7 Groundbreaking Sci-Fi Shows Everyone Forgot About

Science fiction is a realm of endless possibilities, featuring widely creative stories, but sadly, it doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves. Sci-fi shows in particular hold a reputation for being unappreciated compared to some other genres on television. Make no mistake, it has seen tremendous acclaim at points, like Firefly, The Expanse, Lost, and The Twilight Zone. However, it’s a genre that still has the most misunderstood or underrated masterpieces.

We wouldn’t have gripping television without sci-fi, and there have been many notable shows throughout the years that were praised for their influence and wonder. But the ones that slipped under the radar need to be addressed. The following seven in this article are some of the most fascinating, unique, and, dare I say, groundbreaking sci-fi shows that hardly anyone remembers now. They’ve sadly never gotten the praise they need or the ratings and viewers to survive long enough to become timeless, but they’re hidden trailblazers that make the genre so brilliant. Get ready to boldly explore the obscure but incredible realm of science fiction.

‘Dark Skies’ (1996–1997)

Image via NBC

Watch the skies and those closest to you. This first entry is a conspiracy sci-fi thriller series that is liable to make anyone paranoid. Airing for one season on NBC, Dark Skies takes the premise of a hidden alien invasion and elevates it to the highest limits of suspense with nineteen episodes of pure tension. Set in the early 1960s, an idealistic young couple stumble upon a sinister discovery that an alien race has infiltrated American society. Facing constant danger of this extraterrestrial threat along with a shadowy government agency, they struggle to reveal the truth to the world.

Dark Skies offers a unique experience, combining thrilling conspiracy elements and mystery within a complex alternate history. It greatly sets up the style and tone right off the bat from its first episode, and it carries this feeling of suspense and paranoia throughout the entire series, and doesn’t let go. Unfortunately, it’s been overshadowed by the much more recognizable and long-running similar series The X-Files, to which this one was originally meant to be a successor to but couldn’t quite kick up the momentum to warrant a second season. It’s still a remarkable show that X-Files fans would find quite enjoyable.

‘UFO’ (1970–1971)

Image via ITV

In this campy yet revolutionary ’70s cult classic, UFO is a British sci-fi series that aired only one season in the United Kingdom from 1970 to 1971. It’s a show that, despite its obvious dated effects and style, feels oddly timeless because of how it influenced modern sci-fi with its complex storytelling. It follows an advanced military agency known as SHADO as they defend Earth from a slow-growing alien invasion.

This twenty-six-episode-long series, on the surface, doesn’t offer much new to the genre, especially as modern entertainment has brought us shows with far better effects and more originality, but really, UFO stands out for being one of the first to champion more mature, sophisticated storylines mixed in with all the sci-fi spectacles. It had darker moments, tacked on complex issues, a significant budget for its time, and was deeply thought-provoking in some of its episodes. While not the most remembered, it was a pioneer of its time and certainly deserves more appreciation.

‘Killjoys’ (2015–2019)

Image via SYFY

Join the adventure in this criminally underrated Syfy channel series. Airing from 2015 to 2019, Killjoys is a surprise blast of fun that mixes action, adventure, and drama into five well-crafted seasons. It stars Aaron Ashmore, Hannah John-Kamen, and Luke Macfarlane as three space bounty hunters carrying out dangerous warrants across other planets, encountering vicious gangs, tyrannical companies, and all manner of extraterrestrial foes.

Killjoys blends sci-fi wonder with nonstop entertainment, and every episode takes viewers along for the ride as the characters go on one thrilling adventure after another. While it lacks a high budget and production values, it makes up for it with creativity by limiting the effects and having the characters take center stage for the most part. Its story isn’t anything remarkable, but it’s well-structured and engaging from the first season to the last. Overall, it’s a flawed but undeniably enjoyable series that captures the viewers’ attention.

