020 sci-fi anthology series Amazing Stories presents captivating tales such as time-travel romance, hit-and-run mysteries, and struggles with memory loss. Each episode features new and talented actors, like Robert Foster, Dylan O’Brien, and Kerry Bishe, who bring each story to life. Steven Spielberg created the original series, which was released in 1985, and this version picks up where he left off, with five episodes in its first, and so far, only season.

The show received mixed reviews from critics, who acknowledged its ambitious goals, but the execution left much to be desired. Amazing Stories still provides viewers with engaging sci-fi stories, with new technologies and ideas to explore in each episode. The series picked up a Saturn Award nomination for Best Television Presentation. It was Apple TV+’s first nomination for the award, but it lost out to The Mandalorian.

Created By Scott Z. Burns

Extrapolations is the 2023 sci-fi series that shows the future of humanity by offering a glimpse into the repercussions of climate change on Earth. Each episode catapults viewers further into Earth’s timeline and reveals new and tragic events that happen as the climate crisis worsens. It is also a series that shows the future of the planet, starting in 2037 and finishing up in 2070. The cast includes major names like Meryl Streep, Kit Harrington, Sienna Miller, Judd Hirsch, Diane Lane, Ed Norton, and Keri Russell.

While Explorations provides an intriguing perspective on the impact of climate change, critics note that the constant time jumps result in a sprawling narrative that struggles to come together in the end. Nevertheless, the eight-episode series remains a unique and entertaining expropriation of the consequences of climate change, watching it through different points of view in interconnecting stories.

11 Hello Tomorrow!

Stars Billy Crudup As Jack Billings

Hello Tomorrow!

Release Date: February 17, 2023
Cast: Billy Crudup , Hank Azaria , Haneefah Wood , Alison Pill , Nicholas Podany , Dewshane Williams
Seasons: 1
Number of Episodes: 10

Hello Tomorrow! is a comedic science fiction series about a traveling salesman going door to door to sell timeshares to the moon. However, Jack Billings soon finds himself having to ensure that his fraudulent business doesn’t come crashing down around him. Billy Cradup stars as Jack Billings, with Hank Azaria and Alison Pill also playing major roles.

On top of the quirky sci-fi storyline, this is also a father-son story, as Jack soon finds his son, who doesn’t know who he is, and tries to connect with him in a small town without letting the young man know that they are related. The reviews for Hello Tomorrow!, which has yet to receive a second season, are fairly mixed, as there is praise for the incredible visuals but criticism for the underdeveloped characters, which causes the show to fall short of its potential.

10 See

Stars Jason Momoa As Baba Voss

See

Release Date: November 1, 2019
Cast: Jason Momoa , Sylvia Hoeks , Hera Hilmar , Christian Camargo , Archie Madekwe , Nesta Cooper , Olivia Cheng , Eden Epstein
Seasons: 3

See is one of the three shows that debuted on the same day Apple TV+ was launched. As of October 2022, the series has concluded with season 3. The storyline unfolds several centuries into the future, depicting a world where humanity has lost its ability to see due to a 21st-century virus. The cast of See stars Jason Momoa and Sylvia Hoeks, whose performances make them stand-outs in the series.

However, the show faced criticism for relying too much on gore and at times having overly complex narratives. Despite these critiques, See is worth streaming as it offers a complete story, with each season building upon the last, which goes a long way toward giving it a satisfying conclusion. This is the first major blockbuster series for Apple TV+ as it tried to lure in new subscribers with the promise of big things.

9 Shining Girls

Stars Elizabeth Moss As Kirby Mazrachi

Shining Girls

Release Date: April 29, 2022
Cast: Phillipa Soo , Elisabeth Moss , Wagner Moura , Jamie Bell
Seasons: 1

Shining Girls is a chilling crime drama that revolves around Kirby Mazrachi, a person left for dead after a brutal attack. Years later, she hears of a crime that is similar to hers and works with a veteran reporter to uncover the mystery. Based on the novel by Lauren Beukes, the series stars Elisabeth Moss and Jamie Bell, with Moss also directing the fifth episode of the series. What makes this sci-fi is the fact that reality is constantly shifting and the hero has no idea what is real and what isn’t.

