Sci-fi mystery shows are some of my most favorite things to watch. They pair an unsettling mystery with a futuristic and often chaotic story. I’ve watched a ridiculous number of these shows, and there are five in particular that I think are definitely worth your time.
Some of these shows have fast-paced action with lots of twists, and others are filled with dark humor that will have you laughing right until the last episode. There’s something for everyone on this list.
At-a-Glance: Sci-Fi Mystery Shows Compared
Here’s a quick overview of all five shows before I go into why you should watch them. This is useful if you’re trying to figure out which one to start first.
| Show | Year | Seasons | Tone | IMDb Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| War of the Worlds | 2019 | 3 | Dark, tense, action-driven | 6.5/10 | Action fans who like big twists |
| 1899 | 2022 | 1 | Atmospheric, layered, cerebral | 7.3/10 | Fans of deep, puzzling mysteries |
| Murderbot | 2025 | 1+ | Funny, action-packed, surprisingly warm | 7.4/10 | Anyone who wants dark humor with their sci-fi |
| Devs | 2020 | 1 (miniseries) | Philosophical, slow-burn thriller | 7.6/10 | Fans of thought-provoking tech thrillers |
| 3 Body Problem | 2024 | 1+ | Epic, slow-burning, mind-bending | 7.5/10 | Sci-fi fans who love confusing stories |
Note: IMDb ratings reflect community scores and can shift over time. Links open directly to each show’s IMDb page.
Which One Should You Watch First?
Not sure where to start? Here’s a simple guide based on what you’re in the mood for.
| If you want… | Watch this |
|---|---|
| The fastest hook in the first episode | Devs |
| The deepest, most complex mystery | 1899 |
| Something to binge in one day | Murderbot |
| Non-stop action with a dark edge | War of the Worlds (2019) |
| A big, sprawling story with huge stakes | 3 Body Problem |
IMDb Audience Ratings
Scores out of 10, based on IMDb community ratings at time of publication.
Top 5 Sci-Fi Mystery Shows to Binge Watch
Looking for the best sci-fi mystery shows that you HAVE to watch? I watch a ton of movies and shows and know exactly what you’ll love to watch. I’ve got 5 intense show reviews for you that’ll are guaranteed to scratch that sci-fi itch. They’re all a bit different so read on to find out which one is for you.
1. War of the Worlds (2019)
This is the British and French show from 2019, not to be confused with any of the previous War of the Worlds TV Shows or movies – especially that awful one from 2025. This show is about an alien invasion that wipes out most of the human race. The aliens use an EMP that affects everyone who’s above ground, leaving only a few survivors who are left to defend the planet. Those survivors will have to face murderous robotic creatures as they struggle to survive and hopefully one day take Earth back. It’s action-packed with lots of unexpected twists. The show makes some massive changes in each season that will dramatically change everything you thought you already knew about the show. It takes some dark turns and makes you think about what lengths you’d actually go to to protect the ones you love.
2. 1899
This show looked like an old school horror show from the marketing, so it took me a long time before I gave it a chance – but I’m so glad I did. It’s actually a suspenseful sci-fi story with a huge mystery to unravel. Without spoiling anything, it’s about passengers on a ship that start seeing strange things happening when they come across another ship at sea. This is only the first layer on top of a story with many, many layers to sift through. If you enjoy mystery shows with a big splash of sci-fi, give this one a try, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
3. Murderbot
This show is about a security android that gains free will. And just like anyone that’s worked in hospitality for a long time – all he really wants to do is to be left alone to watch his favorite TV shows in peace. However, when his crew is in danger, he’ll have to get to work to protect them over and over again. However, now that he has free will, he could just let them die, right? It’s up to him to decide what route he’ll want to take from here on out. This is a really funny show that I couldn’t help but binge in one sitting. Hopefully, they’ll continue making this show as it’s an absolute blast.
4. Devs
A man kills himself after his first day working in the most secure section of a quantum computing company. The security cameras show him doing things that you would never expect him to do. His girlfriend, who also works for this company, knows that something is wrong and want to get to the bottom of it. This show is all about her investigation into his death and what the company is secretly working on. I can’t say much more about this without spoiling the plot, but give one episode a watch, and you’re guaranteed to be hooked.
