Top TV Shows for Geeky Families

Last updated: April 19, 2026

Let your geek flag fly! These days, it's cool to love sci-fi, fantasy, time travel, and just about anything with a cult following. Whether you're eager for your kids to learn the ways of the Force or to live long and prosper, there's a great pick waiting for you on our list of the best TV shows -- and best movies! -- for families who embrace geeky media. Check out our Science Fiction TV list for even more picks to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Filter by:

Sort by:

Animaniacs Poster Image

TV

Animaniacs

age 7+

Clever 'toon is bursting with fun for kids and adults.

WB Kids' Animation (1993)

See full review

Adventure Time: Distant Lands - BMO Poster Image

TV

Adventure Time: Distant Lands - BMO

age 8+

Worthy extension of classic cartoon is cute and familiar.

Max Kids' Animation (2020)

See full review

TV

Avatar: The Last Airbender

age 8+

Great characters fight for peace in enduring fantasy series.

Nickelodeon Kids' Animation (2005)

See full review

Star Wars Rebels Poster Image

TV

Star Wars Rebels

age 8+

Exciting series is violent but has positive messages, too.

Disney XD Kids' Animation (2014)

See full review

The Legend of Korra Poster Image

TV

The Legend of Korra

age 8+

Strong heroine, positive messages make great fantasy series.

Nickelodeon Kids' Animation (2012)

See full review

The Owl House TV Poster Image

TV

The Owl House

age 8+

Engaging, quirky fantasy series has diversity, LGBTQ+ leads.

Disney Channel Kids' Animation (2020)

See full review

Adventure Time Poster Image

TV

Adventure Time

age 10+

Original, if nonsensical, hilarity; expect minor weapons.

Cartoon Network Kids' Animation (2010)

See full review

Amazing Stories Poster Image

TV

Amazing Stories

age 10+

Spellbinding Spielberg series has some lessons, too.

NBC Drama (1985)

See full review

Cosmos: Possible Worlds Poster Image

TV

Cosmos: Possible Worlds

age 10+

Visually stunning existential explorations dig deep.

National Geographic Channel , Fox Educational (2020)

See full review

Doctor Who TV show poster: Ncuti Gatwa is surrounded by planets; the Tardis and his companion are shows below him

TV

Doctor Who

age 10+

Inclusive, long-running British sci-fi series thrills fans.

BBC America , Syfy Science Fiction (1963)

See full review

Obi-Wan Kenobi: Poster Image

TV

Obi-Wan Kenobi

age 10+

Solid Star Wars action series has sci-fi violence.

Disney+ Action (2022)

See full review

Star Trek Strange New Worlds TV Poster Image

TV

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

age 10+

Prequel is fun, light, classic sci-fi; some violence, sex.

Paramount+ Science Fiction (2022)

See full review

Star Trek: The Next Generation Poster Image

TV

Star Trek: The Next Generation

age 10+

Still going boldly, updated series is fun for all.

Syndicated Science Fiction (1987)

See full review

Steven Universe: Future Poster Image

TV

Steven Universe: Future

age 10+

Deceptively simple series about real, powerful emotions.

Cartoon Network Kids' Animation (2019)

See full review

The Mandalorian poster: The Mandalorian cradling Grogu, aiming a laser blaster at a fiery red ground, with a tattered cape

TV

The Mandalorian

age 10+

Sci-fi violence, real magic in small-screen Star Wars show.

Disney+ Science Fiction (2019)

See full review

The Twilight Zone Poster Image

TV

The Twilight Zone

age 10+

Classic morality tales still make you think.

Syfy , Syndicated Science Fiction (1959)

See full review

WandaVision Poster Image

TV

WandaVision

age 10+

Scary, surreal visuals in quirky superhero mystery show.

Disney+ Drama (2021)

See full review

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return Poster Image

TV

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return

age 12+

Successor to cult fave is just as funny as the original.

Netflix Comedy (2017)

See full review

Quantum Leap Poster Image

TV

Quantum Leap

age 12+

Classic sci-fi series hops and skips through time.

Syfy Science Fiction (1989)

See full review

Superman & Lois Poster Image

TV

Superman & Lois

age 12+

Superman's fatherly heroics include empathy and compassion.

CW Science Fiction (2021)

See full review

About the Author

Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media offers the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews. Our timely parenting advice supports families as they navigate the challenges and possibilities of raising kids in the digital age.