The last decade has been a phenomenal time for sci-fi television. Shows like Stranger Things, Severence, Alien:Earth, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, and Black Mirror have attracted millions of viewers across the globe, broken numerous records, and are being hailed by many as instant classics.
Elsewhere, though, there has been a plethora of brilliant shows that have been bubbling beneath the surface — flying just below the mainstream's radar — slowly but surely cultivating strong and dedicated fan bases. It's those shows, with their unique styles, bold storytelling, and unforgettable characters, that we're focusing on. There are 10 recent sci-fi shows that are destined to spark online conversations, midnight rewatches, and earn their place as certified cult classics.
10 'Outer Range' (2022 – 2024)
The neo-western Outer Range sees a rancher fighting to protect his property, but it's not just human threats he has to contend with — a mysterious black void appears on his land which is believed to be connected to a series of strange occurrences, including the disappearance of his daughter-in-law. Blending the familiar with the bizarre, it's the kind of slow-burn mystery that lingers, and that's how cult followings are born.
Sci-Fi Western Done Right
When it comes to mixing sci-fi with the western genre, there have been a few great examples, including Cowboy Bebop, Nope, and the Westworld movie and TV series. More often than not, however, they fail to meet their ambitious potential, like the critically panned Wild Wild West and The Dark Tower, and the box office mega-flop Cowboys & Aliens. Fortunately, Outer Range avoids the pitfalls of the aforementioned let-downs and delivers a brooding and gripping series with a surreal edge that keeps the tension simmering throughout.
9 'Silo' (2023 – Present)
Set in a dystopian future where society now exists within a giant underground silo, Rebecca Ferguson shines as an engineer who becomes embroiled in the mysteries surrounding the events that led up to where they've come to find themselves. With its awe-inspiring set designs and sharp social commentary, Silo has proven to be one of the most compelling sci-fi shows in recent years.
Based on Hugh Howey's 'Silo' Trilogy of Novels
While not reaching the dizzying heights, in terms of viewership, of fellow sci-fi shows like Stranger Things and Severance, critical reception has been positive, and audiences have voiced their love of the show's strong character development, intriguing plot and meticulous world-building which creates a slow-burning, deeply immersive experience more likely to appeal to a niche audience, encouraging obsessive theories and long-term fan devotion.
8 'Maniac' (2018)
Starring Hollywood heavyweights Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, Maniac is a perception-warping trip that's elicits both laughter and deep contemplation. Combing sci-fi and psychological melodrama with a heavy dose of surrealism and retro-futuristic aesthetics, it follows the duo as they join a group of strangers in a mind-bending pharmaceutical trial designed to cure all their emotional ills.
A Mind-Bending Odyssey
It presents the kind of genre-defying, fractured narrative that naturally inspires cult devotion. Blurring the line between fiction and reality, the participants travel through a series of simulated, hallucinatory worlds where it becomes apparent that the solutions designed to "fix" them are just as broken as they are — and as the world they live in. Despite the disturbing nature of these simulations, upon further inspection, it becomes clear that the real world — filled with trauma, corporate greed, and failed mental health systems — is where the true darkness lies.
7 'The Ark' (2023 – Present)
Set 100 years from now, The Ark focuses on a small group of would-be intergalactic colonists. They must work together to maintain their ship and re-organize themselves to stay on course to reach their destination after their ship is severely damaged while fleeing a devastated Earth.
Gloriously Over-the-Top
A SyFy production with a fairly limited budget, The Ark’s gloriously over-the-top characters and flamboyant visuals give it a slight campy edge that's both entertaining and endlessly quotable. Possessing all the trademarks of a cult classic, it may have been divisive among critics, but is sure to appeal to those that appreciate larger-than-life energy and its willingness to lean into melodrama and absurdity.
6 'Inside Job' (2021 – 2022)
Thanks to the ubiquitous nature of social media, we live in an era where conspiracy theories run rife, each sounding more far-fetched than the last. Inside Job is an animated adult comedy that plays with the premise — what if each one of these theories is true? It follows a team led by a tech genius and her new partner, working in an American shadow government organization. The show hilariously explores these theories and myths we so often hear about, including episodes dedicated to the moon landing, reptilian shapeshifters, flat Earthers, the Mandela Effect, and JFK's assassination.
