36 best science fiction TV series, ranked worst to first

LAND OF THE LOST, (from left): Wesley Eure, Kathy Coleman, Spencer Milligan, 1974-77.

There might not be a more passionate fan than the one that loves science fiction TV series.

When it comes to science fiction, there are a lot of areas to mine — from alien invasions to fear of technology to space travel and time travel. However, what is most important is that the TV shows remember to keep the science realistic and keep the characters interesting.

Over the years, there have been a lot of great science fiction series hit TV, from the cult favorites to the epic critical darlings, and there have been successes and failures — all while maintaining the quality that keeps sci-fi so interesting.

With that in mind, here is a look at 36 of the best science fiction TV series of all-time.

36. Land of the Lost

Land of the Lost is not the best sci-fi TV show of all-time but it has developed a very loyal and passionate fan base over the years. The actors from the show still hit fan conventions all over the United States and have people turning out in mass quantities for autographs, photo sessions and some even dressing up as their favorite aliens — the Sleestaks — or the primate Cha-Ka..

The show featured a ranger named Rick Marshall and his kids Will and Holly, who went canoeing in a river when they were swept over a waterfall. They lived and ended up in the Land of the Lost — a world where there were still dinosaurs as well as the monstrous Sleestaks.

Land of the Lost — as a show that aired from 1974 to 1976 — was very low budget and the green screen work was evident. However, part of the allure of the show was the low budget affair, something that helped people fall in love with the characters and made the show much more fun than today’s more CGI work.

Rick was replaced in season 2 by his brother Jack (Spencer Milligan left the show after a merchandising dispute), but the show continued on without missing a beat. It ended up so popular that it got a movie remake in  2005 starring Will Ferrell (who also happened to play a character named Marshal Willenholly in the Kevin Smith film Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

That movie never came close to matching what made the Land of the Lost TV show great. However, despite its low-budget deficiencies, Land of the Lost remains one of the most beloved classic sci-fi TV shows of all-time.