12 Best Underrated Sci-Fi Shows on Netflix

Netflix consistently offers its viewers excellent television programming, and sci-fi enthusiasts are especially well-served. With shows like Black Mirror and The OA, there’s a wealth of highly-rated content available. These shows, whether focused on local communities or worldwide occurrences, prompt viewers to deeply consider science and its potential.

Like any huge streaming service, Netflix has a lot of great shows that can be hard to find. Viewers don’t always have time to browse everything, meaning they often miss out on shows they’d really enjoy. With that in mind, here’s a list of sci-fi shows that are worth checking out if you’re a fan of the genre. You won’t be disappointed! Check them out now!

‘Futmalls.com’ (2020)

Have you ever wondered what Amazon and eBay could become? Futmalls.com creator Lai Chun-yu certainly has. This Taiwanese science fiction show features an online shopping site claiming to be from the future, where people can buy almost anything – even things like fame, love, and beauty – but of course, everything comes at a cost. Naturally, this setup leads to some serious consequences.

No “Return to Sender”

With sharp observations about what people want and how we buy things, Futmalls.com really gets to the heart of the matter. It’s funny, motivating, scary, playful, and sad; basically, it has everything you could want in a great TV series. Following the investigations alongside police officer Zhao Xu-zhen is a pleasure – she’s one of the most believable and well-developed characters you’ll find on television.

‘Better Than Us’ (2018)

The gripping and unique series Better Than Us showcases the incredible talent of Russian actress Paulina Andreeva in a daring and intense role that many American actresses might have hesitated to take on. She portrays Arisa, a robot from the year 2029 who breaks the well-known Three Laws of Robotics and begins to injure people.

Another Warning About the Rise of AI

Better Than Us is a standout show when it comes to exploring artificial intelligence, and it primarily serves as a warning about the potential dangers. The character Arisa is ruthless, but the show uses her actions to deliver important ethical lessons, like the need for consent. For example, she kills someone who attempts to sexually exploit her. Combined with exciting and skillfully-done action scenes, this creates a compelling sci-fi show that will keep you engaged for hours.

‘Sisyphus: The Myth’ (2021)

In Sisyphus: The Myth, Han Tae-sul (Jung Hyeon-jun), a brilliant engineer, CE, and the founder of Quantum and Time, is captivated by the enigmatic Kang Seo-hae. He’s immediately struck by her stunning beauty – she’s incredibly attractive, almost ethereal, and always impeccably dressed in Chanel and pearls. However, she’s hiding something. She’s traveled from the future with a mission: to stop Tae-sul from creating a potentially dangerous invention.

Time Travel Served in a Refreshing Manner

If you enjoy thrilling science fiction with a touch of humor, Sisyphus: The Myth is a great choice. The series thoughtfully examines the idea of time travel, and it occasionally gets quite complex. While this depth might not appeal to those just looking for light entertainment, the show’s creative visuals and emotionally satisfying moments make it worth watching.

‘Omniscient’ (2020)

As a film enthusiast, I’m really intrigued by Omniscient. It’s set in a world where everyone is constantly watched by drones – talk about a lack of privacy! The story kicks off when a mysterious murder happens, and a tech worker comes up with a clever plan to trick her surveillance drone. This lets her start digging into the case herself. Of course, her snooping ends up causing problems for a lot of people, which I’m guessing makes for a pretty tense and exciting ride.

Feels Like a Large ‘Black Mirror’ Episode

The idea behind the show would fit perfectly into an episode of Black Mirror, but Omniscient standing on its own is a positive because it allows enough time to explore issues like government surveillance and crime in detail. Watch this beautiful and heartfelt story, and it will make you think differently about some of the most important, yet overlooked, aspects of our society.

‘The Imperfects’ (2022)

In The Imperfects, three individuals are transformed into monstrous creatures due to a risky gene therapy performed by Dr. Alex Sarkov. Stripped of their normal lives and freedom, and trapped in bodies they dislike, these three begin a long journey to get revenge on the doctor responsible, while also searching for a way to reverse the process and become their former selves.

Simple Yet Rich

Mixing the realistic social commentary of Fringe with the dry wit of The Boys, The Imperfects is a significant success, largely due to its unique simplicity. The show is set in the vibrant areas of Seattle, and boasts stunning cinematography and visual effects. Notably, the camera work is surprisingly static, which actually enhances the heartfelt and nuanced performances from the talented cast.

