The sci-fi genre has always flourished on TV, ever since the medium’s inception. Shows like The Twilight Zone, Star Trek, Doctor Who, and The X-Files are considered among the most iconic and groundbreaking series of all time. More recent sci-fi entries like Stranger Things, Severence, Alien: Earth, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, and Black Mirror have attracted millions of viewers across the globe, broken numerous records, and are hailed by many as instant classics.
It’s estimated that around 50 new sci-fi shows premiere each year, and with thousands already in existence, it’s inevitable that some fall under the radar or fail to receive the recognition they deserve. Here, I’ve selected 8 sci-fi shows that I believe are criminally under-seen and will have you hooked from the moment you start watching right until the final credits roll.
‘Scavengers Reign’ (2023)
Boasting some of television’s most gorgeous animation, Scavengers Reign follows the trials and tribulations of several survivors stranded on a treacherous alien planet after the crash-landing of their spacecraft. It’s certainly not a show for children, as the survivors face constant threats. The usual distinctions between animals, plants, and intelligent and highly organized life are becoming blurred and unclear, forcing them to deal with an almost oppressive ambiguity between nourishment and danger.
Through this highly immersive experience, audiences are presented with a truly original vision of alien life, which feels suspenseful and tense, yet strangely soothing and almost meditative. Despite its slow-burning pacing, Scavengers Reign is immediately engrossing, rewarding patience and repeated viewing. While not a mainstream smash success, it delivers one of television’s most captivating viewing experiences in recent memory.
‘Outer Range’ (2022 – 2024)
Outer Range sees a rancher fighting to protect his property. However, he doesn’t just have to contend with human threats. A mysterious black void appears on his land, which is believed to be connected to a series of strange occurrences, including the disappearance of his daughter-in-law. Blending the familiar with the bizarre, it’s a genre-bending, slow-burning mystery that instantly grips and lingers.
There have been a few great examples of mixing sci-fi with the western genre, including Cowboy Bebop, Nope, and the Westworld movie from 1973 and HBO TV series. More often than not, though, these series fail to meet their ambitious potential. Examples include the critically panned Wild Wild West and The Dark Tower, and the box-office mega-flop Cowboys & Aliens. Fortunately, Outer Range avoids the pitfalls of the aforementioned letdowns and delivers a brooding and gripping series with a surreal edge that keeps the tension simmering throughout.
‘Lexx’ (1997 – 2002)
Lexx revolves around a ragtag crew of misfits aboard a living spaceship, which also happens to be the most powerful weapon in the universe. Since it takes a chaotic, almost anarchic approach to sci-fi, it’s best not to go into it expecting the same polish found in shows like The X-Files, Stargate, and Star Trek.
Reveling in unapologetic weirdness, sexual themes, and low-budget, campy aesthetics, Lexx was a hard sell for mainstream audiences at the time and received mixed reviews from critics. Still, in light of the success of recent oddball sci-fi hits like The Orville and Rick and Morty, many have reappraised the show as being ahead of its time, and it now boasts a strong cult following.
‘Made for Love’ (2021 – 2022)
Dark, disturbing yet oddly entertaining, Made For Love is a pitch-black comedy starring Cristin Milioti as a woman whose controlling tech billionaire boyfriend tracks her location and “emotional data.”
Its sharp satire and thought-provoking premise have earned it widespread acclaim among critics, yet it remains relatively unknown to mainstream audiences. However, its absurd humor, poignant emotional beats, and offbeat tone will be sure to hook viewers looking for something a little out of left field.
‘SeaQuest DSV’ (1993 – 1996)
Blending elements of sci-fi, action, and adventure with marine science and futuristic technology, SeaQuest DSV aired between 1993 and 1996 and was set in the near future of 2018. Roy Scheider starred as a submarine captain who navigates his crew through the dangers of underwater exploration and colonization.
More than just “Star Trek underwater,” SeaQuest DSV was an incredibly ambitious and unique show. Thanks to how it tackled early environmental themes, including climate change and rising sea levels, it was ahead of its time. From its cinematic opening music to the unexpected final twist, SeaQuest DSV’s tide of high-stakes ocean adventures never lets up.
‘Red Dwarf’ (1988 – 1999)
Instantly captivating thanks to its mix of lonely deep-space survival with brilliant, laugh-out-loud, irreverent humor, Red Dwarf is a groundbreaking British sci-fi comedy, a hybrid genre that has been successful in subsequent decades. While never achieving mainstream international success, it was a hit in the UK and has since garnered a strong cult following.
Set aboard the titular spacecraft, it follows an eccentric array of characters as they work together to navigate the perils of deep space. The show combines sharp wit and satire with slapstick and puns. It’s both intellectually engaging and hilariously absurd, and a fantastic alternative to your typical, more straightforward sci-fi shows. Red Dwarf is perfect for those who prefer a healthy dose of humor and silliness with their otherworldly escapades.
‘Dark Skies’ (1996 – 1997)
Following the enormous success of The X-Files, NBC was inspired to commission Dark Skies. The series is also about UFO conspiracy theories and combines elements of sci-fi with political drama, following a young couple working together to unravel the government’s attempts to conceal the existence of extraterrestrials.
While it proved to be no match for the gargantuan success of the ’90s sci-fi series in terms of viewership and was unfairly written off by some as an X-Files rip-off, it arguably handled alien conspiracy arcs more cohesively and was more compelling than The X-Files. Fully serialized from the get-go, it establishes a clear mythology where events have lasting consequences and the stakes are high. It easily draws you into its paranoia-ridden world of extraterrestrial conspiracies.
‘Raised by Wolves’ (2020 – 2022)
Raised by Wolves offers an eye-opening and often disturbing exploration of the role technology can truly play in shaping humanity and its belief systems. It revolves around two androids, Father and Mother, who are tasked with raising human children on a distant alien planet after Earth has been destroyed by war. Along the way, they struggle to protect the children from hostile creatures and dangerous religious factions.
Brutal and bleak, Raised by Wolves isn’t for the faint of heart. It plunges viewers into a world of relentless existential dread, ruthless violence, and moral ambiguity, delivering an unflinching examination of humanity and the dark depths it can reach. Viewers are confronted with uncomfortable situations as characters face horrifying ethical dilemmas. Unfortunately, despite widespread critical acclaim, the show was canceled after just two seasons. Nevertheless, if you do take the plunge, you’ll be absolutely glued to the screen.
Have you seen any of these underrated sci-fi TV shows? Did we miss one? Let us know in the comments!
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
