The Best 10 Sci-Fi and Fantastical Television of This Year
What would you do if you had unlimited power? That's the fundamental inquiry posed by the best science fiction and fantastical stories. What if you possessed superhuman abilities? Or discovered a miraculous drug? What about each and every single person was dedicated to your personal happiness? Would you use that power for the greater good, or would you give in to your own darker impulses?
The television series listed below each confront this dilemma in unique manners (with one key exception). Presented here is our list of the 10 most outstanding installments of sci-fi and fantastical television from the past year.
10. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
Even after over six decades of history, the web-slinger remains reinvented by fresh talent. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man delivers a refreshing perspective at the character's formative days, cleverly blending essential comic elements with influences from other adaptations to craft something which is both fresh and profoundly compelling.
Instead of being alone or Iron Man as a mentor, this iteration of the hero develops a complex partnership with the future Green Goblin, who here is merely the CEO of Oscorp. Across their dynamic, Peter grows into his own man, internalizing the iconic mantra of great power and great responsibility.
9. Hazbin Hotel Season 2
Showrunner Vivienne Medrano's audacious mature musical-comedy show, which originated as a crowdfunded pilot, truly came into its own in its sophomore installment. Following the climactic events of season 1, the story broadens significantly, following the scheming media overlord Vox as he seizes control of the narrative, sparking a chain of increasingly explosive confrontations that inevitably culminate in elaborate musical numbers.
While it may lack a one viral song quite like the first season's "Loser, Baby," that's because each element in season 2 being increasingly ambitious. The fight sequences, personal development, and above all the music are all more sophisticated. The season moves the overarching plot dramatically while delivering no shortage of bizarre, wild, and ultimately fun fantasy.
8. Daredevil: Born Again
Following the acclaimed Netflix series, Daredevil: Born Again had immense expectations. Despite well-documented development challenges, the final show proves it was worth the effort. The story follows Matt Murdock once his secret identity as Daredevil is exposed, making him vulnerable to enemies both history and present in a slightly take of his familiar setting.
The premiere is a thrilling return to form, capturing the gritty feeling audiences loved from the original incarnation. Although the middle episodes venture into certain different narrative ground, the first season finishes powerfully, setting viewers keenly anticipating a second installment.
7. Common Side Effects
A surprising this year's highlight, this show is essentially an animated Breaking Bad with a sensibility of King of the Hill. Created by an Adult Swim veteran alongside writer Steve Hely, it follows the story of a mild-mannered fungi expert who discovers a miraculous mushroom and quickly finds himself hunted by everyone from unscrupulous pharmaceutical executives to federal agents.
Despite being a spoof, the narrative unfolds with the grave intensity of a 1970s conspiracy film. Enhanced by trippy visuals and an eerie musical soundtrack, the story delves into bigger questions about the substance's true effects. It's a smart, visually striking, and completely compelling ten-episode season.
6. Fallout Season 2
The acclaimed series of the popular video game series came back with a new season of episodes that expanded its sprawling mystery and broadened its nuclear wasteland world. While it ventures in the direction of the fan-favorite location of New Vegas, the story is far from a straight adaptation of that title; rather, it continues to examine ideas of authority and autonomy.
The show skillfully juggles multiple storylines and perspectives, from the protagonist's mission for answers to a knight's struggle with the dogma of the Brotherhood of Steel. The outcome is a deeply detailed and utterly absorbing addition to the expanding Fallout saga.
5. Invincible Season 3
The bloody and heartfelt animated show continues its powerful streak in its third outing. The hero confronts immense challenges on all fronts: preparing for a coming alien invasion, mentoring his young brother, and clashing with the secretive Global Defense Agency. The story also features some of the most brutal fight scenes the show has yet produced.
Mark's physical and emotional endurance are repeatedly tested. He must contend with opponents stronger than he is, the consequences of his actions, and the ethical burden of his decisions. Excellent storylines for supporting characters like Cecil Stedman and Rex Splode round out a fantastic season.
4. Peacemaker Season 2
James Gunn's offbeat superhero series returned with elevated significance within the new DC canon, and it executes on both fronts. While it effectively lays groundwork for future cinematic universe projects, it also tells a powerful and self-contained {