7 Classic Sci-Fi Shows That Still Hold Up Decades Later
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As both technology and audience preferences evolve, it’s relatively easy for a science fiction show to become outdated, no matter how loved it is by its fanbase. There’s always the classics, though; shows that hold up even after several decades, so full of timeless qualities that it feels as though they don’t age at all. Whether it’s because of charming special effects, universally appealing stories, world-building so complex that there’s no end to trying to understand it, or any other positive factor, these shows prove that there are very few genres as timeless as sci-fi.
For the sake of consistency, this list will define as “classic” any TV series that aired its first episode before 1990. These are classic sci-fi series that, even decades later and after the advent of prestige television and high-budget, highly cinematic sci-fi shows, are still every bit as legendary as they were back in their day. From groundbreaking pillars of the genre like The Twilight Zone to cult classics like Quantum Leap, these shows are the peak of sci-fi’s everlasting appeal, ranked from least to most timeless.
7
‘The Outer Limits’ (1963–1965)
Though it was clearly inspired by a certain other classic sci-fi anthology series that ran throughout the ’60s, The Outer Limits was always a series with a personality all of its own, far more focused on pure science fiction than fantastical or supernatural elements. Though its significantly longer ’90s revival, one of the best sci-fi shows over five seasons long, is probably slightly better known, there’s no beating the one that started it all. Its special effects are certainly more dated, but even that old-school look has a certain magic to it that’s impossible to replicate.
The Outer Limits‘ appeal lies in its admirable ability to be both profound and whimsical, both scary and purely fun. Perfectly reflecting the fears of American society during its era, from nuclear anxiety to the Red Scare, this is far more than just a deeply insightful historical document: It’s a hell of a lot of fun in its own right, full of stories whose entertainment value, cool low-budget visuals, and interesting themes never grow old.
6
‘The Transformers’ (1984–1987)
Before they were anything else, the Transformers were a popular toy line, and before they were the stars of some of the highest-grossing blockbusters in history, they were the stars of one of the best cartoons of the 1980s: The Transformers, a classic that ran in syndication for four phenomenal seasons. It’s fair to say that the franchise of these badass characters wouldn’t have become nearly as prolific as it did if the original show hadn’t been so great.
Love for The Transformers doesn’t just come from nostalgia: It’s a blast of fun from start to finish, perfect both for adults who grew up with these characters and for kids just starting to get into the franchise. The animation still looks slick, the writing is still fantastic for a kids’ show, and the actual Transformers are still so iconic and quotable that it’s impossible to watch this series and not have an awesome time, even over 40 years after it first aired.
5
‘Quantum Leap’ (1989–1993)
One of the coolest and biggest cult shows of the ’80s and ’90s, Quantum Leap is time travel sci-fi done absolutely right in every way. It started to jump the shark a bit toward its later seasons, as ratings began to decline, but even those episodes are fun enough that they’re worth watching and re-watching over and over again. Fun, charming, and often with surprisingly complex themes, it’s no wonder that this is such a classic.
Sure, Quantum Leap just screams ’80s, but it does so in a way so hypnotizing that there’s no way of pretending it isn’t absolutely timeless. It’s one of the decade’s best sci-fi series, a classic that always made the best possible use of its limited budget and never failed to have a perfect balance between humor and heartfelt drama. The chemistry between stars Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell is off the charts, and it’s that chemistry that often functions as the perfect complement to one of the most engaging premises of any sci-fi show of the era.
4
‘The Prisoner’ (1967–1968)
Even though it’s one of the most acclaimed and beloved science fiction shows of the ’60s, The Prisoner still doesn’t get nearly as much recognition as it deserves. This British cult classic is far more than just a sci-fi mystery with a commendable user rating of 8.5/10 on IMDb: It’s a brilliantly surreal, dreamlike, almost Kafkaesque masterpiece of the genre that mixes elements from several different genres to elaborate on its allegorical story about individualism, collectivism, and surveillance.
