Amid the deluge of 2024's TV releases, some true gems were easily overlooked, overshadowed by big-budget premieres and established franchises. These series, unfairly neglected despite compelling plots, strong performances, and innovative approaches to their genres, deserve a second look. This list highlights ten underrated shows from 2024, perfect for your 2025 viewing pleasure. From intimate dramas to thrilling sci-fi, there's something for everyone.
Table of Contents
- The Eight Show
- Shoresy
- Under the Bridge
- Thunderous Applause
- The Brothers Sun
- Somebody Somewhere
- Jurassic World: Chaos Theory
- Say Nothing
- The Fake
- High Potential
The Eight Show
This Korean thriller-drama, unjustly overshadowed by 2024's blockbusters, is a hidden gem for 2025. Its gripping plot unfolds in a confined space where eight contestants compete not just for money, but for their dignity, forcing difficult moral choices. Participants can purchase food and furniture at exorbitant prices and interact in a shared room daily. The show serves as a powerful metaphor for capitalism, exposing social inequality and the fragility of human values.
Why Watch It in 2025?
"The Eight Show" offers intelligent, suspenseful storytelling with sharp social commentary. While inspired by Squid Game, it provides a more intimate and psychologically nuanced exploration of human relationships and the impact of materialism. Its unique atmosphere, exceptional acting, and bold critique of consumerism make it a significant, though easily missed, drama.
Shoresy
This Canadian comedy-drama might seem an unlikely choice for those seeking weighty narratives, but beneath its lighthearted, slightly crude exterior lies surprising depth. Following a cocky, world-weary hockey player determined to transform a hapless team, the series blends sharp humor with unexpected sincerity. The Letterkenny creators inject the same fast-paced wit into this spin-off, adding layers of complexity that unfold with each episode.
Why Watch It in 2025?
Shoresy transcends hockey; it's a story of perseverance, teamwork, and self-discovery, appealing to fans of dramas like Friday Night Lights. Its modest beginnings belie its heartfelt moments and compelling character development. If you crave laughter and poignant reflection, Shoresy is a must-see.
Under the Bridge
This Hulu crime drama, undeservedly overshadowed in 2024, is a powerful and emotionally resonant series. Based on a true story, it recounts the tragic death of 14-year-old Reena Virk in 1997 British Columbia. A writer with a traumatic past returns to her hometown and becomes inadvertently involved in investigating a teenager's disappearance, developing a connection with a group of young people under suspicion, while the police conduct their own investigation. Through carefully constructed flashbacks, the series illuminates Reena's personality and explores themes of trauma, bias, and the pursuit of justice.
Why Watch It in 2025?
Under the Bridge distinguishes itself by focusing on the victim, not just the crime, setting it apart from typical true-crime narratives. It masterfully blends intense intrigue with profound psychological insight. The talented cast, led by Riley Keough and Lily Gladstone, delivers an emotionally gripping journey. For viewers seeking more than a detective story—a layered exploration of tragedy and its aftermath—this is essential viewing.
Thunderous Applause
This Turkish series subverts expectations of national television, offering an absurdist take on human emotions and experiences. While the protagonist's dream of becoming an orange and the imagery of smoking fetuses might seem outlandish, this grotesque presentation lays bare serious themes of childhood trauma, loneliness, and dysfunctional families. Director Berkun Oya's unconventional approach creates a world where drama and comedy intertwine, forming a subtle metaphor for the human condition.
Why Watch It in 2025?
Thunderous Applause is a unique experiment in storytelling. Its comedic elements serve the deeper narrative. For those who appreciate unconventional plots that provoke thought and laughter, this series is a revelation. Its visual style and original presentation will captivate any cinephile.
The Brothers Sun
This action dramedy blends crime, drama, and family comedy. After an attack on his father, Charles Sun, head of a criminal empire, flees Taiwan for Los Angeles to live with his mother and brother. He encounters a vastly different world, and the brothers' contrasting personalities become both a source of conflict and their greatest strength. The dynamic plot, merging Eastern martial arts with American family drama, is engaging and unpredictable.
Why Watch It in 2025?
The Brothers Sun isn't just about action; it's a heartfelt story about family bonds, generational differences, and finding common ground. It offers a fresh perspective on genre blending, addressing important themes without sacrificing dynamism or humor. High-quality visuals and charismatic characters make it ideal for fans of unconventional crime stories.
Somebody Somewhere
This heartwarming HBO comedy-drama, concluding its three-season run in 2024, remains underrated. Sam returns to her hometown of Manhattan, Kansas, after her sister's death, struggling to cope with her loss. Supported by her friendship with Joel and her evolving relationship with her sister Tricia, Sam rebuilds her life. Music and laughter help her rediscover herself amidst emotional challenges.
Why Watch It in 2025?
Somebody Somewhere is a deeply human story about loss, self-acceptance, and community. The satisfying finale provides closure and emotional catharsis. It's perfect for those seeking genuine, warmhearted entertainment with subtle humor.
Jurassic World: Chaos Theory
This animated Netflix series continues to delight dinosaur enthusiasts, remaining a top choice for adventure lovers in the prehistoric world. Set after Camp Cretaceous, it features more mature characters and themes. While the Jurassic World films haven't always captured the original trilogy's sense of wonder, Chaos Theory successfully restores that awe and spectacle, adding more drama and thrilling moments.
Why Watch It in 2025?
If you crave gripping dinosaur stories combining tension, humor, and visual splendor, this is an excellent choice for fans of the original trilogy and newcomers alike. Chaos Theory boasts impressive animation and delves deeper into human-dinosaur relationships. It's the perfect blend of adventure, emotion, and visual spectacle.
Say Nothing
This historical miniseries transports viewers to Northern Ireland during The Troubles. Based on the bestselling book, it tells the tragic stories of Belfast residents from the 1970s to the 1990s, including the kidnapping and murder of Jean McConville. Through the lives of radical activists and an IRA commander, the series depicts a society consumed by hatred and division.
Why Watch It in 2025?
Say Nothing is a profound exploration of violence and political division. It offers a gripping narrative and essential reflections on human morality in times of war. Strong performances, atmospheric production, and meticulous historical detail make it a must-watch for those interested in history, politics, and the lasting impact of past tragedies.
The Fake
This Australian series explores the dark side of online dating and manipulation. Writer Birdie meets a seemingly perfect man through an app, but his strange behavior and inconsistencies raise suspicions. The story unfolds as a pathological liar exploits people's emotions and vulnerabilities.
Why Watch It in 2025?
The Fake is a tense psychological drama addressing trust, manipulation, and self-preservation in the digital age. Powerful performances and a dynamic narrative keep viewers guessing until the end. It's a compelling blend of drama and thriller.
High Potential
This American series offers a fresh take on the detective genre, blending captivating investigations with comedic moments. Single mother Morgan, a janitor at a police station, uses her intellect and photographic memory to assist in solving complex cases. She evolves from accidental witness to valuable consultant, blending the spirit of Brooklyn Nine-Nine with a more personal and heartfelt approach.
Why Watch It in 2025?
High Potential combines sharp humor with intriguing detective plots. It features bright, original cases and a strong female lead balancing family and personal growth. It's inspiring, witty, and warm.
From global hits to lesser-known gems, 2024 offered a wealth of overlooked masterpieces. As we enter 2025, these ten underrated series await discovery, offering captivating stories across diverse genres. Whether you prefer drama, comedy, or something unique, there's plenty to explore.
