The2020shave already been phenomenal for television. Shows likeYellowstone,Severance,The Last of Us,Wednesday, andSquid Gamehave attracted millions of viewers across the globe, broken numerous records, and are being hailed by many as instant classics.
Elsewhere, though, there has been a plethora of brilliant shows that have been bubbling beneath the surface — flying just below the mainstream’s radar — slowly but surely cultivating strong and dedicated fanbases.
In this article, it’s those shows, with their unique styles, bold storytelling, and unforgettable characters, that we’re focusing on. These are 10 shows that are destined to spark online conversations, midnight rewatches, and earn their place as certified cult classics.
10’The Rehearsal' (2022 - Present)
The Rehearsal
Created by Nathan Fielder,The Rehearsalis a docu-comedy series that sees him playing a fictionalized version of himself, helping ordinary people prepare for upcoming life situations by hiring actors and building sets to simulate these scenarios. Nearly three years after the debut series ended in 2022, fans were treated to a second earlier this year.
‘The Rehearsal’s Unique Premise Is Just as Funny as It Is Insightful
Tapping into modern anxieties around control, authenticity, and social interaction,The Rehearsalis a bold, original, and deeply relatable show that feels just as real as it does surreal. Combining dry humor and absurdism with thought-provoking insights, it forces viewers to question just how prepared they can ever really be for what life throws at them. With its critical acclaim, loyal fanbase, and unique premise,The Rehearsalhaseverything needed to cement itselfas a certified cult classic over the following years.
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9’The Midnight Club' (2022)
The Midnight Club
From the wildly imaginative mind of Mike Flanagan,The Midnight Clubtakes place in a hospice and follows eight terminally ill young adults who form the titular club, meeting late at night to tell each other scary stories. As their bond strengthens, they make a pact that the first one to succumb to their illness will be responsible for communicating with the others from beyond the grave. The show’s overarching story is punctuated by on-screen visual retellings of many of these stories.
‘The Midnight Club’ Broke a World Record for Most Jump-Scares in a Single TV Episode
Flanagan has been steadily establishing a name for himself as one of the most interesting storytellers in horror. InThe Midnight Club, his blend of jump scares, psychological terror, heartfelt emotion, and dark mystery has been a hit with critics, scoring an impressive 87% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, following Flanagan’s multiyear deal with Amazon, the show—which broke the record for most scripted jump-scares in a single episode of television at 21—was canceled by Netflix, disappointing hardcore fans and leaving many unresolved storylines.
Despite Flanagan’s attempt to tie up the loose ends with a Tumblr post outlining how the next season would have played out, it can be argued that the show’s abrupt cancellation only added to its cult appeal,leaving fans with unresolved mysteriesand a sense of lost potential that deepened its emotional resonance and devoted following.
8’Reservation Dogs' (2021 - 2023)
Reservation Dogs
Spanning three seasons,Reservation Dogsstarts by following the lives of four Indigenous teenagers known as the Rez Dogs in rural Oklahoma, where they spend their days getting up to mischief and committing petty crimes. The show later follows them as they travel to California in an attempt to better their lives and also examines the past lives of the Elders of their Oklahoma community, and how the events and choices of their youth led to their present-day lives.
Taika Waititi Continues His Winning Streak in Creating Cult Classic Content
Taika Waititi, who co-created the show with Sterlin Harjo,is responsible for some of the most memorable cult classicsin recent history, includingWhat We Do in the Shadows,Hunt for the Wilderpeople, andJojo Rabbit. Blending his trademark sharp humor and heartfelt storytelling with an authentic Indigenous voice—thanks to the show’s all-Indigenous circle of writers and directors—Reservation Dogsis poised to follow suit and achieve that same cult status.
Dead Ringers
Based on the 1988David Cronenberg cult classicmovie of the same name (itself adapted from the 1977 novelTwinsby Bari Wood and Jack Geasland),Dead Ringersbrings the story into the present day with a gender-swap twist. It focuses on two identical gynecologist sisters who push the limits of medical ethics as they pursue a radical vision for women’s healthcare, blurring the lines between science, identity, and obsession.
The miniseries was a hit with critics and has already garnered a dedicated following comprising fans of the original movie and a younger audience attracted to its combination of body horror, dark comedy, and exploration of gender politics and identity. Rachel Weisz’s dual role as the two sisters, in particular, has received praise and sits among her finest performances to date. While the show’s unsettling subject matter and imagery may be off-putting for many, its niche appeal and cerebral storytelling give it surefire cult status potential.
6’Inside Job' (2021 - 2022)
Inside Job
Thanks to the ubiquitous nature of social media, we live in an era where conspiracy theories run rife, each sounding more far-fetched than the last.Inside Jobis an adult animated comedy that plays with the premise — what if each and every one of these theories is true? It follows a team led by a tech genius and her new partner, working in an American shadow government organization named Cognito, Inc., which is one of six organizations that control Earth (the others being the Illuminati, the Atlanteans, the Reptoids, the Catholic Church, and the Juggalos).
The show hilariously explores these theories and myths we so often hear about, including episodes dedicated to JFK’s assassination, reptilian shapeshifters, flat Earth, the Moon landing, the stoned ape theory, and the Mandela Effect.
