10 sci-fi shows on Peacock that are out of this world
For when you’re in the mood for futuristic worlds, time travel, and other strange phenomena.
10 sci-fi shows on Peacock that are out of this world
For when you're in the mood for futuristic worlds, time travel, and other strange phenomena.
By Kevin Jacobsen
and Andrew Walsh
April 23, 2026 2:00 p.m. ET
Leave a Comment
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/farscape-mrs-davis-resident-alien-082624-ff82fb00c2c8459d8b140100b7eb2b74.jpg)
Ben Browder as John Crichton on 'Farscape'; Betty Gilpin as Sister Simone in 'Mrs. Davis'; Alan Tudyk as Harry Vanderspeigle on 'Resident Alien'. Credit:
The Sci-Fi Channel/Courtesy Everett; Peacock; James Dittinger/Syfy/Courtesy Everett
Science fiction is among the more exciting genres, allowing us to escape into strange new worlds, glimpse our future if we're not too careful, or live vicariously through characters with extraordinary powers. It expands the idea of what's possible, whether holding up a mirror to society or offering up some what-ifs.
Peacock is home to numerous TV series to fulfill whatever subgenre of sci-fi you're looking for, including classic superhero stories like *The Greatest American Hero*, fun extraterrestrial tales like *Resident Alien*, and trippy newer favorites like *Mrs. Davis*. Ahead, read our picks for the 10 best sci-fi TV shows streaming on Peacock.
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (1997–2002)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/beyond-belief-fact-or-faction-082624-24789c078e5f4f7f9281f1adada18c8b.jpg)
Jonathan Frakes in a promotional photo for 'Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction'.
20th Century Fox Film Corp./Courtesy Everett
This clever anthology series poses a fateful question to viewers at the end of each short story: fact or fiction? Each episode consists of multiple tales within the realm of the supernatural or at the very least unusual situations, some of which are allegedly based on true events.
While it's fun to watch the show's writers devise science fiction to throw viewers off the scent, the segments based in reality — such as a muddy handprint on a wall that's remained for centuries, or a cursed chair that doomed those who sat in it — will stick with you the most. —*Kevin Jacobsen*
Where to watch *Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction*: Peacock
**Cast:** James Brolin, Jonathan Frakes
Continuum (2012–2015)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/continuum-large-cast-full_612x380_1-b0bb4191fbb241cca89432c86d9a8e2d.jpg)
Roger Cross as Travis Verta, Lexaa Doig as Sonya Valentine, Victor Webster as Carlos Fonnegra, Rachel Nichols as Kiera Cameron, Erik Knudsen as Alex Sadler, and Stephen Lobo as Matthew Kellog in a promotional photo for 'Continuum'. Kharen Hill/Syfy
This Canadian sci-fi action series delves into the tricky nature of time travel and the implications of rewriting the past to change the future. The series follows Kiera Cameron (Rachel Nichols), a police officer living under a corporatized surveillance state in the year 2077. After a group of anti-corporate terrorists escapes execution by traveling back in time to 2012, Kiera inadvertently goes back with them. From there, Kiera must balance avoiding detection, preventing the group from further altering the future, and finding a way home.
*Continuum*, writes EW's critic, "seems to have a confident sense of what it is, and the writing, combined with Nichols' soulful performance, makes it compelling." —*K.J.*
Where to watch *Continuum*: Peacock
**Cast:** Rachel Nichols, Victor Webster, Erik Knudsen, Stephen Lobo, Roger Cross
Farscape (1999–2003)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/FARSCAPE-082624-0cd1a6e25a034b39a2aaa5ec41e33ef7.jpg)
Wayne Pygram as Scorpius, Gigi Edgley as Chiana, Jonathan Hardy as Dominar Rygel XVI, Anthony Simcoe as Ka D’Argo, Claudia Black as Aeryn Sun, Ben Browder as John Crichton, Virginia Hey as Pa’u Zotoh Zhaan, and Lani John Tupu as Bialar Crais on 'Farscape'.
