25 Sci-Fi Series You Are Sleeping On (But Shouldn’t)

Science fiction offers a vast landscape of storytelling that goes beyond the popular blockbusters dominating the streaming charts. Many exceptional series slip through the cracks despite offering compelling narratives and innovative concepts that challenge the viewer. This list highlights shows that deserve more attention for their unique contributions to the genre. Viewers looking for their next binge-watch will find hidden gems ranging from time travel thrillers to dystopian dramas in the selection below.

‘Counterpart’ (2017–2019)

Howard Silk discovers that his agency guards a crossing into a parallel dimension. He meets his prime counterpart who is a spy with a very different personality. The series explores themes of identity and destiny through the lens of a Cold War thriller. J.K. Simmons delivers a dual performance that anchors the complex narrative.

‘Tales from the Loop’ (2020)

Residents living above the Loop explore the mysteries of the universe. The machine built to unlock and explore the mysteries of the universe makes things previously relegated to science fiction possible. Each episode functions as a poignant standalone story focusing on human emotion. The visual aesthetic draws heavily from the retro-futuristic art of Simon Stålenhag.

‘Devs’ (2020)

A computer engineer investigates the secretive development division of her employer. She suspects that the CEO played a role in the disappearance of her boyfriend. The series delves into determinism and the power of predictive algorithms. It features atmospheric visuals and a philosophical approach to quantum computing.

‘Travelers’ (2016–2018)

Operatives from the future have their consciousness sent back into the bodies of present-day individuals. They assume the lives of people moments before their recorded times of death. The team works secretly to perform missions that save humanity from a terrible future. This Canadian series blends procedural elements with high-stakes time travel mechanics.

’12 Monkeys’ (2015–2018)

James Cole travels from a post-apocalyptic future to present day. He attempts to locate and eradicate the source of a deadly plague that will nearly annihilate the human race. The show reimagines the classic film with expanded lore and complex character dynamics. It successfully concludes its intricate time travel narrative over four seasons.

‘The OA’ (2016–2019)

Prairie Johnson returns home after disappearing seven years prior. She was previously blind but can now see and refers to herself as the OA. She recruits five locals to help her open a portal to another dimension. The story challenges the viewer to question the nature of reality and belief.

‘Sense8’ (2015–2018)

Eight strangers from around the globe find themselves mentally and emotionally linked. They must find a way to survive while being hunted by those who see them as a threat to the world order. The series celebrates diversity and human connection on a global scale. It features intense action sequences and deep character exploration across multiple locations.

‘Continuum’ (2012–2015)

A detective from the year 2077 finds herself trapped in present day Vancouver. She hunts ruthless criminals from the future to stop them from changing the timeline. The show explores the moral ambiguity between corporate control and violent revolution. It remains a standout example of Canadian science fiction television.

‘Dark Matter’ (2015–2017)

Six people wake up on a derelict spaceship with no memory of who they are. They must work together to survive while discovering their violent pasts. The crew faces threats from galactic corporations and rival mercenaries. It offers a fun and character-driven approach to the space opera genre.

‘Killjoys’ (2015–2019)

Three bounty hunters chase deadly warrants throughout the Quad system. They navigate a bloody class war while struggling to keep their group together. The series balances humor and action with a complex political backdrop. It focuses heavily on the bond between the central trio amidst interplanetary conflict.

‘Colony’ (2016–2018)

A family struggles to survive in a Los Angeles occupied by outside forces. They face difficult choices between collaborating with the occupation or joining the resistance. The narrative focuses on the human cost of survival under a totalitarian regime. It uses the alien invasion premise to explore sociological and political themes.

‘Raised by Wolves’ (2020–2022)

Two androids are tasked with raising human children on a mysterious virgin planet. The androids learn that controlling the beliefs of humans is a treacherous and difficult task as the colony threatens to tear itself apart. The series features striking imagery and explores the conflict between science and faith. Ridley Scott served as an executive producer and directed the first two episodes.

