Most Scifi fans I have ran into can pretty quickly rank the four stars –BattleSTAR Galactica, STAR Trek, STARgate, and STAR wars, but what lesser-known or less-prestigious shows hold a special place in your heart?
Space: Above & Beyond. I thought it had some interesting ideas that were never given a chance to be fully explored.
Babylon 5. It's probably up there as #5 in your top 4, tbh.
Planet of the Apes. 1970s movies and TV series.
Space: Above and Beyond was well ahead of its time, one of my favourite of the raft of mid-90s sci-fi that followed the success of TNG and early X-Files.
Space: Above & Beyond was also a classic network bait and switch where they were X-Wing pilots until the budget ran out, then they were the A-Team in space.
Yes, yes, something about "every Marine a rifleman" but still, teenage me was underwhelmed.
Babylon 5. It's probably up there as #5 in your top 4, tbh.
For anyone considering watching it for the first time, I strongly recommend the Episode Guide. B5 came out in a unique time, where techy people were on usenet, but the wide internet wasn't a thing yet. The writer J. Michael Straczynski was on Usenet discussing the show and answering questions, and the episode guide integrates that, so you can read along after each episode for an idea of the questions that came up at the time and his answers, without spoilers.
Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone. It's a solid example of 80's scifi, post-Star Wars and pre-Matrix. A little cheesy, a little Mad Max-y. And Molly Ringwald still makes me laugh.
It's beautifully sleezy sci-fi fantasy and not nearly enough people know about it. I caught it on Netflix about 10 years ago but I think you can watch it on youtube now free with commercials.
Highly recommend to any fans of sci-fi, but especially if you loved stuff like Farscape and Red Dwarf.
Also shout out to 'Avenue 5'. Hilariously dark sci-fi comedy that HBO criminally underpromoted. Also 'Other Space'.
I would have been just out of high school when the first season came out but I don't recall ever seeing it on TV. I don't know if it was run in my area. I don't think I even heard of it until I saw the title card on netflix.
This would be mine too - it's the one series that I've actually been back and re-watched multiple times, and I've gone back to the books too.
In contrast to others comments I'm not sure I want any more seasons of it. I loved the current set but it feels like it ran its course and I'm not sure I need anything more.
I would do unspeakable things for more stories set in the Expanse universe. The TV series should at least get another season or two in order to catch up to the last two books and I think it would be great if the authors/showrunners could explore some of the side plots more fully.
Agreed! I would absolutely love them to finish off the story. The show does such an incredible job of developing deep characters and a generally realistic world, I always try to recruit new fans when someone asks for a recommendation.
Also, if you haven't checked into it yet, The Expanse video game from Telltale is a prequel with Cara Gee returning to once again be the voice of Camina Drummer!
They did, but they're back. Probably not many of the same people, if any, so it remains to be seen if they've still got it, but the Expanse game looks awesome, and who can resist playing as Drummer? :)
The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. At the time, I couldn't understand why everybody preferred that boring FBI monster show with the monotone lead actor.
Dunno how lesser-known were Dark Matter and Killjoys but these are probably my favorite non-Star, non-Firefly, non-Expanse shows. I did also like S1 of Altered Carbon and Raised by Wolves
I'd forgotten about Dark Matter! I binge watched the whole of that and was then disapointed that there weren't more series. Not the biggest production but I got drawn in by the characters.
In the spirit of the question (not picking the most common ones), I'd say Sanctuary was good. I think it was very (very...) low budget (everything is green screen) but the stories were great. There are a lot of fantasy elements but I think it's very scifi.
I never understood the hate that movie got. It was wonderful and thought provoking. Jodie Foster may not have been the best choice for lead, but it's hard to imagine anyone else in her place at this point.
Wow I don't know it was hated! To me it was a classic, and an interesting way to discuss the relationship of religions and science/technology -- I believe some messages from the film are still useful in today's context.
Farscape was incredible. It's easily the most memorable sci-fi show that comes to mind. It was goofy, but it had some of the most unique sci-fi ideas that have become longstanding tropes and some of the most memorable characters.
I enjoyed Dark Matter (didn't watch all of it though) but some parts of were kinda cringe, especially space ninja prince. Also I felt like some characters weren't played very well, for example that Seer villain and Torri Higginson's character (female corporate captain).
You could try Sliders, but the 90s corniness might turn you off.
As a kid, I was obsessed with the nickelodeon remake ofThe Tomorrow People but it doesn't stand up very well
Then there's Dark City and Gattaca for some more late 90s sci fi that I feel was bigger back then but no one really references anymore, but I think they are worth a view.
I cannot bring myself to watch sunshine, as the entire premise is dogshit. Exploding a nuke that small (compared to the sun) on the surface of the sun would do absolutely nothing.
This is true- the premise isn’t scientifically sound in any way. But the movie isn’t really about that. It’s about the journey through space under the stress of this being earths last chance and also kind of eldritch horror. Plus probably my fav roll for Chris Evans. He does a great job being an unlikeable guy who is technically right so you can’t really be against him. I liked it lol.
Yes, apparently? The device is literally set off and there’s an entire speech about how the word bomb is a misnomer. But yes, person who hasn’t seen the movie, I’m sure you know better
You don't know what was in the nuke, whether it cascaded particles to origin by some unknown yech. Calling it a "nuke" saves the audience technical mumbo-jumbo whilst conveying accurate intent, in the same way that a "phone" probably refers to a mobile phone that can connect with several tech frameworks, instead of a landline dial toner.
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