Over time, many fantastic TV shows fade into obscurity, but these ten deserved to be huge hits. While some popular shows become timeless classics, loved for years, sadly, not every great show receives the recognition it deserves.
It’s so frustrating when a really well-made show with a great idea just doesn’t get the attention it deserves! So many amazing series seem to come out at the wrong moment, or nobody really knows about them. By 2026, it feels like only the super dedicated fans are still talking about them. A lucky few become beloved cult favorites, and every now and then, one will have a little moment in the spotlight again before disappearing again. It’s a shame, really.
Despite being forgotten, these ten shows had all the ingredients to become incredibly popular.
10. Galavant
Galavant, a funny and musical fantasy show, aired on ABC from 2015 to 2016. It featured original music by acclaimed composers Alan Menken, Christopher Lennertz, and Glenn Slater. The show centers on Sir Galavant, a knight on a mission to rescue his beloved, Madelena. But there’s a catch: Madelena doesn’t want to be rescued, as she’s happily become a wealthy queen.
Musical TV shows rarely become hugely popular, and this was especially true in the mid-2010s. While both Galavant and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend struggled to find a large audience, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is still remembered because it lasted longer on air. Galavant, however, has largely been forgotten and isn’t even available on most streaming services – you can only rent or buy it.
9. Flashforward
Science fiction used to be a relatively small interest, but now it’s incredibly popular. Unfortunately, some great sci-fi shows from before this change have been overlooked. One example that would likely be a huge success if it premiered today is FlashForward.
A strange incident causes everyone on Earth to briefly lose consciousness and experience a glimpse of their lives six months from now. Two FBI agents begin investigating the cause of this event and the possibility of it repeating. As they investigate, those who experienced the flashforward struggle with questions about whether their futures are predetermined or if they still have control over their choices.
It’s a shame FlashForward was canceled after just one season. With its intriguing story and strong performances, it’s one of those shows that really deserves another chance.
8. Caprica
Caprica was a prequel to the hugely popular and groundbreaking sci-fi series, Battlestar Galactica. It’s set 52 years before the events of the original show and explores how the Cylons were first created. Although it had a slow start, Caprica really picked up momentum around the halfway point and kept viewers engaged until the finale. The show boasted stunning visuals and excellent camerawork.
Sadly, the sci-fi prequel, Caprica, never really succeeded because the SyFy network didn’t seem to believe in it. They constantly moved its airdate and didn’t give it much support, ultimately canceling it after only one season. It had the potential to be a great show, but it was cut short before it could really find its audience.
7. Stan Lee’s Lucky Man
Considering the legendary Stan Lee’s involvement, this three-season show seemed destined for global success. Lee was essential to the creation of Marvel and many of its enduring superheroes. However, despite its potential, this British superhero crime drama only gained a following in the UK and didn’t become popular internationally.
Stan Lee’s Lucky Man centers around Harry Clayton, a detective struggling with a serious gambling problem. His life takes a turn when he receives a magical bracelet from a stranger, giving him the power to control luck. Of course, with great power comes great responsibility, and Harry soon faces off against dangerous villains.
The show saw a slight increase in popularity in Australia in 2020, but it never reached a large international audience. Although there’s a subreddit dedicated to Stan Lee’s Lucky Man, it only gets around 6 visitors a week.
6. Trial & Error
Despite the star power of John Lithgow and Kristin Chenoweth, the show Trial & Error faced an uphill battle finding viewers. The series follows Josh, a cheerful lawyer from New York, who relocates to the quirky small town of East Peck, South Carolina. There, he defends clients accused of incredibly strange crimes, assisted by a team of unusual investigators. Adding to the comedy, their office is located in the back of a taxidermy shop.
Trial & Error cleverly combines the popular true crime and comedy genres. Each season features a new murder mystery, presented in a similar style to shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation, with a cast of equally quirky and well-known actors. While those other comedies were huge successes and ran for many years, Trial & Error unfortunately didn’t reach the same level of popularity.
5. Roswell
Most people who know Melinda Metz’s Roswell High books probably remember the Roswell, New Mexico remake that aired on the CW from 2019 to 2022 and is now streaming on Netflix. But the original Roswell show from 1999 was actually the stronger series, despite not getting as much attention lately.
The story is set in Roswell, New Mexico, famous for the alleged UFO crash in 1947. In this version of events, the Roswell UFO actually brought aliens to Earth, who are now blending in as ordinary high school students. Despite having dedicated fans, the show ‘Roswell’ didn’t attract enough viewers to stay on the air, even when it was scheduled right after the popular show ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’.
4. Don’t Trust the B—- In Apartment 23
Many sitcoms follow similar patterns with predictable characters and plots. But Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23 stands out. It’s reminiscent of The Odd Couple, but with a wildly unpredictable lead character and constant humor.
Chloe is a fun-loving woman who always needs to find new roommates. She’d ask for rent money upfront, but then act strangely, causing them to move out. But when June Colburn moves in, Chloe finally meets someone she can’t easily get rid of.
Despite having a ridiculous starting point, the show featured James Van Der Beek playing a version of himself who befriended Chloe. With its witty writing and real humor, I’m honestly surprised it didn’t become hugely popular.
3. Stargirl
Stargirl is a show that had a lot of potential but unfortunately didn’t quite catch on with audiences when it aired. It centers around Courtney Whitmore, a teenager who finds a powerful staff and becomes the superhero Stargirl. She then gathers her friends at school to create a new version of the Justice Society of America.
Stargirl had a short moment in the spotlight but didn’t become a huge hit and has since been largely forgotten. This was likely due to its release during a time when audiences were getting tired of superhero content, and as the ‘Arrowverse’ on The CW was winding down, leading to less interest in those shows.
Had this superhero show premiered during the height of the Arrowverse’s popularity, it likely would have gained more viewers. Alternatively, if it had aired on a different network, it might not have been perceived as connected to the declining Arrowverse, potentially leading to greater success. It really had the potential to become a hit, but unfortunately, it’s now largely been forgotten.
2. Miracle Workers
I really thought Miracle Workers had all the ingredients for success – Daniel Radcliffe, Steve Buscemi, and Geraldine Viswanathan are a fantastic cast! What’s cool about the show is that each season completely reinvents itself with a new setting, and it’s always a really clever satire of whatever world they’re taking on – whether it’s heaven, the Dark Ages, the Oregon Trail, or even a post-apocalyptic future.
The show tackled big ideas in a lighthearted way, and it wasn’t afraid to be silly. Given the current popularity of anthology series – where each episode is self-contained and you don’t have to worry about unresolved storylines – this type of comedy seemed like a perfect fit.
Despite improving ratings throughout its run, the show ultimately didn’t find a large audience, likely due to being aired on TBS as cable television declines. Had it premiered on a streaming service, it probably would have gained much wider international popularity.
1. Dead Like Me
Dead Like Me, a funny show mixing dark humor and the supernatural, really should have been a massive hit.
Eighteen-year-old Georgia, nicknamed George, unexpectedly dies after being struck by falling space junk. She quickly discovers that death isn’t a peaceful rest – instead, she’s given a job as a grim reaper. There’s a schedule of who’s supposed to die, and George, along with other reapers, has to inhabit new bodies and collect a certain number of souls before she can finally move on to whatever comes next.
Despite being a well-regarded show, Dead Like Me only lasted two seasons. Creative disagreements led to the departure of its creator, Bryan Fuller, and its home on the premium channel Showtime limited its audience. Many believe that if the show were released now, with Fuller still leading the creative direction, it would finally achieve the popularity it deserves.
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2026-03-17 04:11