The 16 best sci-fi series on Hulu that are out of this world

Cowboy Bebop (1998–1999)

Few TV shows can sell themselves solely on the strength of their opening sequence, but Cowboy Bebop sure did — and then some. Set in 2071, this Japanese sci-fi Western series follows a quartet of bounty hunters who run from their pasts and roam a human-colonized galaxy pursuing criminals, money, and food.

Across just 26 episodes, each standalone installment paints a portrait of lost souls searching for meaning in a world seemingly devoid of it. From the rich character development and its philosophical themes to Yoko Kanno and Seatbelts' jazzy score, there's a lot to love about this anime classic (though you're forgiven for skipping Netflix's poor attempt at a live-action series). —James Mercadante

Where to watch Cowboy Bebop: Hulu

Cast: Steve Blum, Beau Billingslea, Unshō Ishizuka, Kôichi Yamadera, Megumi Hayashibara

Devs (2020)

Alex Garland (director of Ex Machina and Annihilation) once again finds himself examining life’s greater questions in this eight-episode mystery miniseries about the murder of a first-day employee (Karl Glusman) at a Silicon Valley tech start-up. 

With the help of a stellar cast including Nick Offerman — who stretches his legs from grouchy, Ron Swanson-type characters toward something a bit more menacing — and House of the Dragon’s Sonoya Mizuno, Garland prods at the very building blocks of the universe and questions the concept of free will. As EW's critic writes, Devs tackles "wonky, philosophical sci-fi tropes in wonderfully unpredictable ways." —Alex Galbraith

Where to watch Devs: Hulu

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Cast: Sonoya Mizuno, Nick Offerman, Jin Ha, Zach Grenier, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson

Extraordinary (2023–2024)

This British comedy series takes us to a world where everyone unlocks superpowers at 18... unless you're Jen (Máiréad Tyers), a costume shop worker who's been stuck without one for seven years. While she has a loyal best friend and a shapeshifting cat in her corner, Jen is left to figure out how to embrace her ordinary self.

While there are countless superhero stories flooding the TV landscape, Emma Moran's Extraordinary soars with its down-to-earth, Boys-esque twist, where being a hero isn't all it's cracked up to be and unworldly abilities aren't just devices for destruction. With two seasons so far, this sci-fi show is a feel-good reminder that comparison is the thief of joy and self-acceptance is the real superpower. —J.M.

Where to watch Extraordinary: Hulu

Cast: Máiréad Tyers, Sofia Oxenham, Bilal Hasna, Luke Rollason

Firefly (2002)

The series that launched 1,000 fan campaigns certainly lives up to the hype. The one-season wonder explores a future where things get faster and newer, but never really any better. We see the frontier of this deeply unequal space-faring setting through the eyes of a ragtag crew barely scraping by on the far-flung frontier.

Showrunner Joss Whedon expertly blends the old West with the outer limits in a story of making due under the boot of an empire. Expect Whedon’s quippy dialogue and incredible performances from Nathan Fillion and Gina Torres. Knowing that Firefly was canceled too soon from the beginning helps you enjoy what few adventures the show has. —A.G.

Where to watch Firefly: Hulu

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Cast: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite

Futurama (1999–2003; 2008–2013; 2023–present)

Matt Groening’s stop-start sci-fi sitcom doesn’t get the same respect afforded to, say, The Simpsons or King of the Hill. Chalk it up to the series cancellations and revivals if you’re being generous, some uneven later years if you aren’t. Either way, the outright oddest of all the adult animation heavy-hitters is deserving of your eyeballs and respect. 

What could have been a tired fish-out-of-water story with easy jokes about the future and technology outruns clichés with whip-smart writing and truly heartfelt characters. There’s a reason phrases like “Shut up and take my money!” have wormed their way into the lexicon and episodes like “Jurassic Bark” are counted among the most emotionally affecting half-hours of TV ever made. —A.G.

Where to watch Futurama: Hulu

EW grade: A (read the review)

Cast: Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche

The Handmaid's Tale (2017–present)

This dystopian story arguably feels a little too real given current American politics, but it might be good to see that the situation could always be worse. Either way, the adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s novel about life in a theocratic future America was good enough to legitimize Hulu as more than a dumping ground for next-day network shows.

