The 9 Best Syfy Shows Ever

Dan Clarendon

As it changed names, logos, and even corporate parents, Syfy’s one constant has been science fiction entertainment, and for fans of the genre, it’s been the cable destination.

In fact, Syfy — formerly Sci-Fi Channel — has rescued science-fiction fan faves jettisoned by other networks, some of which (MST3K, The Expanse, Stargate SG-1) rank among the channel’s all-time greats. Here are our selections for Syfy’s best-ever series.

9
Eureka
Where to Stream Eureka

Eureka

2006–2012

Need a lighter take on sci-fi? Eureka — we’ve found it! This comedy-drama starred Colin Ferguson as the new sheriff of the off-the-map town of Eureka, a community of scientists whose breakthroughs could change the world if they don’t destroy the world first. (Good thing the sheriff is grounded in reality.) Expect scientific misadventures, humorous culture clashes, and visual effects so numerous they may have gotten the show canceled.

8
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Where to Stream Mystery Science Theater 3000

Mystery Science Theater 3000

1988–1999

MST3K pilloried bad cinema in good fun for years, including Season 7 through 9 on The Sci-Fi channel. Though Sci-Fi provided a relatively inhospitable home for this comedy series’ last years on cable, we can still thank the channel for bringing us the Satellite of Love crew’s commentary on B movies like The Final Sacrifice, Werewolf, The Pumaman, and Hobgoblins.

7
Warehouse 13
Where to Stream Warehouse 13

Warehouse 13

2009–2014

Described by Sci-Fi as part The X-Files, part Raiders of the Lost Ark and part Moonlighting, Warehouse 13 starred Eddie McClintock and Joanne Kelly and two federal agents assigned to a secret South Dakota facility housing every strange artifact the U.S. government has accrued over the centuries. Those artifacts have magical properties — Orville Wright’s spectacles, for example, steal someone’s brainpower, Ferdinand Magellan’s astrolabe turns back time — but come with devious and creative consequences.

6
The Magicians
Where to Stream The Magicians

The Magicians

2015–2020

In this adaptation of a book trilogy by Lev Grossman, grad student Quentin (Jason Ralph) realizes the magical land from his favorite children’s books is real, and he’s accepted into Brakebills University for Magical Pedagogy. His friend Julia (Stella Maeve) isn’t accepted, and she falls in with a different magical cadre. If you have outgrown Harry Potter (or feel burned by its creator), give this TV show a try.

5
Wynonna Earp
Where to Stream Wynonna Earp

Wynonna Earp

2016–2021

The Beau Smith comic book series of the same name got a small-screen transfer with this entry in the Weird West genre. Melanie Scrofano plays a descendent of lawman Wyatt Earp, and she’s tasked sending the suddenly-undead outlaws once felled by Wyatt back to Hell. It’s a fun twist on familiar Western lore, but its positive queer representation during a #BuryYourGays era is what really puts it in another echelon.

4
The Expanse
Where to Stream The Expanse

The Expanse

2015–2022

A Hugo-nominated book series by James S. A. Corey became a Hugo-winning TV series, one in which humans have colonized the Solar System and the United Nations is just one of the oppressive powers at play. Amid that political tension, detective Joe Miller (Thomas Jane) and others start uncovering an interplanetary conspiracy. It’s a dense but rewarding story with impressive world-building and even more impressive visuals.

3
Farscape
Where to Stream Farscape

Farscape

1999–2003

The winner of three back-to-back Saturn Awards for Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series, Farscape follows the fugitives, human and otherwise, aboard the (living) spacecraft Moya. With serialized storylines and puppets and prosthetics from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, Farscape elevated cable sci-fi, and fans followed the Moya gang into the wormhole.

2
Stargate SG-1
Where to Stream Stargate SG-1

Stargate SG-1

1997–2007

It takes a stellar TV show to outshine a blockbuster film upon which it was based, but that’s the story with Stargate SG-1, which focused on a military team from Earth traveling through Stargates to find support and supplies to protect the planet from alien attackers. A TV Guide Magazine cover story declared that SG-1 had surpassed Star Trek as “sci-fi’s biggest hit,” and the show also brought Farscape’s Ben Browder and Claudia Black back to TV.

1
Battlestar Galactica
Where to Stream Battlestar Galactica

Battlestar Galactica

2004–2009

Stars of the original show might not agree, but the Battlestar franchise got a major upgrade with this reboot, a gritty and gripping story of survival and warfare following a robot uprising. With machines that look like flesh and blood, and humans acting inhumane, BSG showed it’s not always clear who’s good and bad in the Cylon-vs-Colonist conflict. Even if it didn’t have the War on Terror as a real-world analog, BSG would still be vital viewing, and there will never be another sci-fi series, let alone a Syfy series, like it.

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  1. P

    PurpleFlame

    Oh, come on. Besides leaving out 50 years of Star Trek, there's so many more that are better. Off the top of my head, there's X Files, UFO, The Invaders, Outer Limits, Space:1999, Alien Nation, Babylon 5, Red Dwarf, Cowboy Bebop, Almost Human...

