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12 Renewed Sci-Fi Shows Coming Back For More Seasons In 2026 & Beyond

By Emily Wilson

By  Published Apr 14, 2026, 3:30 PM EDT

Faith Roswell is a Senior Writer on Screen Rant's Classic TV team. Since earning her degree in Creative Writing over a decade ago, Faith has written articles on film and TV from a variety of different angles. Faith now combines her knowledge of psychology with her love of monster movies to give more insight into what makes the best ones. 

You may have read her Screen Rant lists and features covering horror, sci-fi, and fantasy, or read her Amazon Top 10 book, "Movie Monsters of the Deep."

Faith has had an extensive career as a writer, appearing on BBC live radio, researching true crime for Rotten Mango podcast, and writing for publications including Mental Floss, Atlas Obscura, and The Daily Jaws before beginning here at Screen Rant. 

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often feel as if they could go on forever, endlessly expanding their worlds with new perspectives from their settings and characters. Franchises like Doctor Who and Star Trek have even transcended their genre, with some installments in the story defining a generation of their fans. Still, despite being an exciting genre, other sci-fi shows have not done so well.

Many of the have been sci-fi shows which have attracted a smaller audience than anticipated, or have not returned for a variety of reasons. However, there are some fantastic sci-fi TV shows that are both standing out in the genre and gaining attention. Sci-fi fans will be pleased to know that many of these are returning.

Alien: Earth

Season 2 Expected In 2027

Three characters standing by rubble in Alien Earth Three characters standing by rubble in Alien Earth

The first two Alien movies are generally hailed as cinematic masterpieces, with the sequels and spin-offs generally falling short. However, after the success of Alien: Romulus, this opened the door for more spinoffs. Alien: Earth introduces new lore that adds major retcons to the existing canon, but ,

to the other installments in the Alien saga, but it still earned a 94% positive critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and left plenty of possibilities for continuing the story. The show was renewed for season 2 last year, and the next season of Alien: Earth is expected to arive onscreen in 2027 depending on how long post-production takes.

Pluribus

Season 2 Expected In 2027 or 2028

Carol looking worried in her car in Pluribus

When Vince Gilligan's sci-fi project Pluribus first aired, it already was clear that the show was intended to run for multiple seasons and should be given the chance. Starring Rhea Seehorn (Better Call Saul) at her best, the series grew progressively more sinister, which is an achievement considering the plot is about people immune to a hive mind that makes everyone blissfully happy.

Pluribus is a Latin word meaning "of many," and the show is styled as "Plur1bus," emphasizing the "1" in many.

After season 1's cliffhanger ending where Carol brings home a bomb, Karolina Wydra, who plays Zosia, revealed an . While being interviewed by ScreenRant at Paleyfest. Wydra shared that the second season of the show is expected to begin fiming later this year. With the series expected to release in fall but not annually, 2027 is a good estimate.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Season 4 Expected In 2026

La'an in Star Trek Strange New Worlds

The sci-fi genre is well-known for being progressive and reflecting both real-world issues and contributing to innovation, but no franchise has embodied this more than Star Trek. , with each episode offering something different, and building on the tone of season 1. That said, the season split critics and audiences.

While critics gave the show an 88% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences were less impressed, giving it just 52%, with reviewers feeling that there was too much fan service and not enough creativity. Still, while some feel that , there is still a chance to redeem the series with a stellar season 4, estimated to arrive this year.

IT: Welcome to Derry

Season 2 Expected In 2027

Pennywise from Welcome to Derry Pennywise from Welcome to Derry

Stephen King's horror masterpiece, IT, is described as "sci-fi tinged horror" as the story heavily features elements of government scientific experimentation and cosmic horror, which is often considered a sci-fi subgenre. Like its terrifying shapeshifter Pennywise, the story includes elements of several other genres, even including fantasy. IT: Welcome to Derry uses this mix to create the most unsettling atmosphere yet.

Each season is expected to go back further in time, allowing for different casts and versions of Pennywise that have not been seen before. In a press conference for the 2026 Saturn Awards, the show's co-creator and executive producer, Andy Muschietti, confirmed that ." As it is already in the works, a 2027 release looks likely.

Silo

Season 3 Expected In 2026

Rebecca Ferguson as Juliette in Silo

Unlike many other streaming platforms, Apple TV has been known to give sci-fi TV shows longer to establish themselves, and this has paid off, making the platform the home of some of the best recent sci-fi TV shows. However, , after season 2 had some major pacing issues.

The show stars Rebecca Ferguson (Dune) and follows characters living in an underground silo after an apocalypse seemingly rendered the rest of the Earth's surface uninhabitable. , and with the season being confirmed for a 2026 release, we will not have long to wait to find out if the show redeems itself.

Foundation

Season 4 Expected In 2027

Lee Pace in front of an army in Foundation Lee Pace in front of an army in Foundation

Another excellent sci-fi TV show that may not have found success with another streaming platform, and yet has an 87% positive critics' rating on Rotten Tomatoes and excellent reviews. The show is based on Isaac Asimov's metaphysical book, once thought unadaptable, yet Foundation has maneged to translate the story for the screen.

The story follows a group of exiled humans who are trying to preserve the knowledge of humankind, but centuries can pass between seasons and the show has been hailed as one of the most ambitious sci-fi TV shows of all time. The scope will only increase next season, as ."

Fallout

Season 3 Expected In 2027

Ella Purnell as Lucy MacLean in season 2 of Fallout

Video game adaptations are generally a difficult thing to get right, but the post-apocalyptic sci-fi for a surprising reason. Rather than telling one of the stories from the games, the TV show instead nails its adaptation of the source material by capturing the tone, aesthetic and spirit of the game instead.

With both critics and audiences giving Fallout a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the show is going from strength to strength, which is partly due to spot-on casting, with Walton Goggins giving a perfect performance as The Ghoul. With plenty more Fallout games, the show is not running out of inspiration soon, and , expected in 2027.

Paradise

Season 3 Expected In 2027

Enuka Okuma as Teri Rogers-Collins looking serious in Paradise season 2 Enuka Okuma as Teri Rogers-Collins looking serious in Paradise season 2Anne Marie Fox/©Hulu/Disney/Courtesy Everett Collection

The hit sci-fi thriller , who said "the acting is good, the story actually hangs together, and the dialogue is the best part. Sharp. Few cliches." This, combined with an excellent and compelling first two seasons appeared to get the attention of Hulu, as Paradise was renewed before the second season ended.

Season 2 concluded at the end of March, and yet it is reported that filming for season 3 is already underway. , as the series is essentially a tangle of interwoven mysteries. Creator Dan Fogelman has always been clear that he pitched three seasons of the show, so season 3 may form an explosive finale.

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