If you're a fan of the sci-fi genre, then you have probably watched almost every popular show you can get your hands on. You have probably even watched far beyond what's popular and found all of those hidden gems tucked into the corners of various streaming services. But maybe there are still some underrated sci-fi shows left to discover, especially for those who might be newer to the genre.
While there are certainly endless sci-fi shows that are underrated and deserve more love than they have received, we're sharing a short life of five underrated sci-fi shows that you should watch before everyone else, before they possibly snag an unexpected second life on Netflix or something. In case you missed these shows, here are a handful of smaller sci-fi series that should have your attention!
La Brea
When La Brea premiered on NBC back on September 2021, its sizable premiere seemed like we were in for the next Lost (or at least the next Manifest). The series takes place in modern day Los Angeles as a sinkhole opens up near the La Brea Tar Pits and takes a number of people, cars, buildings, anything down into the ground with it. Suddenly, these survivors find themselves in 10,000 BC.
La Brea wasn't a show that I watched weekly on NBC. I binge-watched the show on Peacock after it had already been canceled after three seasons. It's so much fun! If you're a fan of Lost, then you'll probably find the story predictable, but it's still a wild ride that includes weaponized time travel, dinosaurs, and advanced technology all throughout a quick 30-episode rollercoaster ride.
Curiously, only the first two seasons of La Brea are available to stream on Peacock as of this writing, but the complete series has been released on Blu-ray for those who prefer a home video option.
Invasion
For some, Invasion probably isn't "underrated," but compared to other Apple TV+ shows, including the fellow sci-fi series Severance (yes, it's sci-fi among other genres), no one talks about Invasion in the same way. And that likely has to do with the fact that all of its seasons have been released two years apart. It's hard for a show to gain momentum and a fanbase when it's out of sight for so long.
Invasion comes from creators Simon Kinberg and David Weil and centers on an alien species coming to Earth and threatening the existence of humankind. Haven't we heard that one before? The series takes place in real time as characters from around the world react to the invasion happening around them. It's a thrilling series, and the third season finally makes its premiere on Aug. 22 on Apple TV+. Catch up on the first two seasons in time to keep up with Invasion season 3!
Tru Calling
Okay, hang with me here for a second. You probably haven't heard of the show Tru Calling, and even if you have, it's probably been quite some time since you heard that title. But I'm here to make sure people don't forget about this show! From creator Jon Harmon Feldman, Tru Calling stars Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dollhouse favorite Eliza Dushku as medical student and morgue worker Tru Davies, who discovers she has the ability to relive the same day over again to help save the deceased.
The supernatural procedural drama aired between 2003 and 2005 and also featured cast members Shawn Reaves, Zach Galifianakis, A.J. Cook, Matt Bomer, Jessica Collins, Benjamin Benitez, and Jason Priestley. It's a shame that the series didn't find an audience and only lasted for two seasons (26 total episodes!), but that doesn't make the show any less iconic. Tru Calling isn't currently available to watch on a major streamer, but it's worth tracking the show down on DVD to watch!
Upload
If you ask Upload fans, they would tell you it's the epitome of underrated. The series from creator Greg Daniels (yes, the Greg Daniels behind The Office and Parks and Recreation) premiered with a 10-episode first season on Prime Video back in 2020, which was a well-reviewed but modest hit that resulted a seven-episode season 2 in 2022 and an eight-episode season 3 in 2023. It's been two years, but the fourth and final season finally arrives on Aug. 25.
The series, which is led by Robbie Amell, takes place in the year 2033 and human beings can upload themselves to a "digital heaven" of their choice. Nathan Brown (Amell) finds himself in an afterlife situation that definitely has its drawbacks. Upload has heart, humor, and plenty of inventive science fiction twists that will keep you guessing. It's the perfect binge-watch, and it's a quick one, too!
Fringe
Last but not least, if there's one sci-fi show that very few people seem to talk about these days, it's Fringe. I'd definitely say that Fringe has become, and maybe has always been, underrated. It's interesting to call a show that ran for five seasons and 100 episodes underrated, but some shows don't have the pop culture longevity that others do, and that's not a mark on their quality.
From J.J. Abrams, Fringe stars Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, and John Noble as a trio that work for the Fringe Division of the FBI and look into curious mysteries using fringe science. The show was often compared to the likes of Lost, The X-Files, and The Twilight Zone, which are comparisons I personally can't argue with. Fringe is a lot of fun, a binge-watch that will keep you on the edge of your seat and obsessed with its characters. The complete series is available for purchase on streaming and home video!