Science fiction is a genre that uses futuristic concepts, science, and technologies to explore humanity's capabilities. However, while elements like time travel, space exploration, and parallel universes are perfect for philosophical musings, they can also be leveraged for lighthearted hijinks and comedy. Lighthearted comedic sci-fi shows can utilize the high-stakes settings in the genre and find humor in the fantastical and otherworldly settings.
TV shows that flawlessly blend sci-fi elements with comedy and fun shenanigans often highlight the absurdity of the sci-fi genre and its tropes. Additionally, incredible sci-fi shows that embrace the zany and chaotic nature of the story give hope that the future isn't a dystopian wasteland filled with horrors. Comedic sci-fi shows can prove that no matter how science and technology change humans, humans will find a way to celebrate life with laughter and joy.
10 3rd Rock From The Sun (1996-2001)
The sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun follows a group of four aliens on an expedition to Earth who are forced to pose as an average American family to blend in. The sci-fi show turned the classic trope of aliens studying humans and struggling with the complexities of being human into a satirical look at society and life. 3rd Rock from the Sun also stands out from other sci-fi shows by centering on a group of aliens pretending to be human rather than following a group of humans as they traverse through space.
3rd Rock from the Sun's stellar cast made the bizarre show believable and entertaining. The expedition's leader Dick Solomon's (John Lithgow) trials and tribulations at his new job as a physics professor and his infatuation with his co-worker Dr Mary Albright (Jane Curtin) serve as a recurring source of entertainment. In addition, Joseph Gordon-Levitt shines in his hilarious portrayal of Tommy Solomon, the most senior alien in the body of a teenager forced to go to school. The lighthearted show focuses on comedy and heartwarming moments, making it an enjoyable watch.
9 Warehouse 13 (2009-2014)
The sci-fi TV show Warehouse 13 follows two Secret Service agents after they are reassigned to the rural and mysterious titular Warehouse 13. Agents Myka Bering (Joanne Kelly) and Pete Lattimer (Eddie McClintock) are tasked with tracking down and recovering potentially dangerous supernatural artifacts. Yet while Bering and Lattimer go on a quest to protect the world from perilous artifacts, they are making hilarious wisecracks along the way.
The adventure-filled sci-fi show Warehouse 13 blends the supernatural artifact-hunting premise with an amusing workplace drama boasting witty dialogue and humor. The rich and interesting dynamic between the happy-go-lucky and rule-bending Lattimer and by-the-book Bering consistently results in conflict, banter, and intriguing comedy. Despite not being a strict comedy series, Warehouse 13 manages to remain a fun sci-fi series by mixing high-stakes conflicts with eccentric situations and absurdity.
8 Eureka (2006-2012)
Eureka is a sci-fi series set in the titular town of Eureka, where most of the residents are genius scientists working for the advanced research facility Global Dynamics. The show follows Deputy Marshal Jack Carter (Colin Ferguson) after he stumbles onto the hidden town and reluctantly takes over as sheriff. As a man with average intelligence surrounded by geniuses, Sheriff Carter manages to hold his own against the population and the residents' bizarre accidents.
Instead of dealing with petty crime, Sheriff Carter has to stop the town's residents from accidentally causing reality-bending catastrophes. Eureka's unique setting and premise is a recipe for the perfect comedic sci-fi TV show, as Carter's grounded and down-to-earth demeanor makes him the ideal hilarious foil for the town's brilliant residents. Eureka is distinct from other smart sci-fi TV shows by focusing on the wisdom and cleverness of the street-smart characters and the humanity of the geniuses.
7 Red Dwarf (1988-2020)
The long-running sci-fi series Red Dwarf follows Dave Lister (Craig Charles), a low-ranking technician who awakens after three million years of suspended animation to find that he's the last surviving human. As the sole human on the titular spacecraft Red Dwarf, Dave's only companions are the hologram of his deceased bunkmate Arnold Rimmer (Chris Barrie) and the Cat (Danny John-Jules), the humanoid creature evolved from Dave's pregnant cat.
The character-driven show follows Dave Lister throughout, a compelling and amusing lead who remains lazy and selfish, even as the last known human survivor. Despite the sci-fi comedy TV show's bleak premise and setting, Red Dwarf maintains a lighthearted tone with its British humor. The juxtaposition of Red Dwarf's comedy against the grim and desolate story structure highlights the show's bizarre nature and enhances sci-fi's joking elements. Luckily, Red Dwarf will return in 2025 with brand-new episodes and more shenanigans.
6 Legends of Tomorrow (2016-2022)
Starting out as a dark superhero TV show, Legends of Tomorrow went through a drastic change in tone through the chaos that comes with time travel. Ironically, Legends of Tomorrow found a stronger footing as a goofy TV show following a lovable team of time travelers with good intentions and alarmingly terrible execution. While the first season was a serious time-travel mission to save the world from a tyrant, by Legends of Tomorrow season 2, the superhero show began embracing the freedom provided by the mayhem.
