| 100% | TWILIGHT | 8 | The __ Zone, TV sci-fi with a twist in the tail |
| 63% | LIMITS | 6 | "The Outer ___" (1960s sci-fi TV series with a reboot in the 1990s) |
| 47% | SEE | 3 | Apple TV+ sci-fi drama where activities revolve around the twins Kofun and Haniwa, born with a surprising talent |
| 46% | KUNGFU | 6 | 1970s TV show with a Shaolin monk in the Old West |
| 45% | THEMANFROMUNCLE | 15 | Hit 1960's TV show with a hint to the nine starred clues in this puzzle |
| 45% | EXPANSE | 7 | "The ___," sci-fi TV series starring Steven Strait that is set in a future where humans colonize the Solar System |
| 45% | PREGO | 5 | With a bun in the oven |
| 45% | MRT | 3 | Guy with the mohawk in the 1980's TV series, "The A-team" |
| 45% | AREA | 4 | "___ 51," 2015 sci-fi horror film with the number of a famous, highly classified Air Force facility in its title |
| 44% | IRONIC | 6 | With a twist in one's tale |
| 44% | LANCEITO | 8 | California judge with a lot of TV time in the mid-90s (2 wds.) |
| 44% | SHANANA | 7 | Doo-wop group with a TV variety show in the 1970s and 1980s (3 wds.) |
| 43% | EAGLE | 5 | Bird whose call is often dubbed over with the call of a red-tailed hawk, on TV and in movies |
| 43% | SHETLANDPONY | 12 | Sturdy breed of small horse originating in the UK with a long shaggy mane and tail |
| 43% | DONUT | 5 | Food with a hole in the middle |
| 43% | LIFESAVER | 9 | Candy with a hole in the middle |
| 43% | OBI | 3 | Sash with a bow in the back |
| 43% | BAGEL | 5 | Roll with a hole in the middle |
| 43% | CHINESECHECKERS | 15 | Game with a star in the middle |
| 43% | BUNDTCAKE | 9 | Confection with a hole in the middle |
| 43% | EVINRUDE | 8 | Dragonfly with a boat in The Rescuers |
| 43% | BUNDT | 5 | Cake with a hole in the middle |
| 43% | EDEN | 4 | Place with a snake in the grass |
| 43% | SNACK | 5 | "___ to the Future," swap "Back" with a rhyming word to get a sci-fi film where Marty goes back in time to look for munchies |
| 43% | TOR | 3 | Sci-fi publisher with a rocky crag in its logo |
| 43% | DOUGHNUT | 8 | A fried circular dessert with a hole in the middle |
| 43% | AVOWS | 5 | Says with a hand in the air, perhaps |
| 43% | ANAT | 4 | Class with a skeleton in the closet?: Abbr. |
| 43% | DOUGHNUT | 8 | Round pastry with a hole in the middle |
| 43% | BEAD | 4 | Small ball with a hole in the middle |