Science fiction has always sparked the imagination—with stories that stretch the boundaries of time, space, and human understanding. Some of the most unforgettable sci-fi tales started as books and later made the leap to television. While not every adaptation captures the full spirit of the original, many bring something new and exciting to the screen.
Here’s a list of notable sci-fi books (and graphic novels) that were turned into TV series worth watching—some even better the second time around.
1. The Six Million Dollar Man
Based on: Cyborg by Martin Caidin
This 1970s hit series was adapted from Martin Caidin’s 1972 novel Cyborg. The show follows Steve Austin, an astronaut injured in a crash and “rebuilt” with bionic parts at the cost of six million dollars. The novel’s darker tone was softened for television, transforming Austin from a morally gray character into a heroic government agent.
The series’ famous tagline—“We have the technology. We can rebuild him”—became iconic. The show’s influence is still felt today in pop culture references, parodies, and even modern discussions about prosthetics and cybernetics.
2. The Vampire Diaries
Based on: The Vampire Diaries series by L.J. Smith
This supernatural teen drama launched in 2009 and quickly became a CW network favorite. The story centers on Elena Gilbert and her entanglement with two vampire brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore. While the books provided the foundation, the series eventually took its own direction.
With its mix of romance, horror, and mythology, The Vampire Diaries stood out as more than just a Twilight-era trend. It ran for eight seasons and spawned two spin-offs: The Originals and Legacies.
3. Nineteen Eighty-Four
Based on: 1984 by George Orwell
In 1954, the BBC aired a groundbreaking adaptation of Orwell’s dystopian classic. Broadcast live, the production featured Peter Cushing as Winston Smith. It was so intense that it triggered public outrage—and even questions in Parliament. One viewer reportedly died of shock.
Despite the controversy, the broadcast became a landmark in British television history. It captured Orwell’s vision of a surveillance state where “Big Brother” watches every move. The British Film Institute later ranked it among the 100 greatest British TV programs of the 20th century.
4. The Tripods
Based on: The Tripods series by John Christopher
This 1980s BBC series adapted the first two books of Christopher’s post-apocalyptic trilogy. Set in a future where humans are enslaved by towering machines, the story follows a group of teens who resist mental control through mechanical implants called “Caps.”
Although the third book was never adapted, the show gained a cult following. It’s still praised for its ambitious special effects and strong themes about individuality and freedom.
5. The Dead Zone
Based on: The Dead Zone by Stephen King
This TV adaptation aired from 2002 to 2007, turning Stephen King’s eerie 1979 novel into a long-running drama. Starring Anthony Michael Hall as Johnny Smith, the series follows a man who wakes from a coma with psychic powers that allow him to see into the past and future.
As the series progresses, Johnny’s visions become darker, revealing apocalyptic threats. Blending crime drama with supernatural suspense, The Dead Zone brought a moody, character-driven style to sci-fi TV.
6. The Middleman
Based on: The Middleman graphic novels by Javier Grillo-Marxuach and Les McClaine
This quirky and underrated 2008 series adapted a cult graphic novel full of pop culture references, surreal humor, and offbeat villains. It follows Wendy Watson, an art student recruited to battle comic-book-style threats with her boss, the mysterious Middleman.
The show stayed true to the graphic novel’s tone while expanding character arcs. Despite a short run, it earned strong fan support and praise for its originality and clever writing.
7. Jekyll
Based on: Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Writer Steven Moffat (of Doctor Who fame) reimagined Stevenson’s classic tale in this 2007 BBC mini-series. Jekyll is set in modern times, where the last living descendant of Dr. Jekyll wrestles with the same terrifying duality.
Starring James Nesbitt in a brilliant dual role, the series balances psychological horror with science fiction. It’s not a direct adaptation, but a smart spiritual sequel that explores identity, control, and inherited darkness.
8. True Blood
Based on: The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris
Premiering on HBO in 2008, True Blood mixed vampires, werewolves, witches, and faeries into a steamy, violent, and occasionally funny Southern Gothic drama. The show’s first few seasons stick closely to Harris’s books, focusing on Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress in small-town Louisiana.
Created by Alan Ball (Six Feet Under, American Beauty), the show wasn’t afraid to explore themes of discrimination, sexuality, addiction, and power. It ran for seven seasons and became one of HBO’s most-watched series at the time.
Honorable Mentions
Here are a few more sci-fi books and series that made the leap to the small screen:
Foundation
Based on: The Foundation series by Isaac Asimov
Apple TV+ launched an ambitious adaptation in 2021. The show reimagines Asimov’s epic about a collapsing galactic empire, using modern visuals and expanded character arcs to bring it to life.
The Man in the High Castle
Based on: The novel by Philip K. Dick
This Amazon Prime series imagines an alternate history where the Axis powers won World War II. With strong performances and dystopian themes, it was a critical hit over four seasons.
Childhood’s End
Based on: The novel by Arthur C. Clarke
Syfy produced a three-part mini-series in 2015. Though not a perfect adaptation, it successfully captured the haunting atmosphere and thought-provoking questions from Clarke’s classic.
Final Thoughts
Turning science fiction books into TV series isn’t easy. Some shows stay faithful to their source material, while others use it as a starting point for something entirely new. In both cases, a successful adaptation can bring a beloved story to a whole new audience—and sometimes even outshine the original.
Whether you’re into time travel, vampires, dystopias, or alien conspiracies, these sci-fi adaptations prove that great stories can thrive across formats. With streaming platforms investing more in literary adaptations, the future looks bright for both readers and viewers.
Interested in more stories that started on the page? Check out our feature on the Best Science Fiction Books from the 1980s—many of which are long overdue for their own screen versions.