8 TV Shows From The Past 10 Years That Should Become Cult Classics

In the last decade, the number of TV shows we as viewers have access to has grown exponentially, meaning there are some hidden gems that may not have gotten their fair share of attention, but could be reborn as cult classics in the future. As our viewing experience becomes more dominated by an algorithm-driven system than a person-to-person scale, it’s become tough for shows to stand out from the crowd. While shows that make a major impact often still find their way into the spotlight, smaller shows that don’t hold as much sway are having a tough time breaking through.

With smaller shows finding a niche following before fading from the spotlight, a lot of TV has been missed by those who aren’t holding strong on the pulse of what’s premiering week to week. This is where the idea of shows ultimately becoming cult classics comes into play, especially with TV of recent memory. As viewing habits continue to evolve, many will find themselves looking for TV they may have missed out on. With TV having boomed in the last decade, there are several shows that were met with critical or cultural acclaim, and may find cult classic status soon.

8

iZombie

Image via CW

Airing for five seasons on The CW, iZombie is based on the DC Comics series of the same name by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred. The series, which was co-created by Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas, follows Olivia “Liv” Moore (Rose McIver), a medical resident who’s turned into a zombie. Working in a morgue, Liv feasts on the brains of bodies in her vicinity, but pays it forward by helping to solve their murders whenever possible.

With a great ensemble cast that features heavy hitters like Rahul Kohli and Robert Buckley, iZombie operates as a procedural, but tells its stories in a far more interesting way than one would expect. Blending procedural elements, genre stories, and using Liv’s own experiences as a zombie for more than jokes on screen, the series expands into something broader than viewers would expect.

7

Crashing

A British comedy that only ran for one six-episode season, Crashing should be on everyone’s watch list. The series, created by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge, follows a group of tenants who live in an abandoned hospital, protecting the building in exchange for reduced rent. While the show itself is a short, hilarious peek into the characters’ lives, it underscores the future success Waller-Bridge would have with Fleabag in years to come.

While the show operates as a sitcom, the depth of the character’s relationships on Crashing is what’s often pointed out as the most interesting part of the series. The layered relationships, from childhood friends to past flings and beyond, make the dynamics considerably more interesting than those of a standard sitcom. Upfront about sexuality and unafraid to be raw, Crashing feels unpolished in a way that many cult classics often do.

6

Letterkenny

Co-created by Heated Rivalry creator Jacob Tierney, Letterkenny is a Canadian series that is set in a rural northern Ontario town. The series follows the town’s residents as they go through run-of-the-mill problems, but deal with them in an endearing and sometimes frustrating small town way. As the precursor to Shoresy, Letterkenny does at times focus on hockey, but typically follows the hyper-specific problems that small towns present.

Letterkenny’s stylistic choices are some of the most interesting in the modern sitcom, especially when coming from a place of small town sensibilities. While the show is almost always quotable, the real reach of the series lies in the fact that it was quick to find its voice. Unabashedly Canadian, Letterkenny makes it clear from the start that it knows that it is and doesn’t plan to compromise that for anyone.

Release Date

2018 – 2023-00-00

Showrunner

Jared Keeso

Directors

Jacob Tierney

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5

Ramy

A Hulu original, Ramy premiered in 2019 and followed Ramy Hassan (Ramy Youssef), as he navigates the difficulties in being a first-generation Egyptian American living in New Jersey. Ramy is able to look at faith, relationships, and identity in a distinct way, exploring the nuanced way that modern life impacts traditional values, and how the current generation has to straddle a line with their choices overall.

While Ramy is often more willing to explore complicated, uncomfortable stories than other shows, it doesn’t generalize its perspective. Instead, the series focuses on personal experience, aligning with its distinctive voice and subversive approach to storytelling. With a blend of introspection and dark humor at its core, Ramy created a lasting impression on its core audience, and could find a second wave of success in the future.

4

Wynonna Earp

Airing from 2016 through 2021, Wynonna Earp was a series based on the comic books of the same name. A supernatural Western at its core, Wynonna Earp starred Melanie Scrofano as the great-great-granddaughter of legendary lawman Wyatt Earp, who returns to her hometown and battles reincarnations of the outlaws her past relative killed. While Wynonna Earp developed a fanbase while it was running, the show never got the attention it deserved.

As a blend of genres, the series was able to be somewhat procedural-based, somewhat horror-based, and still maintained its Western roots. The genre blending alone is enough to make Wynonna Earp a cult classic candidate, but on top of the interesting lines it straddled within its genres, the series highlighted humor and had some incredible LGBTQ+ representation throughout its run. Even with some behind-the-scenes challenges, Wynonna Earp was a fascinating series.

Release Date

2016 – 2021-00-00

Network

SyFy, Space, CTV Sci-Fi Channel

Showrunner

emily andras

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  Melanie Scrofano

  Wynonna Earp

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  Tim Rozon

  John Henry ‘Doc’ Holliday

3

Barry

Although Barry saw enough of an audience and critical acclaim to be considered a success during its time on the air, the series running throughout the COVID-19 pandemic likely reduced its viewership in a significant way. The series stars Bill Hader as Barry Berkman, a hitman who longs for human connection as he begins his journey toward becoming an actor. Grappling with his violent past, Barry is a complicated character that holds down the fort on an even more complicated series.

A dark comedy, Barry features some of the most nuanced and intense performances in modern TV. From Hader’s ability to explore the introspective, sometimes alarming nature of Barry himself to Henry Winkler as Gene Cousineau, Barry’s self-absorbed mentor, the performances make Barry a show that held its own with critics and ensured viewers would remain steadfast throughout its run.

Release Date

2018 – 2023-00-00

Network

HBO Max

Showrunner

Alec Berg

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  Sarah Goldberg

  Sally Reed

2

Legion

A series that leaned into the Marvel Comics character of the same name, Legion was created by Noah Hawley and ran for three seasons on FX. Starring Dan Stevens as David Haller, a mutant who was diagnosed with schizophrenia at a young age, the series follows as his perception of reality blurs with his mental illness. The series is experimental in nature, and was praised for its visual style along with its non-linear narrative structure.

Rather than telling its story using traditional superhero conventions, Legion functions as a psychological drama, instead. Using its premise in order to explore perception and identity, Legion diverges from the mainstream expectations that are typical for a superhero show. Instead, it encourages repeated viewing in order to give viewers a more thorough read of the story as a whole.

Release Date

2017 – 2019-00-00

Showrunner

Noah Hawley

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  Dan Stevens

  David Haller / Legion

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  Rachel Keller

  Sydney ‘Syd’ Barrett

1

Dead To Me

Dead To Me, which aired for three seasons on Netflix beginning in 2019, followed two women who form a strange friendship as they deal with personal trauma, grief, and secrets threatening to unravel both their lives. With the duo of Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini steering the ship, Dead To Me was a masterclass in performance from a comedic lens as well as a dramatic one. The series balanced humor and drama in an incredible way, making it clear one was not more important than the other.

While the show is quickly to navigate heavy themes throughout its run, Dead To Me was able to create a world where they didn’t always feel like the storytelling was draining the viewer’s energy. Instead, its serialized structure and emphasis on its character’s relationships were at the center of the story, and the combination of emotional arcs and outside stakes made Dead To Me endlessly watchable.

Release Date

2019 – 2022-00-00

Showrunner

Liz Feldman

Directors

Liz Feldman

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