Many hate it, but few understand how it actually works. In actuality, all Rotten Tomatoes does is aggregate reviews from certified critics, give them a binary positive or negative value, and then calculate the percentage of “fresh” reviews that a movie or show received. The critics don’t always get it right, though. Over the years, there have been plenty of science fiction shows with rather mid Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer scores that audiences nevertheless loved and love to rewatch.
Whether it’s an underrated classic or a modern cult classic, these shows are proof that a mediocre score from critics is no indication of audiences’ actual love for a show. These series have stood the test of time and are perhaps even deserving of more appreciation nowadays, which makes a rewatch long overdue. Critics’ role in the world of media is crucial and often tragically underappreciated; but it’s an undeniable fact that they don’t get everything right. These are the seven most re-watchable sci-fi shows with Rotten Tomatoes scores under 80%, ranked from least to most rewatchable.
7
‘Planet of the Apes’ (1974)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 55%
It all started with Pierre Boulle‘s 1963 novel. Five years later, Planet of the Apes became one of the most surprising successes in the history of the sci-fi genre. Based on the film and its sequels, the television show of the same title is about two astronauts and a sympathetic chimp as fugitives in a future Earth dominated by a civilization of humanoid apes. Due to low viewership, it was canceled after only half a season, and only thirteen of its fourteen episodes originally aired. This, in combination with the several unfilmed episodes (two of them written by <em>The Twilight Zone</em>‘s Rod Serling), has been perfect for the series to grow a cult following. All in all, it’s one of the most underrated sci-fi shows of the era, a nostalgic epic that all those who love the B-picture qualities of the original’s sequels are bound to find tons of things to enjoy in. It’s no masterpiece, but there are enough high-quality production values, solid performances, and compelling social critiques here that the series’ untimely cancellation can reasonably be called a tragedy. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes definitely got this one wrong.
6
‘Night Sky’ (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%
Image via Prime Video
Starring the legendary Sissy Spacek and J.K. Simmons as a couple who possess a chamber leading to another planet, Night Sky is one of many Prime Video sci-fi shows that are criminally underrated. Canceled after only one season due to low viewership, it was only mildly liked by most critics, who praised Spacek and Simmons but argued that this particular story would have perhaps been better suited as a feature film rather than a show.
Fans disagreed, though. They found Night Sky to be a surprisingly effective and emotionally powerful slow-burner, with some tremendously rich world-building and, of course, a pair of powerhouse lead performances by these two icons. They loved the character-driven nature of the story and praised the many interesting themes and top-notch production qualities, lamenting that Amazon decided to give up on a series that had such clear potential. Even still, Night Sky remains worthy of a rewatch.
5
‘Almost Human’ (2013–2014)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 69%
Those whose favorite part of The Boys is constantly being surprised by the astonishing quality of Karl Urban‘s acting really ought to check out Almost Human, one of the actor’s most underrated shows. The story is set in a not-so-distant future and follows a human cop and an android partner who team up to serve and protect. This is easily one of the best sci-fi shows you’ve probably never heard of, with an AI-centric story that probably feels more timely today than it did back in 2013.
Critics, however, weren’tAlmost Human‘s biggest fans, calling the story and premise by-the-numbers and saying that the show lacked some humor. Audiences, on the other hand,have been lamenting the series’ cancellation for over a decade. They love the performances and solemn scripts, and though they admit that the show still had a long way to go to become a truly top-tier sci-fi thriller, very few shows achieve that feat in their very first season. Almost Human deserved more time to find its voice, but even in its current single-season state, it’s still a ton of fun and highly rewatchable.
4
‘The Peripheral’ (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
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