‘Scavengers Reign’ (2023)

The surviving crew of a damaged deep space freighter are stranded on a beautiful but unforgiving planet. They must learn to understand the complex ecosystem to survive long enough to escape. The animation style is distinct and captures the alien nature of the world. It offers a biological and meditative take on the survival genre.

‘Pantheon’ (2022–2023)

A bullied teen receives mysterious help from someone online. The stranger is revealed to be her deceased father whose consciousness was uploaded to the cloud. This animated drama explores the concept of Uploaded Intelligence and its impact on global warfare. The narrative is tense and intellectually stimulating.

‘Station Eleven’ (2021–2022)

Survivors of a devastating flu pandemic attempt to rebuild their lives. A traveling symphony performs Shakespeare to preserve humanity and art. The story jumps between timelines to show the collapse of civilization and the hope that remains. It is a contemplative look at trauma and the enduring power of culture.

‘Humans’ (2015–2018)

The latest must-have gadget for any busy family in a parallel present is a Synth. These highly developed robotic servants are eerily similar to their living counterparts. A group of conscious Synths fights for their right to exist as free beings. The show tackles themes of artificial intelligence and what it means to be alive.

‘The Lazarus Project’ (2022–2024)

George wakes up one day and discovers he is reliving months he has already experienced. He is recruited into an organization that turns back time to prevent global catastrophes. The series asks difficult questions about the morality of saving the world at the cost of individual lives. It blends high-octane action with emotional character drama.

‘The Peripheral’ (2022)

Flynne Fisher discovers a secret connection to an alternate reality and a dark future of her own. She witnesses a murder through a headset that she thinks is just a simulation. Two timelines collide as forces from the future attempt to manipulate events in the past. The show adapts the novel by William Gibson with high production values.

‘Night Sky’ (2022)

An elderly couple discovers a chamber in their backyard that leads to a deserted planet. They guard this secret carefully until a mysterious young man arrives. The series combines a slow-burn mystery with a touching portrait of long-term marriage. It emphasizes character relationships over constant science fiction spectacle.

‘Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams’ (2017)

This anthology series adapts various short stories by Philip K. Dick. Each standalone episode explores different facets of humanity and technology. The stories range from telepathic societies to consumerist dystopias. It features a star-studded cast and high production quality for every segment.

‘The Man Who Fell to Earth’ (2022)

An alien arrives on Earth at a turning point in human evolution. He must confront his own past to determine the future of two worlds. The series serves as a spiritual successor to the novel and the iconic film starring David Bowie. Chiwetel Ejiofor delivers a compelling performance as the extraterrestrial visitor.

‘Constellation’ (2024)

An astronaut returns to Earth after a disaster in space only to discover that key pieces of her life seem to be missing. She struggles to reconcile her memories with a reality that feels slightly altered. The psychological thriller elements keep the viewer guessing about the true nature of her experience. It explores the terrifying isolation of space and quantum superposition.

‘Hello Tomorrow!’ (2023)

Salesmen in a retro-futuristic world hawk timeshares on the moon. The lead salesman hides a dark secret about the true nature of the lunar colony. The show features a stunning visual aesthetic that blends 1950s design with advanced technology. It serves as a dramedy about hope and deception.

‘Outer Range’ (2022–2024)

A rancher fighting for his land discovers an unfathomable mystery at the edge of Wyoming’s wilderness. A massive black void appears in his pasture and defies all scientific explanation. The show mixes neo-western tropes with supernatural science fiction elements. Josh Brolin leads the cast in this atmospheric mystery.

‘Falling Skies’ (2011–2015)

Survivors of an alien invasion band together to fight back against the extraterrestrial occupiers. A history professor becomes the second-in-command of a resistance regiment. The series focuses on family dynamics and the struggle to maintain humanity in war. It delivers consistent action and creature effects throughout its run.

Tell us which of these underrated series you plan to watch first in the comments.