Ever since it ventured into the unknown with The Twilight Zone, science fiction has always pushed the boundaries of imagination. Over the years, many shows have taken a step further, delving into our deepest fears and unsettling our sense of reality and identity, and sometimes even exploring the grotesque limits of the human form. These stories do not just entertain—they challenge viewers to confront uncomfortable, often disturbing truths about ourselves and the world around us through their thought-provoking, visceral storylines.
Whether they are exploring the dark consequences of tech advancement, plunging us into twisted alternate realities, or depicting the horrifying physical transformations of body horror, these series do more than keep boredom at bay; they disturb and leave viewers with a lingering sense of unease. Today, we look back at and celebrate the greatness of these mind-bending watches, ranking the most disturbing science fiction series by how haunting they are.
10
‘The OA’ (2016–2019)
Created by Zal Batmanglij and Brit Marling
Blending sci-fi and supernatural horror, The OA is one of the most unique Netflix originals. It provides audiences with an immersive, thought-provoking viewing experience due to its beautiful visuals and gripping, mysterious narrative. At the heart of it all is Brit Marling‘s Prairie Johnson, who, now in her twenties and with her sight restored, returns home after having gone missing seven years prior.
Although The OA leans more towards the supernatural genre than traditional science fiction, it experiments with the genre with intriguing results. The show dives into some mind-bending concepts, blending quantum theory with spiritualism by exploring near-death experiences as a form of dimensional travel and leaving audiences hanging with a multiverse cliffhanger. While it’s not everybody’s cup of tea, the Netflix series is a solid pick for those fascinated by darker picks within the sci-fi genre, as it does not shy away from tapping into psychological horror, near-death trauma, and captive experimentation.
The OA
- Release Date
-
2016 – 2018
- Network
-
Netflix
9
‘Dark’ (2017–2020)
Created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese
This German Netflix hit created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese is a masterclass in existential and psychological horror, weaving time travel with familial tragedy to deliver an unforgettable experience. Set in a small town, Dark takes place after the disappearance of two young children, which exposes the relationships between four families.
This family saga with a supernatural twist does wonderfully at merging hard sci-fi with existential horror, weaponizing time travel and stripping characters of agency through its unique narrative. Not only is it a visually bleak show with its claustrophobic caves and sterile 2052 wasteland, but it also creates a sense of impending doom as characters grapple with the weight of their past actions. Dark is a fascinating, at times uncomfortable and disturbing viewing that plunges deep into themes of fate and free will while also highlighting the cyclical nature of trauma.
Dark
- Release Date
-
2017 – 2020-00-00
- Network
-
Netflix
8
‘Fringe’ (2008–2013)
Created by J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci
Those who enjoy a compelling combination of hard sci-fi, body horror, and cosmic dread may want to give Fringe a try. The 2008 show follows FBI Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) as she recruits scientist Walter Bishop (John Noble) and his con-man son Peter (Joshua Jackson) to investigate “The Pattern,” which is a bizarre phenomenon tied to rogue science.
Featuring parallel universes, divergent timelines, and teleportation, among other science fiction elements, Fringe pushes the boundaries of speculative science while weaving in mystery and even psychological thrills. The series delves deep into the world of bizarre, experimental science, exploring its consequences and intertwining graphic body horror and grotesque imagery to shock audiences. What ultimately makes it stand out from the rest, though, is the way it taps into existential dread, questioning the nature of reality and the limits of human understanding.
Fringe
- Release Date
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2008 – 2012
- Showrunner
-
Jeff Pinkner
7
‘Devs’ (2020)
Created by Alex Garland
From the mind of Ex Machina director Alex Garland, Devs is a chilling meditation on determinism and the illusion of free will. The story follows a computer engineer (Sonoya Mizuno) who investigates the secretive development division in her company, which she believes may be behind the disappearance of her boyfriend.
In addition to its nihilistic final twist, Devs has cemented itself as a thought-provoking TV show on many levels: it delves deep into the concepts of determinism and the nature of reality, exploring the idea that everything in the universe is predetermined. Naturally, the idea that free will is an illusion evokes a sense of existential dread. Add that to the fact that it compellingly delves into the darker side of technological advancements and distills terror into a quiet and inescapable truth, and it is an undeniably strong contender for the most disturbing sci-fi series.
6
‘The X-Files’ (1993–2018)
Created by Chris Carter
This iconic 1990s essential series by Chris Carter starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson follows F.B.I. agents Fox Mulder, the believer, and Dana Scully, the skeptic, as they investigate the strange and unexplained. In the meantime, hidden forces work to impede their efforts.