‘The 4400’ (2004–2007)

Image via USA Network

Settle in for one of the most eerily fascinating mystery sci-fi series you probably never heard of. Airing on the USA Network from 2004 to 2007, The 4400 is a gripping yet utterly strange show that instantly hooks you in right off the bat with an intriguing premise. Over the span of five decades, over four thousand people went missing without a trace in the Cascade Range foothills in Washington. But, mysteriously, they all reappear in present day, having no memory or have even aged. As an investigation ensues, they discover they have gifted abilities.

The 4400 draws viewers into a bizarre series-long mystery following why these people disappeared, who kidnapped them, and why they were released all together with supernatural powers. It takes you on a journey where every episode uncovers more about the mystery and what it’s all leading up to. It stands out for its bold themes and messages, which really made it push for more complex and challenging narratives in sci-fi shows. Though it was sadly cancelled before a fifth season, it’s still well worth watching as it doesn’t disappoint.

‘Falling Skies’ (2011–2015)

Premiering on the TNT Network in 2011, Falling Skies combines action, survival drama, horror, and science fiction, all into a thrilling roller-coaster ride of a series. For five remarkable seasons, it followed a band of dwindling survivors battling a technologically superior alien race, using their guerrilla warfare, smarter tactics, and seer bravery to rid the world of this terrible threat. Starring The Pitt‘s Noah Wyle, it sees him as Tom Mason, a former history professor turned revolutionary leader who helps turn the tide.

You can’t get bored with Falling Skies. The premise is simple but exciting, the action is tense and pulse-pounding, and the stellar cast all do phenomenal work playing heroic, rotatable characters. Admittedly, it’s not a perfect show, considering its noticeably cheap CGI effects and filler episodes, but it’s easy to follow and fun, and each season offers something unique and challenging for the characters. It pushed for a more serious, action-heavy focus in the sci-fi television genre, and it really deserves better credit.

‘Odyssey 5’ (2002)

Image via Showtime

Blast off with one of the most underrated sci-fi series to date, Odyssey 5, which aired only one season in 2002. Premiering on Showtime, it brought something stellar to the genre on TV, bringing with it a boat load of creative fun, innovation, and well-crafted storytelling. Starring Sebastian Roche, Christopher Gorham, and Peter Weller, it follows five astronauts in space who witness Earth’s destruction. Through some extraterrestrial help, they’re sent five years into the past to stop this tragic event from happening.

Packed with a compelling serialized storyline, impressive effects for its budget, and a truly talented cast, it’s a show gone way too soon, and today’s garnered the recognition and popularity it needed in its time. It was let go because of poor viewership and scheduling conflicts on the network, but through the years has seen new life among sci-fi fans who’ve come to appreciate its brilliance. It was well-structured, perfectly paced, and highly thought-provoking, making Odyssey 5 a near-perfect hidden gem.

‘Farscape’ (1999–2003)

Image via SYFY

Taking the final spot goes to a series that only gets better with age. Farscape is one such exceptional sci-fi series that is not only misunderstood but highly inspiring. Airing four seasons on the Syfy channel from 1999 to 2004, this epic blast takes you on a thrilling adventure beyond the stars. It follows Commander John Crichton (Ben Browder), an American astronaut who, after a failed space experiment, is propelled across to a distant part of the universe and finds himself joining a band of rebels in their escape from a corrupt military organization.

Farscape is widely considered a masterpiece today, misunderstood for its time as a marvel that excelled far more in its four short seasons than other long-running series. It pioneered more serious, compelling serialized storytelling in sci-fi, pushing for bold themes and not being afraid to get gritty at times. It was also visually impressive, featuring stellar practical effects courtesy of The Jim Henson Studio. Overall, it’s no wonder Farscape has gotten better recognition through time. It may have been underappreciated for a while, but now it’s regarded as one of the most groundbreaking sci-fi shows ever made.

Farscape

Release Date

1999 – 2003-00-00

Writers

Rockne S. O’Bannon, David Kemper, Justin Monjo, Richard Manning

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