I love sci-fi and wanted to see what’s worth watching on Amazon Prime. I’ve gathered 51 sci-fi movies and TV shows which scored 6.5 or higher on IMDb to see what I should add to my watchlist next. I can personally recommend Interstellar, A Quiet Place and Fallout.
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Interstellar (2014) – IMDb 8.7 · Adventure/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: 2001: A Space Odyssey, Arrival, Contact
Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, and Jessica Chastain star in Christopher Nolan’s sweeping space epic about a former NASA pilot who journeys through a wormhole to save humanity. The film won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and was nominated for four others, including Best Score and Best Production Design.
The X-Files (1993–2018) – IMDb 8.6 · Mystery/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Fringe, Twin Peaks, Supernatural
David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson lead this iconic series as FBI agents investigating paranormal cases and government conspiracies, earning 16 Primetime Emmys and three Golden Globes for Best Drama Series.
The Expanse (2015–2022) – IMDb 8.5 · Thriller/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Battlestar Galactica, Foundation, Dune
Shohreh Aghdashloo, Steven Strait, and Dominique Tipper anchor this politically charged space opera where a fragile peace between Earth, Mars, and the Belt unravels amid alien threats. The series won a Hugo Award and received critical acclaim for its realism and complexity.
Fallout (2024–) – IMDb 8.3 · Post-Apocalyptic/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: The Last of Us, Mad Max, The Boys
Ella Purnell and Walton Goggins star in this darkly comic adaptation of the video game, set in a retro-futuristic wasteland where vault dwellers emerge into a brutal new world. The series has been praised for its production design and performances, with early awards buzz surrounding Goggins’ role.
Farscape (1999–2003) – IMDb 8.3 · Adventure/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Firefly, Lexx, Babylon 5
Ben Browder and Claudia Black headline this cult favorite about an astronaut flung across the galaxy who joins a crew of alien fugitives aboard a living ship. The series won a Saturn Award and remains a fan-favorite for its wild creativity and practical effects.
Humans (2015–2018) – IMDb 8.0 · Drama/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Westworld, Black Mirror, Better Than Us
Gemma Chan and William Hurt star in this British series set in a near-future where synthetic humans known as “Synths” challenge the boundaries of consciousness, ethics, and family. The show was BAFTA-nominated and praised for its grounded emotional storytelling.
Upload (2020–) – IMDb 8.0 · Comedy/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: The Good Place, Devs, Severance
Robbie Amell plays a recently deceased tech worker whose consciousness is uploaded to a luxurious digital afterlife, where glitches, romance, and corporate control complicate eternity. The series earned Emmy nominations for its production design and visual effects.
The Outer Limits (Classic) (1963–1965) – IMDb 8.0 · Anthology/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Night Gallery
This eerie anthology series explored alien encounters, moral dilemmas, and speculative science with a rotating cast of guest stars including Martin Landau and Leonard Nimoy. It received critical acclaim and remains a foundational influence on modern sci-fi television.
Dark Matter (2015–2017) – IMDb 8.0 · Thriller/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Stargate Universe, Killjoys, The 100
Six strangers wake up on a spaceship with no memory and must uncover their identities and allegiances in this twisty space mystery starring Melissa O’Neil and Anthony Lemke. The series was nominated for multiple Canadian Screen Awards.
District 9 (2009) – IMDb 7.9 · Action/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Elysium, Children of Men, Robocop
Sharlto Copley stars in Neill Blomkamp’s gritty, allegorical thriller about alien refugees in South Africa, blending body horror and political satire. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
The Arrival (1996) – IMDb 7.9 · Thriller/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Contact, The X-Files, The Day the Earth Stood Still
Charlie Sheen plays a radio astronomer who uncovers a global conspiracy involving alien terraforming in this underrated, slow-burn invasion story. Though not a major awards contender, it gained cult status for its eerie tone and grounded paranoia.
Jerome Bixby’s The Man From Earth (2007) – IMDb 7.9 · Drama/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Coherence, Primer, The Sunset Limited
David Lee Smith leads a group of academics through a philosophical debate after revealing he’s a 14,000-year-old immortal. Written by Star Trek veteran Jerome Bixby, the film became a sleeper hit and is widely praised for its minimalist storytelling.
