Best Sci-fi/Fantasy Movies & TV Shows of 2025

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2025 offered a lot for fans of science fiction and fantasy, with both new additions to existing series and completely original stories. These genres are known for being incredibly creative and visually stunning, and many sci-fi classics—like Star Wars and 2001: A Space Odyssey—have truly changed filmmaking. The question is, will any of the films released in 2025 have the same lasting impact?

Our list features new installments in popular series like Alien and Predator, but some expected titles didn’t quite make it. Despite being worth watching, Wicked: For Good narrowly missed the top ten, and the latest season of Stranger Things hasn’t generated enough buzz yet to break into the rankings.

10
Alien: Earth


FX

Noah Hawley’s reimagining of the classic film Alien successfully builds upon and expands the world of Ridley Scott’s original. Titled Alien: Earth, the series moves the story to our planet, now controlled by warring wealthy elites. The show introduces memorable new characters, like Timothy Olyphant’s android and Wendy (Sydney Chandler), a unique creation – a hybrid built using the consciousness of children with terminal illnesses. The first season centers on these hybrids as they adjust to life, a challenge made even harder when their billionaire creator starts collecting dangerous alien creatures, including a Xenomorph and a particularly terrifying new species, Trypanohyncha ocellus – essentially, a tentacled eyeball with a penchant for parasitic behavior.

Even though the ending felt a bit rushed, Alien: Earth is still a really exciting series. The show’s visuals are fantastic, as expected from Hawley, and the fifth episode is a standout – it’s a clever take on the original Alien movie and gives Babou Ceesay’s character, Morrow, a well-deserved chance to shine.

9
Predator: Badlands


Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Two of this year’s standout sci-fi films continued stories from popular franchises often mentioned together. Similar to Alien: Earth, Predator: Badlands ventures into new territory – Yautja Prime, the Predators’ home world. The sequel to Dan Trachtenberg’s Prey follows Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) as he tries to prove himself by battling a seemingly invincible creature. Their journey takes an interesting turn, reminiscent of Lone Wolf & Cub, when Dek unexpectedly teams up with Thia (Elle Fanning), a synthetic human from Weyland-Yutani who lost her legs and relies on Dek to carry her.

Badlands is a captivating sci-fi experience filled with fascinating alien life, from creatures to plants. The story is just as compelling as the stunning visuals and sound design. While some viewers wished the character Dek had worn a faceplate more often, the Yautja designs are fantastic, particularly the realistic movement of the skin around his mouth when he yells.

8
Foundation


Apple TV+

Apple TV+’s Foundation is a surprisingly overlooked show, especially considering its impressive scope. Based on Isaac Asimov’s famous book series, it delivers the epic feel of Star Wars and Dune but on television. Like other recent sci-fi shows, Foundation got better with each season. The strong cast, including Lee Pace, Lou Lloubell, and Jared Harris, consistently delivers, and new actors like Pilou Asbæk and Synnøve Karlsen add even more to the latest season.

The Apple TV+ series Foundation successfully captures the spirit of Isaac Asimov’s novels, which are known for their broad scope and long timelines. While Season 3 takes some significant liberties with the plot, especially with a surprising late-season twist, it remains a respectful and engaging adaptation. Foundation tells a sprawling, centuries-spanning story of a futuristic galaxy, and the show continues to captivate audiences much like Asimov’s original books did decades ago.

7
Frankenstein


Netflix

Guillermo del Toro’s version of Frankenstein is a standout reimagining of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, originally written in the early 1800s. While Frankenstein has been adapted for film many times, which may explain why it hasn’t become a truly iconic movie, it’s still very much a Del Toro film. However, it doesn’t quite reach the same level of fresh creativity and captivating suspense as his films Pan’s Labyrinth or Cronos.

One of the biggest challenges for the success of Frankenstein was its release on Netflix. This film originally set the standard for horror movies in the 1930s, proving how scary cinema could be. Unfortunately, releasing it online diminishes what could have been a stunning visual experience best enjoyed on the big screen; it’s a film that deserves more than just a streaming release.

