8 TV Shows From The Past 10 Years That Should Become Cult Classics

Over the past ten years, the number of TV shows available has increased dramatically, meaning many great shows might not have gotten the recognition they deserve, but could become beloved cult classics later on. With streaming services and algorithms now heavily influencing what we watch, it’s harder for shows to gain traction. While hugely popular shows still break through, smaller, less impactful shows are struggling to be noticed.

Many great TV shows don’t get the attention they deserve right away, especially with so much new content being released. These shows often find a dedicated audience over time and become beloved ‘cult classics.’ As the way people watch TV changes, more and more viewers are discovering shows they missed during the initial release. The last ten years have seen a huge increase in television production, meaning there are plenty of critically acclaimed shows that could become future cult favorites.

8. iZombie

The CW’s iZombie ran for five seasons and was inspired by the DC Comics series created by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred. Co-created by Rob Thomas, who also made Veronica Mars, the show centers around Olivia “Liv” Moore (Rose McIver), a medical resident who becomes a zombie. To survive, Liv eats brains from corpses at the morgue where she works, and in the process, she uses what she learns to help solve the murders of those she consumes.

Featuring strong performances from actors like Rahul Kohli and Robert Buckley, iZombie follows a case-of-the-week format, but delivers surprisingly compelling stories. It skillfully mixes crime-solving with different genres, and uses the main character Liv’s experiences as a zombie to explore deeper themes, making it more complex and engaging than typical procedural shows.

7. Crashing

Don’t miss Crashing, a funny British comedy that, though only lasting one season of six episodes, is well worth watching. Created by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the show centers around a group of people living in an old hospital – they look after the building in exchange for cheaper rent. It’s a short, hilarious series that also gives a glimpse of the talent Waller-Bridge would later showcase in Fleabag.

Though Crashing is structured as a comedy, what really stands out is the complex and realistic way the characters connect with each other. The show explores a variety of relationships – from long-time friends to former partners – making it more engaging than typical sitcoms. Crashing is honest about sexuality and doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, giving it a raw, authentic feel that’s common in many beloved, unconventional shows.

6. Letterkenny

Created alongside Jacob Tierney, the mind behind Heated Rivalry, Letterkenny is a Canadian comedy series set in a small town in northern Ontario. The show humorously portrays the everyday lives and often quirky issues faced by the town’s residents. While it paved the way for the series Shoresy and occasionally features hockey, Letterkenny mainly focuses on the unique challenges and charm of small-town life.

Letterkenny stands out as one of today’s most stylistically interesting sitcoms, largely because it embraces its small-town roots. Beyond its many memorable lines, the show quickly established a unique and confident voice. Proudly Canadian, Letterkenny immediately makes it clear that it won’t change who it is to appeal to a wider audience.

5. Ramy

The Hulu original series Ramy debuted in 2019 and centers on Ramy Hassan (played by Ramy Youssef), a first-generation Egyptian American living in New Jersey, as he deals with the challenges of his identity. The show uniquely examines themes of faith, relationships, and how modern life clashes with traditional values, portraying the balancing act faced by a new generation as they make life choices.

Unlike some shows, Ramy isn’t afraid to tackle difficult and sensitive subjects, but it always does so through a personal lens. This focus on individual experience is central to the show’s unique style and unconventional storytelling. By combining thoughtful self-reflection with dark humor, Ramy deeply resonated with its viewers and has the potential to attract a new audience down the line.

4. Wynonna Earp

From 2016 to 2021, Wynonna Earp was a TV series inspired by the comic books of the same name. It was a supernatural Western that followed Melanie Scrofano as the great-great-granddaughter of the famous lawman Wyatt Earp. She returns to her hometown to fight the resurrected outlaws that her ancestor once defeated. Although the show gained a dedicated following, it didn’t receive the widespread recognition it deserved.

Wynonna Earp successfully mixed several genres – it had elements of procedural dramas, horror, and classic Westerns. This unique combination alone could make it a beloved cult favorite, but the show also stood out for its humor and strong LGBTQ+ representation. Despite some difficulties during production, Wynonna Earp was a truly captivating series.

3. Barry

Despite receiving positive reviews and a decent audience during its run, the HBO series Barry likely lost viewers because it aired during the COVID-19 pandemic. The show centers around Barry Berkman, a hitman played by Bill Hader, who tries to change his life by pursuing acting. Barry is a complex character struggling with his history of violence, and the show itself is equally intricate.

The dark comedy Barry is known for its incredibly complex and powerful acting. Bill Hader brilliantly portrays the inner turmoil of the main character, Barry, while Henry Winkler delivers a memorable performance as Gene Cousineau, Barry’s ego-driven mentor. These strong performances are a major reason why Barry received critical acclaim and kept audiences hooked from beginning to end.

2. Legion

Created by Noah Hawley, the FX series Legion ran for three seasons and was based on the Marvel Comics character. It stars Dan Stevens as David Haller, a mutant diagnosed with schizophrenia as a child. The show explores how David’s mental illness and his perception of reality become intertwined. Legion was known for being visually striking and using a unique, non-linear storytelling approach.

Instead of following typical superhero storylines, Legion is more of a psychological drama. The show uses its superhero setup to delve into themes of perception and identity, breaking away from what viewers usually expect from the genre. It’s designed to be rewatched, rewarding close attention and a deeper understanding of the overall story.

1. Dead To Me

The Netflix series Dead To Me, which ran for three seasons starting in 2019, centered on two women who bonded over shared grief, personal struggles, and dangerous secrets. Starring Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini, the show brilliantly blended comedy and drama, proving both were equally important to the story. It was a showcase of exceptional acting from both a funny and emotional perspective.

Despite tackling difficult subjects, Dead To Me managed to tell its story without exhausting the audience. The show focused on the connections between its characters, using their emotional journeys and the external conflicts they faced to create a consistently engaging and captivating experience.

2026-05-03 21:40