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Science fiction is one of the most popular genres in both movies and in TV shows. One of the reasons for its popularity is that it allows the viewers to let their imagination run free. Sci-fi explores technology and ideas that don't yet exist, but could very well become real in the future. Sometimes that's a positive thing, sometimes not so much.

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Whatever the case, not every science fiction show pays attention to scientific accuracy. It's not uncommon to do whatever the story requires — some shows don't need to adhere strictly to those laws in order to tell the story they seek to tell. That's why it's refreshing to see sci-fi shows that are scientifically accurate and things portrayed in them could happen, either now or in the future.

5 Avenue 5

josh gad actor

Even though Avenue 5 is a sci-fi sitcom, and as such, doesn't take itself too seriously, its basic concept isn't far-fetched at all. In the show, a group of people goes on a space cruise after they paid a lot of money. They're then trapped on the ship for far longer than originally planned due to an error.

Space tourism is something more and more people are talking about these days, so if things continue to progress in the right direction, ships like Avenue 5 could one day become real. Even now, it's possible to pay a lot of money and buy a ticket into space thanks to commercially oriented businesses. Avenue 5 seems to be an updated version of such an existing service.

4 The Handmaid's Tale

Elisabeth Moss in The Handmaid's Tale

Some of the most scientifically accurate and easily imaginable sci-fi shows are those that work with technologies already available to everyone. In the case of The Handmaid's Tale, a lot of the characters have even less modern technology at their disposal than people living these days do. What makes this show hauntingly accurate is its portrayal of the subjugation of women. That's something that happened in the past as well, albeit differently at different times in history.

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The Handmaid's Tale works with the concept of handmaids, fertile women who birth their masters' children because most women are no longer capable of becoming pregnant. Genetic engineering has been progressing in recent years, and so far, medicine has been used for saving people's lives. The twisted version of The Handmaid's Tale shows how this type of technology and science could be purported to control others in the wrong hands. Another scientifically accurate part of the show is the damage done to the world by nuclear weapons. This type of weapon is real and anybody interested can read online about the impact it would have on the world if launched.

3 Living With Yourself

Living With Yourself

This is another comedy show, but works with an existing scientific concept, namely cloning. Paul Rudd stars as Miles, a man who gets a new shot at life when he goes to a special spa. Except this spa is no leisure center, and the rejuvenation process Miles underwent led to the creation of his more optimistic and effective clone. Living creatures have been cloned in the past, most notably sheep, and even though human cloning doesn't yet exist, it could become real one day.

Such cloning processes won't probably take place in a supposed spa in a strip mall as they do in the show, but Living With Yourself primarily focuses on the comedic undertones of the situation. It takes existing scientific concepts and makes them seem slightly over the top, in the best way possible. And, of course, if human cloning was advanced enough, there would also be no problem with genetically enhancing the clone to make it superior to the original, as the show portrays.

2 The One

The One Netflix

The Netflix sci-fi show The One wasn't as successful as others, and ended after just one season. That doesn't change the fact that it seems scientifically accurate, since it works with the concept of DNA testing designed to find compatible partners. Main character Rebecca Webb leads a modernized dating service. Dating sites and services that proclaim they will help someone find "the one" already exist these days, and while they don't use genetic testing, this step could be a natural progression.

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The One takes place in London, which looks like the one its inhabitants know, so the show has an even more realistic feel to it. It also doesn't go as far as to claim that people can't fall in love with someone who isn't genetically compatible. It merely states that the compatibility explained in the series has a higher potential to lead to a successful romantic relationship.

1 Project Blue Book

Project Blue Book

Unlike shows of other genres, it's less common for sci-fi series to be based on real events. Project Blue Book is one of the few exceptions. It's set in the past and shows how two men investigate strange phenomena, possibly connected to alien life. The series mostly flew under the radar and only ran for two seasons, but it has a lot to offer to those who wish to see how people approached alien investigation in the past.

Since the series is set in the 20th century, it uses technologies available back then, and it's a faithful portrayal of the time it takes place. It also stars familiar names, Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones) and Michael Malarkey (The Vampire Diaries), making it a must-watch for their fans.

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