Streaming Sci Fi TV: Tracking down sci fi and fantasy shows of interest available on the streaming services. Note that these shows can be pulled from the services at any time with little notice.
With the many streaming services out there, quite a number of sci fi and fantasy shows are available, and many of them you can watch for free (with ads). Following is a list of ten shows that are not as well known and/or that may have dropped off the radar that you can seek out and rediscover.
NightMan
(1997–1999, 2 Seasons Totaling 44 Episodes)
A jazz musician named Johnny Domino gains the ability to hear evil thoughts after being struck by lightning. Using a special suit that grants him flight and invisibility, he becomes the superhero NightMan to fight crime in a futuristic version of San Francisco. Main Cast: Matt McColm, Earl Holliman, Derek Webster, Jayne Heitmeyer. Created By: Glen A. Larson.
This was the final series from the master of television schlock (Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Automan, Knight Rider) and it is pretty much a love it or hate it affair. But those who love it have to be happy that it at least got two seasons, though it was cancelled without a conclusion. It was a superhero series when those were not too popular on television, but it did make its mark for a brief time.
Streaming: Fawesome TV
Welcome to Paradox
(1998, 1 Season Totaling 13 Episodes)
Set in the futuristic city of Betaville, this anthology series explores strange and often dystopian tales where technology intersects with human morality. Each episode presents a different story with a Twilight Zone-style twist. Guest Stars: Michael Philip, Steven Bauer, Yancy Butler (various guest stars per episode).
This is an interesting anthology series with stories that are loosely linked, and while it never comes close to challenging the best episodes of The Twilight Zone or The Outer Limits, it has its moments. It only lasted for a brief time, but it is worth seeking out.
Streaming: Fawesome TV | Pluto TV
Eerie, Indiana
(1991–1992, 1 Season Totaling 19 Episodes)
Marshall Teller moves to the small town of Eerie, Indiana, where he discovers strange phenomena like Tupperware that keeps people young and dogs with human intelligence. With his friend Simon, he investigates the bizarre secrets of the seemingly normal town. Main Cast: Omri Katz, Justin Shenkarow, Mary-Margaret Humes, Francis Guinan. Created By: José Rivera, Karl Schaefer.
This show was a ton of fun as young Marshall Teller and his friends encounter the many oddities of the town he has just moved to. It blends some X-Files creepiness with good humor and was sadly out of place on NBC’s Prime Time schedule, leading to its cancellation. A spin-off series–Eerie, Indiana: The Other Dimension–was produced for FOX Kids in 1998, but that only lasted one season as well.
Streaming: Fawesome | Roku Channel
Space Precinct
(1994–1995, 1 Season Totaling 24 Episodes)
In the year 2040, a New York cop transfers to the planet Altor, where he works with human and alien officers to solve crimes. The show blends gritty police procedural elements with sci-fi and extraterrestrial intrigue. Main Cast: Ted Shackelford, Rob Youngblood, Simone Bendix, Joseph Mydell. Created By: Gerry Anderson.
Gerry Anderson is well known for shows like Thunderbirds, UFO, and Space: 1999, but this show–one of the last he actively worked on–has mostly fallen off the radar. It is a police procedural set on a space station populated by humans and aliens, and it sure seems like it should have worked, but its cheesiness and poor scripts did it in. Still, it can be fun at times and it is still great to see a show making extensive use of practical special effects.
Streaming: Roku Channel | Shout!TV
The Storyteller
(1987–1988, 2 Seasons Totaling 13 Episodes)
This fantasy anthology series features a storyteller and his dog who recount dark and imaginative European folk tales, brought to life through puppetry and live action. Each tale offers a haunting, moral-driven narrative told in a theatrical style. Main Cast: John Hurt (The Storyteller), Brian Henson (voice of the Dog), various guest stars. Created By: Jim Henson.
