Underrated Sci-Fi Shows are hidden gems that don’t get the same buzz as big hits. Even though they are lesser known, many have great concepts and good reviews. In this article, we talk about 10 of these not-as-famous sci-fi series that are worth checking out.
We will go beyond the most mainstream sci-fi shows that everyone knows, like Star Trek and Doctor Who. Instead, we’ll shine a light on underseen shows in the outer reaches of science fiction TV.
Some have one-of-a-kind ideas around technology, aliens, surviving disasters, or use sci-fi to explore humanity. Others simply had bad luck airing against more popular series at the time. But for one reason or another, these titles remain mostly unknown.
Their premises show creativity on par with classic sci-fi. Fans explore thought-provoking futures, worlds unseen before, and the depths of Space—all from home. So we’ll spotlight 10 series with fresh concepts that deserve more eyeballs.
Keep reading for our cosmic trip to T.V.’s overlooked yet visionary science fiction gems. You may uncover a new favorite!
How We Picked Underrated Sci-Fi Shows
We used three main rules to decide which sci-fi shows count as “underrated.” First, they did not get talked about a lot when they first aired. Second, most people have not heard of them. And third, experts and fans think they are well-made.
To pick the Top 10, we looked at reviews from critics and sites like Reddit. We gave extra points to shows that critics praised but average viewers overlooked. Some built a small but loyal follower base. Others simply did not find an audience.
We also factored in different sub-genres of sci-fi. These include space travel, future Earth, technology gone wrong, encounters with aliens, and more. Our list features a diverse mix from across the sci-fi realm.
Ultimately, we chose 10 series that deserved more buzz based on critical acclaim and fan enthusiasm. Keep reading to discover these visionary yet underseen gems of science fiction TV.
The Top 10 Underrated Sci-Fi Show Gems
Now, we will count the 10 most underrated sci-fi shows fans should check out. For each pick, we’ll summarize what makes the series specia
10. Other Space
Other Space is an underrated sci-fi show that more people need to see. It starts when this crew who works for this company called UMP tests out their new prototype spaceship. But something goes wrong, and they accidentally get zapped through a portal into another universe! They name this other universe other space.
So now the crew is stranded far from home in this bizarre new world. The captain Stewart is super nervous and freaking out. His sister Karen kind of takes over as leader, which Stewart doesn’t like. There’s also engineer Michael, who thinks he’s awesome, and a navigator named Natasha, who is always serious. Oh, and they have this robot called A.R.T. who is emotionless.
What happens next is the crew encountering all kinds of weird stuff as they try to find their way back home. Like the ship randomly teleporting or finding crazy-looking aliens and planets. It’s a bit of a mess but pretty funny too. Even though it got canceled fast, Other Space is a great underrated sci-fi with fun characters.
9. Moonbase 8
Moonbase 8 follows a trio of rookie astronauts awkwardly living together in a mock moon base in the dusty desert. They dream of getting picked on a real NASA moon mission someday.
The show’s concept of focusing on these three oddballs failing their way through practice space simulations sounded pretty amusing! There’s funny bickering as they get on each other’s nerves trying to impress NASA officials monitoring them from Houston.
We also get bare moments as each reveals deeper reasons for desperately wanting to escape Earth. There are some grounded emotional beats behind chasing far-flung space dreams.
With kooky lead characters fumbling towards maybe reaching the stars plus poking fun at the lesser glam reality behind astronaut ambitions, I consider Moonbase 8 an underappreciated goofy sci-fi sitcom. This space comedy grounded by friendship deserves a bigger cult following from genre fans!
8. Journeyman
The Journeyman is a sci-fi time travel show I wish more people tuned into during its single season. It follows Dan Vasser, who suddenly starts randomly traveling back in time without control to alter major events.
While initially confusing, I enjoyed the premise of an average guy forced to leap around the past, changing past outcomes for people. Tweaking little moments echoes through history, creating ripple effects. Dan fixes regretful mistakes people wish for a redo on if they could go back.
A story focused on the nostalgia for the road not taken appealed to me. We also get an emotional core with Dan being separated from his wife. While on his unplanned time hops fixing others’ futures, Dan longs to return to the present timeline he’s separated from.
With adventure in bending the past plus heart around trying to come home, I think The Journeyman deserved way more seasons unfolding clever what-if plots. It’s an imaginative concept grounded by accessible emotion that this underrated gem balances nicely. More sci-fi fans should time-warp back and uncover it!
7. BrainDead
BrainDead never got the love it deserved. The plot kicks off when an alien species arrives on Earth and releases creepy bugs that crawl into the brains of politicians in Washington D.C.
What’s fun is the aliens don’t attack or blow things up like a typical sci-fi story. Instead, they take over Congress members’ minds! The bugs influence politicians to start making irrational decisions that benefit the aliens but badly divide and hurt the country.
We follow Laurel, a young aide who discovers what’s happening. She teams up with others to investigate secretly which Congress people got brain-snatched. The episodes balance this goofy horror concept with political satire and drama as Laurel tries to take on this alien plot.
I wished more viewers checked out this witty, offbeat hybrid of sci-fi, horror, and political commentary over its single season. With a fun creep factor but thoughtful undertones, BrainDead deserves some praise as an underappreciated genre-blending gem!
6. Strange New Things
I think Strange New Things is an underrated sci-fi show more fans should know about. It starts with a priest named Peter getting hired to go into Space to talk to aliens on a newly discovered planet. He says goodbye to his wife, Bea, and rockets across the galaxy to meet this strange new species.
