35 Most Underrated Sci-Fi Shows You Haven't Seen (Yet)

Particularly in recent years, there has been a boom in science fiction television, with numerous exciting and imaginative projects being produced. However, sci-fi is by no means a new sensation. Since pretty much the birth of television, it has been one of the most popular genres with general audiences, allowing them to immerse their imaginations in richly constructed alternate universes where anything is possible.

While the genre has always been popular, there's such a vast number and large variety of new sci-fi series coming out every year that many outstanding series end up going unrecognized. Whether it's a very classic-style epic like Foundation, or even a subversive comedy like Resident Alien, there are plenty of underrated sci-fi shows that deserve a lot more recognition than they usually get.

35 'Threshold' (2005–2006)

CBS' sci-fi drama Threshold focuses on a secret government project investigating the first contact with an extraterrestrial species. With a phenomenal cast led by Carla Gugino and featuring the likes of Peter Dinklage, the ingredients for success were all there. Alas, the network's decision to move the show from Friday nights to Tuesdays in an effort to boost ratings backfired spectacularly, leading ratings off a cliff and to inevitable cancellation.

Even then, Threshold is still very much worth watching. Though critics didn't love it at the time, its fans have remained loyal, praising it for its intelligent writing and captivating sci-fi elements. It's the kind of flawed-but-very-promising sci-fi show that could surely have become something special if it had been left alive for long enough.

34 'Surface' (2005–2006)

Yet another forgotten sci-fi show with a surprising Rotten Tomatoes score, Surface wasn't a hit with critics (who amount to a score of 20% on the review aggregator), but the audience score on the site is at an impressive 82%. This is one that the critics got wrong. Spielbergian in all the right ways, this sci-fi thriller follows a group who find their lives fundamentally changed by the emergence of a new, and often dangerous, species of sea life.

Surface had well-designed creatures, solid visual effects, and strong writing that makes this feel like an extended episode of The X-Files. That may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for those who enjoy that kind of tone and are fine watching a sci-fi show that ended on a cliffhanger, Surface is a must-see.

33 'Journeyman' (2007)

Time travel tends to be a pretty tricky narrative tool to get right, but when it's written and executed well, it can make for some really special sci-fi shows. Case in point: Journeyman, one of the few time travel shows that actually makes sense. In it, a San Francisco journalist mysteriously travels to the past and alters the path of people's lives.The plotting isn't the most groundbreaking, but the character writing is more than strong enough to make up for it. Exciting, imaginative, and emotionally compelling, Journeyman could have evolved into a really solid drama if given time. Even with its one available season, though, it's worth re-visiting almost two decades later.

32 'Misfits of Science' (1985–1986)

As fun, engaging, and serious as sci-fi dramas can be, every fan of the genre feels like winding down with a solid sci-fi comedy every now and then. As far as those go, rarely does it get much better than Misfits of Science. In it, we follow the adventures of a team of misfit superheroes who fight crime for a scientific think tank.It's one of the best forgotten shows of the '80s, a fun and youthful gem with a dedicated cast that features the likes of a pre-Friends Courtney Cox. There's something here for everyone: Genuinely amusing comedy, cheesy '80s action, and enough solid character work to make this a comedy still worth watching all these many years later.

31 'Colony' (2016–2018)

With a cast led by Josh Holloway and Sarah Wayne Callies, and creators as accomplished as Carlton Cuse and Ryan J. Condal, it's truly a surprise that Colony has never been a much bigger show. For an excellent three seasons, the show treated fans to a gripping story about a family fighting to stay together in the wake of an alien invasion.

Not only is the show great, but it's the rare kind of sci-fi gem that keeps getting better with every season. Throughout its run, Colony kept itself fun and compelling beyond its great visual effects with some emotionally stirring character work and entertaining plotting, constantly expanding on its already-great ideas in a way that kept things consistently fresh and exciting.