    1. C

      CyanTree

      I don't think they were all from the SyFy channel though

    2. C

      CyanCoathanger

      Star Trek was not a SyFy show. Neither were some of the others you mention.

    3. B

      BlueBullhorn

      Syfy not scifi

      1. B

        BlueHelmet

        Wrong, look at the shows, of the shows in the list ONLY TWO were on the syfi (pronounced siffy) channel, the rest premiered on the FAR SUPERIOR scifi channel. But not a single star trek show premiered on either.

        1. O

          OrangeCherries

          What are you talking about Sci-Fi Channel became SyFy, it is the same channel with new branding.

          1. B

            BlueHelmet

            Scifi is actually a word, and actually makes sense, it means SCIence FIction. Syfy isnt a word, doesnt mean anything, sounds stupid, looks stupid, and they barely even have scifi content anymore. I mean they had very little before, but what they did have, was awesome.

  2. C

    CyanController

    Feels like a huge miss without Babylon 5.

  3. O

    OrangeFries

    The Expanse is by far the best. Star gate is just volume and years. Battlestar Galactica I love but it has too many things that twist the original premise. It has too many lulls. The Expanse is powerful from start to stop.

    1. O

      OrangePumpkin

      Agreed.

  4. R

    RedCupcake

    Farscape is my favorite show of all time. Still holds up even after all these years. The special effects are amazing

    1. C

      CyanMagnet

      Loved the show, hated the ending!!!

  5. C

    CyanBucket

    This is an article about shows on the SyFy network, not sci-fi shows in general. Star Trek was never on it, new anyway. I enjoyed The Invisible Man on SyFy's very early days...

    1. B

      BlueRadio

      The invisible man was a great show!

    2. B

      BlueHelmet

      Funny enough, they CLAIM its about syfy (pronounced siffy) channel shows, but of the whole list, only two actually premiered on the syfy channel, ALL THE REST were from the far superior scifi channel.

      1. O

        OliveClover

        You are absolutely incorrect. The article clearly states that it is about shows brought to us from the channel Syfy formally known as Sci-fi. It also states that it includes shows that were saved by the channel. Meaning they had previously been on another channel, was cancelled, then picked up by Syfy. I watched every show listed on the Syfy channel

    3. R

      RedHat

      Thank you for correcting me before screaming about missing Babylon 5. 😁

  6. C

    CyanBucket

    I agree with the Expanse, but would Add Orphan Black Echo's, Altered Carbon, dollhouse, x files, Torchwood, monarch and Firefly. Ooh and Dirk gentlies

    1. B

      BlueBandAid

      Only way Dirk Gentlies could be enjoyed is if you've never read the book.

  7. P

    PurpleCar

    I agree if the article was called best Space Opera TV. So much better sci fi tv is out ther ie 12 Monkeys and Fringe

    1. B

      BlueRadio

      Syfy, has in the network channel.

    2. C

      CyanController

      Oh snap Fringe was amazing

  8. P

    PurpleMustache

    No Resident Alien, Dresden Files, or Merlin?

    1. P

      PurpleScooter

      Merlin wasn’t sci-fi. It was fantasy.

      1. B

        BlueBullhorn

        Surely so is magicians. I know I didn't watch all of it but I don't remember a lot of science in what I watched.

    2. C

      CyanController

      I am a big fan of dresden the books but the show was tragic. If you want wizards watch the Constantine series

  9. P

    PurpleCocktail

    Based on some of the comments, it’s clear that not many people were taught comprehensive reading in school🤦‍♂️

  10. G

    GreenSeahorse

    You better replace Battlestar Galactica with Babylon 5.

    Still the original Battlestar Galactica was still better;)

  11. B

    BlueFan

    What about Haven?

    1. P

      PurpleFlame

      I watched it, but it was hard to get into for me.

    2. O

      OliveBeer

      Indeed, why won't anyone ever mention it, I was honestly shocked wh13 was mentioned for once

    3. C

      CyanCoathanger

      Haven was very good for the first couple seasons. But like other shows *cough*Lost*cough* it kind of got really weird at the end.

  12. C

    CyanCherries

    They maybe sci fi’s top choice, but not mine only star gate would make my top ten, BSG remake ruined itself several times : ghost Starbuck and that dire ending, B5, Blake’s 7, Buck Roger’s (1st series), and many many more wipe the floor with those listed here.

    1. P

      PurpleBottleOpener

      Expanse by far the best one

  13. O

    OrangeDog

    What the hell is wynonna earp is doing in this list is shocking

  14. F

    fethi boukhari

    Wow. Impressive list. My list (not in that order) would include The Lost Room instead of Wynona.

  15. G

    GreenBulb

    Babylon 5 deserves a place on this list, right up there with Stargate SG 1 ( and Stargate Atlantis, for that matter)

  16. C

    CyanController

    Where is Babylon 5?