The Handmaid's Tale follows June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss), a failed escapee of the new state of Gilead. Across five seasons — with a sixth and final one on the way — we see the fascist future (and nascent attempts to overthrow it) through her eyes. —A.G.

Where to watch The Handmaid's Tale: Hulu

EW grade: A (read the review)

Cast: Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski, Alexis Bledel, Madeline Brewer

The Jetsons (1962–1963; 1985–1987)

If The Simpsons had any rivals for better predicting the future, it would be The Jetsons. William Hanna and Joseph Barbera's Space Age counterpart to The Flintstones envisions the year 2026, where wearable technology, robots, flying cars, video calls, and other fanciful innovations are everyday realities. 

Spanning three seasons, the animated series centers on the titular nuclear family living in Orbit City, using cutting-edge gadgets to get through every adventure and mishap. As the first ABC show to broadcast in color, The Jetsons zoomed from a modestly rated blip to a cultural landmark that continues to set the bar when discussing what's to come. —J.M.

Where to watch The Jetsons: Hulu

Cast: George O'Hanlon, Penny Singleton, Janet Waldo, Daws Butler, Mel Blanc, Don Messick

Kyle XY (2006–2009)

In the middle of a Seattle forest, a 16-year-old boy (Matt Dallas) wakes up naked with no memories, no human instincts, and — most importantly — no belly button. Taken in by the Trager family, this teen prodigy can use 97 percent of his mind but remains burdened by one question: Where did he come from?

Though canceled after just three seasons, Kyle XY became one of ABC Family's biggest hits at the time, with viewers eager to see its titular hero evolve from an empty shell into a fully realized person. As EW's writer notes, "What started out as a one-note trick evolved into a well-crafted amalgam of elaborate sci-fi mythology and genuine teen angst." —J.M.

Where to watch Kyle XY: Hulu

Cast: Matt Dallas, Marguerite MacIntyre, Bruce Thomas, April Matson, Jean-Luc Bilodeau

Legion (2017–2019)

Diagnosed with schizophrenia as a child, twentysomething David Haller (Dan Stevens) drifts through life in a psychiatric hospital, his days filled with monotonous routines and the endless ramblings of his friend, Lenny (Aubrey Plaza). Everything changes when he encounters a new patient, Syd (Rachel Keller), and discovers that his hallucinations are actually psychic abilities. Now, David must master these skills while staying one step ahead of government forces ready to exploit them.

Sitting at No. 2 in EW's ranking of best Marvel shows, EW's critic writes that FX's Legion is "an edgy expansion of the X-Men universe...that transcends the [superhero] genre to be a trippy, witty, scary entertainment — marked by audacious storytelling that potently expresses the overwhelming psychic riot of our uncanny, bewildering times." —J.M.

Where to watch Legion: Hulu

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Cast: Dan Stevens, Rachel Keller, Aubrey Plaza, Bill Irwin, Jeremie Harris, Amber Midthunder

Lost (2004–2010)

In a fitting twist for a show about a plane crash, Damon Lindelof gave the prestige TV era its first taste of what happens on the internet when showrunners absolutely biff the landing. But even a controversial closer couldn’t take away the six seasons of critical adulation and feverish speculation surrounding this metaphysical mystery. 

After they were allowed to cool off, even the most negative fans found something to love in this tense, tropical science-fiction drama. The performances of Evangeline Lilly and Matthew Fox could withstand fandom fits of pique and the core questions of the series are still fun to ponder years after it wrapped. —A.G.

Where to watch Lost: Hulu

EW grade: N/A (read the review)

Cast: Matthew Fox, Jorge Garcia, Naveen Andrews, Emilie de Ravin, Josh Holloway, Evangeline Lilly

Lost in Space (1965–1968)

Need a break from the endlessly plot-driven and increasingly prestigious sci-fi of the day? This campy and strange story about a family of would-be colonists trying to survive in the coldest reaches of space is just the thing.