This Jim Henson series is one of the best examples of his talents, mixing his Muppet animatronics with fairy tales and myths along with some great performances by the human actors. It did not last long, with the first season appearing as installments of The Jim Henson Hour and the second season (focusing on Greek myths) airing on HBO. But this is fantasy at its best on television and the show is certainly worth seeking out.
Streaming: Pluto TV | Roku Channel | Shout!TV
Hammer House of Horror
(1980, One Season Totaling 13 Episodes))
This British anthology series presents standalone tales of supernatural terror, psychological suspense, and gory horror, all with Hammer Films’ signature gothic style. Each episode features a chilling twist or moral reckoning. Guest Stars: Peter Cushing, Denholm Elliott, Diana Dors, Patricia Quinn. Created By: Roy Skeggs.
This horror anthology did not get much exposure in the United States, and it doesn’t quite match up with some of the best output from Hammer Films. But it still delivers some spooky tales with plenty of creepy moments, and horror fans should certainly enjoy it.
Streaming: Fawesome TV | Pluto TV | Roku Channel | Shout!TV
The Invisible Man
(1958–1959, 2 Seasons Totaling 26 Episodes)
In this early British sci-fi series, a scientist uses a serum to become invisible and takes on missions for the British government. The series blends espionage, crime, and science fiction themes. Main Cast: Tim Turner (voice), Lisa Daniely, Deborah Watling, Ernest Clark. Created By: Ralph Smart.
This early sci fi entry is mostly forgotten, but it did a pretty good job with the Invisible Man character. It turns him into a spy and that is the general direction of the series, but it can be plenty of fun and proves to be an enjoyable blast from the past.
Streaming: Fawesome TV | Pluto TV | Roku Channel | Xumo Play/a>
The Lost World
(1999–2002, 3 Seasons Totaling 66 Episodes)
A group of adventurers journeys to a mysterious plateau in South America where dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures still roam. Cut off from the outside world, they must survive and uncover ancient secrets. Main Cast: Peter McCauley, Rachel Blakely, Jennifer O’Dell, David Orth, William Snow.
This is one of the many fantasy/adventure shows that hit syndication in the 90s following the success of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess. The Lost World has its moments, but a little of this one goes a long way. And warning to those who get involved with it: the show was cancelled before it could continue to its planned fourth season and ends on a cliffhanger.
Streaming: Pluto TV | Roku Channel | Xumo Play/a>
Flash Gordon
(2007–2008, One Season Totaling 21 Episodes)
A modern-day version of the classic hero follows Steven “Flash” Gordon as he travels through a dimensional rift to the planet Mongo, battling the evil ruler Ming to save Earth. The series reimagines the classic space opera for a new generation. Main Cast: Eric Johnson, Gina Holden, John Ralston, Jody Racicot, Anna Van Hooft. Developed By: Peter Hume.
Can you imagine Flash Gordon without space battles and ray guns? Well, that’s pretty much what you get with this attempt to bring the character to television on a budget. It actually started to hit its stride and show some potential about halfway through its run, but audiences had tuned out at that point and it was cancelled after one season.
Streaming: CW | Fawesome TV | Pluto TV | Roku Channel
Mercy Point
(1998–1999, One Season Totaling 7 Episodes)
Set in a hospital on a distant space colony, this medical drama mixes science fiction with ethical dilemmas and futuristic alien medicine. The show explores the challenges of treating both human and non-human patients. Main Cast: Joe Morton, Maria del Mar, Alexandra Wilson, Brian McNamara, Salli Richardson. Created By: Trey Callaway, David Simkins.
This blink-and-you-missed-it series had plenty of potential, focusing on the medical staff on a hospital space station located in deep space that treats humans and aliens. The seven episodes that were produced were uneven, but if this one had been given a chance it could have turned into a sleeper sci fi series. This is one that certainly deserves a reboot.
Streaming: Roku Channel
Keep up with the status of all the current sci fi and fantasy shows as well as news and updates on new and upcoming shows at CancelledSciFi.com.
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