Best 1970s Sci-Fi Shows

The science fiction genre has exploded in popularity in recent years. With streaming capabilities expanding and become much more accessible, companies like Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu have entered the television landscape and are producing shows at an absurd rate. These content giants are creating some of the most critically acclaimed and popular shows in every genre, but none more than in science fiction.

Netflix alone has titles like Stranger Things, Black Mirror, Sense8, and many more under its control. A lot of these shows have themes and other elements of their stories traced back to older series that were groundbreaking for their time. So check out the 1970s sci-fi shows that helped lay the groundwork for the science fiction genre and inspired some of the most popular TV shows of the modern age.

What would science fiction television look like without Star Trek? I don't know, but I'm glad it's not the reality. With the smashingly successful Star Trek: The Original Series coming to an end in 1969, someone had the bright idea to make an animated series in the mid-70s. Star Trek: The Animated Series brought back all of the iconic characters from the original in a bright new way. The animation allows for cool features to be displayed while costing much less than live-action effects. While fans of the current Star Trek universe have JJ Abrams to thank for saving the franchise, we can all take a step back and applaud Gene Roddenberry for bringing this fantastic concept to life.

One of more nostalgic 1970s sci-fi shows in my life, Kolchak: The Night Stalkerwas one of the first TV shows my dad showed me as a kid. However, this is not just nostalgia bias on my part; this sci-fi/fantasy thriller scores an 8.6 rating on IMDB, and an 8.3 rating on TV.com.

It follows Carl Kolchak, a Chicago newspaper reporter, who stumbles upon crime after crime caused by supernatural or science fiction related reasons. Full of humor, suspense, and good ol' fashioned reporting, Kolchak: The Night Stalker is a bonafide classic andwas actually the inspirationfor the X-Files. So if you're into Scully and Mulder solving paranormal cases, this is right up your alley.

Blake's 7does its best to outdo their stellar 70s trailer, but it's a tough task. The effects and acting are so incredibly 70s that it'll bring a smile to your face just watching the trailer on repeat. The show is no slouch either; with four seasons and 52 total episodes, Blake's 7 was one of the most popular shows of its time.

The series takes place in the future with interstellar travel being the main plot point. It follows the adventures of a group of renegades and convicted criminals. So if you enjoy Firefly (who doesn't?), this could be considered the original version and is worth your time.

The return of Rod Serling to a narrator role will without a doubt be considered one of the best 1970s sci-fi shows. Serling's monotone voice and calm description earned him a permanent place in American pop culture through The Twilight Zone. Honestly, The Twilight Zone is a must see if you haven't already.

Night Gallery is of the same izlk, creating stories that are creepy, suspense-filled, and keep you guessing what will happen until the very end. Lasting three full seasons with 43 total episodes, this is perfect for those who enjoy Black Mirror or people who were unaware that The Twilight Zone basically has a sequel series.

The BBC'sDoomwatchaired from 1970 to 1972 and was thrilling and suspenseful as the name suggests. The 38 episodes are centered around a scientific government agency led by Doctor Spencer Quist. Quist and his colleagues go up against numerous ecological and technological dangers.

If it sounds similar to Doctor Who, then you're right on the money. The creators of the show, Gerry Davis and Kit Pedler, were primary influences in the Doctor's stories from the 60s. They took their passions for science fiction and went on to bring Doomwatch to life. So if you enjoy watching a certain uniquely-dressed Timelord who's older than he/she looks, this is the perfect choice for you.

"We can rebuild him, we have the technology," is not only a famous line from one of best the 1970s sci-fi shows, The Six Million Dollar Man, it's one of the most well-known lines in television history. The pop-culture phenomenon starring Lee Majors debuted in 1973 and lasted for five seasons.

After astronaut Steve Austin is involved in a serious spaceship crash, doctors and scientists rush to save him. He is rebuilt with technology and science, costing the government an inordinate amount of money, I couldn't find specifically how much though. Supplanted with a variety of new superhuman abilities, Austin begins his work to fight evildoers for the good of humanity. An absolute classic, The Six Million Dollar Man is one you should see just to understand the references to it throughout current TV and movies.

With a trailer that is so 70s it hurts a little, Space: 1999stars Martin Landau in the lead role and focuses on members of a base on the moon. An accidental nuclear explosion causes the moon to fall out of orbit, knocking it, and everyone on the base, far out into space. Space: 1999 has the honor of being the most expensive BBC production ever at the time of its creation. There are two seasons (48 episodes) to binge if lost in space drama and suspense are your bread and butter.

Even though it's a spin-off, The Bionic Woman is undoubtedly one of the best 1970s sci-fi shows. Taking obvious inspiration from The Six Million Dollar Man, Jaime Sommers is a famous tennis player who's involved in a terrible skydiving accident. As you have probably worked out by now, bionic technology is used to save her life and gives her superhuman abilities. Similar to its predecessor in many respects, The Bionic Woman offers a new perspective to the science fiction genre and the female lead played by Lindsay Wagner is empowering and proved back in the 70s that women can play the protagonist's role with great success.

In the first big role of his career, Robin Williams endeared himself to everyone who watched Mork and Mindy. Playing an alien from the planet Ork, Williams is as animated and funny as you can imagine. He showcases the impressive range of comedy only he possessed through 91 episodes over four seasons. If nothing else, see this for a young Robin Williams at the beginning of his comedic prime — there were few funnier men, if any, in history.

Potentially the most well-known of all the 1970s sci-fi shows, Battlestar Galacticaremains a popular pop culture topic and is a frequent reference on television today. "Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica." Need I say more? The original series debuted in 1978 and follows the few remaining human survivors escape from the Cylons, an evil robotic race hell-bent on destroying them.

Despite only lasting one full season, this 20th-century sci-fi classic more than left its mark. Its staying power in pop culture was so great that it spawned a rebooted Battlestar Galactica in 2004. The reboot aired four total seasonsandwas well received by critics and fans alike. Make sure to watch the original and see where it all began.