There’s never been a better time for genre programming and it’s absolutely incredible how formerly niche material that would fill up sci-fi programming has now become some of the most impressive and successful current forms of entertainment. Television continues to operate in a golden age where there is more freedom and opportunities than ever before and it’s resulted in some very memorable content to come out of 2021.
There’s more of a willingness to take risks and experiment with genre content, but science fiction is still a genre that’s difficult to properly pull off. This makes it stand out even more when strong sci-fi content does stick the landing and there are a number of fantastic examples of this that are now some of the current highlights of 2021’s year in television.
10 Invincible Is The Radical Deconstruction Of The Superhero Genre That The Public Needs
Superhero and comic book adaptations have become the dominant form of entertainment for the past decade and they now make up the majority of science fiction content that makes it to television and film. There’s definitely a level of superhero fatigue that’s set in, but series like Invincible are the necessary salve that proves that there’s still more to say in the crowded genre. Invincible is an adult animated series that doesn’t hold back when it comes to brutal violence and mature themes. Invincible presents a radical and terrifying spin on the Superman mythos that will stick with viewers.
9 Star Wars: The Bad Batch Shines A Light On A Compelling Corner Of The Clone Wars
The Star Wars universe has come back to life and is now bigger than ever before thanks to the concluding film trilogy in the Skywalker Saga, but some of the most exciting and impressive Star Wars efforts are now on television. Dave Filioni's Clone Wars series was always an underappreciated classic that's now finally getting its due, not just with more episodes, but also satisfying expansions such as Star Wars: The Bad Batch. The Bad Batch digs into Clone War mythos in an enlightening way that examines free will and the casualties of war.
8 Superman & Lois Elevates Superman’s Roots And Is A Triumph Of CW Programming
The CW network deserves credit for the Arrowverse and their massive crossover events that they’ve turned into yearly traditions. The Arrowverse has hit a bit of a rough period and looks like it’s starting to wind down.
Many of these series are now in their final years, yet Superman & Lois hits the ground running and might be the best show on their network in 2021. The tender series taps into Superman’s kind and humble nature in a way that feature films have struggled to accomplish. It presents a unique take on the classic character and each episode only gets better.
7 Resident Alien Is An Infinitely Affable Fish Out Of Water Story
Alien invasion stories are nothing new and television, film, and literature have been enamored with the concept since the dawn of the sci-fi genre. Resident Alien is a new SyFy comedy series that looks at a hapless alien who finds himself stranded on Earth until he can find rescue. This alien is pursued by mysterious forces, but it's his growing love for Earth's small comforts, like Law & Order, that make Resident Alien shine. It also doesn't hurt that the series stars genre wunderkind, Alan Tudyk, who absolutely excels in the role.
6 Lisey's Story Is Stephen King’s Latest Foray Into Sci-Fi
Stephen King remains one of the most prolific authors of all time and a genuine legend when it comes to science fiction and horror genres. There’s been a recent Renaissance when it comes to Stephen King adaptations and Lisey’s Story, on AppleTV+, is the latest triumph. The series initially looks like it’s an intimate look into loss and guilt, but supernatural elements quickly enter and create a much more complex mystery. Fantastic performances by Julianne Moore and Clive Owen anchor Lisey’s Story, but the engrossing mystery will quickly pull in viewers.
5 Yasuke Remixes History With Science Fiction And The Supernatural
Netflix has steadily shown more interest in the medium of anime and they’ve helped produce some tremendous series in 2021 that will hopefully stick around for years to come. Yasuke is an amalgamation of many different genres and ideas, but the end result is a stunning sci-fi masterpiece.
The anime examines real-life samurai, Yasuke, but it infuses its wartorn past with magical sorcery and giant robots. Yasuke stands out because of how it mixes something familiar with many unexpected influences. Flying Lotus’ stunning work on the score also ties the whole package together in a way that’s hard to ignore.
4 MODOK Brings Much Needed Humor To The Growing Marvel Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has never been bereft of humor, but projects don’t explicitly embrace the genre. This helps make Hulu’s MODOK stand out and feel like a breath of fresh air in the Marvel universe. MODOK centers around disgruntled evil genius, MODOK, but shines a light on her personal struggles in family life while he comes to terms with the midlife crisis that he spirals into. MODOK has a fun and energetic stop-motion art style and it genuinely plays with comic stereotypes and indulges in deep cuts that will please both die-hard comic fans and complete newbies.
3 Pacific Rim: The Black Translates The Chaotic Kaiju And Mecha Action Into An Anime
Guillermo del Toro is one of the most exciting working filmmakers and it's satisfying to see his Pacific Rim universe grow larger. In addition to its live-action sequel, Netflix has an anime series that translates the franchise's chaotic action into a beautiful anime series. Pacific Rim: The Black doesn't cheat its audience when it comes to explosive kaiju and Jaeger action, but it also finds an emotional story between a brother and sister that gives the series some much-needed heart. This hopefully isn't the end of Pacific Rim since there are many more stories to tell in this rich world.
2 The Nevers Finds Success In Its Victorian X-Men Premise
There's been more of an interest in the steampunk corner of science fiction or idiosyncratic works that mix heady sci-fi concepts with antiquated worlds. HBO's The Nevers elegantly plays in this sandbox with a Victorian-set sci-fi series where a special group of individuals learn that they have supernatural powers that could alter the nature of the world. The Nevers takes some time to find its footing, but it creates an incredible world that demands to be revisited. Season one of The Nevers isn't perfect, but the framework and promise are there for it to smooth out its wrinkles.
1 WandaVision Pushes The MCU Into Trippy, New Territory
2021 has been a big year for Disney+ and some of the biggest MCU TV offerings have come out this year to much celebration. There’s an overwhelming amount of attention on WandaVision, but the experimental Marvel series deserves a good deal of this praise. WandaVision functions as a love letter to television as well as a scathing and emotional character study and meditation on grief. WandaVision does become a little more generic as it goes on, but it tries something new and helps the MCU expand in important ways that will benefit what’s to come.