Ex Machina (2014) – IMDb 7.7 · Thriller/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Her, Blade Runner 2049, Annihilation
Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, and Oscar Isaac star in Alex Garland’s cerebral thriller about a programmer invited to test a humanoid AI, only to discover manipulation and autonomy at play. The film won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and was nominated for Best Original Screenplay.
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981) – IMDb 7.6 · Action/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Fallout, The Book of Eli, Escape from New York
Mel Gibson returns as the lone drifter in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, helping a community defend their fuel from marauders. The film won multiple Australian Film Institute awards and became a genre-defining classic.
Gen V (2023–) – IMDb 7.6 · Superhero/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: The Boys, Misfits, Doom Patrol
Jaz Sinclair and Chance Perdomo lead this bloody, satirical spin-off set at a college for superpowered youth, where ambition and corruption collide. The series received critical acclaim and was nominated for Critics Choice Super Awards.
The Peripheral (2022) – IMDb 7.6 · Thriller/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Westworld, Devs, Altered Carbon
Chloë Grace Moretz stars as a gamer who stumbles into a future war through a VR headset in this mind-bending adaptation of William Gibson’s novel. The series was praised for its production design and speculative world-building.
Continuum (2012–2015) – IMDb 7.6 · Thriller/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Travelers, Fringe, Person of Interest
Rachel Nichols plays a cop from the future stranded in present-day Vancouver, trying to stop time-traveling terrorists from rewriting history. The series won multiple Leo Awards and was nominated for Canadian Screen Awards.
The 100 (2014–2020) – IMDb 7.6 · Drama/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Lost, Battlestar Galactica, The Walking Dead
Eliza Taylor and Bob Morley star in this survival-driven teen epic where juvenile delinquents are sent to a post-apocalyptic Earth to test its habitability. The show earned Saturn Award nominations and built a passionate fanbase.
A Quiet Place (2018) – IMDb 7.5 · Horror/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Bird Box, The Mist, The Road
John Krasinski directs and stars alongside Emily Blunt in this tense, emotionally resonant thriller about a family surviving in silence to avoid blind alien predators. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound Editing and won a SAG Award for Blunt’s performance.
Smallville (2001–2011) – IMDb 7.5 · Superhero/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Arrow, The Flash, Superman & Lois
Tom Welling leads this long-running origin story of Clark Kent, chronicling his journey from high school to heroism. The series earned 35 wins and 155 nominations, including multiple Saturn Awards and ASC cinematography nods.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) – IMDb 7.4 · Horror/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: The Thing, They Live, The Faculty
Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Jeff Goldblum, and Leonard Nimoy star in this chilling remake where alien pods replicate humans in a paranoid, post-Watergate San Francisco. The film won the Saturn Award for Best Director and is widely considered one of the greatest sci-fi horrors.
Tales from the Loop (2020) – IMDb 7.4 · Drama/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: The Leftovers, Station Eleven, Devs
Rebecca Hall and Jonathan Pryce star in this meditative Amazon series inspired by Simon Stålenhag’s artwork, where residents of a small town experience surreal phenomena linked to a mysterious underground machine. It was nominated for two Primetime Emmys and praised for its score by Philip Glass.
Night Sky (2022) – IMDb 7.4 · Mystery/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Counterpart, The OA, Tales from the Loop
Sissy Spacek and J.K. Simmons play a retired couple who discover a portal to another planet in their backyard, in this quiet, character-driven sci-fi drama. Both leads earned Satellite Award nominations for their performances.
The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy (2024–) – IMDb 7.3 · Animation/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Rick and Morty, Final Space, BoJack Horseman
Stephanie Hsu, Keke Palmer, and Natasha Lyonne voice alien surgeons navigating intergalactic medicine and absurd bureaucracy in this irreverent Prime Video comedy. Created by Cirocco Dunlap, the show has been praised for its voice cast and satirical edge.
Star Trek: Picard (2020–2023) – IMDb 7.3 · Adventure/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Star Trek: TNG, The Mandalorian, Foundation
Patrick Stewart reprises his role as Jean-Luc Picard, confronting legacy, mortality, and new threats in this reflective continuation of the Star Trek saga. The series received Saturn Award nominations and was lauded for its emotional depth.