The definition of an immaculate sci-fi horror series, The X-Files became a pop culture phenomenon, blending spine-chilling supernatural elements with body horror, thrilling conspiracy, and mystery. Unlike traditional science fiction, it delves into the eerie unknown, merging psychological horror with the unexplained rather than focusing on futuristic technology or space exploration. However, it also features plenty of sci-fi elements throughout, such as alternate “dimensions” as parallel realities and near-death experiences. The show treats consciousness as a scientific frontier, skillfully merging quantum physics, biohacking, and gnostic mythology to create a unique blend of speculative science and eerie horror.
5
‘Severance’ (2022–)
Created by Dan Erickson
This Dan Erickson Apple TV hit directed by Ben Stiller has captured the attention of global audiences relatively easily, and understandably so. With Adam Scott in the lead role, the series follows Mark, who leads a team of office workers whose memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives. After a mysterious colleague appears outside of work, a journey to discover the truth about the company they work for is triggered.
As if having your consciousness surgically split into two selves is not scary enough, Severance takes it a step further by exploring the chilling implications of such a profound division. It further elevates its thought-provoking narrative by depicting Lumon Industries as an eerie corporate dystopia, with its sterile and oppressive office environment and cult-like atmosphere devoid of any warmth being enough to induce a sense of unease. Like many other series on this list, Severance is chilling, not because of a lurking beast but because it exposes the horror of surrendering one’s identity to the relentless demands of productivity.
Severance
- Release Date
-
February 18, 2022
- Showrunner
-
Dan Erickson, Mark Friedman
4
‘The Twilight Zone’ (1959–1964)
Created by Rod Serling
This pioneering science fiction series by Rod Serling redefined horror and sci-fi by weaponizing existential dread and societal critique. All within 25-minute vignettes, the show depicts ordinary people finding themselves in extraordinarily astounding situations, which they each try to solve in unique ways.
Before series like Severance and Black Mirror stole the hearts of audiences, The Twilight Zone was already a groundbreaking force in blending psychological horror with thought-provoking social commentary and speculative sci-fi. It throws audiences into a twisted version of reality where characters are confronted by existential dilemmas and moral challenges. The unsettling atmosphere and unpredictable endings often leave viewers feeling uneasy, forcing them to question the nature of human behavior and what’s real.
3
‘Westworld’ (2016–2022)
Created by Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan
Westworld also stands out as one of the most disturbing sci-fi shows due to its unflinching exploration of trauma, dehumanization, and the ethical horrors of artificial consciousness. Based on Michael Chrichton‘s 1973 film, the series is set at the intersection of the near future and the re-imagined past, depicting a world in which every human appetite can be indulged without consequence.
Whether it is the hosts’ disturbing awakening that is tied to repeated suffering, their dehumanization by guests who often treat them as disposable objects, indulging in brutality, Westworld is a deeply unsettling exploration of the darker corner of the human psyche. However, that is also what makes it so compelling. At its core, this Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan series is a powerful commentary on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, the corrupting nature of unchecked power, and humanity’s capacity for cruelty when it feels unaccountable.
Westworld
- Release Date
-
2016 – 2022-00-00
- Network
-
HBO Max
2
‘From’ (2022–)
Created by John Griffin
John Griffin‘s supernatural horror-sci-fi hybrid takes audiences to a nightmarish town where anyone who enters is forced to survive against monstrous creatures and unravel its dark mysteries. With an unrelentingly intense atmosphere and captivating storyline, the series has become a fan-favorite among those currently streaming, and it’s not difficult to understand why.
From is packed with disturbing elements, ranging from its practically inescapable town to its human-like monsters that transform into fanged, screeching predators after dark. But it’s not just the psychological terror that creeps under audiences’ skin—there’s a darker and more unsettling layer to the series. It masterfully blends supernatural horror with existential dread, creating an atmosphere of constant unease. As residents fight for survival, they’re haunted and tormented by shared hallucinations, ghostly apparitions, and other eerie phenomena that further amplify the sheer horror they face. In the meantime, the series hints at alien dimensions, time loops, and government experiments, providing food for thought.
From
- Release Date
-
February 20, 2022
- Network
-
Epix, MGM+
1
‘Black Mirror’ (2011–)
Created by Charlie Brooker
Heavily influenced by The Twilight Zone, Black Mirror has become the backbone of contemporary science fiction, specifically dark sci-fi shows, pushing boundaries with its narratives and dystopian visions of technology’s dark side. The Netflix cyber thriller features satirical tales that explore techno-paranoia, with stories that tap into the collective unease about the modern world.
Tech is a catalyst for human monstrosity in Black Mirror, with its dystopias feeling plausible because they amplify existing behaviors, whether those are social media validation or corporate greed. In a way, Brooker’s series holds up a mirror to society, reflecting our worst selves back at us and leaving viewers questioning the direction of society and the potential horrors that may lie ahead—and we can’t help but love it.
Black Mirror
- Release Date
-
December 4, 2011
- Network
-
Channel 4, Netflix
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