The 8 Best Sci-Fi Shows Even Diehards Haven't Seen

Underrated gems waiting to be discovered. In a genre overflowing with dystopian futures, time-bending experiments, and galaxy-spanning epics, some shows get lost in the mainstream hype. Many dedicated sci-fi fans believe they've seen it all, but several hidden gems remain overlooked.

These range from series canceled too soon to others that were ahead of their time. The genre holds countless underappreciated stories that match or surpass most popular shows.

FlashForward — a one-season wonder often missed by viewers.
Astra Lost in Space — a stunningly brilliant anime series frequently overlooked by sci-fi enthusiasts.

This list uncovers captivating series in sci-fi that deserve wider recognition among diehard fans.

Planetes

is a Japanese animated series that many sci-fi fans, especially those unfamiliar with anime, have likely never seen. Set in 2075, it follows Ai Tanabe (Ai Kakuma), a new recruit to a team of space debris collectors, and her reserved colleague Hachirota “Hachimaki” Hoshino (Johnny Yong Bosch), as they pursue personal dreams while performing dangerous debris EVA missions. uniquely makes the ordinary aspects of humanity’s daily life feel remarkably engaging.

" has the special ability of making the mundane of humanity’s day-to-day seem extremely compelling."

Author's summary: These overlooked sci-fi shows offer fresh perspectives and compelling narratives that even loyal fans may have missed.

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Collider — 2025-11-06