30 'Class' (2016)

A short-lived spin-off of the legendary BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who, Class is a show created and written by popular YA author Patrick Ness. The story follows a group of Coal Hill Academy students who have to deal with the stresses of everyday teenage life, while also dealing with the horrors that come from time travel. It's a unique, self-contained story set in the infinite universe of Doctor Who, perfect for those who enjoy teenage drama television with a genre twist.

Sadly, the fact that the show was canceled after just one season makes it feel like it lacks personality, which might not make it the most welcoming sci-fi series for newcomers. Thankfully, though, the interesting and endearing characters and cool sci-fi concepts make it easy to recommend, especially for those who are already fond of the Doctor Who universe and what it has to offer.

29 'The Sarah Jane Adventures' (2007–2011)

If Class is worth watching for fans of Doctor Who, then The Sarah Jane Adventures is a must-see. Centered on the titular Sarah Jane Smith, undoubtedly Doctor Who's longest-running and most iconic companion (she met a whopping nine of the Doctor's incarnations), it's definitely a more family-friendly show than its predecessor, but that's a strength, not a weakness.

Charming, entertaining, and full of delightful surprises for Doctor Who fans of all ages, it's an underrated spin-off that deserves a lot more love from not just the fandom, but sci-fi lovers as a whole. It had to come to an unfortunate end after the untimely passing of star Elisabeth Sladen, but watching it nowadays is a beautiful way to pay tribute to her memory and celebrate the legacy of Sarah Jane.

28 'Fringe' (2008–2013)

Fringe follows FBI agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), scientist Walter Bishop (John Noble), and his son Peter (Joshua Jackson) as they investigate and try to rationalize mysterious and unexplained phenomena known as "the fringe." The series has some of the best seasons of television that have been aired in recent times, and it never fails to be exciting even for those who aren't typically into the genre. For those who enjoy other underrated shows like Haven about solving ominous mysteries, Fringe is a perfect fit.

Fringe is action-packed, thrilling, and full of surprising turns, making up for its occasionally shaky storytelling. There is something for everyone because Fringe covers many scientific ideas, including time travel, telepathy, parallel universes, and genetic engineering, while blending procedural crime drama and science fiction components. The program, created by famous filmmaker J.J. Abrams, is said to be the ideal fusion of Lost and Alias (both also Abrams shows), offering fans of both programs a wonderful new alternative.

27 'The 4400' (2004–2007)

Great new sci-fi TV shows are coming out all the time, but there's nothing quite like a good old 2000s classic. The 4400 is one of those tragic sci-fi TV shows that were canceled too soon. In it, as the reappearance of 4,400 missing persons on a single day confuses the global community, federal agents on the case slowly discover that the victims have been changed in dramatic ways. There are plenty of good stories about alien abductions, but not enough about the abductees being returned to Earth. The 4400 fills that void.

The 4400 became popular thanks to its innovative premise and ability to seamlessly weave creative sci-fi tropes into the deeply emotional aspects of the story. It delves into themes like identity and power, all set against the suspenseful backdrop of a Homeland Security investigation of a murder. The show was unfortunately canceled after four seasons, but it has since become a cult classic with a loyal following.

26 'Night Sky' (2022)

Night Sky, one of the best new space TV series, follows Irene (Sissy Spacek) and Franklin York (J. K. Simmons), an elderly couple in the Midwest who uncover a device that can teleport them to a chamber with a view of a strange, desolate alien planet. It's based on the quantum physics principle of quantum entanglement, which states that two particles are connected and affect each other even if they're light-years away from each other.

Night Sky is a show that seamlessly switches between investigative drama, science fiction horror, and emotionally evocative life reflection. Though it was nuanced and had compelling characters and a smartly executed concept, making it one of the most underrated TV shows on Prime Video, Night Sky was unfortunately canceled after its first season due to low viewership. Nevertheless, its short run was enough to earn it a fair number of fans.