The series has mostly positive reviews, with praise for its intriguing plot, Twilight Zone-like twists, and Elisabeth Moss’ superb performance. However, some viewers found certain elements of the plot confusing and thought it ended on an underwhelming note. Nonetheless, for enthusiasts of dark crime dramas, Shining Girls offers a twist on the conventional narrative.

8 The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey

Stars Samuel L. Jackson As Ptolemy Grey

The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey follows a 91-year-old man with dementia, who uses a pill to temporarily remember his past to investigate the death of his great-nephew. The cast of The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey stars Samuel L. Jackson and Dominique Fishback, who give stellar performances. The movie deals with the horrors of memory loss, but Jackson gives a solid performance of a man who fights against all odds to solve the mystery at hand.

The series won four 6th Black Reel Awards for Television, with one going to Jackson for his sensational performance. It was also honored with five nominations at the NAACP Image Awards and two at the Critics’ Choice Awards, although it didn’t win any of those awards. As a six-episode limited series, The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey is a worthwhile watch for those who appreciate Jackson’s work and enjoy a subtle sci-fi mystery.

Are Any Shows Leaving Apple TV This Month?

Though Apple TV Plus holds onto its content more than other streaming services, there are some bonus movies from its library leaving this month.

7 Invasion

Stars Golshifteh Farahani As Aneesha Malik

Invasion

Release Date: October 22, 2021
Cast: Shioli Kutsuna , Sam Neill , Shamier Anderson
Seasons: 2

The Apple TV+ show Invasion centers around Earth facing off against an alien species that threatens humanity’s existence. The narrative takes place across the globe, providing five distinct perspectives on how individuals struggle to cope with the chaos. Season 1 has received mixed reviews, with some stating that the slow burn in the narrative kills any tension. Notably, season 2 improved greatly, as viewers now feel that season 1 seems like more of a prologue to what unraveled in season 2.

Invasion‘s improvements for season 2 instill a sense of confidence for the forthcoming third season’s ability to continue to be a stand-out series on the platform. The series also has a third season coming, with the renewal arriving in 2024. The series was praised for its effects work and was nominated for Outstanding Effects Simulations in an Episode at the Visual Effects Society Awards.

6 Dark Matter

Stars Joel Edgerton As Jason Dessen

Dark Matter (2015)

Cast: Marc Bendavid , Melissa O’Neil , Anthony Lemke , Alex Mallari Jr. , Jodelle Ferland , Zoie Palmer , Roger Cross , Melanie Liburd , Shaun Sipos
Release Date: June 12, 2015
Seasons: 3
Writers: Joseph Mallozzi , Paul Mullie
Directors: Multiple

Based on the science fiction novel by Blake Crouch, Dark Matter tells the story of a physician who is abducted one night on his way home by a mystery assailant. When Jason wakes up, he is in a strange laboratory and when he escapes, he realizes the Chicago he is in is not the one that he remembers. His wife and son are gone, there is a stranger who claims she lives with him, and people claim he is a brilliant scientist who designed a way to travel to alternate Earths, all of which are wildly different.

Jason has to find his way back to his reality when he learns the Jason from this world replaced him and wants to take his life as his own. Jennifer Connelly stars as Jason’s wife while Alice Braga is a scientist from the alternate Earth who agrees to help Jason get back. The book was a huge bestseller, and the Apple TV+ series does a good job of adapting the intriguing story. There are nine episodes in the series and it premiered on May 8, 2024.

5 Silo

Stars Rebecca Ferguson As Juliette Nichols

Silo

Release Date: May 5, 2023
Cast: Rebecca Ferguson , Rashida Jones , David Oyelowo , Common , Tim Robbins , Harriet Walter

Silo delves into the lives of a community residing within a 144-level silo, where numerous mysteries surround the reasons behind their habitation. Silo‘s season 1 cast features Rebecca Ferguson as Juliette Nichols, who delivers an incredible performance as she works to uncover the truth of the silo. Silo’s pacing is well-executed, as the show balances fully developing the various characters, building the world, and delivering captivating twists and turns successfully.