Battlestar Galactica (Classic) (1978–1979) – IMDb 7.2 · Adventure/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Star Wars, Buck Rogers, Lost in Space
Lorne Greene and Richard Hatch lead the last remnants of humanity fleeing robotic Cylons in search of Earth. Though short-lived, the series earned Emmy nominations and laid the groundwork for its acclaimed reboot.
1984 (1984) – IMDb 7.1 · Dystopia/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Brazil, V for Vendetta, Equilibrium
John Hurt and Richard Burton star in this stark adaptation of George Orwell’s novel, where a man rebels against a regime that controls truth and thought. The film won Best British Film at the Evening Standard British Film Awards.
The Time Traveller’s Wife (2022) – IMDb 7.1 · Romance/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Outlander, The Lake House, About Time
Rose Leslie and Theo James star in this HBO adaptation about a man with a genetic disorder that causes involuntary time travel, complicating his relationship with the woman he loves. The series received praise for its performances and emotional storytelling.
Ascension (2014) – IMDb 7.1 · Thriller/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: The 100, Raised by Wolves, The Expanse
A murder aboard a generation ship reveals secrets about its mission and origins in this stylish, short-lived mystery starring Tricia Helfer and Gil Bellows. Though it ran only one season, it earned a cult following for its premise.
The Day of the Triffids (1981) – IMDb 7.1 · Horror/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: The War of the Worlds, The Andromeda Strain, The Last Man on Earth
After a meteor shower blinds most of humanity, carnivorous plants rise in this eerie British miniseries adaptation of John Wyndham’s novel. The series was praised for its atmosphere and remains a cult classic.
Caprica (2010) – IMDb 7.1 · Drama/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Battlestar Galactica, Westworld, Raised by Wolves
Eric Stoltz and Esai Morales star in this prequel exploring grief, AI, and the birth of the Cylons. Though short-lived, it earned Saturn Award nominations and expanded the Galactica universe with philosophical depth.
28 Weeks Later (2007) – IMDb 7.0 · Horror/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: 28 Days Later, The Crazies, Dawn of the Dead
Robert Carlyle and Rose Byrne star in this brutal sequel where London struggles to rebuild after a viral outbreak — until the rage virus returns. The film was praised for its intense pacing and chilling visuals, earning multiple genre award nominations.
Oblivion (2013) – IMDb 7.0 · Action/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Moon, The Matrix, Edge of Tomorrow
Tom Cruise plays a drone repairman on a post-apocalyptic Earth who uncovers secrets about his mission and identity. The film was nominated for Saturn Awards and recognized for its striking production design and score by M83.
Transformers (2007) – IMDb 7.0 · Action/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Pacific Rim, Power Rangers, Real Steel
Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox star in Michael Bay’s explosive blockbuster where alien robots wage war on Earth disguised as vehicles. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Sound Editing and Visual Effects.
The Quatermass Experiment (1953) – IMDb 7.0 · Horror/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: The Thing, The Andromeda Strain, Doctor Who
Reginald Tate stars in this foundational British sci-fi thriller about a space mission gone wrong and a mysterious infection. The film helped launch Hammer Horror and influenced decades of genre storytelling.
Lexx (1997–2002) – IMDb 7.0 · Comedy/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Farscape, Red Dwarf, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Brian Downey and Eva Habermann lead this surreal, cult-favorite space opera about a sentient ship and its misfit crew navigating absurd cosmic threats. Though divisive, it earned a loyal fanbase and multiple Gemini nominations.
Annihilation (2018) – IMDb 6.8 · Thriller/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Arrival, Solaris, Under the Skin
Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Oscar Isaac star in Alex Garland’s haunting adaptation of Jeff VanderMeer’s novel, where a team investigates a mysterious zone of biological mutation. The film won Best Sci-Fi Film at the Saturn Awards and was lauded for its visuals and ambiguity.