The ultra-budget effects of this three-season '60s classic do their best to show us the then-far-off future of 1997. It’s worth a watch for the dead-serious delivery of Guy Williams; the scoring of a young John Williams; and the sudden understanding of countless parodies and references on later TV shows, including the Netflix reboot. —A.G.

Where to watch Lost in Space: Hulu

Cast: Guy Williams, June Lockhart, Mark Goddard, Marta Kristen, Bill Mumy, Angela Cartwright

Misfits (2009–2013)

Leave that bit about “with great power comes great responsibility” to doe-eyed Americans and give this cynical and juvenile take on the suddenly superpowered trope a spin. Misfits follows the zany stories of a group of juvenile delinquents, who become enhanced after getting caught in a freak lightning storm while performing community service. 

Premiering in 2009, the teen sci-fi comedy can definitely feel old in early seasons — particularly with its handling of sex — but it grew up a bit along with its protagonists and really shined by the time it wrapped. Come to see future stars like Iwan Rheon, Robert Sheehan, and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, stay for the hijinks of superpowered South London degenerates. —A.G.

Where to watch Misfits: Hulu

Cast: Iwan Rheon, Robert Sheehan, Lauren Socha, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Antonia Thomas

Rick and Morty (2013–present)

Signed on to produce new TV shows until the heat death of Earth and several other universes, creators Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland have somehow managed to keep their Back to the Future-indebted, smart-aleck satire series fresh (even while lampooning the very grind that’s created later seasons). 

Rick and Morty has always been lauded for its willingness to tear down the framework of science fiction and television. After some gross and ill-conceived stumbling around the concept of a spacefaring incest baby, the show has recaptured some of that magic in its sixth season and beyond. —A.G.

Where to watch Rick and Morty: Hulu

EW grade: A (read the review)

Cast: Justin Roiland, Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer, Sarah Chalke, Ian Cardoni, Harry Belden

Roswell (1999–2002)

Set in the titular New Mexico town (infamous for its 1947 crash that fueled UFO theories), Roswell introduces us to three human-alien hybrids on a mission to save their race from extinction. As these teens learn more about themselves and their extraterrestrial abilities, they encounter more aliens on Earth and develop some star-crossed relationships with their human peers.

Fusing My So-Called Life angst with threads of sci-fi storytelling, this moody series offers both escapist charm and a nuanced portrayal of adolescent life in the early-2000s (minus the aliens). It not only launched Shiri Appleby, Katherine Heigl, and Colin Hanks to stardom, but it also paved the way for the successful reboot, Roswell, New Mexico. —J.M.

Where to watch Roswell: Hulu

EW grade: B (read the review)

Cast: Shiri Appleby, Jason Behr, Katherine Heigl, Majandra Delfino, Brendan Fehr, Colin Hanks

Solar Opposites (2020–present)

This goofy Justin Roiland-helmed sci-fi sitcom is allowed to get just a bit sillier than its closest cousin, Rick and Morty, freed from the restraints of “very high IQs” and the weight of an endless multiverse. 

Solar Opposites traps its witless alien protagonists on Earth and watches them rub up against the mundane in satirical sitcom plots. And that focus has allowed its would-be planet conquerors to wring five whole seasons (and more to come!) out of oddball subplots like a secretly menacing Baby Yoda-esque character and a society of shrunken humans living inside the walls of their home. —A.G.

Where to watch Solar Opposites: Hulu

Cast: Justin Roiland, Thomas Middleditch, Sean Giambrone, Mary Mack, Dan Stevens

The X-Files (1993–2002; 2016–2018)

Before the internet came along to knock the shine off the deep state and reveal that the U.S. government in all its forms was made up of an assortment of schlubs, The X-Files flourished as a masterpiece of small-town paranoia and cosmic conspiracy. 

David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson exuded a chemistry rarely seen on sci-fi TV, but perfect for the oddball noir of this sweaty, nervous who — or what — dunnit. It deftly balanced entertaining monster-of-the-week shorts with a dense and twisty narrative. And like the strain of deep-seated neuroses found in characters like Fox Mulder, we never saw its like again. —A.G.

Where to watch The X-Files: Hulu

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Cast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Robert Patrick, Annabeth Gish, Mitch Pileggi