With how Silo season 1 ended, there is so much to explore in season 2, which is sure to deliver more mysteries and plenty of intrigue. The series is based on the book Wool by Hugh Howry, one of the most successful self-published books in history, and the series not only lived up to the source material but eclipsed it in many ways. Season 2 is currently in development.

4 Monarch: Legacy of Monsters

Stars Kurt Russell as Lee Shaw

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters

Cast: Kurt Russell , Wyatt Russell , Anna Sawai , Kiersey Clemons , Ren Watabe , Mari Yamamoto , Anders Holm , Joe Tippett , Elisa Lasowski
Seasons: 1

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is the sixth installment and second television series in the MonsterVerse franchise. The show comes after the events of the 2014 Godzilla film and follows members of the Monarch organization who monitor giant monsters. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters‘s cast consists of father-son duo Kurt and Wyatt Russell, whose nuanced performances of the same character at different points in time are a highlight of the series.

The show brings a series about Titans to a very human level and has visual effects that breathe life into the monsters. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is a must-watch for Monsterverse fans. It also helped lead the way into the next movies in the franchise, including Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire. On top of the Russells, the rest of the cast is amazing as well, with names like Kiersety Clemons, Anders Holm, Joe Yippett, and John Goodman in major roles.

3 Foundation

Stars Jared Harris as Hari Seldon and Lou Llobell as Gaal Dornick

Foundation

Release Date: September 24, 2021
Cast: Jared Harris , Leah Harvey , Lou Llobell , Lee Pace , Troy Kotsur
Seasons: 2

Foundation is an expansive thousand-year saga, which takes viewers across the universe as a group of exiles discover that they must rebel against the Galactic Empire to save it. The show currently has two seasons and as of December 2023, Foundation has been renewed for season 3. The show has stunning visuals that depict the various planets, creatures, and expansive space, and it has won two Visual Effects Society Awards.

Foundation season 1 had generally favorable reviews, but moving into season 2, the show received a 100% approval rating. This is because the worldbuilding that happens in season 1 pays off significantly in season 2. Foundation is perfect for those who are attracted to large-scale sci-fi stories, and the direction that the series is moving in is setting up Foundation season 3 to be fantastic.

2 For All Mankind

Created By Ronald D. Moore

For All Mankind

Release Date: November 1, 2019
Cast: Michaela Conlin , jodi balfour , Coral Peña , Colm Feore , Sarah Jones , Wrenn Schmidt , Casey W. Johnson , Cynthy Wu , Shantel VanSanten , Michael Harney , Krys Marshall , Joel Kinnaman , Sonya Walger , Michael Dorman
Seasons: 4

For All Mankind takes place in an alternative reality showing a version of what would have happened if the space race never ended and the Soviet Union made it to the moon first. The interesting twist in history allows the characters to navigate the challenges of getting to the moon and beyond. The show currently has four seasons out and although season 5 of For All Mankind has not yet been confirmed, the show is planned to have seven seasons.

Four All Mankind has won two Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which recognize the series as an excellent television program. The series also has received recognition at the Saturn and Hugo Awards as well. As the narrative progresses, the series offers a glimpse into a world where space exploration continues on a massive scale. The show’s unique premise makes For All Mankind a phenomenal series to watch.

1 Severance

Directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle

Severance

Release Date: February 18, 2022
Cast: Christopher Walken , Tramell Tillman , Michael Chernus , Adam Scott , Britt Lower , Patricia Arquette , Jen Tullock , John Turturro , Dichen Lachman , Zach Cherry
Seasons: 1

Severance explores the lives of Lumon Industries employees, who have undergone a medical procedure called “severance” to separate their work lives from everyday life. Severance‘s cast is led by Adam Scott, who draws viewers into the mystery shrouding Lumon Industries.

Severance season 1 was nominated for three Golden Globes, which underscores the immense acclaim the show has received from average viewers and critics alike. It also picked up 14 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series and acting nominations for Adam Scott, John Turturro, Christopher Walken, and Patricia Arquette. Its only wins came for Main Title Design and Music Composition. Apple TV+ renewed it for a second season, but there is no release date yet.