Scrolling for a show can feel like shopping hungry. Everything looks good for five seconds, then nothing looks good at all. Sci-fi makes that problem worse, because the genre is huge. Some people want aliens and action. Others want quiet, unsettling stories that crawl into the brain and stay there.
Hulu is sneaky-good for sci-fi, though. It has prestige drama, animated chaos, classic comfort-watch stuff, and a few titles that feel like they were built for late-night binges. This guide pulls together 13 standouts and explains what kind of viewer each one fits, so the choice feels easier.
This list is inspired by Entertainment Weekly’s February 13, 2026 roundup of Hulu sci-fi favorites, plus Hulu’s own sci-fi hubs and show pages.
If someone is hunting the best sci fi series on hulu, the fastest win is to match the show to the mood. Heavy and intense, or clever and light. Weird and experimental, or classic and familiar. The 13 series below cover the full spread, which is exactly why Hulu’s sci-fi library works so well.
This isn’t a “most popular today” list that changes every time the internet blinks. It’s more like a curated shelf. These shows made the cut because they do at least one of these things really well:
In other words, these are top science fiction series choices that hold up, even when someone’s attention span is running on fumes.
If someone wants tense sci-fi with a familiar universe, this is the move. It brings the Alien franchise into TV form with a crash-on-Earth setup and a very clear problem: the kind with teeth.
It’s the sort of show that makes viewers sit forward on the couch without realizing it. Great for people who like sci-fi that leans thriller and doesn’t apologize for it.
Devs is what happens when sci-fi stops trying to entertain you with explosions and starts quietly messing with your sense of reality. It’s a mystery wrapped around big questions about prediction, free will, and what tech companies might do if they could see everything.
This one fits viewers who like slow-burn tension and conversations that continue after the episode ends.
This show plays with a fun premise: a world where people get powers, except one person who does not. It’s funny, a little messy in a relatable way, and surprisingly warm.
For anyone who likes character-driven sci-fi with comedy and heart, it belongs on the “start tonight” list of sci fi shows on hulu.
Firefly still feels like the friend who shows up late but immediately becomes the life of the party. It’s space western, found-family, scrappy survival, and sharp dialogue all packed into a short run that people still talk about.
It’s also one of those rare shows that makes viewers wish there were more seasons, even before they finish the first one.
Futurama is the easy recommendation for someone who wants laughs but still appreciates clever sci-fi ideas. It’s absurd, it’s surprisingly emotional at times, and it can go from goofy to genuinely thoughtful in the same episode.
If a viewer thinks animation can’t count as serious sci-fi, this show politely proves them wrong.
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Here’s the wild part: The Jetsons imagined “the year 2026” decades ago, and some of its ideas feel less fictional than they should. It’s a classic, it’s light, and it’s a fun watch when someone wants retro optimism.
This is one of those hulu sci fi shows picks that works as a palate cleanser between darker series.
Legion is not a casual background show. It’s bold, trippy, and sometimes intentionally confusing in a “trust the process” way. It plays with perception, power, and identity, and it looks like nothing else on TV.
For viewers who like sci-fi that feels like art and a puzzle at the same time, this one is a strong bet.
Lost sits in that sweet spot where sci-fi, mystery, and human drama all collide. A plane crash, a strange island, and a growing sense that the rules of reality are not stable.
It’s ideal for people who love big ensemble casts and long-running questions. And yes, it’s still one of the most bingeable best shows on hulu for anyone who missed it the first time around.
Misfits is raw, funny, and chaotic in the best way. It takes the “suddenly superpowered” concept and makes it feel grimy and real, like it happened to imperfect people who make bad choices.
For anyone who likes sci-fi that’s irreverent, fast, and not overly polished, this series hits.
Rick and Morty is messy, sharp, and fearless about going big. It can be ridiculous one moment and strangely philosophical the next. Not every episode is for everyone, but the highs are high.
If someone wants boundary-pushing animated sci-fi, it earns its place among top science fiction series picks on streaming.
Solar Opposites is lighter than Rick and Morty, with more sitcom energy. Aliens stuck on Earth, trying to deal with regular human life, while still being completely alien about it.
It’s a great option when someone wants funny sci fi shows on hulu that still have surprisingly solid story arcs.
This is comfort sci-fi for people who love teams, missions, and long-running adventure. It’s a spin-off, but it’s also approachable on its own, especially if someone likes episodic storytelling with a bigger arc humming in the background.
For classic sci-fi energy and that “weekend marathon” vibe, it’s a strong pull.
The X-Files is a legend for a reason. It mixes monster-of-the-week episodes with deeper conspiracy threads, and it has that perfect blend of creepy and compelling.
It’s also the kind of show that still feels rewatchable because the atmosphere is so specific. For anyone building a personal list of the best sci fi series 2026 viewers still talk about, this one belongs.
If decision fatigue hits, here’s a simple shortcut:
And if someone’s still unsure, they can just pick the vibe they want first. The show choice gets easier after that. Also, Hulu’s sci-fi hub can be useful when browsing because it groups a lot of these titles and similar ones in one place, instead of forcing endless search results.
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Sci-fi ages in a funny way. The tech changes, but the big questions stick:
That’s why a list like this keeps working year after year. These aren’t just shiny concepts. They’re stories that land.
And yes, if someone is searching for the best shows on hulu overall, sci-fi is one of the easiest categories to win big with because it offers so many different tones.
Usually it’s a mix of strong worldbuilding, characters people care about, and a concept that stays interesting past the first episode.
Yes. Futurama, Rick and Morty, The Jetsons, and Solar Opposites cover everything from classic to chaotic.
The X-Files and Lost are strong choices for long arcs, iconic episodes, and lots of seasons to sink into.
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