The art of the miniseries is, in many ways, quite distinct from the art of the regular television show. As opposed to running for a varying number of seasons, a miniseries tells a story in a predetermined, usually relatively limited number of episodes. As such, it’s the perfect medium to convey powerful, self-contained stories in a variety of genres.
A genre that seems to get along particularly well with the miniseries format is science fiction.Throughout the decades, many exceptional sci-fi miniseries have graced audiences' screens, showing that even in a small number of episodes, great writers can still find more than enough space for expansive world-building, rich character development, and enthralling stories of intergalactic adventures set in alternate worlds, outer space, or even a different version of our own Earth.
10’The Stand' (1994)
Created by Stephen King
Easily one of the most prolific American authors of modern times,Stephen Kingis definitely best known for his seminal work in horror literature, but has also worked on a variety of other genres. This includes post-apocalyptic dark fantasy, and this category is the one thatThe Standfalls into. While the novel was published in 1978, its first adaptation was the 1994 miniseries of the same name withGary Sinisein the lead role.
Part of the surprising craze ofStephen King TV adaptationsthat characterized the 1990s,The Standis one of the best of the bunch. It’s a little cheesy from time to time,but it’s overall a phenomenal adaptation of the classic it’s based on, as well as a fantastic series in its own right. The cast is good, the production qualities are solid, and the whole experience is undeniably entertaining.
9'1899' (2022)
Created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese
Made by the same team behind the iconic Netflix German seriesDark,1899is similar in that it is also mind-bending and extraordinary. One ofthe most thrilling international showsof recent years, it’s a deeply atmospheric show that thrives in keeping audiences second-guessing their every theory for what is going on.
Some might criticize the series—and, frankly, fairly so—because it sometimes feels like it’s about to crumble under the weight of its overabundance of storylines. But, to be perfectly fair, the show was never given a chance to grow into what it very clearly had the potential to become. Indeed, Netflix canceled it after just one short-lived season, leaving fans craving answers to their many questions.
8’V' (1983)
Created by Kenneth Johnson
One ofthe most essential sci-fi shows of the 1980s, and not to be confused with its significantly inferior 2009 remake,Vis one of the greatest alien invasion TV series ever made. It was followed by a three-part miniseries and then a weekly series in 1984, but the 1983 original simply can’t be beaten. It’s a not-exactly-subtle parable for fascism, but its themes are still potently timely over four decades later.
Its large ensemble cast is outstanding, its special effects and prosthetics are stunning considering the time in which it was made, and it’s packed with some genuinely scary bits. Its examination of fascism, its mystical allure, and its effect on Western societymay not be subtle, but it definitely is incredibly powerful. It’s what has allowedVto stand the test of time as well as it has.
7'11.22.63' (2016)
Created by Bridget Carpenter
Another miniseries based on a Stephen King novel, but this time much more modern,11.22.63was originally conceived as a film directed byThe Silence of the Lambs’sJonathan Demme, but that plan fell through after creative disagreements between the filmmaker and King. The project later turned into a miniseries executive-produced byJ.J. Abrams, and it’s one of the best Stephen King adaptations to date.
Thrilling, mysterious, and with a fantastic lead performance byJames Franco,11.22.63proves that time travel stories don’t need to be convoluted. The miniseries definitely peaks in its pilot and its finale, but everything in between, though clumsily plotted at times, is also enthralling. Unique, emotionally compelling, and usually nail-bitingly suspenseful, it’s a show that proves that non-horror Stephen King stories can be just as entertaining as his scary fare.
6’Station Eleven' (2021–2022)
Created by Patrick Somerville
Particularly during its first four episodes,Station Elevencertainly demands patience from its viewers; but those who give it said patience are in for the televisual ride of a lifetime. Thematically intricate,obsessed with developing its characters in all sorts of interesting directions, and with an incredible cast, it’s one of Max’s best original miniseries.
Post-apocalyptic and dystopian shows thrive in having premises that feel plausible, andStation Elevenis built ona horrifyingly realistic premisebased on a devastating flu. The show finds the perfect balance between pure entertainment and understated, intelligent subtext. It’s refreshing to see a show that’s so fun to watch while still being full of artistic merit.
