Sci-fi, fantasy, and other works of speculative fiction literature all lend themselves to being adapted for the screen through the television format. While movies typically have larger budgets and might reach a wider array of audiences,TV shows are in the unique position to take their time developing the story’s world,which is a critical part of science fiction. Introducing viewers to the imagined rules and systems that govern the narrative requires attention to detail and seamless exposition, especially when these works are complex and rooted in real scientific principles.
Plenty ofclassic sci-fi books should be turned into moviesand TV shows, but the ones that have received adaptations in the past few years have been well-received.Sci-fi has been having somewhat of a resurgence, especially in the television sphere,and luckily, there are plenty of amazing books to bring to life on the screen. As budgets increase, as well as the abilities of visual effects, sci-fi has thrived. Stories that touch upon subjects like the apocalypse, the importance of the environment, and intergalactic rebellions against corrupt governments are all popular topics in novels and make for great TV.
10The Three-Body Problem (2006)
Written by Liu Cixin
Netflix’s recent adaptation ofThe Three-Body Problemby Liu Cixin brought the seminal work of scientific literature to a wide variety of new audiences.The Three-Body Problemis a great example of asci-fi book that’s more science than fiction, making it more difficult to approach for readers who aren’t as familiar with the genre. However, once the reader is immersed in the world,The Three-Body Problemis impossible to put down, asit presents such a realistic depiction of how different people and ideological camps would respond to an alien invasion.
When readingThe Three-Body Problem, the readers are exposed to an even deeper and more detailed story than in the show, thanks to Cixin’s writing.
Since it’s the first in a series,it’s likely there will be more seasons of3 Body Problemafter the success of season 1. WhileThe Three-Body Problemis about the inevitable arrival of a group of hostile aliens, it’s also deeply in conversation with contemporary international politics on Earth, as well as the environmental impact of emerging technologies. When readingThe Three-Body Problem, the readers are exposed to an even deeper and more detailed story than in the show, thanks to Cixin’s writing.
3 Body Problem
Cast
3 Body Problem is a Netflix original series from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, along with Alexander Woo. Based on the novel of the same name by Liu Cixin, 3 Body Problem centers on a detective who joins forces with a group of scientists after an unknown force begins killing scientists around the world.
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9Foundation (1951)
Written by Isaac Asimov
Apple TV has quickly risen to prominence thanks to its numerous original sci-fi TV series, fromFoundationtoSeverance. However,Foundationis doubtlessly one of the streaming service’s most ambitious undertakings, as Isaac Asimov’s novels are some of the most complex and notoriously difficult to interpret. This is whyFoundationis more of a loose adaptation than some of the other sci-fi showsthat attempt to follow every beat of their source material as faithfully as possible.
However, it captures the spirit of Asimov’s work, which revolves around the fight to preserve knowledge and the best minds in the galaxy in the wake of impending chaos. The series adds characters and plot lines to create even more intrigue and character drama but still retains the political intrigue that is so prevalent in the original trilogy.Foundationis frequently cited as one of the most influential works of science fiction of the 20th century,and the TV series has brought renewed attention to the work.
Foundation
Foundation is a science fiction film that follows a band of exiles on a crucial journey to save humanity and rebuild civilization as the Galactic Empire collapses.
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8Altered Carbon (2002)
Written by Richard Morgan
The concept of artificial bodies and the ability to transfer human consciousness has always been a source of great debate and interest in science fiction.Altered Carbondirectly grapples with a potential reality of this in whichthe ultra-rich use this technology to essentially live foreverthrough backed-up versions of their consciousness, “stacks,” into new “sleeves,” AKA bodies. The protagonist ofAltered Carbon, Takeshi Kovacs, wakes up after being re-sleeved to investigate the murder of a wealthy man and gets caught up in a conspiracy connected to his dark past.
Full of action, sex, and a vividly realized cyberpunk world,Altered Carbonisn’t the most nuanced in its critique of the rich and powerful, but that doesn’t make the story any less compelling.
Full of action, sex, and a vividly realized cyberpunk world,Altered Carbonisn’t the most nuanced in its critique of the rich and powerful, but that doesn’t make the story any less compelling.Takeshi is a classic sci-fi hero with overpowered abilitiesand an attitude that puts him in a position to be the perfect double agent. Though the TV series makes changes to the story, its visuals and performances are a testament to the adaptation.
Altered Carbon
Altered Carbon is set in the far future, at a time when a human’s consciousness can be stored in a device called a Stack and transferred into different bodies, allowing people who have the means to become functionally immortal. Takeshi Kovacs (Joel Kinnaman and Anthony Mackie), the former member of a rebellion against Stack technology, is awakened and released from prison so that he can be employed by a wealthy man to solve the man’s own murder. The Netflix original series is based on the 2002 novel of the same name by Richard K. Morgan.
