A television show cut down in its prime can be heartbreaking for fans, but a show that gets the axe before it can even have a second season can be especially brutal. There are many reasons for a show getting cancelled — such as financial issues, low ratings, or bad management — but fans will still feel the sting of losing something they enjoyed. In the world of sci-fi, there’s a plethora of shows that, while impressive, were simply taken from us far too soon.
The following sci-fi shows are going to have you confronting swamp monsters, meeting with aliens after a storm, navigating 1950s Jim Crow laws or complex family relationships, and traveling through the more mysterious parts of the galaxy alongside space rebels. Every show on this list has received positive reviews from both critics and audiences, but don’t get your hopes up if you’re looking for stories that have a satisfying conclusion.
Concerning the list itself, we made sure to tell you where each show is streaming, but there are a couple that can only be purchased at the time of this writing. However, if you find yourself needing more sci-fi goodness because one of these shows cut you off abruptly, you can check out these ’70s sci-fi flicks everyone needs to see, or you can also watch some sci-fi movies based on classic short stories. While they’re not television shows, you can at least take solace in the fact that you know you’ll see an ending.
Swamp Thing (2019)
These days, it feels like every character from a comic book gets their own TV show or movie series — and the DC Universe has plenty more coming – but that doesn’t mean all of them necessarily become the next big thing. Swamp Thing, as a DC character, has been around since his first appearance within “House of Secrets #92” in 1971, and in that time, the character has gotten several movies and TV shows, but the 2019 reboot stands out for only having a single season. It’s unfortunate, as critic Emma Stefansky of Thrillist states “‘Swamp Thing’ is an oddity that feels kind of like a miracle.”
The first and only season of “Swamp Thing” provides an origin story for the beast, as it follows Abby Arcane (Crystal Reed) looking into a deadly swamp virus in her home town of Marais, Louisiana. Along the way, she meets scientist Alec Holland (Andy Bean) whose death causes Arcane to learn more about the swamp, leading her to encounter a mysterious creature. Along with Reed and Bean, the series also stars Derek Mears and Virginia Madsen.
Although it had positive reviews after its series premiere, the show was abruptly cancelled mere days after release. While the cancellation was originally attributed to executives disapproving of the series, the show was likely cancelled due to it losing a portion of its $40 million tax break from the state of North Carolina through an accounting error. Nonetheless, the show received a 92% Tomatometer score and a 75% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes. You can purchase the series on Amazon Video or Apple TV.
Lovecraft Country (2020)
Director, actor, and writer Jordan Peele has a rather impressive resume: Whether it’s directing films like 2022’s “Nope” — a fantastic alien invasion movie you should check out if you feel like no one’s going to save you — or making folks laugh with his series “Key and Peele,” you would think anything is possible for this Oscar-winning creator. However, the HBO series “Lovecraft Country” that he created alongside Misha Green could unfortunately only survive a single season.
Based on a 2016 Matt Ruff novel of the same name, HBO’s “Lovecraft Country” follows the story of Atticus Freeman as he ventures on a journey across the United States, during the Jim Crow era, in search of his missing father. Along the way, he’s joined by his Uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) and his pal Letitia (Jurnee Smollett). In a review for Digital Trends, critic Rick Marshall says, “HBO’s series feels like nothing you expect — and nothing you’ve ever seen before.”
Despite the series picking up numerous awards and nominations, including a 2021 Best Drama Series nomination at the Critics Choice Award, the series was still cancelled by HBO after its first season. Originally thought to get the axe due to running out of source material for the second season, investigative journalist James Andrew Miller notes a toxic work environment on the set may be the true cause. The series holds an 88% Tomatometer score and 64% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes and is available on HBO Max.
Caprica (2010)
In the realm of sci-fi television, many consider the 2004 reboot of “Battlestar Galactica” to be essential viewing, if not one of the best sci-fi shows of all time. Boasting 43 television awards (including a 2006 Peabody award) and 114 nominations, it’s even helped serve as the inspiration for Marvel’s show “Nova” in 2024. With a show being held in such high regard, you would think a prequel based around it would do just as well. Sadly, this just wasn’t the case for the 2010’s “Caprica,” created by Remi Aubuchon and “Galactica” alumnus Ronald D. Moore.
Set 60 years before the events of “Battlestar Galactica,” “Caprica” focuses on two different families — the Adamas and the Greystones — living peacefully within the 12 Colonies. However, things are shaken up for both families after a terrorist attack, throwing humanity’s future into question. “Caprica” stars Eric Stoltz, Esai Morales, Paula Malcomson, and Alessandra Terresani. In a review for The Washington Post, critic Tom Shales states, “There’s enough going on in ‘Caprica’ to keep a sci-fi fan, or anyone who likes to settle into a good story, satisfied and even beguiled.”
The first and only season of “Caprica” would earn numerous award nominations, including Outstanding Visual Effects for a Series at the 2010 Primetime Emmy Awards, but the Syfy network would cancel the series in the middle of its run, citing low ratings and viewership. However, the show does hold an 81% Tomatometer score and a 82% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes. The series is currently available to stream on Peacock, or you can purchase it through Apple TV.
Invasion (2005)
Those that can’t get enough Apple TV content may already be familiar with “Invasion,” a series that continues to raise the bar for sci-fi shows; however, before there was “Invasion” on Apple TV, a little series by the same-name was being created by ’70s teen icon Shaun Cassidy. While the two shows only have a couple of things in common, the 2005 “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”-style series only lasted a season before things began falling apart.
“Invasion” follows the story of Russell Varon (Eddie Cibrian) and his family surviving a Florida hurricane. Along with dealing with their own familial drama, things continue to worsen after strange beings begin infiltrating their town in the storm’s aftermath. Along with Cibrian, the series also stars William Fichtner, Lisa Sheridan, and Kari Matchett.
Holding a 73% Tomatometer score and an 81% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes, the series got off to a rocky start after Hurricane Katrina heavily impacted New Orleans in 2005. While this wasn’t a death knell for the series, it didn’t help that episodes of “Invasion” cost around $2 million apiece, causing the show to be cancelled even though ABC originally ordered a second season. In a 2005 review for USA Today concerning the series premiere, critic Robert Bianco states, “Tonight’s pilot lays the groundwork for what could be a fabulous series, one that blends supernatural adventure with down-to-earth, complex family dynamics.” The series is currently streaming on The Roku Channel for free, or you can purchase it on Amazon Video or Apple TV.
Firefly (2002)
For fans of sci-fi, there’s a good chance this show immediately popped into their head the moment they read the headline. The one-season “Firefly” from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s” Joss Whedon — which is getting a reboot on Hulu – can appear on many “shows that were cancelled far too soon” lists, and likely for good reason.
The series takes audiences 500 years into the future and follows a group of rebels manning the small spaceship Serenity. As authorities search for them, the crew is forced to navigate the more hidden areas of the universe while also attempting to avoid factions that are at war. The series stars Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, and Morena Baccarin. In a 2002 review for the Detroit Free Press, TV critic Mike Duffy summarized the show rather well: “‘Firefly’ is essentially cowboys in outer space.”
The series was unfortunately cut short by Fox after airing 11 episodes of the 14-episode first season. While the network blamed low ratings, both fans and critics noted that Fox may have dropped the ball on this show a countless number of times, including airing episodes out of order, giving it a bad time slot, and marketing the show more as a comedy rather than something serious. The show holds a 77% Tomotameter score and 96% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes, and while it never got a second season, the 2005 film “Serenity” does continue the story. “Firefly” is currently streaming on Hulu, or you can purchase it on Amazon Video or Apple TV.