  17. W

    Willard Sims

    Not one star trek series made this list, that's ludicrous

    1. B

      BlueHelmet

      Star trek never had a syfy show. Or a show on the far superior scifi channel.

  18. O

    Olive8Ball

    Stargate SG-1 should of been #1. Other than that it's a good list.

  19. J

    Jason Smith

    This is a garbage list. X-Files, Star Trek, Firefly, The Twilight Zone and others are way better than most of this rubbish list.

  20. C

    CyanLamp

    Dumb List. How could you possibly leave Star Trek, Star Trek Next Generation, The Twilight Zone and The X Files off the list? The Golden Standards. Obviously, this was written by a SYFY Channel croney! The Expanse was top notch.

    1. J

      Jason Smith

      Crap list for sure. It’s just an ad for SyFy shows.

  21. M

    musksucks

    some blind/deaf dumbass made this list obviously.

  22. O

    OliveHelmet

    Babylon 5 should have definitely been on this list. If they were trying to go non mainstream like Star Trek I get that.

  23. B

    BlueRadio

    Wrong, just wrong.... Where is Babylon5? It serialised story telling before any of the other sci-fi shows. The creator JMS wrote most of the episodes himself and it has a massive interwoven story with plot points in the first series paying off 2 series later.

  24. C

    CyanCoathanger

    So glad Stargate made the list. I think Stargate: Atlantis should have been included too. In some ways I think it was the better of the two Stargates.

    So glad to see Warehouse 13 and Eureka included. I loved Warehouse 13. I think it was sort of a precursor to The Librarian(s) franchise.

    1. C

      CyanTree

      My head canon suggests that the Librarians is a multiversal equivalent to Warehouse 13. Essentially the same mission to each other. Now I want the equivalent of Eureka to show up in the Librarians universe.

  25. O

    OliveTooth

    I grew up on the original Star Trek, and basically tolerated pretty much everything else as kind of a runner-up/wannabe. I have never even watched most of these shows, only watched BSG (the reboot version discussed here) last winter at the insistence of a friend who was a big fan, and I read and save these articles in order to discover which shows I should go back and watch belatedly. Thanks!

  26. P

    PurpleMustache

    I would have Eureka, Warehouse 13 and MST3K higher on the list, include Lost Girl along side Wynonna Earp and add SyFy's current show, Resident Alien, to the list.

  27. B

    BlueTooth

    No Babylon5

    Your list is junk

  28. R

    RedHat

    No Dr. Who? What about Lost Girl?

  29. O

    OrangeRaindrop

    12 Monkeys should be on the list!

  30. G

    GoldPopsicle

    No love for Doctor Who?

  31. P

    PurpleScooter

    Okay SG-1 at number two okay BSG at number one debatable I love Battlestar Galactica but Babylon 5 story alone makes it number one sci-fi of all time

  32. O

    OrangeBike

    They should put recent syfy series in the title. It's obvious they didn't give any thought to old school shows. There are so many that should be on this list. The og Battlestar and Trek series just to name 2. No way X-Files doesn't make this list. Didn't realize til after my post that it's a list of Syfy channel shows. Article title is misleading.

  33. P

    PurpleBattery

    Just blocked this website from my chrome feed. Any site that thinks BG, with it's stupid "God did everything just because" ending is quality SF must be trash. Adios.

  34. G

    GreenBowtie

    Fringe is my favorite, and The X-Files (earlier seasons, not the more recent ones)

  35. O

    OrangePumpkin

    Expanse 2. BSG 3. Fringe 4. ST:DS9 5. Babylon 5 6. X-Files 7. Altered Carbon to name a few. Whilst I adore Eureka and W13 and Stargate, they are widely entertaining, they do not hit the top 10!

  36. G

    GreenWrench

    You're telling me Warehouse 13 is supposed to be better than Eureka and/or MST3K?

  37. G

    GreenRocket

    How did you miss Haven?

  38. G

    GreenRocket

    Not even an honorable mention for Killjoys? Entertaining, great cast with amazing chemistry, some brilliant world building ..

  39. O

    OrangeBasketball

    Fringe?

  40. O

    OrangeScissors

    Fringe should have made the list.

    1. G

      GreenRocket

      Fringe aired on Fox, not Syfy.

      Not that it wasn't great, mind you.

  41. G

    GoldDucky

    The Lexx should have been in the top 10

    1. G

      GreenRocket

      It has as much right as Expanse - seeing as they both premiered on other channels first before being picked up by Syfy.

  42. G

    GoldRing

    DS9 is better than all of these.

  43. G

    GoldFlame

    No Star Trek or Dr Who? Bullshit list.

  44. B

    BlueHelmet

    Syfy? (Pronounced siffy) Literally only TWO (magicians, and expanse) came out on the syfy channel, the rest were on the scifi (pronounced sci fi) channel.

    syfy=\=scifi

    Scifi means science fiction, NO DAMN CLUE what "syfy" means.

  45. P

    PurpleWheel

    Big xxx fail, no star trek

    1. C

      CyanTree

      It wasn't a SyFy original