Sci-Fi Channel/Courtesy Everett
This beloved sci-fi saga is about a ragtag group of fugitives just trying to find their way home again. After American astronaut John Crichton (Ben Browder) enters a wormhole, he accidentally becomes embroiled in an epic war between a motley crew aboard a living spaceship called Moya and a militaristic group chasing after them, ironically named the Peacekeepers.
With gloriously gonzo character design by the Jim Henson Company, *Farscape* is a fun hang that gets you invested in its characters to the point that you'd follow them anywhere in the galaxy. —*K.J.*
Where to watch *Farscape*: Peacock
**Cast:** Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Virginia Hey, Anthony Simcoe, Gigi Edgley
The Greatest American Hero (1981–1983)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/William-Katt-promotional-photo-for-the-ABC-tv-series-The-Greatest-American-Hero-121925-0114cbc16d6e4673b8615ccc38f1a086.jpg)
William Katt as Ralph Hinkley in a promotional photo for 'The Greatest American Hero'.
Bob D'Amico/American Broadcasting Companies via Getty
This classic superhero dramedy follows Ralph Hinkley (William Katt), an ordinary high school teacher whose life is turned upside down after encountering extraterrestrials, who bestow him a special suit that grants him extraordinary abilities, enhances his vision and speed, and gives him the ability to fly. The aliens command Ralph to protect the planet from untold threats, though he proves reluctant to accept his responsibility. A goofy spin on the boom of superhero shows of the '80s, *The Greatest American Hero* can now be enjoyed for its charmingly cheesy aesthetic. —*K.J.*
Where to watch *The Greatest American Hero*: Amazon Prime Video
**Cast:** William Katt, Robert Culp, Connie Sellecca, Michael Paré, Faye Grant
Misfits (2009–2013)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/misfits-show-090424-d7aeb5928c904d1dabb4948a588d5afd.jpg)
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as Curtis Donovan, Antonia Thomas as Alisha Daniels, Iwan Rheon as Simon Bellamy, and Robert Sheehan as Nathan Young on 'Misfits'.
This darkly comic British dramedy is a refreshing alternative to other sci-fi shows of its ilk in rarely taking itself too seriously. *Misfits* follows a group of five young criminals who are caught in an electrical storm while doing community service. Following the incident, each member of the five develops their own supernatural power, from telepathy to invisibility, which they use to confront both personal and large-scale problems. —*K.J.*
Where to watch *Misfits*: Peacock
**Cast:** Iwan Rheon, Robert Sheehan, Lauren Socha, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Antonia Thomas
The 30 best shows on Peacock
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/The-20-best-shows-on-Peacock-090824-5e1f70c2b7e14639adee93438d5302c4-176cd806c29747bd831082ea19023d8d.jpg)
The 12 best sci-fi shows on HBO Max
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SciFi-Series-tout-4f34854dec244c0db0b94d16246a4227.jpg)
Mrs. Davis (2023)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/mrs-davis-082624-1393b5da3b6344e4b38335b3e55ad3cb.jpg)
Jake McDorman as Preston Wiley and Betty Gilpin as Sister Simone in 'Mrs. Davis'.
If the poster featuring Betty Gilpin in full nun habit riding a motorbike doesn't sell you on this gonzo sci-fi miniseries, we don't know what will. The Peacock original, created by Tara Hernandez and Damon Lindelof, is set in a world where an artificial intelligence system named Mrs. Davis has completely revolutionized our way of life.
Gilpin’s Sister Simone rejects Mrs. Davis outright, and things become complicated when the system tasks her with destroying the Holy Grail in exchange for the AI shutting down completely. However, as EW's critic notes, "*Mrs. Davis* is better experienced than explained," so we recommend just taking it all in yourself. —*K.J.*
Where to watch *Mrs. Davis*: Peacock
**EW grade:** B+
**Cast:** Betty Gilpin, Jake McDorman, Andy McQueen
Primeval (2007–2011)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/primeval-082624-4d019dff107040049412bac0fd21e092.jpg)
Andrew Lee Potts as Connor Temple and Hannah Spearritt as Abby Maitland on 'Primeval'.
