10 Most Underrated ‘90s Sci-Fi TV Shows

The 1990s were a great time for sci-fi fans, specifically for those who preferred television shows to movies. Groundbreaking shows like Stargate SG-1, Babylon 5, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and The X-Files marked the genre’s evolution into more mature themes and superior visual effects, thanks to advancements in CGI. Serialized formats also became popular, allowing fans to enjoy lengthy story arcs.

The new developments allowed sci-fi’s appeal to grow beyond its usual fanbase. With fake science now considered cool, viewers in the 2000s gravitated towards shows like Lost and Eureka in huge numbers. But in all the glory, a few sci-fi shows from the ‘90s never got enough credit for their contributions to the genre. These small-screen projects not only had wonderful production values but also had good enough premises that served as useful templates for future creators.

10

‘Mann & Machine’ (1992)

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Mann & Machine

Release Date

April 5, 1992

Cast

David Andrews
, Yancy Butler
, S. Epatha Merkerson
, John Hawkes
, Beth Toussaint
, Kate Hodge
, Daniel Gerroll
, Richard Burgi

Seasons

1

Way before he became the “Lord of Cop Shows,” Dick Wolf made Mann & Machine, a story of a female cyborg officer forced into an uncomfortable partnership with a robot-hating detective. Left with no choice, the two must learn how to co-exist. A major part of the gynoid’s character development involves her slowly gaining the capacity to embrace emotion.

Hinting at the Future of Law Enforcement

Mann & Machine scratches the same itch as sci-fi movies like Terminator, Cyborg, Universal Solider, and Robocop. Although brimming with genre clichés and razzle-dazzle lines like “Freeze, or I’ll shoot,” this isn’t a frivolous romp. It’s a moving show, dealing soberly with the themes of police brutality and women’s empowerment. Forget that the two protagonists don’t always seem like a match made in heaven; the plot still holds you.

9

‘Space: Above and Beyond’ (1995 – 1996)

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Space: Above and Beyond

Release Date

September 24, 1995

Cast

Adam Goldberg
, Al Garrett
, Anja Coleby
, Bob Koherr
, Brian Cousins
, Carl Gilliard
, Christian Hoff
, Colin Friels
, David Barrera
, David Ramsey
, Derek Mark Lochran
, Don Pugsley
, Gail O’Grady
, Garon Grigsby
, Harriet Sansom Harris
, Heinrich James
, J. August Richards
, Jacquelyn Houston
, James Black
, James Kiriyama-Lem
, Jennifer Crystal Foley
, Jules Douglas
, Kane Picoy
, Kristen Cloke
, Lanei Chapman

Seasons

1

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Glen Morgan and James Wong (key members of The X-Files writing room) created a short-lived yet Emmy-nominated sci-fi set during the years 2063 – 2064. Titled Space: Above and Beyond, the series focuses on the “Wildcards,” members of the United States Marine Corps 58th Squadron of the Space Aviator Cavalry, who are part of often ill-fated campaigns to protect Earth against invading extraterrestrials.

Study Time

From orchestra-inspired music to desaturated color grading, Space: Above and Beyond is pleasing to both the eye and ear. The brain gets its dose too, thanks to the inclusion of numerous concepts that force the viewer to think or grab science books. Words like Trojan asteroid field and panspermia get thrown around casually, so grab your seat: it’s class time. Familiar faces like R. Lee Ermey, Coolio, and David Duchovny keep popping up too, leaving any celebrity lover ecstatic.

8

‘Legend’ (1995)

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Legend

Release Date

April 18, 1995

Cast

John de Lancie
, Katherine Moffat
, Richard Dean Anderson
, Stephanie Beacham
, Mark Adair-Rios
, Jarrad Paul
, Pete Schrum
, Robert Donner
, John Furlong
, Tim Thomerson
, Bob Balaban

Seasons

1

Legend follows Ernest Pratt (Richard Dean Anderson), a dime novel writer living in the American Old West. One day, he decides to up the ante by assuming the persona of Nicodemus Legend, the fictional scientific genius who serves as the main character of his novels, after being mistaken for the character. The new assignment takes a toll on him, but things get better when real-life inventor Janos Bartok (John de Lancie) helps him turn the exaggerated sci-fi concepts of the books into reality. Together, the two fight injustice.

