The science fiction genre has always been known for creating unpredictable grand ideas and expansive worlds. However, this ambition sometimes results in directorial failures. Some series, on the other hand, take the opposite path: they become works that were misunderstood in their time but discovered by audiences years later. Here’s a list of forgotten sci-fi series that have transcended their time and matured like fine wine.

Fringe is a rare sci-fi series created by J. J. Abrams that offers something new with each viewing. The series follows FBI agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), scientist Walter Bishop (John Noble), and his son Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson) as they investigate strange occurrences they refer to as fringe science. Initially appearing as a procedural series solving weekly mysteries, it unfolds into a much broader narrative involving complex biological experiments, parallel universes, and alternative timelines in later episodes. Fringe has become a fantastic show today because of its immense focus on character and plot development. Viewers have noted how even the smallest details ultimately reward the audience, adding a sense of purpose that becomes clearer over time. The bizarre scientific concepts are anchored by the interconnected and chaotic dynamics between Walter, Olivia, and Peter. As a result, Fringe is not just about strange occurrences, but rather showcases the reactions of people facing impossible situations.

12 Monkeys is an adaptation of the 1995 film of the same name, following a man named James Cole (Aaron Stanford) who is sent back from a post-apocalyptic future to stop a deadly virus that will wipe out most of humanity. Virologist Dr. Cassandra Railly (Amanda Schull) accompanies him on this deadly mission, and the two race against time to find the origin of the virus. The key here is that even the smallest mistake can alter the entire timeline, threatening the existence of the heroes. The narrative evolves into a complex web of time travel mechanics and paradoxes. In later seasons, 12 Monkeys deals with multiple versions of its characters and poses broader philosophical questions about fate and free will. Each twist is designed to reframe previous events. 12 Monkeys is undoubtedly an ambitious series, but it manages to strike the perfect balance between high-concept sci-fi and a story that feels deeply human.

It’s unfair that Almost Human was short-lived, as the series fervently combines sci-fi and cyberpunk elements with a traditional police procedural. Set in 2048, it imagines a world where technological advancement has increased crime rates by 400%. To combat this, every human is mandatorily paired with a human-like android partner. The story begins with Detective John Kennex (Karl Urban), who survives a devastating ambush and returns to duty with a prosthetic leg and deep distrust of robots after 17 months in a coma. This trauma leads him to develop an overly hostile attitude towards his android partner Dorian (Michael Ealy). Dorian is an unused android designed with emotional capacity. However, what he doesn’t realize is that Dorian may be more human than the people around him. The series follows a episodic structure where John and Dorian tackle cases involving black market organ trafficking and illegal synthetic skin trade. At the same time, the details of John's ambush intertwine with the mysterious inSyndicate.