What I found neat about the show is Peter being brought in to learn about and make a connection with unknown lifeforms that no one understands. There’s a mystery about why the aliens wanted a preacher to link with. Peter also has to puzzle together how to communicate, understand cultures better, and find common ground.
Back on Earth, Bea struggles with Peter being so far away for years helping aliens while Bea faces troubles at home alone. This asks interesting questions about relationships when space travel distances people. There are risks venturing into the unknown, but also wonder.
I won’t spoil things, but this underrated show balances cool sci-fi stuff like space travel and aliens with thoughtful ideas on understanding beings very different from humans. The lead actors deliver, too, with the wife left behind as compelling as the preacher exploring Space. Deserve more hype!
5. Threshold
Threshold that sadly got canceled after one season. It starts when an alien spacecraft crashes into the ocean and sends a signal that rewrites human D.N.A. A Homeland Security team investigates, trying to contain the outbreaks happening due to this signal transforming people in ways no one understands.
What I liked about Threshold is it plays with themes around human evolution in response to alien contact, almost like people mutating. The signal changes folks’ abilities and morality – they gain powers but lose their humanity, like a tradeoff. Each person transforms differently based on their D.N.A., keeping things unpredictable.
The show balanced mystery around why the ship arrived and what the end goal of the transformation was building towards. But also had action, with the team working frantically to control transformed citizens across the country whose new powers endangered others. I think sci-fi fans could have seen this wild concept’s potential if it had more seasons to unfold. It hits that sweet spot of grounding intrigue with just enough sci-fi. I call it an underrated gem more people should check out!
4. Defying Gravity
Defying Gravity is one sci-fi show I feel slipped under many people’s radar. It follows eight astronauts on the spaceship Antares traveling on a mysterious 6-year mission through our solar system.
The crew faces unexplained events and secrets surrounding their real mission goals. We also get flashbacks into their training years preparing for the trip. As dangers mount, team conflicts and romances unravel in deep Space.
Some neat ideas Defying Gravity plays with is near-future tech like holographic interfaces and advanced propulsion systems. It also asks interesting questions on how far humans should venture out exploring. Space transforms the characters – as they journey farther from Earth, their human connections fascinate.
The Antares crew makes tough choices confronting the unknown reaches of Space. Fans who like sci-fi for ingenious concepts blended with complex people should target this underseen gem. With intrigues of the final frontier, Defying Gravity deserves more light in the T.V. universe!
3. Almost Human
When it comes to underrated sci-fi shows, I think Almost Human stands out. Set over 30 years into the future, it tells the story of a cop named John Kennex, who returns to the force after getting badly hurt. He’s partnered up with an android named Dorian.
This buddy-cop duo is pretty much the classic “mismatched partners” trope. Kennex starts hating robots – but Dorian seems almost human, and the two build an unlikely bond as they take on dangerous missions together.
One of the neat ideas Almost Human explores is thinking about how much technology could evolve in just a generation’s time. People have robot servants in their homes, can project super realistic 3D holograms, and more. It also asks interesting questions about humanity – like what makes mankind different than thinking machines designed to act like people?
Watching this duo put aside their differences while facing threats side-by-side gives Almost Human its heartbeat. With its vision of a high-tech future mixed with reflections on humans versus A.I., I’d call this series an underappreciated gem in sci-fi television that deserved more praise and eyeballs.
2. Terra Nova
Terra Nova is an underrated sci-fi show that deserves more praise. It tells the story of a family called the Shannons who travel back in time to the age of dinosaurs.
The premise sounds exciting – what if humans left behind an Earth ruined by pollution and overpopulation to get a fresh start on prehistoric Earth 85 million years ago? Going back to live alongside real dinosaurs could let people build a better world if they learn from past mistakes.
Terra Nova explores ideas around getting second chances and protecting the family. Jim Shannon, the dad, is a former cop focused on keeping his family safe. His rule-breaking wife tries to help the colony, though it causes problems. Their reckless teen kids sneak off and face threats, causing tensions.
The idea of mixing future dystopia, time travel, and dinos makes this an underseen sci-fi gem. The dangerous, unfamiliar setting felt fresh and adventurous compared to most sci-fi shows. More people should check out this creative series!
1. Space: Above and Beyond
This sci-fi series follows a squad of Space marine pilots in the future. At first, humans are excited to meet aliens. But an alien species called “Chigs” soon attacks, and a big space war erupts. The story looks at how the war in Space changes both sides.
 It explores A.I. being used in space combat. It also looks at PTSD in soldiers with neat visions they experience. Racism between humans and artificial lifeforms made to be like humans is discussed too.
​The squad bonds closely through the trauma of war. The main actor does great at playing a charismatic pilot full of anger. A favorite is the pilot dealing with being bred for war, not choice. His struggle raises big questions about the future world.
Wrapping Up
There are so many underrated sci-fi shows that deserve more attention. These series deliver exciting stories with complex characters, from space marines fighting aliens to explorers trapped in alternate dimensions. Even though they didn’t get as many seasons as fans hoped, they are still worth watching.
Of the shows on this list, my favorites are Space: Above and Beyond for its gritty war storylines, Other Space for its quirky adventures, and Strange New Things for its thought-provoking first contact premise. But everyone is bound to have different tastes, so I’d encourage sci-fi fans to check out all these underrated gems.
Expand your horizons and discover your next sci-fi obsession among these canceled too-soon series! For more recommendations on the best shows to stream, check out our articles on what to watch while waiting for The Witcher season 4 and All of Us Are Dead season 2.