‘Tribes of Europa‘ (2021)

Tribes of Europa takes place in the year 2074, forty years after a worldwide technology collapse led to chaos and the breakdown of countries into smaller, fighting groups based on tribes. The series primarily follows the challenges and successes of three tribes in Europe: the Origines, who are a peaceful, anti-technology group living in the jungle; the Crows, a tribe focused on warfare; and the Crimsons, a powerful military tribe that wants to bring Europe back together through peaceful talks.

Using Fiction To Drive a Bigger Point

Considering its setting, Tribes of Europa boasts incredibly beautiful visuals – it’s more than just eye candy. This German series cleverly uses science fiction to explore important political and philosophical ideas. The writers suggest that it’s possible – and necessary – to break cycles of conflict, hoping to inspire an end to stubborn land disputes in the real world.

‘Osmosis’ (2019)

I’ve found that finding someone truly compatible is so much simpler with Osmosis. The developers have created an amazing dating app that actually looks into your brain – it analyzes your data to help you find someone who sees the world like you do. It feels like all dating problems are finally solved, right? But actually, new issues are popping up, and honestly, they’re even more difficult than the ones we used to have.

Dating Is Never Easy

Osmosis is a truly delightful show, and it’s successful because it realistically portrays modern dating, combined with fantastic acting from its main cast. Hugo Becker, a French actor, is especially captivating as the driven, unusual, and demanding CEO of the dating app. The series has a similar feel to Black Mirror – it’s the kind of story the creators of that show might wish they’d come up with, but we’re happy to enjoy it anyway.

‘Scavengers Reign’ (2023)

When the spaceship, the Demeter 227, crashes on the alien planet Vesta, the crew faces a struggle for survival. They need to find a way to fix their ship while dealing with the strange plants and animals of the planet’s rich environment. Each crew member will be tested by both the dangerous surroundings – including different alien creatures – and their own personal difficulties.

A Unique Sci-Fi Spectacle

Inspired by the work of Charles Huettner and Joseph Bennett, and drawing from the imaginative worlds and narratives of Moebius, Scavengers Reign is a show with meaningful themes, detailed world-building, and a unique look that sets it apart. It has been praised by both viewers and critics, currently holding a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Though many have lauded the series, its unusual visuals might have caused some to overlook it; don’t let that happen to you.

‘Travelers’ (2016 – 2018)

As a huge sci-fi fan, I was immediately hooked by the premise of this show. Basically, the future is looking pretty bleak – the human race is dying out. But there’s this incredible new technology that lets people send their consciousness back in time. They call these people Travelers, and they’re humanity’s last-ditch effort to avoid total disaster. It’s not as simple as just changing things, though. They’re guided by this mysterious AI and essentially inhabit the bodies of normal people in the past, tasked with completing specific missions to alter the future. It’s a really clever concept and I’m eager to see how it all plays out.

Heading to the Past to Save the Future

Let’s add Travelers to the list of Netflix shows that were cancelled before their time – unfortunately, it didn’t get the fourth season its fans really wanted. However, this smart science fiction series focused more on tough ethical questions and the complexities of time travel itself. The show also boasts a fantastic cast, with Eric McCormack playing FBI agent Grant MacLaren, and each season features a captivating blend of mystery and drama alongside the time-travel story.

‘Pluto’ (2023)

Inspired by the popular manga created by Naoki Urasawa, the series offers a more intense and reimagined take on the Astro Boy story arc “The Greatest Robot on Earth.” The story centers around a robot detective named Gesicht, who is assigned to solve a series of murders aimed at influential robots and wealthy humans who were involved in a recent war. As he investigates, he uncovers a figure known as Pluto, and the reasons behind this entity’s targets suggest a much bigger plot is unfolding.

A Modern Anime Masterpiece

Don’t be put off by the fact that this is an anime if you’re looking for a fresh take on science fiction. The series steers clear of many common anime clichés and offers a more broadly appealing look at artificial intelligence. Plus, it’s designed for older viewers, with smart writing that delves into many different ideas. The animation is beautiful, and the way the robots are portrayed as people is surprisingly moving – it’s sure to be emotionally impactful. Best of all, with just eight episodes, it’s a quick and easy watch.

2025-10-03 03:42