The Island (2005) – IMDb 6.8 · Action/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Gattaca, Logan’s Run, Minority Report
Scarlett Johansson and Ewan McGregor play clones who escape a dystopian facility in Michael Bay’s glossy, high-concept thriller. The film was nominated for Teen Choice and Visual Effects Society awards.
Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn (2012) – IMDb 6.8 · Action/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Halo, Starship Troopers, Ender’s Game
Tom Green and Anna Popplewell star in this live-action prequel to the Halo franchise, following cadets preparing for war against alien forces. The series won a Streamy Award and was praised for its production value.
TiMER (2009) – IMDb 6.8 · Romance/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: The One, Eternal Sunshine, The Map of Tiny Perfect Things
Emma Caulfield stars in this quirky indie where a matchmaking implant counts down to your soulmate — unless love has other plans. The film won Best Feature at the Florida Film Festival and became a cult favorite.
Shin Ultraman (2022) – IMDb 6.8 · Action/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Godzilla Minus One, Evangelion, Pacific Rim
Takumi Saitoh stars in this modern reboot of the classic tokusatsu hero, where a mysterious giant defends Earth from kaiju threats. The film was a box office hit in Japan and received multiple Japan Academy Prize nominations.
The Vast of Night (2019) – IMDb 6.7 · Mystery/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: The Twilight Zone, Coherence, Pontypool
Sierra McCormick and Jake Horowitz star in this low-budget gem set in 1950s New Mexico, where a switchboard operator and a DJ uncover a strange audio signal. The film won Best Narrative Feature at Slamdance and was praised for its long takes and atmosphere.
Pandorum (2009) – IMDb 6.7 · Horror/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Event Horizon, Alien, Sunshine
Dennis Quaid and Ben Foster wake up on a derelict spaceship with no memory and face mutated horrors in this claustrophobic thriller. The film earned genre nominations and developed a cult following.
Upstream Color (2013) – IMDb 6.7 · Experimental/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Primer, The Tree of Life, Under the Skin
Shane Carruth directs and stars in this hypnotic, nonlinear film about identity, parasites, and emotional connection. It won the Special Jury Prize at Sundance and is considered a landmark in experimental sci-fi.
Control (2022) – IMDb 6.7 · Thriller/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Cube, Circle, The Platform
Sara Mitich stars as a woman trapped in a mysterious room, forced to complete psychic tasks to save her daughter. The film was praised for its minimalist tension and psychological twists.
Attack the Block (2011) – IMDb 6.6 · Action/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Shaun of the Dead, The Warriors, Cloverfield
John Boyega leads a gang of South London teens defending their estate from alien invaders in this fast-paced, genre-blending cult hit. The film won the Audience Award at SXSW and launched Boyega’s career.
The Power (2023) – IMDb 6.6 · Drama/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: The Handmaid’s Tale, Orphan Black, Utopia
Toni Collette and Auli’i Cravalho star in this adaptation of Naomi Alderman’s novel, where teenage girls develop the ability to generate electricity, upending global power dynamics. The series received BAFTA nominations and sparked debate for its themes.
Andromeda (2000–2005) – IMDb 6.6 · Adventure/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Star Trek: Voyager, Farscape, Babylon 5
Kevin Sorbo stars as a captain trying to restore a fallen intergalactic civilization in this Gene Roddenberry-created series. It won multiple Leo Awards and was a syndicated staple in early 2000s sci-fi.
War of the Worlds (2005) – IMDb 6.5 · Action/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Independence Day, Signs, Cloverfield
Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning flee an alien invasion in Steven Spielberg’s intense, effects-driven adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards and won Best Sound at the BAFTAs.
The Tomorrow War (2021) – IMDb 6.5 · Action/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Edge of Tomorrow, Battle Los Angeles, Starship Troopers
Chris Pratt stars as a soldier drafted into a future war against alien creatures in this time-travel blockbuster. The film was nominated for a Visual Effects Society Award and praised for its creature design.
Halo Legends (2010) – IMDb 6.5 · Animation/Sci-Fi
For Fans of: Animatrix, Star Wars: Visions, Love, Death & Robots
This anthology of animated shorts explores the Halo universe through varied styles and perspectives, featuring work from top Japanese studios. It was well received by fans and expanded the franchise’s lore.
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