.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1100&h=618&dpr=1.5)
Most people immediately think of epic space adventures such as Star Trek or Star Wars when somebody says science fiction. But that's not always the case. While it's true that a lot of series like to explore space and everything it has to offer, a lot of TV shows are more down to Earth and stay on the planet every viewer knows well.
Some of the series that can be considered science fiction only have a limited number of science fiction elements and instead focus on the story and the characters. As a result, there are multiple amazing science fiction shows that don't take place in space and will be much more familiar to the audience.
7 11.22.63
Stephen King is best known for his horror work, such as Carrie, The Shining, or It. However, one of the best adaptations of his work is a sci-fi romance. Jake (James Franco) is a teacher who comes across the way to travel in time, and he decides to save President Kennedy from assassination.
However, while he lives in the past, Jake forms a bond with Sadie (Sarah Gadon) and falls in love. While the series doesn't use extraordinary special effects, it is an ideal watch for all sci-fi fans who enjoy what-if scenarios. 11.22.63 is both touching and intelligent, as it creates the doomed romance between Jake and Sadie and considers the impact Kennedy's death had on the world.
6 Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
There are plenty of shows about superheroes but not so many about super villains, if the audience doesn't count the likes of Peacemaker or Loki. And even if they do, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog came long before them, in 2008. Neil Patrick Harris stars as Doctor Horrible, a supervillain, whose greatest wish is to get into the Evil League of Evil. At the same time, he's unhappily in love with Penny (Felicia Day) and battles the superhero Captain Hammer (Nathan Fillion).
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog is a short web series that lasts about 45 minutes in total, contains a lot of emotional and hilarious scenes, and songs since it's a musical. Even the viewers who are getting a bit tired of all the superhero content might enjoy the show since it's very different from the majority of more recent superhero shows and movies.
5 Dollhouse
Dollhouse is one of the shows that work with an intriguing concept and offer many familiar faces yet these days, they're mostly flying under the radar. Eliza Dushku stars as Echo, a woman who has agreed to work as a Doll for five years, basically, a body to which various personalities can be uploaded and then sent onto missions.
But not everything is what it seems to be. The series offers many surprising moments and its idea combined with the strong cast is enough to win the audience over. Plus, it only ran for two seasons so those who enjoy it are able to binge-watch the series in a relatively short time.
4 Heroes
Before the MCU, DCEU, and Arrowverse superhero craze took over the world, Heroes helped popularize this genre. A group of people discovers they have special powers and have to save the world from destruction. While the basic plot seems pretty usual, what makes the story unique is how it works with the protagonists and their enemies.
The characters are relatable and so different from one another it's always fun to watch their storylines evolve. Plus, the show has created some memorable antagonists, such as the murderous Sylar played by Zachary Quinto. It spawned a sequel in 2015 called Heroes Reborn, but the newer show only lasted for a single season. To this day, the original remains a clear winner and a must-watch for all superhero fans.
3 Living With Yourself
Having another version of themselves might seem like a dream come true for some people. For example, the other version could be going to work instead of them. But as this Netflix show proves, when two people want to lead a single life, it doesn't work so well.
Paul Rudd shines in the leading role as he plays not one but two versions of the same character. The show manages to balance both humor and drama, and the original idea as well as Paul Rudd's show-stealing performance is enough to keep the audience hooked for all eight episodes.
2 The Man in the High Castle
Philip K. Dick has written stories and novels that served as an inspiration source for some of the best sci-fi movies of all time, such as Blade Runner (1982) or Minority Report (2002). In the case of this successful show, Dick turned to the genre of alternate history and creates a world in which the Nazis won World War Two.
Years later, America is divided into three sections. Life is far from peaceful for the citizens since they have to fear persecution and death. The intelligent story and the great cast make The Man in the High Castle into a series that no fan of this genre should miss out on watching.
1 Upload
The question of what comes after somebody dies is something multiple shows and movies tried to answer. Upload offers a unique solution. After death, the recently deceased can be uploaded into a virtual paradise and continue on enjoying their lives. That's what happens to the young Nathan (Robbie Amell).
He's initially glad he's been uploaded but soon grows to realize there might be something fishy about the way he died. Upload manages to combine drama, romance, and humor, and it offers a lot of promise for the future seasons since there are still many unanswered questions the fans would love to know.