8 Near-Perfect Sci-Fi Miniseries that Hook You in the First Episode

1. Miniseries are perfect for those who want to finish an entire science fiction story in a single weekend. They can be action-packed, philosophical, or even set in a post-apocalyptic dystopia.

2. Station Eleven, created by Damon Lindelof, is a 10-episode miniseries that follows survivors of a flu pandemic that led to the collapse of human civilization. The group makes a living by performing as a theatre troupe, focusing on grief as a shared language and healing through artistic endeavors.

3. Watchmen, a miniseries directed by Damon Lindelof following his work on Lost and The Leftovers, is a sequel to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' popular comic book. It introduces new characters while continuing the story of iconic heroes and villains like Doctor Manhattan and Ozymandias. The series features puzzle-box plotting rooted in real-world historical trauma and a nuanced understanding of superhero mythos.

4. Bodies is a time-traveling sci-fi miniseries based on Si Spencer and Dean Ormston's graphic novel. The story opens with the appearance of a corpse in London, which shows up at various points in time: 1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053. Four detectives approach the case differently, as their investigation is guided by the prevailing mood of the times.

5. Years and Years, written by Russell T Davies, is a dystopian sci-fi drama that explores the rise of a controversial politician named Vivienne Rook (Emma Thompson) in Britain. The series is set between 2019 and 2034, showing the effects of technological progress and economic upheaval on the everyday lives of the Lyon family.

6. FLCL (Franxx) is a groundbreaking anime that combines traditional cel animation and 3D CGI to tell a coming-of-age adventure. The story follows Naota Nandaba, a 12-year-old whose mundane life is turned upside down by the arrival of Haruko Haruhara, an alien woman who uses Naota's injury as a portal while carrying out an intergalactic mission.

7. Scavengers Reign, despite its unfortunate cancellation by HBO Max, is an animated sci-fi show set on an alien planet. The survivors of a damaged cargo ship witness an odd symbiosis between the flora and fauna of the region, creating a complex and bizarre life cycle that forces them to closely study its characteristics.

8. Devs, created by Alex Garland, is a sci-fi thriller based on a cutting-edge tech company named Amaya. When tragedy strikes, Sergei (Karl Glusman), who has been offered a coveted position on its mysterious quantum computing team, is left to unravel the enigma surrounding the company and its secrets.