‘Inside Job’ Has an Impressive Team Behind It
Created by formerGravity Fallswriter Shion Takeuchi, who executively produced the show withGravity Fallscreator Alex Hirsch andBoJack Horsemandirector Mike Hollingsworth,Inside Jobfeatures a talented cast of voice actors including Lizzy Caplan, Christian Slater, John DiMaggio, and Bobby Lee.
It’s a brilliantly clever and laugh-out-loud ride, reveling in sharp satire and surrealism. Its cult appeal lies in its ability to skewer the absurdities of conspiracy culture in a fun and playful way without ever taking itself too seriously.
5’Scavengers Reign' (2023)
Scavengers Reign
This animated adult sci-fi series chronicles the trials and tribulations of several survivors stranded on a dangerous alien planet after their spacecraft is damaged. One of the show’s most compelling and unsettling themes is the constant, almost oppressive ambiguity between nourishment and danger, with the usual distinctions between plant, animal, intelligence, and highly organized life becoming blurred and unclear.
‘Scavengers Reign’ Is a Hauntingly Beautiful Experience Unlike Anything on TV Right Now
Gorgeously animated, audiences are immersed in a truly original vision of alien life, which feels both tense and suspenseful, yet strangely soothing and almost meditative. With its slow-burn narrative, it rewards patience and repeat viewing, and like most cult classics, it challenges mainstream expectations, creating an experience that lingers in the minds of viewers long after the final credits have rolled.
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4’Our Flag Means Death' (2022 - 2023)
Our Flag Means Death
One of thegreatest examples of recent LGBTQ+ media,Our Flag Means Deathis a touching and hilarious sitcom loosely based on the life of Stede Bonnet, also known as the “Gentleman Pirate.” Set in the 1700s, it follows Bonnet’s career as a pirate after abandoning his family and his comfortable life of luxury back in Barbados. Initially inept and unprepared, audiences watch and weep as they bear witness to him sailing from one misadventure to another, learning the ropes of pirate life as he goes.
‘Our Flag Means Death’ Sails into Uncharted Territory
Setting sail to little fanfare, the series gradually gained word-of-mouth momentum and became a sleeper hit, receiving high praise for its LGBTQ+ representation, costume design, creative set pieces, and compelling romantic storylines. Despite being controversially canceled after the second season, there’s still potential for plenty of viewers to discover its existing treasure chest of humor, heart, and queer joy—and cement its status as a true cult classic for the ages.
3’The Gentlemen' (2024 - Present)
The Gentlemen
Guy Ritchie, now one of the biggest names in Hollywood, made his name directing some of England’s most revered gangster flicks. Combining dark humor, gritty violence, and engaging dialogue—all stylishly shot and told through twisty, non-linear narratives—he positioned himself as the United Kingdom’s answer to Quentin Tarantino.
As his reputation grew, he has since tried his hand at a variety of more family-friendly projects, includingSherlock HolmesandAladdin. 2019’sThe Gentlemenwas a return to his roots, as he once again took audiences into his chaotic vision of England’s criminal gangland, placing it alongside his previous cult classics, includingSnatchandLock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
‘The Gentlemen’ Is a Spin-Off That Elevates Its Source Material
While set in the same on-screen universe as the movie,The GentlemenTV show is very much its own entity. It focuses on a young man who finds himself thrown into the heart of the country’s criminal activity. He unexpectedly inherits a huge estate, following the death of his father, that was being used to cultivate vast quantities of cannabis.
The series maintains a similar tone to the movie and provides viewers with a fantastic opportunity to further explore the universe established by the film, offering additional context and depth to its characters, storyline, and lore. That said, it’s only loosely based on the movie and can certainly be enjoyed as a standalone piece of work.
2'1899' (2022)
Dark and atmospheric,1899is a mystery thriller set aboard a migrant ship bound for America. Combining elements of psychological horror and sci-fi, it focuses on a series of unexplained events that begin affecting the passengers, making them question the very fabric of reality.
The Show Was Controversially Canceled After Just One Season
Named as one of our favorite shows of 2022, it came as a great shock and disappointment when Netflix announced the show would not be renewed for a second season. Journalists and fans alike took to the internet to express their dissatisfaction, and a petition was started on Change.org to decry the decision—garnering over 100,000 signatures.
While the decision is seen by many as a travesty, sometimes a short run can add to a show’s mystique, with fans clinging to every moment and fueling passionate followings long after cancellation. Shows likeFreaks and GeeksandFireflyare prime examples of series whose runs were short-lived but whose memory burns bright and fondly among legions of fans to this day.
1’Brand New Cherry Flavor' (2021)
Brand New Cherry Flavor
Brand New Cherry Flavorfollows a scorned aspiring filmmaker as she seeks bloody revenge on a powerful producer who betrayed her. The ensuing journey—involving black magic, supernatural entities, and nightmarish hallucinations—is a darkly stylish and often terrifying experience that dares to be different.
‘Brand New Cherry Flavor’ Plays Out Like a Fever Dream
Blending body horror, occult themes, and Lynchian weirdness,Brand New Cherry Flavoris unapologetically bizarre, making it perfect for cult horror fans—many of whom have already been raving about the show.Brand New Cherry Flavormay not be a household name, but it’s the kind of series that sparks passionate fan theories and late-night discussions—hallmarks of a true cult classic.
