Prime Video has steadily built a formidable roster of sci-fi TV shows. Considering the amount of time I've put into compiling similar science fiction guides for streamers like Netflix and Apple TV, I like to think I know what I'm talking about. Compared to the two heavy-hitters I just referenced, Prime Video holds its own in the genre space; these sci-fi TV shows hit different.
What do I mean by that? Comparing the three streamers, it's clear that Prime Video's genre offerings lean into an indie-film aesthetic. Many of the titles you'll find below go against the grain. They feature offbeat, edgy narratives, making these shows impactful on many levels.
You want something bleak and dystopian? Prime Video has it. If you want something with lesser stakes and a lighter tone, you can find those types of shows here, too. Below are the best sci-fi shows on Prime Video right now. Please check back each month, as I'll be updating this article regularly.
Read more: Prime Video: The 30 Absolute Best Shows to Watch
Darren Michaels/Sony/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Timeless Timeless, which ran for two seasons on NBC, follows an unlikely team of time-traveling experts who are enlisted to return to various points in time to stop a criminal organization from altering history. That may sound silly, and at points the show absolutely is, but that's just a part of its charm. There's a serial quality to the story, with major Doctor Who vibes throughout.
AMC Studios Humans Humans came out over a decade ago, yet the AI-themed subject matter still feels surprisingly relevant. The show, which aired on Channel 4 and AMC, explores an alternate reality where synthetic humans are the must-have in-home technology. Can humans and synths live in harmony? The three-season series dares to answer that question. And you can probably imagine, things get a bit bleak.
Syfy/NBC Universal 12 Monkeys 12 Monkeys is inspired by the Terry Gilliam classic, which posits the notion that a criminal from the future must travel back in time to stop a plague from destroying the human race. The series uses the same theme as a jumping-off point, but it expands the story universe and takes things in new and exciting directions. Its four-season run remains one of the best, underrated sci-fi shows of the past decade.
CBS Person of Interest Person of Interest follows an ex-CIA agent and a billionaire shut-in who fight crime that hasn't happened yet, thanks to an AI program that predicts the future. Sure, that sounds like Minority Report. I assure you, it's not. Beneath the network procedural veneer lives a surprising amount of depth in this show. That shouldn't come as a surprise, considering that it features J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk -- yes, the same Bad Robot duo behind Lost -- as executive producers.
Starz American Gods Bryan Fuller's American Gods feels like a dream in that it was here and then gone in a flash. Over its three seasons, the program delved into the ethereal universe created by Neil Gaiman in his iconic novel. The story follows an ex-convict named Shadow Moon who begins working with a man named Mr. Nobody, only to discover a world where the old gods (I'm talking characters like Odin, Anansi and Jesus) and new gods (Media, Technical Boy and Mr. World, among others) are on the brink of war. You can watch the entire first season on Prime Video.
Amazon MGM Studios Gen V As powerful, violent and bewildering as its parent series The Boys, Gen V shines a light on the next generation of genetically altered superheroes. The usual social and political tropes are on display here. Additionally, Gen V digs into topics like the influence of social media, body image, classism and race in the realm of higher education.
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