I was increasingly concerned about Apple TV+’s sci-fi future, but a new Rashida Jones show has finally erased my doubts. Like all streaming platforms, Apple TV+ has also had its fair share of hits and misses, especially in the sci-fi genre. For instance, despite having two seasons and a third installment underway, the streamer’s Invasion is yet to leave its mark in the sci-fi television space. Other Apple TV+ shows like Severance and Silo have left an indelible mark on mainstream television, and I cannot help but look forward to their future installments.

Despite experiencing some failures, Apple TV+ has not stopped investing in ambitious and quirky sci-fi shows that push the boundaries of storytelling and defy genre conventions. While I always appreciate shows that go beyond expected norms and bend genres, I was concerned that Apple TV+ was going too far with its explorations of sci-fi ideas that could alienate a broader audience. The trailers for a new sci-fi show on the platform only worsened my concerns. However, I am glad the incredible new series has revived my excitement about the streamer’s sci-fi future.

Sunny’s Rotten Tomatoes Score Changed My Mind About Apple TV+’s Sci-fi Future

Sunny Boasts One Of The Highest RT Scores For Apple TV+ In 2024

When I first went through Sunny‘s plot summary, I could not help but wonder how the show would balance its serious explorations of AI with dark humor. Its trailer made me even more skeptical about its approach because it seemed tonally confused about what it was trying to achieve with its blend of comedy and existential themes surrounding technophobia. Owing to this, I walked into the show with little to no expectations.

However, after only one episode, all my fears faded as I embraced how brilliantly it balanced its quirky dark humor with its unbiased take on the growing concerns surrounding AI development. Two episodes in, I checked Sunny‘s Rotten Tomatoes score, which further encouraged me to stick around and wait for what it has to offer. Although Rotten Tomatoes scores may not always be the best indicators of a show’s overall quality, Sunny‘s Tomatometer average of 87% reassured me that my initial positive impression was universal.

Sunny‘s strong start and optimistic critical reception made me realize that even though Apple TV+ is, in many ways, throwing its caution to the wind by investing in some unique sci-fi shows, its approach is paying off incredibly well. Down the line, the streaming platform might face more challenges with this approach. However, so far, shows like Sunny are proving that the streamer’s willingness to give unconventional storytelling a chance is working wonders.

Sunny Continues An Impressive Sci-Fi Trend For Apple TV+

2024 Has Been An Incredible Year For Sci-Fi On Apple TV+

Ever since Silo and Severance, I have been eagerly looking forward to what Apple TV+ has to offer in the sci-fi genre. Owing to this, I have been up-to-date with every science fiction show that premiered on the streaming site this year. The streamer started the year on a high note with Constellation, which not only earned favorable reviews from critics but also got Stephen King’s stamp of approval (via Twitter) when he called its first two episodes “just about perfect–nail-biting and believable.”

Even though Constellation was not renewed for another season, the show has an above-average Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score of 71%, ranking it among many sci-fi series on Apple TV+. Constellation was followed by the genre-bending sci-fi mystery drama Sugar, which set the bar even higher by earning an 82% Tomatometer score and the “Certified Fresh” tag. The mind-bending multiversal drama Dark Matter continued the trend by landing an 82% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes.

With Sunny‘s score of 87%, it seems like Apple TV+ has earned a new high for 2024, paving the way for more successful sci-fi shows in the near future. Interestingly, although the audience and critics’ scores can often be significantly different on Rotten Tomatoes, none of the 2024 sci-fi shows on the streamer showed this disparity. I am not even surprised by this because Apple TV+ has clearly been prioritizing compelling storytelling while also keeping the production value of its sci-fi shows visibly high.

Will Upcoming Apple TV+ Sci-Fi Shows Continue The Rotten Tomatoes Trend?

The 2024 Streak Makes Me Hopeful About The Streamer’s Future

While only time will tell whether future sci-fi shows on Apple TV+ will continue this trend, it seems like the streamer has figured out the winning formula for captivating audiences. Given how the second seasons for Silo and Severance are also in the pipeline, I can confidently say that the future looks bright for Apple TV+’s sci-fi line-up. Hopefully, other than releasing new and innovative series, Apple TV+ will also continue renewing shows that are garnering significant acclaim because, otherwise, viewers like me will have to think twice before investing time in new ones regardless of how promising they seem.

New Sunny episodes are released every Wednesday on Apple TV+.