ITV Network/Courtesy Everett
A team of scientists investigates strange anomalies that allow creatures from the past and future to disrupt the present in this British cult favorite. Professor Nick Cutter (Douglas Henshall) and his team — Stephen Hart (James Murray), Connor Temple (Andrew-Lee Potts), and Abby Maitland (Hannah Spearritt) — try to contain the monsters flung out of time and prevent themselves from becoming their prey.
While *Primeval* has inevitably drawn comparisons to *Doctor Who*, the former concerns itself far more with the past, particularly prehistoric times, and has a slightly more realistic approach. —*K.J.*
Where to watch *Primeval*: Peacock
**Cast:** Douglas Henshall, James Murray, Andrew-Lee Potts, Lucy Brown, Hannah Spearritt
The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985–1992)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ray-bradbury-theater-082624-32c4d462f7404b9daeaf8f967ecb98e3.jpg)
James Coco as John Braling and Leslie Nielsen as Fantoccini on 'The Ray Bradbury Theater'.
Courtesy Everett
*The Ray Bradbury Theater* is an anthology series in the vein of *The Twilight Zone*, with each episode written by Ray Bradbury — author of the classic dystopian novel *Fahrenheit 451*. Like *Twilight Zone*'s Rod Serling, Bradbury introduces every installment, with many of the productions adapted from the writer's 400-plus short stories.
The 65-episode series features horror, body swapping, creepy carnivals, social allegories, and a parade of dazzling guest stars like Drew Barrymore, Jeff Goldblum, William Shatner, and Eugene Levy. At under a half hour each, these bite-sized narratives are a perfect sci-fi snack. —*Andrew Walsh*
Where to watch *The Ray Bradbury Theater*: Peacock
**Cast: **Ray Bradbury
Resident Alien (2021–2024)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/resident-alien-082624-47ca5a1381d34a0a968444d4882c6ee8.jpg)
Judah Prehn as Max Hawthorne and Alan Tudyk as Harry Vanderspeigle on 'Resident Alien'.
Syfy/Courtesy Everett
An alien with an unpronounceable name crash-lands on Earth and hides out in the remote mountain town of Patience, Colo. He proceeds to kill a local doctor named Harry Vanderspeigle and steal his identity so he can covertly carry out his mission to destroy mankind. But, when a medical emergency in town forces him to keep up his charade, things start to get complicated for the diabolical extraterrestrial — especially when he encounters a 9-year-old boy who can see his true form.
The more Harry has to interact with the human race, the more difficult and hilarious his mission becomes in this smart, irreverent dramedy. —*A.W.*
Where to watch *Resident Alien*: Peacock
**Cast: **Alan Tudyk, Sara Tomko, Corey Reynolds, Alice Wetterlund, Levi Fiehler
Sliders (1995–2000)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SLIDERS-082624-f049137ae1a04d6488beb238698fb07f.jpg)
Kari Wuhrer as Capt. Maggie Beckett, Jerry O'Connell as Quinn Mallory, Melinda Clarkeas Alisandra, Cleavant Derricks as Rembrandt 'Crying Man' Brown, and Sabrina Lloyd as Wade Welles on 'Sliders'.
Universal Television/Courtesy Everett
Physics student Quinn (Jerry O'Connell) has discovered a way to visit parallel universes. Quinn can "slide" in and out of these alternate Earths by using a timer that pinpoints the exact moment he can safely return to his homeworld. When he demonstrates the device's capabilities to his physics professor, Maximilian Arturo (John Rhys-Davies), and best friend Wade (Sabrina Lloyd), a power surge causes the dimensional vortex to expand, pulling in an R&B singer named Rembrandt (Cleavant Derricks) and sending them to a world covered in ice.
Desperate to get off this frozen Earth, they prematurely open a new doorway, throwing the timer out of whack, and stranding them in the multiverse. Mixing social commentary with popcorn entertainment, *Sliders* is a joyride through infinite Earths. —*A.W.*
Where to watch *Sliders*: Peacock
**Cast:** Jerry O'Connell, Cleavant Derricks, Sabrina Lloyd, John Rhys-Davies, Kari Wuhrer
- TV Reviews & Recommendations
Source: “EW TV”