Though its pacing isn’t exactly brisk, The Prisoner proves that slow-burn sci-fi is always worth it, thanks to some brilliant writing and sharp direction much akin to the ’60s counterculture movement. It’s a visionary masterpiece that was far ahead of its time, far more similar to Twin Peaks than to any other contemporary sci-fi series, and that’s what makes it such a special gem that all fans of the genre ought to check out sometime. Nearly 60 years after it first aired, new fans are still discovering this endlessly re-watchable cult tale.
3
‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ (1987–1994)
Star Trek, easily one of the biggest, most iconic, and most influential sci-fi multimedia franchises in the genre’s history, has been the source of some of the greatest TV shows science fiction has ever had to offer. The best of the bunch, however, is typically agreed to be Star Trek: The Next Generation, a series so great that it surpasses most sci-fi movies in quality. Star Trek fans’ debates tend to revolve around the second-best installment in the franchise; Next Generation‘s spot as the greatest is one not often disputed.
Whether it’s the profoundly endearing ensemble of well-written characters, played by one of the best casts television has ever seen; the deeply nuanced and mature writing, which proved that sci-fi could be genuinely thought-provoking entertainment for grown-ups, too; or just the delightful sense of adventure that characterized nearly every episode of this highly prolific classic, there’s something in The Next Generation for absolutely everyone to fall in love with and praise. Cool twists, well-written romance, thrilling space exploration; what’s not to love?
2
‘Dragon Ball Z’ (1989–1996)
Dragon Ball first aired in 1986, a highly beloved and highly acclaimed adaptation of the first 194 chapters of Akira Toriyama‘s manga series of the same title. Right after it ended came the adaptation of the latter 325 chapters in the manga, Dragon Ball Z, which somehow found even more acclaim and popularity than its already legendary predecessor. Deeply adored the world over, from Japan to Latin America (where it has a particularly large cult following), this anime classic is the kind of series so popular that everyone who doesn’t live under a rock is bound to have heard about it at some point.
There are several reasons why Dragon Ball Z is one of the most timeless anime shows ever made, from its adrenaline-pumping shōnen action sequences to its enthralling character arcs to its eternally appealing visuals. It revolutionized both the medium of anime and its international recognition, and it’s a phenomenal gateway for anime newbies to get into these kinds of stories. Though its serialized story isn’t nearly as groundbreaking today as it was back in the ’80s and ’90s, it still provides for just as much irresistible entertainment.
1
‘The Twilight Zone’ (1959–1964)
One of the most stylish, popular, and revolutionary sci-fi shows in history, The Twilight Zone requires no introduction. Far more than just an incredible sci-fi show, it’s the epitome of the anthology television format, delivering some of the coolest and most memorable episodes that this genre has ever shown on the small screen. Though its budget was never stratospheric, it’s a show that never, ever feels cheap in the slightest. Made with so much passion and written so flawlessly, it’s no wonder why it’s remained one of the most acclaimed TV shows of the entirety of the 20th century.
This is a horror series that every fan should have on their bucket list, but The Twilight Zone isn’t only scary. It can be fun, it can be exciting, it can be amusing, and it can often offer some profoundly layered and complex discussions of themes as nuanced as the civil rights movement and techno-paranoia. Surprisingly prescient and far ahead of its time, it’s a sci-fi series that never ages, a use of the anthology format so perfect that every sci-fi fan who watches it is guaranteed to have a good time.
The Twilight Zone
- Release Date
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1959 – 1964
- Directors
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John Brahm, Buzz Kulik, Douglas Heyes, Lamont Johnson, Richard L. Bare, James Sheldon, Richard Donner, Don Medford, Montgomery Pittman, Abner Biberman, Alan Crosland, Jr., Alvin Ganzer, Elliot Silverstein, Jack Smight, Joseph M. Newman, Ted Post, William Claxton, Jus Addiss, Mitchell Leisen, Perry Lafferty, Robert Florey, Robert Parrish, Ron Winston, Stuart Rosenberg
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