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Legends of Tomorrow had plenty of fun episodes that might not have impacted the overall story but were still a blast to watch.
Legends of Tomorrow is able to jump between genres and time periods, filled with charming and captivating Western episodes, parodies of horror movies and tropes, sitcom episodes, and reality television tropes. The comedic ensemble superhero show's bizarre plots propel character growth and development, making Legends of Tomorrow a surprisingly compelling addition to the sci-fi superhero genre.
5 Avenue 5 (2020-2022)
The titular space cruise ship Avenue 5 is launched into pandemonium after it is thrown off course, trapping the spoiled rich tourists and the crew onboard for three years. The Avenue 5 follows the eight-week-long luxury space cruise turned three-year detour without adequate supplies and showcases how the tense situation wreaks havoc among the engers and crew. The incompetent Avenue 5 crew is helmed by Captain Ryan Clark (Hugh Laurie), who was hired to be a reassuring figurehead for the ship and doesn't have the technical skills to guide the crew in a crisis.
Each solution attempted by the Avenue 5 crew creates new issues as everyone loses faith in their safe return home. Despite the setting being perfect for horror, Avenue 5 turns the high-stress situation into a comedic goldmine. The dark comedy of Avenue 5 heightens through each episode as engers grow more erratic and hysterical. Avenue 5 proves that no matter the setting, customer service is the most difficult job.
4 Futurama (1999-2024)
Futurama is an animated sci-fi comedy show following Philip J. Fry (Billy West), a pizza delivery boy who is accidentally cryogenically frozen for 1,000 years and wakes up on December 31, 2999. After finding himself in a new world, Fry befriends the cyclops Leela (Katey Sagal) and robot Bender (John DiMaggio), and the trio works together at an interplanetary delivery service and explores the universe and the future in their adventures.
Futurama is another workplace comedy that follows realistic and lovable characters as they bond. The show examines Fry's past and present but is filled with antics, mathematical and scientific jokes, slapstick comedy, and darker humor. Futurama expertly balances smart jokes along with mass-appeal quips for comedy that doesn't alienate its audience. Despite some heavily emotional and heart-wrenching episodes, Futurama solidified itself as a fun, easily-watched sci-fi show during its long run.
3 Firefly (2002)
Set five hundred years in the future, Firefly is a space western TV show following a renegade spaceship crew as they travel through the galaxy and struggle to survive. The cast of misfits and criminals smuggle and steal their way to freedom; led by Captain Mal Reynolds (Nathan Fillion), the nine-person crew of the ship Serenity struggles to maintain an income through illicit activities to keep the ship operational as they keep a low profile.
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The beloved cult TV show Firefly was canceled before its time with only one season. However, in that one season, Firefly managed to cement its status as an iconic sci-fi show that immaculately balances drama and humor. Despite also not being a comedy show by definition, Firefly's ability to sprinkle in jokes while depicting stories about freedom and survival makes the sci-fi show's comedic elements especially memorable.
2 Resident Alien (2021-2024)
The Resident Alien follows an alien that crash-lands on Earth in a small town, sent on a mission to eradicate humanity. Alan Tudyk expertly plays the lead role of the alien who killed the real Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle and assumed his identity. Fascinated by the planet's residents, Harry struggles with his mission to wipe out the human race after he develops human emotions and learns about humanity. Tudyk's masterful performance as the titular resident alien perfectly portrays Harry's growth and inner battle regarding his mission.
Watching Harry learn to care about humans and his endeavors to blend in with them, adopting their complex social cues and behavior, is an amusing sight that doesn't get repetitive. Dropping the alien into a small town results in countless opportunities for antics to arise, the setting perfectly serving the premise. Resident Alien is a heartfelt comedy that takes a deep dive into what it means to be human while maintaining a joyful tone.
1 Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020-2024)
Star Trek: Lower Decks is an expansion of the Star Trek franchise and marks the franchise's first true comedy. The animated show embraces the weird and nonsensical elements of the Star Trek universe, quickly becoming a standout in the franchise. As the title suggests, Star Trek: Lower Decks follows the lower deck crew of one of Starfleet's unimportant ships, the USS Cerritos.
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Star Trek: Lower Decks flips the norm of TV shows focusing on a captain and high-ranking officials and follows USS Cerritos' low-ranking officers with menial jobs. They are the underdogs of Starfleet as they venture into space and help civilizations along the way. By focusing on the ing crew, Star Trek: Lower Decks provides a different perspective rarely explored within the Star Trek franchise. Filled with technical malfunctions and bizarre extraterrestrial encounters, Star Trek: Lower Decks is an outlandish and hilarious journey through space.