2024 is half over and we have seen some brilliant and some not-so-brilliant TV shows by streaming services and cable networks. However, the sci-fi fantasy genre TV shows are proving to be the biggest ones this year with the release of shows like Fallout and 3 Body Problem. The sci-fi fans are having a great year and if TV shows weren’t enough we also got Dune: Part Two this year which is the most successful film 2024 so far. So, let’s check out the best new and returning sci-fi fantasy shows that came out this year.
Dark Matter (Apple TV+)
Dark Matter is a sci-fi fantasy thriller series created by Blake Crouch. Based on a 2016 novel of the same by Crouch, the Apple TV+ series follows the story of Jason Dessen, a Chicago-based physicist as he is warped into an alternate version of his life where everybody he knows in his world still exists but they are also completely different. Jason fights to get back to his reality and his family before the alternate version of himself who was sent there harms them. Dark Matter stars Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly in the lead role with Alice Braga, Jimmi Simpson, Dayo Okeniyi, Oakes Fegley, and Amanda Brugel starring in supporting roles.
Fallout (Prime Video)
Fallout is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi fantasy series created by Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet. Based on a video game franchise of the same name by Bethesda Softworks, the Prime Video series is set in a post-apocalyptic future destroyed by nuclear bombs forcing people to live underground in bunkers to protect themselves from radiation, ghouls, and bandits. But when Lucy’s bunker is attacked and her dad is taken she must go to the surface to find him. Fallout stars Ella Purnell, Walton Goggins, and Aaron Moten in the lead roles with Moisés Arias, Kyle MacLachlan, Johnny Pemberton, Sarita Choudhury, Elle Vertes, Cameron Cowperthwaite, and Xelia Mendes-Jones starring in supporting roles.
X-Men ’97 (Disney+)
For some time now Marvel fans have expressed their frustration with the franchise because of the bad films and too many Disney+ shows but 2024 might be the year when it all goes right for us because first, we got a brilliant animated show that we have all been waiting for, X-Men ’97 and then in July we are getting Deadpool & Wolverine. X-Men ’97 is an animated superhero series created by Beau DeMayo. Based on Marvel Comics, the series follows a group of mutants as they put their lives on the line to protect a world that hates them.
3 Body Problem (Netflix)
3 Body Problem is a sci-fi fantasy series created by Game of Thrones’ David Benioff and D.B. Weis. Based on a Chinese novel series titled The Three-Body Problem by author Liu Cixin, the Netflix series follows two different stories from two different periods that collide in the deadliest of ways. The first story takes place in the present where the top scientists of the world are dying mysteriously and the second is set during the Chinese Cultural Revolution when a young woman sees her father beaten to death during a struggle session. Then she is taken to a secret military base because of her scientific background where she decides to respond to contact from an alien planet. 3 Body Problem stars Eiza González, Jovan Adepo, John Bradley, Rosalind Chao, Lian Cunningham, Zine Tseng, Jess Hong, Marlo Kelly, Alex Sharp, Sea Shimooka, Saamer Usmani, Benedict Wong, and Jonathan Pryce.
Sugar (Apple TV+)
Sugar is a sci-fi fantasy mystery thriller series created by Mark Protosevich. The genre-bending Apple TV+ series follows the story of John Sugar, a private detective as a big-time Hollywood producer hires him to find his missing granddaughter. But during the investigation Sugar finds more than he was looking for and many powerful people don’t want that information coming out. Sugar stars Colin Farrell in the lead role with Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Amy Ryan, Dennis Boutsikaris, Nate Corddry, Alex Hernandez, and James Cromwell starring in supporting roles.
Constellation (Apple TV+)
Constellation is a sci-fi fantasy psychological thriller series created by Peter Harness. Based on a concept by Sean Jablonski, the Apple TV+ series follows the story of Johanna “Jo” one of five astronauts in the International Space Station who stays back to repair the station after an unidentified object collides with it killing one of the astronauts while the other three make an emergency evacuation. When Jo gets back to Earth she finds that certain parts of her life are missing or different from the way she remembers them including her young daughter. Constellation stars Noomi Rapace in the lead role with Jonathan Banks, Davina Coleman, Barbara Sukowa, Julian Looman, Rosie Coleman, James D’Arcy, Carole Weyers, William Catlett, Rebecca Scroggs, and Lenn Kudrjawizki starring in supporting roles.
Resident Alien Season 3 (Netflix, Peacock & Rent on Prime Video)
Resident Alien returned for its much anticipated third season in February 2024. Created by Chris Sheridan the Syfy series is based on a comic book series of the same name by Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse. Season 3 continues the story of Harry Vanderspeigle as he works together with General Eleanor McCallister and his friends to stop the Greys from taking over Earth. Resident Alien stars Alan Tudyk in the lead role with Sara Tomko, Corey Reynolds, Alice Wetterlund, Levi Fiehler, Judah Prehn, Elizabeth Bowen, Meredith Garretson, and Linda Hamilton starring in supporting roles.
Beacon 23 Season 2 (MGM+ & Prime Video Add-On)
Beacon 23 makes a quick return with its already shot second season. With Glen Mazzara and Joy Blake taking the helm this season, the new episodes of Beacon 23 pick up the story right where the first season ended and we see Halan trying to figure out Aster’s fate and handle a military attack. Beacon 23 is based on a short story series of the same name by Hugh Lowey and it stars Lena Headey and Stephan James in the lead roles with Natasha Mumba, Wade Bogert-O’Brien, Stephen Root, Barbara Hershey, Eric Lange, and Marc Menchaca.
Parasyte: The Grey (Netflix)
Parasyte: The Grey is a South Korean sci-fi fantasy horror series directed and co-written by Yeon Sang-ho. Based on a manga series titled Parasyte by Hitoshi Iwaaki, the Netflix series follows the story of a group of people who decide to fight for their survival after unidentified parasites violently take over human bodies and gain power. Parasyte: The Grey stars Masaki Suda, Jeon So-nee, Lee Jung-hyun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Kwon Hae-hyo, and Kim In-kwon.
Extraordinary Season 2 (Hulu)
Extraordinary returned for its much-anticipated second season in March 2024. Created by Emma Moran, the Hulu superhero comedy series continues the story of Jen as she enrolls in a power clinic to find her powers but that may not turn out as well as she initially thought. Extraordinary stars Máiréad Tyers in the lead role with Sofia Oxenham, Bilal Hasna, Luke Rollason, Siobhán McSweeney, Robbie Gee, Safia Oakley-Green, Ned Porteous, and Darcey Porter-Cassidy starring in supporting roles.