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7Dark Matter (2016)
Written by Blake Crouch
Jason Dessen finds himself in a waking nightmare when a version of himself from an alternate reality appearsand switches their lives, leaving the real Jason separated from his family. ThoughDark Matteris an atmospheric and fast-paced thriller through and through, it’s the emotional appeal of Jason’s ties to his wife and son and his certainty of the path he chose in life that keeps the audience so invested in his story. Incorporating fantastical physics and jumps between multiple realities,Dark Matteris an intense but enjoyable read.
There are manytheories aboutDark Matterseason 2since Crouch’s novel is a standalone. The writers and showrunners of the Apple TV series will have to create new conflicts and intrigue for the characters after the spellbinding events of season 1. However,Crouch has been an instrumental part in the development and writing of the TV show,meaning that whatever new developments come from the upcoming installment, it will maintain the tone and feel of Crouch’s work. Joel Edgerton’s turn as Jason is one of the reasons the series is so successful, as he captures his intelligence and desperation.
Dark Matter
Dark Matter (2024): Jason Dessen is thrust into an alternate reality where he must confront an ominous version of himself. His quest to return to his original life leads him on a challenging journey to reunite with his family, navigating the complexities of parallel existences.
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6Silo Trilogy (2011–2013)
Written by Hugh Howey
Hugh Howey started theSilonovels as a series of short stories,but their explosive popularity soon led to Howey expanding the narrative and writing the three installments;Wool,Shift, andDust. The series takes place in the wake of a cataclysmic disaster. Humanity has been relegated to living in underground silos, and all knowledge about the outside world or history before the silos is gone. As the first book progresses, the characters grow suspicious about what the outside world truly holds and the conspiracies that have kept the citizens subservient.
Rebecca Ferguson has been highlighted for her performance as Juliette, the mechanic who takes on the role of sheriff and begins to uncover what the highest levels of government are hiding.
Rebecca Ferguson has been highlighted for her performance as Juliette, the mechanic who takes on the role of sheriff and begins to uncover what the highest levels of government are hiding.Siloseason 2 will delve into the deepest secrets of the novels and will see Juliette have to fight for the lives of everyone in her silo. Since they discuss common fears of governmental deceit and the fallout of global devastation,theSilobooks have only become more relevant with time.
Silo
In a dystopian future, men and women reside in a vast underground silo governed by strict regulations, believed to shield them from the hazardous world above. The series delves into the complex social order within the silo and the mysteries surrounding their subterranean existence.
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5Station Eleven (2014)
Written by Emily St. John Mandel
The underrated HBO sci-fi miniseriesStation Elevenis based on the 2014 work by Emily St. John Mandel, which is even more spellbinding and moving than the critically acclaimed show. Though it’s a work of science fiction and takes place in a post-apocalyptic world,Station Elevenis a love letter to art and the ways that people stay connected to their humanity in the wake of crisis.The protagonist, Kirsten, is part of a traveling band of performers and believes in the sanctity of her craft and her bond with her friends above all.
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Told through flashbacks with a non-linear narrative,Station Elevenis a gorgeously written piece of literature that draws the reader into the intersecting lives of its characters. Each of the primary individuals shares a connection despite being from all over the world and finding themselves scattered in the wake of the pandemic. Though there’s plenty of darkness within the world,both the book and TV adaptation ofStation Elevenare hopefully about the future of humanityand people’s capacity to rebuild.
Station Eleven
Station Eleven, released in December 2021, is a post-apocalyptic drama that explores the lives of flu pandemic survivors. As they navigate a transformed world, the narrative delves into their efforts to rebuild civilization and preserve the valuable aspects of their former lives.
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4The Power (2016)
Written by Naomi Alderman
The recent sci-fi phenomenon by Naomi Alderman,The Power, imagines a world where the patriarchal power structure of the world is undone virtually overnightwhen women develop the ability to use electrical currents in their bodies. It is told through the frame narrative of a male writer submitting this history to a prominent female author who shares Alderman’s name.The Powerexplores how an imbalance of power leads to corruption, as well as how many young women would initially use their power to combat the abuse they suffer at the hands of the men in the novel.
Much of the story unfolds similarly to human history as it’s known today, but instead of men being in positions of power, it’s women.
Much of the story unfolds similarly to human history as it’s known today, but instead of men being in positions of power, it’s women. Though the TV series didn’t enjoy the overwhelming popularity of the book, it does justice to the disenfranchised female protagonists of the book whose lives are reawakened thanks to the power. Throughout the narrative,Alderman touches upon how, many times in history, women’s work and stories have been stolen and co-opted by menwith satirical commentary that balances some of the more serious elements of the book.