Great Innovations, Handled by Solid Leads

Sci-fi westerns are hard to come by, so viewers will find Legend refreshing. There is plenty of innovative gadgetry here, and having previously starred in a show that offered similar delights (MacGyver), Richard Dean Anderson comes off as very comfortable in his lead role. Most importantly, the show relies on a working formula. Pratt and Bartok are a duo with conflicting personalities, so watching the interplay between them is fun. This is sci-fi for all TV lovers.

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7

‘Nowhere Man’ (1995 – 1996)

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Nowhere Man

Release Date

August 28, 1995

Finale Year

November 30, 1995

Cast

Bruce Greenwood
, Dean Jones
, Dean Stockwell
, Francis X. McCarthy
, Maria Bello
, Megan Gallagher
, Louis A. Lotorto
, Leon Russom
, Scott Coffey
, Lesli Kay
, Nicholas Pryor
, Melanie Smith
, Ted Levine
, Bernie McInerney
, David Brisbin
, John Hillard
, George DelHoyo
, Murray Rubinstein
, Rebecca Hayes
, Heather Dubrow
, Alexandra Kenworthy
, Mariah O’Brien
, Greg Wrangler
, Robert Kempf
, Steven Novak

Seasons

1

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Nowhere Man’s protagonist is the photojournalist Thomas Veil (Bruce Greenwood), who steps out one day and realizes no one recognizes him. His wife has moved on with another man, his studio has been occupied by another person, and his credit cards no longer work. What has happened? Could it all be related to a photo he took of American soldiers torturing citizens?

The Search Often Leads Nowhere

In 1995, this bold denunciation of improper military practices was well ahead of its time. The first season of the tension-packed tale of injustice culminates in a twist ending that will stick with you… unlike the memories of Veil’s loved ones. Don’t miss this early peak from future Batman voice actor Bruce Greenwood. His raging intensity carries the entire show.

6

‘VR.5’ (1995 – 1997)

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VR.5

Release Date

March 10, 1995

Cast

Carl Strano
, Elya Baskin
, Erick Avari
, Frank Converse
, Lori Singer
, Michael Easton
, Penn Jillette
, Shirley Knight
, Tracey Needham
, Will Patton
, Anthony Stewart Head
, George DelHoyo
, Dan O’Herlihy
, Aaron Michael Metchik
, Dustin Nguyen
, Markus Flanagan
, david mccallum
, Adam Baldwin
, Endre Hules
, Markie Post
, Stephen Root
, Turhan Bey
, Jeannine Renshaw
, Louise Fletcher
, Kimberly Cullum

Seasons

1

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In VR.5, telephone engineer, Sydney Bloom (Lori Singer), accidentally discovers that she can enter VR5 (full immersion VR) and take other people with her, just by calling them on the phone. Once inside, she can find all their secrets, but afterward, they won’t remember what happened. Well, a sinister organization finds out about this and makes plans to use her.

One of the Best Sci-Fi Protagonists

This taut psychological sci-fi thriller precedes the more visually advanced VR shows that came out later, but its mind-bending plots make it worthy of your attention. The best action is confined to the VR world, creating a concrete sense of claustrophobia, but you’ll love being here. The menacing intensity of the numerous villains credibly exacerbates Sydney’s growing hysteria, causing her to make some decisions that will leave you scratching your hair. Sit tight and let Sydney enter your mind.

5

‘Dark Skies’ (1996 – 1997)

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Release Date

September 21, 1996

Cast

Tim Kelleher
, Eric Close
, Megan Ward
, Jeri Ryan
, J.T. Walsh
, Conor O’Farrell
, Gregory Harrison

Remember John Carpenter’s action-packed sci-fi thriller, They Live? Dark Skies is something similar, except events play out on a grander scale. Here, aliens have been secretly living among humans since the 1940s. They have influenced major events, such as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and the formation of The Beatles. Will someone be bold enough to stop them?

A Promising Show That Was Eclipsed by Greater Competition

Dark Skies was commissioned by NBC to compete with The X-Files. It was given a knockout, but it’s worth sympathizing for. Genre buffs are likely to enjoy how creative the writers get with the science concepts, and how they pay homage to more alien movies like Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Beyond that, the music is soothing, so much so that the Emmys came calling. In a world with The X-Files, this show would have thrived.

