In light of the revelation that we may very well not be alone in the universe, we wanted to get in on the sci-fi action. And how better to do that than by sharing our (highly classified!) list of the best sci-fi podcasts? We love sharing our top podcast recommendations! And these are the best sci-fi podcasts in our galaxy, or any other galaxy for that matter!
So, buckle up, and get ready for some thrilling adventures through time and space!
1. Welcome to Night Vale
One of the most long-loved sci-fi podcasts out there is Welcome To Night Vale. This podcast is framed as an old-time community radio program, sharing the not-so-average updates of the desert town of Night Vale. Think about every paranormal or supernatural experience you’ve heard rumors about. From the supernatural to secret government conspiracies, and even extraterrestrial occurrences – everything that could go bump in the night, does so in Night Vale.
But besides all the best sci-fi elements, Welcome To Night Vale also boasts razor-sharp humor and just the right amount of silliness.
This podcast has truly hit on a magic mix between goosebump-inducing tropes, vivid mental imagery, and tons of humor and pop-culture references. If you’ve never heard an update from Night Vale, you’re missing out.
2. Video Palace
Video Palace is what happens when Stranger Things, meets the Ring, meets podcasting. When video collector Mark Cambria watches a mysterious VHS tape, he begins talking in his sleep in a language that doesn’t exist. Along with his girlfriend Tamra, Mark begins an almost-obsessive investigation into the origin of The White Tapes. But they soon find themselves severely entangled in a web of conspiracy, terror, and pure dread surrounding a legendary video store with a sinister purpose beyond imagining.
Video Palace features top-notch audio production and outstanding voice talent. It’s got an intriguing plot, great pacing, and is seriously spooky! You’ve been warned!
3. Midnight Burger
If you’re looking for a whimsical sci-fi adventure, look no further than Midnight Burger.
When Gloria took a waitressing job at a diner outside of Phoenix, she didn’t realize she was now an employee of Midnight Burger, a time-traveling, dimension-spanning diner. Every day Midnight Burger appears somewhere new in the cosmos. And its staff are dragged along. There’s a galactic drifter, a rogue theoretical physicist, a sentient old-timey radio, and some guy named Caspar.
No one knows who built Midnight Burger or how it works. But when it appears there’s always someone around who could really use a cup of coffee. “When the waves of the universe crash unrelentingly when the stars seem indifferent to your plight, suddenly there is a diner.” We open at 6.
4. The Penumbra Podcast
Another great sci-fi podcast to add to your list is The Penumbra Podcast. At the Penumbra, you might follow Juno Steel, a brooding, sharp-witted private eye on Mars, as he tangles with an elusive homme fatale, tracks dangerous artifacts of an ancient alien civilization, and faces his three greatest fears: heights, blood, and relationships.
Or you might enter the world of the Second Citadel, where the merciless Sir Caroline must corral a team of emotionally distraught all-male knights to defend their city against mind-manipulating monsters…even the ones they’ve fallen in love with. This is another fantastic audio drama, complete with great acting, well-written stories, and fantastic audio production.
5. The Leviathan Chronicles
Next, we have The Leviathan Chronicles. This podcast features a full-cast audio drama about a race of immortals that have been secretly living in a hidden city called Leviathan, deep under the Pacific Ocean. For centuries, the utopian society has existed in peace, gently influencing world events on the surface.
But soon, a civil war erupts between the immortals that wish to stay hidden and those that want to integrate fully with the rest of mankind on the surface. A clandestine division of the CIA known as Blackdoor discovers the immortals’ existence and seeks to eliminate the perceived threat that they represent to U.S. sovereignty.
Soon, a three-way war erupts across the globe as each faction fights for supremacy, leaving the fate of the world hanging in the balance.
And the best news? There are a couple of seasons! Or, I suppose, in true sci-fi form, they would be better categorized as “prequels.”
6. Limetown
Next up, we have another staple on sci-fi lovers’ lists, Limetown. The premise of Limetown covers the mysterious disappearance of over three hundred men, women, and children who simply vanished from a small town in Tennessee, never to be heard from again. In this podcast, American Public Radio reporter Lia Haddock asks the question once more, “What happened to the people of Limetown?”
It’s a clever concept, the story is intriguing and is told in such a way that you’re always left wanting more. You have to really engage with the narrative, you have to do the work to figure out all that’s going on, but that just helps in really drawing you into the plot and gets you fully immersed in the mystery.
7. Archive 81
Archive 81 is self-described as a fiction podcast about horror, cities, and the subconscious. And while yes, while it leans more towards horror, there are enough elements to land Archive 81 on our best sci-fi podcasts list. The stories are really quite phenomenal, and the voice actors are excellent. This podcast has been so carefully designed, complete with bone-chilling music, and thrill-inducing sound effects, making this easily one of the most immersive shows of this type.
The characters develop really well and are played so skillfully by the actors, and this really helps bring these stories to life. The pace is just that of a great thriller, and the creators have done an amazing job of vividly building the world while leaving enough out that you’re unsettled.