The Power
The Power is a 2023 television series that explores a world where teenage girls develop the ability to generate electrical energy, leading to societal shifts and upheavals. Based on the novel by Naomi Alderman, the series features an ensemble cast, including Toni Collette and Auli’i Cravalho. Through its narrative, The Power delves into themes of gender dynamics, power, and the impact of newfound abilities on individuals and society.
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3Under The Dome (2009)
Written by Stephen King
Stephen King’s dystopian sci-fi thriller,Under the Dome, takes familiar survival narratives likeLord of the Fliesand brings them to the next level. When a small town is suddenly encased in a glass dome that can’t be escaped or penetrated, it results in a sudden crisis of resources and a test of the strength of the rules of civilization. It doesn’t take long for the corrupt and power-hungry to seize control of the community,people start panicking, and the inevitable collapse of society and organization takes its toll.
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As one of King’s more popular recent novels, it didn’t take long for a television adaptation ofUnder the Dometo surface, expanding the story into multiple seasons.The TV version leans into melodrama and inflammatory subject matterinUnder the Dome.Conversely, the book is more concerned with the complex and nuanced inner workings of a small town’s politics when put under a microscope.Under the Domeis an effective exploration of both the worst and the best of humanity and incorporates an unforgettable twist.
Under the Dome
Under the Dome is a science fiction mystery drama series that aired on CBS for three seasons from 2013-2015. Based on Stephen King’s 2009 novel of the same name, Under the Dome tells the story of how a giant, transparent, and indestructible dome suddenly traps the fictional small town of Chester’s Mill inside of it. The mystery of where the dome came from, and if it will ever go away, is at the heart of the show’s storylines.
Under the Dome (2013–2015)
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2The Expanse (2011–022)
Written by S.A. Corey AKA Daniel Abraham & Ty Franck
The beloved and long-running sci-fi TV showThe Expanseowes its success to the novel series it’s based on. Written by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck under the pen name S.A. Corey, the series has taken on a life of its own.Incorporating multiple perspectives and a sprawling story, the space opera includes nine total bookswith several shorter works to round out the massive scale of the epic narrative.The Expanseis perfect for readers searching for a detailed and exciting exploration into the potential of intergalactic war once humanity has staked its claim among the stars.
It’s the characters inThe Expansewho make the novels worth reading, as each point of view is given the same attention and care.
Though the show was initially canceled by the Syfy network after season 3,it was thankfully picked up by Amazon Prime and finished with a six-season and critically acclaimed run.Both the books and the TV series have been consistently recognized for their balance between innovative technologies and vivid space travel with the human heart that drives the narrative forward. Overall, it’s the characters inThe Expansewho make the novels worth reading, as each point of view is given the same attention and care.
The Expanse
The Expanse is a sci-fi series set in the distant future where humanity has spread out across the solar system, but the alliances between the three most potent governing bodies have reached a state of the cold war. In the series, a mixed crew finds themselves at the center of a dangerous intergalactic conspiracy that threatens to bring war to the colonized worlds.
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1The Peripheral (2014)
Written by William Gibson
Told through the parallel perspectives of a young woman living in small-town America in the near future, Flynne, and a man, Wilf, living in London several decades later,The Peripheralslowly reveals its secrets and the characters' connection throughout the novel.The author, William Gibson, is a prolific contributor to the sci-fi genre and has written other famous works likeNeuromancer, which is agreat sci-fi book for beginners. Though they live at different times, Flynne and Wilf are able to make contact through cyberspace.
Chloë Grace Moretz and Gary Carr play Flynne and Wilf in the TV show,and though the series had a positive critical and audience response, it was canceled after just one season. However, it successfully incorporates the mystery and noir elements that are standbys of all of Gibson’s work. Using computers and virtual reality as a window into parallel universes is an ingenious idea, and only Gibson could pull off such an ambitioussci-fi story with so much style.
The Peripheral
Chloë Grace Moretz stars as Flynne Fisher in The Peripheral, an Amazon Prime TV adaptation of the novel by William Gibson. Flynne, seeking an escape from the mundane, submerges herself into immersive video games. A company takes notice of her gaming prowess and extends an invitation to test and experience their latest virtual reality project. This experience brings her hopes and dreams to life, allowing her to digitally realize the life experiences she wants in the real world. However, when things get a little too real, Flynne realizes the peripheral can do more than recreate wishes digitally, and now she and those she loves are in danger due to the nature of the device.
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