'Inside Job' Has an Impressive Team Behind It
Featuring a talented cast of voice actors including Christian Slater, Bobby Lee, Lizzy Caplan, and John DiMaggio, it was created by former Gravity Falls
5 'Devs' (2020)
Following the puzzling death of her boyfriend on the first day of his new job on a tech firm's "devs" team, software engineer Lily Chan becomes embroiled in a complex mystery. Devs explores themes related to free will and determinism and the ethical implications of technology in Silicon Valley.
Smart and Thought-Provoking
While it might not deliver the action and adventure many might desire from a sci-fi show, its slow burn, contemplative pacing, emotional tone and philosophical themes make it one of the most ambitious and unique shows on TV. While these traits may deter mainstream audiences, Devs has cult potential in abundance.
4 'Scavengers Reign' (2023)
Scavengers Reign is a gorgeously animated, adult sci-fi series that follows the trials and tribulations of several survivors stranded on a treacherous alien planet after their spacecraft is damaged. Faced with constat thereat, the usual distinctions between animal, plant, intelligence, and highly organized life are blurred and unclear, as they deal with the constant, almost oppressive ambiguity between nourishment and danger.
'Scavengers Reign' Is a Hauntingly Beautiful Experience
A highly immersive experience, audiences are presented with a truly original vision of alien life, which feels both suspenseful and tense, yet strangely soothing and almost meditative. While it has its fair share of action sequences, it's advisable not to go into Scavengers Reign expecting dog fights, alien stand-offs, and explosive gun play. Its slow-burn narrative rewards patience and repeat viewing and, like most cult classics, it challenges mainstream expectations, delivering one of television's most unique viewing experiences in recent memory.
3 'Made for Love' (2021 – 2022)
Dark, disturbing yet oddly entertaining, Made for Love is a bleak comedy about a woman whose location and "emotional data" are being tracked by her controlling tech billionaire boyfriend. Cristin Milioti stars in the lead role.
Critically Acclaimed
Its sharp satire and thought-provoking premise have earned it widespread acclaim among critics, yet it remains relatively unknown to mainstream audiences. Fortunately, its absurd humor, poignant emotional beats and offbeat tone resonate with viewers looking for something a little leftfield, making it almost inevitable it will establish a devoted fan base over time.
2 'Raised by Wolves' (2020 – 2022)
Raised by Wolves revolves around two androids, Father and Mother, who are tasked with raising human children on a distant alien planet after Earth has been destroyed by war. As they struggle to protect the children from hostile creatures and dangerous religious factions, the show explores the role technology can truly play in shaping humanity and its belief systems.
Brutal, Bleak, and Beautiful
Bleak, and brutal, Raised by Wolves is not for the faint of heart. It plunges viewers into a world of relentless existential dread, ruthless violence, and moral ambiguity, delivering an unflinching examination of humanity and the dark depths it can reach. Audiences are confronted with uncomfortable situations as characters face horrifying ethical dilemmas. Unfortunately, despite widespread critical acclaim, the show was canceled after just two seasons, but there's still potential to develop cult status, much like other prematurely ended shows that found lasting admiration over time.
1 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' (2022 – Present)
When it comes to cult followings, none are quite as renowned as the "Trekkies." The show developed a dedicated fan base shortly after it premiered, with the first fanzine premiering in 1967 and the first fan convention taking place the year after the original series ended. From the classic OG era of William Shatner's Captain Kirk to Patrick Stewart's now iconic portrayal of Captain Picard, Star Trek has always managed to delight fans with its imaginative storytelling, diverse characters and hopeful vision of the future.
A Breath of New Life
A spin-off of Star Trek: Discovery, set 10 years before the original Star Trek series, Strange New Worlds focuses on Captain Christopher Pike and the crew of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) as they explore the galaxy, navigating moral and ethical challenges. Three Seasons deep with a fourth and final on the way, Strange New Worlds has breathed new life into the franchise and impressed new and old fans alike, scoring a near perfect 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it a surefire cult classic.