4

‘Earth 2’ (1994 – 1995)

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Release Date

November 6, 1994

Seasons

1

Earth 2 is set in 2192 when Earth has become uninhabitable and most humans, struggling to keep hold of their sanity, have fled to live on large orbiting space stations. A small group plans to move to a planet 22 light-years away from Earth, but the government is in opposition to the idea. With scant time to organize themselves and depart, will the members manage to leave?

Chasing Greener Pastures

On a surface level, Earth 2 seems like just another space show, but the brilliant manner in which it tackles environmental degradation and abuse of power makes it relevant in the 2020s. Most importantly, there is proper world-building. We get to know all the characters (and species) properly before we see them in any sort of conflict. A reboot would definitely be perfect.

3

‘RoboCop: The Series’ (1994)

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RoboCop

Release Date

March 12, 1994

Cast

Blu Mankuma
, Cliff DeYoung
, David Gardner
, James Kidnie
, Jennifer Dale
, Patrick McKenna
, Richard Eden
, Sarah Campbell
, Susan Roman
, Yvette Nipar
, Lenore Zann
, William Colgate
, Erica Ehm
, Andrea Roth
, Dan Duran
, Maurice Dean Wint
, Harvey Atkin
, Geraint Wyn Davies
, Jeremy Ratchford
, Martin Milner
, Cali Timmins
, Wayne Robson
, Nigel Bennett
, John Rubinstein
, J. Winston Carroll

Seasons

1

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RoboCop: The Series — adapted from a discarded RoboCop 2 script — was veiled by the two live-action movie sequels that came out in the ‘90s, but it’s worth a watch. Like the big-screen installments, the show revolves around the titular police officer as he solves crimes in his hoodlum-infested city.

As Good as the Movies

After solidifying his reputation as one of America’s soap opera heartthrobs via shows like Santa Barbara and Falcon Crest, Richard Eden played a straight-edge robotic lawman in this fascinating show. Eden is mesmerizing as RobCop; judicious and principled, but also brutal and willing to throw his weight around. Unlike the movies, this RoboCop relies on non-lethal methods. Thanks to his approach, we get to see plenty of great recurring villains. A new show is reportedly in the works, and we sure hope RoboCop will shoot his way out of development hell.

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2

‘TekWar’ (1994 – 1996)

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TekWar

Release Date

January 23, 1994

Cast

Eugene Clark
, Greg Evigan
, Torri Higginson
, Ray Jewers
, Von Flores
, David Hemblen
, William Shatner
, Marie V. Cruz
, Lexa Doig

Set in the year 2044, TekWar follows Jake Cardigan (Greg Evigan), a former police officer who lost his job after he was framed for dealing in tek (an illegal drug) and killing his colleagues during a bust. After being released from cryo-detainment, he takes on a job as a private investigator as he works to clear his name.

Getting the Job Back, By All Means Necessary

Greg Evigan inhabits his role with the required sense of authority, brilliantly conveying Jake’s magnetism and unwavering courage, while the rest of the cast members also glow in their respective roles. All the futuristic sequences are handled with graceful verisimilitude, so we get scenes that feel like they could be playing out right across the street. It’s a shame there are only two seasons of this wonderful story.

1

‘Prey’ (1998)

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Prey

Release Date

January 15, 1998

Cast

Adam Storke
, Debra Messing
, Vincent Ventresca
, Frankie Faison
, Larry Drake
, Roger Howarth
, Megahn Perry
, Dorian Gregory
, Vanessa Bell Calloway
, James Morrison
, Christopher Titus

Seasons

1

In Prey, a bio-anthropologist and her team discover and investigate a secret new humanoid species that is keen on replacing humans. The series was commissioned by ABC following the choice to cancel Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman as the network needed to fulfill its commitment to Warner Bros. Television.

Will Humans Win?

Fast-paced and unabashedly crammed with Darwinian detail, Prey sets itself apart from other sci-fi shows with its self-consciously flashy editing and wondrous artistic design. No mere “weird species” story, the show gets a lot of mileage out of its twists, visual appeal, torrid (and often twisted) fake science, and stinging criticism of the cavalier nature in which humans operate.

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