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There is no exaggeration in saying that Jeffrey Lieber, J. J. Abrams, and Damon Lindelof‘s Lost revolutionized not just science fiction television, but American broadcast television as a whole. This cult classic was a pioneer of the “mystery box” genre, a storytelling style all about stories that rely on endless mysteries and shocking twists. With this kind of groundbreaking serialization and complex mythology being brought to mainstream network TV, things were never the same again.
Thankfully, for all those who love Lost and crave similar experiences, there are many shows out there that are remarkably similar. But while some masterpieces, such as Dark or Severance, can be argued to be superior to Lost, there are other similar shows that are actually somewhat overshadowed by ABC’s genre-defining classic. They’re still absolutely phenomenal series, but for one reason or another, they aren’t quite able to live up to the pop-cultural phenomenon that was Lost.
8
‘Taken’ (2002)
Executive-produced by Steven Spielberg, Taken is one of the greatest sci-fi miniseries masterpieces of all time and a must-see for fans of the filmmaker. It’s a generations-spanning epic taking place from 1944 to 2002, and following the lives of three families connected by an alien visit. This sort of multi-generational storytelling is the kind of hyper-ambitious concept you typically expect to see in shows spanning several seasons. That only makes the fact that Taken condenses its story over the course of just 10 episodes all the more admirable.
Like Lost, Taken is a highly complex sci-fi series with a fascinating mythology, intertwining character storylines, and sprawling mysteries. And while Lost‘s full-series format allowed it to push the envelope far more often than Taken ever did, ensuring the timelessness of its cultural impact, this criminally underrated DreamWorks Television production should nevertheless not be underestimated.
7
‘Westworld’ (2016–2022)
Over the course of the 21st century, HBO has produced several of the greatest shows of the modern era belonging to all sorts of genres—sci-fi included, of course. Case in point: Westworld. Though the consensus is that the show’s only truly great season is its first one, since it quickly became one of those sci-fi shows with several plot holes as it went along, this is nevertheless one of the most iconic HBO sci-fi series ever.
After all, if there’s anything that Lost fans are already perfectly familiar with, it’s a sci-fi series that squanders some of its potential as it nears its end, but is absolutely exceptional nevertheless. Lost may have a stronger balance of complex mysteries and deeply resonant character work, but Westworld‘s tremendous production values and philosophical depth are still enough to make it an incredible series.
6
‘The OA’ (2016–2019)
Any sci-fi fan who’s had a Netflix subscription for a while should know that throughout its history, the streaming giant has canceled many a show that had outstanding potential. One such show is The OA, which had to end on a cliffhanger due to its massive budget and relatively low viewership. But even with its cancellation, The OA has only kept growing more and more of a passionate cult following in the years since its tragic conclusion.
Like Lost, this is a heavily non-linear mystery box puzzle that never gets tired of throwing a hundred unanswered questions at the audience. And while the fact that Lost was actually afforded the chance of finishing off the many mysteries of its mythology almost automatically makes it superior, The OA‘s radical creativity and exquisitely avant-garde tone make it essential viewing for those who prefer more intellectually elevated science fiction.
5
‘Silo’ (2023–Present)
Based on Hugh Howey‘s trilogy of novels, Silo is one of many pieces of proof that few players in the streaming game are nailing sci-fi quite as well as Apple TV. It’s one of the sci-fi shows with the best world-building, a gripping and deeply claustrophobic mystery led by Rebecca Ferguson at the top of her game. It’s definitely a bit of a slow-burner, but that pace feels essential to the way the story has evolved over the course of three amazing seasons.
It’s not exactly a mystery box show like Lost is, but Silo is also about a group of people slowly uncovering the truth about the strange environment they’re trapped in. Lost had better character development and a far larger level of cultural impact, but there’s no denying just how incredible the world-building in Silo is, making the mystery resolutions the show occasionally offers incredibly rewarding.
4
‘From’ (2022–Present)
Created by John Griffin and starring Lost‘s own Harold Perrineau, From is one of the best sci-fi horror shows of the 21st century as a whole. It’s a mystery box series through and through, but the thing that makes it special is how its many mysteries never feel like the show’s focused. Rather, it’s how the intrigue of those mysteries is leveraged to elevate the narrative’s character depth and immersive atmosphere that sets From apart.
Just like Lost, it’s one of the best mystery shows to rewatch, thanks to how addictive it is to pick up the hidden clues and little sprinkles of foreshadowing thrown into every episode. Lost has considerably deeper character arcs and storytelling that feels far more groundbreaking, but that shouldn’t pull anyone away from discovering From. Scary, mind-bending, and delightful to come up with theories about, this is one of the greatest mystery box shows currently on television.
3
‘The 100’ (2014–2020)
Those whose main reason for loving Lost is Desmond Hume ought to check The 100, starring Henry Ian Cusick in a secondary role, out. But aside from having an incredible ensemble cast, The 100 is genuinely one of the most underappreciated sci-fi shows of the 2010s. Based on the young adult novel series by Kass Morgan, it’s one of those teen shows that seem to grow darker, deeper, and more mature as their audience grows up alongside them.
It’s one of those obscure sci-fi shows that became cult classics, built on the same trope of survivors thrown into a mysterious world as Lost. And while Lost is considerably more groundbreaking and packed with emotional and thematic depth, The 100 is never afraid to wear its Lost influences on its sleeve, making it essential viewing for all fans of the ABC masterpiece.
2
‘Jericho’ (2006–2008)
Post-apocalyptic science fiction can often be hit-or-miss, but anyone who watches Jericho should admit that this one is a definitive hit. Canceled after only one season due to low ratings, then brought back for another season thanks to fan campaigns, and then finally canceled again, Jericho has nevertheless aged like fine wine. Hugely addictive and binge-worthy, it’s one of those thriller shows that feel like they were built for streaming.
This was another instance of a 2000s sci-fi series that was heavily inspired by Lost‘s signature structural and narrative style. And while Lost may have higher stakes and more compelling mysteries (as well as the added advantage of not having been canceled before its time), Jericho is nevertheless an incredible series. Its cast is fantastic, its characters are interesting, and its many mysteries are still fascinating all these many years later.
1
‘Fringe’ (2008–2013)
Shortly after exiting Lost to focus on directing Mission: Impossible III, J. J. Abrams went on to co-create Fringe with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. Considering the J. J. Abrams connection, it should come as no surprise that both shows are remarkably similar in many ways, sharing a similar DNA based on alternate realities, time travel, and a sprawling mythology that feels ever-growing.
But while Lost still maintains a level of cultural impact similar to what it once held, Fringe is one of those underrated sci-fi shows worth watching over and over again. Was Lost more revolutionary, psychologically deep, and overall creative? Sure, but that doesn’t take away the fact that Fringe is one of the best sci-fi series of the 2000s and 2010s. Combining compelling serialization with case-of-the-week elements brilliantly, it’s a masterpiece that may be overshadowed by Lost, but deserves just as many fans.
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https://collider.com/sci-fi-shows-overshadowed-by-lost/
Diego Pineda Pacheco
Almontather Rassoul
