The Fox network has aired quite a few famous science-fiction series over the years. Some have had a long run on the network. However, even some of the short-lived sci-fi shows have left an impression on viewers and developed cult classics. In fact, some sci-fi shows started out on Fox for its first few seasons, only to move onto another network or platform for its later seasons. A few short-lived shows even turned to other media, like comics or movies, to finish their stories.
Many of these series feature stories like aliens, robots, or parallel realities. Sometimes, a show with fantasy or horror elements get conflated with other science-fiction stories. A few are even inspired by, or even official spin-offs of, earlier science-fiction movies or similar media. Some of Fox’s sci-fi shows also notably share a few cast and crew.
10The X-Files
The X-Filesis a science fiction drama that aired on Fox from 1993 to 2002 in its original run. The series focuses on two FBI agents, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully who look into the titular “X-files,” which are unsolved cases involving the supernatural. The two have different approaches to the cases: Mulder believes in the supernatural, while Scully is a skeptic who turns to scientific explanations.
Beyond this, Mulder is driven by his main goal in life: finding his sister Samantha, who had been abducted as a child. Together, the two look into all sorts of cases, with stories ranging from alien hybrids to time loops, that sometimes take them all over the world.The X-Fileswould later garner two theatrical films, a brief revival on Fox, and amemorable crossover withThe Simpsons.
9Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollowis a supernatural drama series loosely based on Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Ichabod Crane wakes up in 2013 Sleepy Hollow, New York, and teams up with local authorities, partnering up with Lieutenant Abbie Mills, after learning that the Headless Horseman has returned, even having killed Abbie’s last partner. To make matters worse, the Horseman turns out to be one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, representing Death itself. If the Horseman is able to get his head back, it would bring about the end of the world.
Different occult groups exist in the series, each with different intentions. Soon, characters from Ichabod’s past, even ones he never knew about, will soon meet up with Crane in Sleepy Hollow. Towards the end of the series, the action is switched to Washington, D.C.
8Dark Angel
Dark Angelis a live-action cyberpunk series from James Cameron. A genetically-enhanced super soldier dubbed Max Guevara escapes from a government facility known Manticore. Making a living with a bike messaging service, Max searches for her other siblings that have escaped Manticore.
Eventually, Max crosses paths with journalist Logan “Eyes Only” Cale. Together, they face off against the surrounding corruption in a futuristic America that has seen its economy destroyed by terrorists. All the while, they may come closer to uncovering Max’s past. Infamously, the series lasted only two seasons, with the storyline being wrapped up in a series of spin-off novels. Allegedly,Dark Angelwas also partly inspired bythe cyberpunk anime and manga,Battle Angel Alita.
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InFringe, the FBI forms a Fringe Division based in Boston that employs fringe science, in addition to traditional FBI techniques, to solve cases of unexplained phenomena. These include FBI agent Olivia Dunham, scientist Walter Bishop, and his son Peter. In addition to these mysteries, the team is watched over by a mysterious group known as the “Observers.”
The world ofFringeis actually one of many worlds. In fact, one of the main characters is revealed to be from this alternate reality, having taken the place of a deceased counterpart. Characters aren’t just in danger for their lives, but risk getting erased from existence, although even this can turn out to be temporary.
6Alien Nation
Alien Nationis a Fox television spin-off ofthe 1988 filmof the same name. Taking place in a version of the then-upcoming year of 1990, aliens crash-land in the Mojave Desert. Having escaped enslavement at the hands of the Kleezantsun, or Overseers, the visitors from Earth, the Tenctonese, are dubbed the Newcomers. They resemble somewhat humans, just with spotted heads instead of hair, and gradually reveal different features, like pink blood and an aversion to salt water.Alien Nationserves as a Buddy cop series, with a human detective, Matthew Sikes, partnering up with a Tenctonese immigrant, George Francisco. The series makes use of the alien storyline as a metaphor for stories of real-life immigration. For example, Sikes is initially untrusting of the aliens, but gradually grows past this, even forming a relationship with a Tenctonese woman, Cathy.