6
The Assessment

Although The Assessment first appeared at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024, it wasn’t released to the general public until early 2025. Unfortunately, its release during a slow period for movies meant it didn’t reach as many viewers as it deserved. Despite featuring Elizabeth Olsen, a well-known actress from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the film earned less than $1 million at the box office. However, critics generally praised it. The Assessment is a particularly ambitious science fiction film, and it stands out for its focus on complex ideas rather than simply aiming for big-budget spectacle.

5
Murderbot


AppleTV

Apple TV+ is quickly becoming known for its high-quality science fiction series, including shows like Foundation, For All Mankind, and the recently added Murderbot. In a crowded streaming landscape, Murderbot sets itself apart with its humor. The series also benefits from the talent of Alexander Skarsgård, whose charisma, surprising comedic skills, and strong dramatic abilities give the show a level of quality rarely seen in the science fiction genre.

4
KPop Demon Hunters


Netflix

Given its fresh and inventive take on sci-fi animation, the huge success of KPop Demon Hunters might not be a surprise, but it’s still one of the year’s biggest unexpected hits. While it won’t appeal to all audiences, fans have been incredibly enthusiastic – enough to warrant sing-along screenings in theaters! Despite a short run in cinemas, the film became Netflix’s highest-earning theatrical release, adding $24 million to its already impressive streaming numbers.

3
Andor


Lucasfilm/Disney+

I haven’t been a fan of most of the recent Star Wars shows on Disney+, including The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, or anything developed by Dave Filoni. However, Andor is different. It’s not just one of the best Star Wars projects ever – it could even be as good as the original movies – it’s genuinely one of the greatest TV shows I’ve ever watched. It captures everything that makes Star Wars great – a rich world, memorable characters, and a compelling story – but it adds incredibly well-developed and mature storytelling.

What truly sets Andor apart, even beyond its high production quality and thoughtful themes, is its refusal to rely on tired, predictable tropes common in Star Wars and other big-budget shows. The series feels remarkably genuine, letting characters grow organically and the story unfold in a natural way. While Star Wars often touches on important ideas, Andor is rare in that it gives those ideas real depth and impact, moving beyond simple statements about society.

2
Pluribus


Apple TV

It’s no surprise that Pluribus is a major success, given the talented people behind it. The show reunites Vince Gilligan, the creator of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, with Rhea Seehorn, a truly gifted actress who deserves more recognition. The first episode showcases Gilligan’s signature strengths – subtle storytelling, beautiful visuals, and a captivating atmosphere – and proves why he’s one of television’s most celebrated creators. Apple TV+’s series really lets his talents shine.

Despite having a long career in television, Vince Gilligan’s first original series was Breaking Bad. While Better Call Saul was arguably even better in some ways, it was limited by being a prequel. Now, with Pluribus, Gilligan is stepping outside of that familiar world, showcasing his talent and proving he’s a television visionary beyond the story of crystal meth. Pluribus is a remarkable science fiction show, solidifying Gilligan’s place among the all-time great TV writers.

1
Severance


Apple TV+

Even though Pluribus is a standout new sci-fi/fantasy show this year, Severance remains the best. While Pluribus is nearing the end of its first season, I’m not quite ready to say it’s better than Severance. The latest season of Severance delivered on the high expectations after a three-year wait, and arguably exceeded them.

It’s really hard to create a show built around mysteries, as Westworld proves – it stumbled because its creators didn’t have a clear plan for the long run. Severance did it right, though. It introduced intriguing mysteries in 2022 and then came back this year, giving viewers some answers while also adding new puzzles to solve.

Beyond its intriguing mysteries, Severance truly shines as a work of science fiction. The show takes a relatable idea and pushes it to a strange and unsettling limit, imagining how future technology could make even the most ordinary jobs terrifying. Severance Season 2 doesn’t take place in a distant galaxy; it feels incredibly close to home, like a possible future. It’s a scary show, but also a beautifully entertaining one, and I’m eagerly anticipating the next season.

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2025-12-15 02:53