Station Eleven
5’Devs' (2020)
Created by Alex Garland
Though primarily known for his screenwriting and directing work on the big screen,Alex Garlandhas also dabbled in television. Namely, he created the Hulu cyber-thriller masterpieceDevs, a slow-paced work of post-apocalyptic art with an outstanding cast.The way it explores themes of free will and the human condition is nothing short of hauntingly gorgeous.
Devsproves that, sometimes,you just need one seasonto tell a riveting small-screen tale. Smart, philosophical, and beautifully profound, it’s a throwback to the times when sci-fi allowed itself to be a much more sophisticated genre than it often seems like nowadays. Garland has time-and-time-again proved that he’s a master of atmosphere and thematic work, andDevscertainly doesn’t preak that pattern.
4’Years and Years' (2019)
Created by Russell T. Davies
Created byRussell T. Davies, one of the masters of modern British television and a legend of the sci-fi genre,Years and Yearsis a co-production between the BBC and HBO. A scathing critique of the prejudice, ignorance, and erosion of civil rights that plagues the world today, through a chronicle of fifteen years of British politics (from 2019 to 2034), it’s a brilliant satire (very heavy on the drama, but wise in how it uses laughter) that knows when and how to pack an emotional punch.
The writing for some of the characters is a little thin, but that feels like a rather unimportant nitpick when the cast is so phenomenal (Emma Thompson in particular steals the spotlight every time she’s on screen), the themes and story are so engaging, and the rhythm at which the narrative flows feels so clever and deliberate.
Years and Years
3’Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars' (2004)
Created by Rockne S. O’Bannon
The iconic cult classicFarscapewas canceled in 2002 due to budgetary issues, ending on a cliffhanger. So, the series' creator,Rockne S. O’Bannon,created the miniseries sequelThe Peacekeeper Warsto tie up loose ends and satisfy fans' curiosity. Boy, did it work.Peacekeeper Warsmay not be quite as good as its predecessor, but it certainly comes remarkably close.
Referred to by director and puppeteerBrian Henson(son ofJim Henson, creator of the Muppets) as a “2 x 2 hour telemovie,” the miniseries has every bit as much visual flair, entertaining storytelling, and rule-breaking romance as any fan of the original could have possibly hoped for. It sadly didn’t gather up ratings good enough to warrantthe continuation ofFarscape, but it was at least a fantastic ending to a fantastic story.
Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars
2’Watchmen' (2019)
Created by Damon Lindelof
Alan Moore’sWatchmenis one of the most important and acclaimed graphic novels ever written. As such, any adaptation of it has a high bar to clear.Zack Snyderdid it first back in 2009 with his celebrated film. Then,Damon LindelofofLostfame did it again with his HBO miniseries, winner of a whopping eleven Emmy Awards—all of them well deserved.
One ofthe most perfect sci-fi showsof the 21st century, if not perhaps even of all time,Watchmenpays the utmost respect to its source material,while still building on top of it in all sorts of interesting waysand building an identity all of its own in the process. The cast is great, the writing is as entertaining as it is nuanced and richly political, and the structure and pacing are absolutely pitch-perfect.
1’Battlestar Galactica' (2003)
Created by Ronald D. Moore and David Eick
The three-hour miniseriesBattlestar Galacticawas the first step in remaking the 1978 original cult classic series, and it served as a backdoor pilot to the 2004 TV show of the same title that ran until 2009. It’s one ofthe best sci-fi TV shows of the 2000s, a fascinating miniseries that, once it picks up steam, is absolutely impossible to stop watching.
It’s a delightful reimagining of the beloved original,more serious yet every bit as entertaining and self-aware. The special effects hold up surprisingly well, all things considered; the narrative is complex and incredibly compelling; and the world-building is unbelievably strong and layered for a miniseries that’s barely three hours long.Battlestar Galacticaas a franchise is peak science fiction, and the 2003 miniseries is one of the strongest chapters of the whole thing.