Alien Nationwas ultimately a short-lived series, originally lasting only a season. However, it was actually considered one of Fox’s most successful shows at the time. Unfortunately, the network did not have enough advertising income to sustain the series' budget. Years later,Alien Nationwas continued with a series of television movies using the original cast.
Slidersis a science-fiction series that started on Fox for its first three seasons, before moving onto the Sci-Fi channel for two additional seasons. Jerry O’Connell plays Quinn Mallory, a computer store part-timer who opens up a portal to another dimension while trying to create an anti-gravity device. Soon, the device sends Quinn, his professor Maximilian Arturo, and singer Rembrandt Brown to a parallel reality once again. Quinn accidentally erases the coordinates, meaning the four are now trapped “sliding” through different realities until they get back home.
In one prominent storyline, the characters soon encounter alien invaders called Kromaggs, who appear to be able to travel through worlds at will, and they quickly take interest in Quinn’s invention.
Luciferis a supernatural crime series based on Lucifer Morningstar, as he appearsinThe Sandmanand theLucifercomics. Apparently having grown tired of Hell, Lucifer heads out to Hollywood and opens up his own club, Lux. Things take a turn when a singer is murdered in a shooting and Lucifer encounter with Detective Chloe Decker. Taking an interest in Chloe, and partially because it amuses him, Lucifer decides to become a crime fighter.
Fox canceled the series shortly before the third season finale had aired, ultimately ending the show with two additional episodes intended for a possible fourth season. Thanks to a fan campaign, the series was eventually picked up by Netflix, going on for six seasons in total.
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3Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, also known asTerminator: TSCCorThe Sarah Connor Chronicles, is a spin-off of theTerminatorfilm series, set after the events ofTerminator 2: Judgment Day. Sarah, her son John, and a re-programmed Terminator called Cameron have to deal with the time traveling Terminator Cromartie, who plans to kill John. The three are soon joined by Derek Reese, John’s uncle from the future, who may have a connection to SkyNet.
Starting as a mid-season opener, the series was the highest-rated new scripted series of its season. However, the series ended after its second season. During its brief run, the series was also notably plagued bythe 2007-2008 Writers Strike.
2Dollhouse
Dollhouseis a cyberpunk series revolving around the eponymous “Dollhouse”, which illegally wipes the personalities of men and women, known as “dolls,” which can be rented out to clients. A doll known as “Echo” for the Los Angeles Dollhouse is able to remember parts of her past life and gradually becomes more self-aware. More questions arise over the self-awareness of the dolls, even within the house, especially when two others keep developing feelings for each other despite being given new identities. At this time, FBI agent Paul Ballard becomes obsessed with the Dollhouse after learning of Echo’s existence.
Dollhouse only lasted two seasons during its run. Unlike similarly short-lived series, which ended in a cliffhanger, the series' short run was expected beforehand, allowing the second season to end with a proper finale.
Fireflyis a short-lived space Western that aired on Fox. The story takes place in a world where humanity has expanded throughout the cosmos, have colonized various planets. Power is held by the Alliance, and a group of rebels known as the “Independents” or “Browncoats” has formed. One such former rebel, Malcolm Reynolds, has become the captain of the Serenity transport ship. River Tam, whose brain was altered by the Alliance to serve as a deadly weapon, and her brother Simon soon join the ship’s crew.
Fox ended the series after 14 episodes were produced and, while the fourteenth episode did air on the network, the preceding three episodes were originally skipped, eventually debuting in the United Kingdom. In spite of this,Fireflyhas developed a cult following over the years. Eventually, the franchise expanded into other forms, such as the 2005 filmSerenity.Rumors of a reboothave also surfaced over the years. River’s actress Summer Glau would later appear inDollhouseandTerminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.
