Ever sinceNetflixbecame a streaming service back in January 2007, Hollywood has tried to play catch-up with studios deciding to release their own streaming services. While some have failed, such asQuibiand Yahoo Screen, most studios have managed to find a way to compete withNetflixby offering original content.
In recent years, Disney has launched Disney+, while Paramount+ has built a service around itsStar Trekofferings. Other services, such as Hulu and Prime Video, have since found themselves on the rise, putting more of an effort into original content. But which streaming services are the best options for fans of science fiction? We break down some of the biggest streaming services and examine what they have to offer sci-fi fans.
How Streaming Services are Taking Risks with Sci-Fi Titles
When it comes to science fiction, Hollywood can sometimes be tepid concerning the big screen. Science fiction films are often costly and don’t always guarantee a nice return at the box office. This leads to many science fiction titles being saved for the small screen, where costs are often cut, and box office returns are no longer a concern. Television is often seen as a place where creators are allowed to take more risks, given the ability to tell a story more freely and without the constraints of a limited timeframe.
This is how projects likeHalo, which was originally in development as a film in the early 2000s, find life on television. In the case ofHalo, after the film fell through, it was being developed as a television series for Showtime. In the end, Paramount+secured the streaming rightsfor the series. Now, it’s now the home of the live-action adaptation, with asecond season having recently wrapped. For streamers, taking risks on projects likeHalois how they build their library and, hopefully, their audience. It’s one of the biggest draws to streaming services: they’re willing to adapt projects with care, while studios often rush out a project with the hopes it is received well. But which streamer is the best option for science fiction fans?
Breaking Down the Biggest Streaming Services
Netflix
Netflix is all about genre content. FromStranger ThingstoThe Witcher, the streamer is always willing to put its money behind big genre titles. So, it’s no surprise then that its science fiction options are plentiful. From therecently addedEnder’s Game, toRebel Moon, the streamer has plenty of sci-fi titles to offer. Fans can enjoy shows likeResident Alien,Travelers,Sense8, andBlack Mirror. Or they can get lost in the recently released3 Body Problemadaptation. They offer a constantly growing catalog, and a willingness to commit to genre programming. If there’s one streaming service that is worth subscribing to above all the others, it is Netflix.
Hulu
Hulu is one of thebiggest streaming servicesalongside Netflix. However, when it comes to content for science fiction fans, Hulu doesn’t have as much to offer. There’sThe Orville(which seems unlikely to see another season),Rick & Morty,Solar Opposites, andthe recently rebootedFuturama.
Still, it’s not quite enough to capture the attention of genre fans. While cult-favorite shows likeFireflyandBuffy the Vampire Slayercan be watched on Hulu, those are not exclusive to the streaming service. Although there is plenty of great content on Hulu, it doesn’t cater to sci-fi fans.
Paramount+
Paramount+ is easily one of the best streaming services for fans of science fiction. Along with adapting the fan-favorite video game seriesHalo, the streamer has become the home oftheStar Trekcatalog. Fans can revisitThe Next GenerationandEnterprise,or if they’d rather jump forward, they can enjoyStar Trek: Discoveryor the animatedStar Trek: Lower Decks. Also available on Paramount+ is the science fiction classic,The Twilight Zone.
Max
Max, formerly HBO Max, seems to have nearly everything. However, its science-fiction footprint leaves plenty to be desired. While fans canwatchDuneon the service, and the upcomingDunetelevision series,Dune: Prophecy, there isn’t much in the way of original content. Much of its sci-fi content can be viewed elsewhere. Films such asAliens,2001: A Space Odyssey,Blade Runner, andEx Machinaare currently streaming on Max. However, a quick Google search shows those titles are also available elsewhere, making their presence on Max less exciting.
Having undergone rebranding and plenty of changes with the higher ups, there are still plenty of growing pains for Max. With that in mind, while its current content is rather lacking, Max does seem eager to expand. So, while it might not be the best streaming service at the moment, that could change in the future.
Prime Video
Amazon’s Prime Video is quickly becoming one of the best streaming services out there. The streaming service is already home to one of the biggest fantasy shows withThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, but Prime Video has also developed its fair share of sci-fi content. After the series was canceled on SyFy, Amazon gaveThe Expansea new home with its fourth season in 2019. The critically acclaimed sci-fi series is just one of many reasons sci-fi fans will enjoy Prime Video. For those looking for a lighter sci-fi show, the streamer’s sci-fi comedy,Upload, is a well-received take on life after death in the digital afterlife. More recently, though, the streaming service has delivered its biggest sci-fi offering with thelive-action adaptation ofFallout, based on the beloved video game franchise.
With a rather impressive back catalog, and the streaming service’s commitment to delivering quality original programming, Prime Video isperhaps the best streaming service out right now for science fiction fans.
Disney+
Disney+ is a great streaming service for the family. Serving as the home to Marvel Studios andStar Warson the small screen, there are plenty of offerings for fans to consider. WithAndor,Ahsoka,Obi-Wan Kenobi, andThe Mandalorian, there’s plenty on Disney+ for fans of the galaxy far, far away. Marvel fans also have a huge selection of content, ranging from the franchise’s films, to its Disney+ exclusive shows such asLoki.
For those looking for science fiction content outside of Marvel andStar Wars, Disney+ isn’t the best service to consider. However, it is now thestreaming home ofDoctor Who, which is a plus for those eager to keep up with the timelord’s travels. All in all, though, Disney+ feels like a service not worth having for sci-fi fans.
Apple TV+
When it comes to streaming services, Apple TV+ is least-considered option among the general public. Unlike Netflix, Apple TV+ doesn’t seem to care about quantity, instead focusing its efforts on quality. Shows likeFoundationandSilo, though not nearly as popular as some other shows, have not only found an audience, but have also found success among critics.Silo, one of Apple TV+’s latest offerings, isbased on the best-selling book seriesby Hugh Howey. And the streamer’s most recent title,Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, seems to have taken the service to new lengths. It has quickly earned a second season, with the streamer also reportedly exploring other spinoffs.
While Apple TV+ doesn’t have the biggest library of science fiction titles for viewers yet, it remains one worth subscribing to, with plenty to come for fans in the near future.
Having broken down some of the biggest streaming services out there, it’s safe to say there is a clear winner. W\hen it comes to which streaming service is best for science fiction fans,that honor goes to Prime Video, with Paramount+ and Netflix close behind.
