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It seems there are always great sci-fi shows nobody talks about, but there are also those whose quality is forgotten over time. Despite weaving exciting, engaging, and immersive sci-fi stories, some TV shows from the ’90s have largely slipped through the cracks of audiences’ collective consciousness over the years. While many of us seem to have forgotten how great they are, these 1990s sci-fi shows remain truly awesome.
3) Babylon 5 (PTEN, 1993-1997 & TNT, 1998)
The 1990s featured several sci-fi TV shows that aged incredibly well, and Babylon 5 is more than deserving of being named among them. Set in a far future in which humanity is part of a galactic community, Babylon 5 primarily follows the human personnel and alien diplomats aboard the titular space station, which serves as a hub for trade and diplomacy. As well as featuring classic space opera elements, Babylon 5‘s story examines themes of a more political nature, with a healthy dose of sci-fi action thrown in.
Even more than three decades after it first began airing, Babylon 5 looks great. Its visual effects have aged well, as have the show’s narrative themes and ideas. Often compared favorably to Star Trek, what Babylon 5 lacked in pure originality it made up for in substance, and it’s one of the few 1990s sci-fi shows that simply isn’t given enough credit for just how excellent it really is.
2) Farscape (Syfy, 1999-2003)
Farscape is one of the few sci-fi shows that continued after it was canceled, finding a way to survive through tie-in comics that explored its story further. Its run started at the tail end of the 1990s, first airing in 1999 and lasting for four seasons before its premature cancellation in 2003. Farscape‘s story follows the crew of a biomechanical ship, and begins with them evading capture by a corrupt military organization known as the Peacekeepers.
Co-produced by Brian Henson, the son of legendary puppeteer Jim Henson, Farscape‘s visual effects made use of the Jim Henson Company’s expertise, and the animatronics, prosthetics, and make-up all earned considerable praise. The show’s story also felt original and engaging, with a depth that many sci-fi shows struggle to muster. Considering its quality, it’s strange that Farscape doesn’t boast more than a cult following, as it deserves to be remembered far more fondly by a much wider audience.