8. TANIS
Another firm sci-fi podcast fav is TANIS. TANIS is the perfect example of what happens when the lines of science and fiction intertwine! This podcast is a serialized docudrama about a fascinating and surprising mystery. Hosted by Nic Silver, Tanis is an exploration of the nature of truth, conspiracy, and information. In this bi-weekly podcast from the Public Radio Alliance, you’ll experience storytelling at its finest!
You’ll be completely drawn into this captivating, yet strange, tale, and you’ll get lost in the immersive audio production.
This is another show that walks the line between horror and sci-fi, so if that’s how you like your podcasts, TANIS is a must-listen.
9. Homecoming
Next up, we have Homecoming. This fiction podcast is set in a mysterious government research facility. It follows the story of caseworker Heidi Bergman as she works with returning soldiers reintegrating into civilian life. Homecoming centers on Heidi’s work at an experimental facility, her ambitious supervisor, and a soldier eager to rejoin civilian life. And it’s all presented in an enigmatic collage of telephone calls, therapy sessions, and overheard conversations.
But besides the intriguing plot and premise, this fiction podcast also features a star-studded cast including Catherine Keener, David Schwimmer, Oscar Isaac, Amy Sedaris, and many other well-known voices, making Homecoming a fantastic piece of audio fiction.
10. The Bright Sessions
Next up, check out The Bright Session. This podcast follows Dr. Bright, a therapist who has a unique set of patients – ones with supernatural abilities. From telekinesis to time travel and mind-reading to teleportation, these patients have it all. But, here comes the twist – Dr. Bright has an ability of her own! This show is an absolute rollercoaster ride of emotions, suspense, and, of course, some good ol’ sci-fi action.
The plot will have you hooked, and the episodes are really well-written. This is another great example of just what fiction podcasts can be. And with the series complete, The Bright Sessions makes for a fantastic binge-listen.
11. Wolf 359
Next, at Number 11 is Wolf 359. Wolf 359 is a radio drama in the tradition of the Golden Age of Radio shows. Take one part space-faring adventure, add one part character drama, and mix in one part absurdist sitcom, and you get Wolf 359. This is another fantastic sci-fi podcast, complete with great characters and an intriguing plot…
Life’s not easy for Doug Eiffel, the communications officer for the U.S.S. Hephaestus Research Station, currently on Day 448 of its orbit around red dwarf star Wolf 359. He’s stuck on a scientific survey mission of indeterminate length, 7.8 light years from Earth. His only company on board the station are stern mission chief Minkowski, insane science officer Hilbert, and Hephaestus Station’s sentient, often malfunctioning operating system Hera. He doesn’t have much to do for his job other than monitoring static and intercepting the occasional decades-old radio broadcast from Earth. So he spends most of his time creating extensive audio logs about the ordinary, day-to-day happenings within the station.
But the Hephaestus is an odd place. And life in extremely isolated, zero gravity conditions has a way of doing funny things to people’s minds. Even the simplest of tasks can turn into a gargantuan struggle. And the most ordinary-seeming things have a way of turning into anything but that.
12. Girl In Space
Next up, if you’re looking for a great sci-fi podcast with a really likable main character, mystery, and humor, you should check out Girl In Space.
Nothing fancy here – just the simple audio diary of a girl in space. Also, there’s this weird and potentially ominous light in the distance that seems to be growing steadily closer. Tune into Girl in Space if you’re on the hunt for science, guns, trust, anti-matter, truth, beauty, inner turmoil, and delicious cheeses. It’s all here. In space.
What may first appear as a simple tale quickly develops into a gripping mystery. The plot is super engaging, making this sci-fi podcast a really fun ride!
Girl In Space really has it all. It’s full of humor, fun plot twists, and a good helping of suspense. It’s a really great mystery, that’s been really well-crafted. The voice acting and sound production are excellent. And you’ll definitely be left wanting more!
13. Electric Easy
Finally, are you looking for a totally unique sci-fi podcast? How about a forbidden love story featuring a runaway android and the human sent to hunt her down? Intriguing, right? But if that’s not enough to grab you, how about the fact that Electric Easy is a musical neo-noir science fiction show set in a futuristic Los Angeles in which humans struggle to co-exist with robots, known as “electrics”?
Or the fact that it was created by Vanya Asher (of “Shadow and Bone” fame) and executively produced and starring Kesha?
Taking all of the above into account, it should be easy to see that Electric Easy is one fun ride! Not only is it a great story, with top-quality voice acting, but it’s got a totally impressive music score.
The plot, and the music and sound effects are expertly entwined, making Electric Easy a truly entertaining auditory adventure.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned sci-fi enthusiast or a curious newcomer, these sci-fi podcasts are some of the best in the galaxy.
One of the things we love most about podcasts is that when they’re done well, they can transport us to anywhere our imaginations can take us!
So if you’re looking for a trip to an alternate reality, a distant planet, or a parallel universe, these podcasts can take you there…
…and beyond!
Happy listening!