5. 3 Body Problem
This is a slow-burning science fiction show that follows scientists, engineers and investigators as they deal with a strange global crisis. Events start happening that challenge everything we know about physics, and cause and effect. I strongly recommend not Googling anything about this show before watching, because any other synopsis will ruin the overall mystery for you. Even the book synopsis gives away way too much. So, if you haven’t watched it yet, give it a go before you accidentally ruin it for yourself.
Top 5 Sci-Fi Mystery Shows
These were 5 of my favorite sci-fi mystery shows that I’ve watched recently. There are a ton more mystery shows I’d love to share with you, so check back often. And if you want to test out your detective skills even more, check out our murder mystery party case files. Comb through interrogations, call logs, receipts, and tons of other evidence to find the killer. Each mystery has between three and seven objectives that need to be solved in order to complete.
What Makes a Great Sci-Fi Mystery Show?
It’s worth talking about why this particular genre combination works so well together, because not every show that tries it gets it right..
And shows don’t necessarily need to be set in space to be classified as sci-fi, they simply need a technological or futuristic plot. I’ve stretched the limits of the sci-fi category with my selection, but for good reason – they’re all incredible shows.
These shows don’t over-explain or soften any hard concepts. They trust you to pay attention and keep up with the story. And they all have a story and characters that you’ll actually care about.
Frequently Asked Questions
War of the Worlds (2019) is a great entry point. It’s action-packed, so you’ll never be bored, and the mystery is slowly revealed over the first 2 seasons, so it’s not overly-complicated. Murderbot is another excellent option if you’d prefer something with lots of comedy.
Netflix cancelled 1899 after a single season, which is frustrating with how many unresolved threads were left behind. The creators have also spoken about their frustration with the cancellation, but as of now there are no plans to continue the story elsewhere. It’s still absolutely worth watching – just go in knowing it ends on a cliffhanger.
No – and honestly, if you’re going in blind, the Netflix show might be the better way to experience the story for the first time. The visual storytelling does a lot of the heavy lifting for some of the more complex scientific concepts. If you enjoy the show, the book series by Liu Cixin is absolutely worth reading afterward.
Loosely, yes. It takes the core concept of an alien invasion from H.G. Wells but builds an entirely original story around it. It doesn’t follow the plot of the novel and is set in a contemporary European setting rather than Victorian England. Think of it as an original story that uses the Wells premise as a starting point.
Yes – the show is based on The Murderbot Diaries, a series of novellas and novels by Martha Wells. The series has won multiple Hugo Awards and is very well regarded in science fiction circles. If you enjoy the show, the books give you a lot more time with the character and expand the world considerably.
Shows like Dark (German language), Severance, and Fringe all have strong mystery and sci-fi elements. They’re fantastic shows even if this isn’t your favorite genre..
Genre Breakdown: Find Your Match
Every show on this list is very different from the next. Here’s a more detailed breakdown to help you match a show to your specific tastes.
| Show | Mystery Level | Sci-Fi Intensity | Humor | Violence/Darkness | Episode Count (Total) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| War of the Worlds | Medium | High | Low | High | 24 (3 seasons) |
| 1899 | Very High | High | Very Low | Medium | 8 (1 season) |
| Murderbot | Medium | High | High | Medium | 10 (Season 1) |
| Devs | High | Medium-High | Very Low | Medium | 8 (miniseries) |
| 3 Body Problem | High | Very High | Low | Medium-High | 8 (Season 1) |
Episode counts reflect available seasons at time of publication. Ongoing series may have additional seasons added over time.
If you like unsettling shows, check out the top 5 horror mystery shows like Bly Manor. For shows that will mess with your mind, check out our list of the top 5 time-bending mystery shows. If watching these shows makes you want to try solving a murder mystery yourself, our guide to murder mystery case files explains how our printable detective games work. And for the full list of mystery entertainment that we recommend, see our best murder mystery entertainment guide.
About This Article: Ratings sourced from IMDb. All show descriptions are based on my own viewing experience.
