Rotten Tomatoescan often be the first stop for TV fans who are curious about whether something is worth their time, but the site’s scoring system isn’t always reflective of overall quality.There can be any number of reasons why critics may dislike a TV show, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it should be avoided.
VariousTV shows have scored the sought-after 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and they often deserve the masterpiece status that’s thrust upon them. However, it’s not only perfect productions that can thrill and entertain. Sometimes, a show can be unfairly swept aside by audiences by Rotten Tomatoes' often-respected scoring system. On the other hand, it can be tough to argue withthe platform’s 0%-rated TV shows.
Rotten Tomatoes' audience scores, which fall on something the site calls its “Popcornmeter,” don’t always align with the “Tomatometer,” with the latter being derived from the opinion of TV critics. This list will focus on the Tomatometer, although the Popcornmeter ratings will also be included for context.
6Wayward Pines (2015-2016)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 60%
Wayward Pinesis a sci-fi thriller like no other, and was brought to life with the help of industry legends such as M. Night. Shyamalan and the Duffer Brothers.Season 1 is an adaptation of a book trilogy by Blake Crouch, and it’s done very well, as proven by its 78% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Unfortunately,Wayward Pinesseason 2’s spirited attempts to continue Crouch’s story with new storylines and a heavy recasting effort meant it didn’t live up to the quality of its first run of episodes. However, season 2 is still enjoyable, and it’s interesting to see where the story could have headed after the conclusion of the source material.
Wayward Pines' Popcornmeter score is 68%.
While I understand whyWayward Pinesseason 3 never happened, I’m still disappointed that season 2’s cliffhanger wasn’t resolved. On the other hand, the show’s high-concept and unintentional ending could easily be interpreted as artfully open-ended, avoiding that dreaded feeling of a lack of closure.
5Space Force (2020-2022)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 59%
Netflix felt very much like it was trying to emulateThe Office’s success whenSpace Forcedebutedin 2020. It reunited the sitcom’s leading man, Steve Carell, and showrunner Greg Daniels. It was a military workplace comedy that was a little short on belly laughs, but did manage to touch upon certain elements that had madeThe Officeso appealing.
After season 1’s appalling Rotten Tomatoes score of 39%,Space Forceseason 2 reworked its formula and racked up a much-improved rating of 80%, which bumped up the overall average. Fans' scores were quite consistent across both seasons, and they continued to come back for the show’s star-studded cast, which also placed John Malkovich and Lisa Kudrow alongside Carell.
Space Forceis a great show to just kick back and relax with. It doesn’t require a huge amount of concentration, and it subverts several sitcom tropes in creative ways. I think that if it hadn’t been compared so unfairly toThe Officethat it could have been more of a hit.
4Behind Her Eyes (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 63%
Beginning as a 2017 novel by Sarah Pinborough,Netflix broughtBehind Her Eyesto life as a limited series in 2021. The six-episode run is dressed as a story about infidelity and initially seems unremarkable, although the subtle presence of unanswerable questions does hang over the narrative. It’s a slow burn, but worth the wait.
AsBehind Her Eyesgoes on, it becomes more and more obvious that it’s a story with something far more sinister lurking below its surface. I remain convinced that its lack of big-name cast members contributed to its flying under the radar, but it’s worth checking out, even with such a lukewarm Rotten Tomatoes score.
Behind Her Eyesdrip feeds clues about its hidden genre label throughout its run, although they only start to make real sense as the story’s biggest reveal crystallizes.
Behind Her Eyesdrip feeds clues about its hidden genre label throughout its run, although they only start to make real sense as the story’s biggest reveal crystallizes. It’s a deceptively lore-heavy show that requires more concentration than it seems, so ensure to give it your full focus when watching.
3Joey (2004-2005)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 50%
2004 saw the end ofFriends, which left NBC with a void to fill after the award-winning sitcom’s emotional finale. The network tried to plug the hole withJoey, a direct spinoff/sequel toFriendsthat aired shortly after the parent program ended.Matt LeBlanc was the only realFriendsstar to appear inJoeyas the actor reprised the title role in the new setting of Los Angeles.
Friendsset a new standard for sitcoms that has very arguably not been surpassed since it ended. Not evenJoeysucceeded in maintaining the success of the show that spawned it, which perhaps isn’t surprising considering one of thebest TV ensembles of all timehad been whittled down to just one actor.
Its Popcornmeter score of 74% supportsJoey’s status as an underrated show.
Regardless,Joeyisn’t as bad as its reputation and Rotten Tomatoes score suggest. Sure, it wasn’t as good asFriends, but that has been true of countless other sitcoms that have been released in its wake. It’s very watchable and puts a beloved character in the limelight for two fun seasons. Its Popcornmeter score of 74% supportsJoey’s status as an underrated show.
2Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 56%
TheStar Trektimelineis impressively vast, and none of the shows can really be ignored if a full picture of the canon is to be gleaned from the franchise. Still, some Trekkies do try and deny the existence of some of their lesser-enjoyed additions to the saga.Rotten Tomatoes would seem to agree thatStar Trek: Enterpriseisn’t up to scratch.
After the successive productions ofStar Trek: The Next Generation,Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, andStar Trek: Voyager,Star Trek: Enterpriseshook things up by serving as a prequelto everything, which some long-serving fans didn’t seem to take to as an idea.
DespiteStar Trek: Enterprisebeing canceled sooner than originally planned, the writers were told in advance that season 4 would be the last so that the show could end on its own terms.
AlthoughEnterprisetakes big swings with the establishedStar Trekcanon, it’s still a love letter to the franchise while also telling its own rewarding story. Notall four seasons ofEnterpriseare equal in quality, but they are all good overall.The show shouldn’t be avoided for would-be Trekkiestaking on the daunting task of exploring theStar Trekuniverse.
1Marvel’s Iron Fist (2017-2018)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 37%
Now, bear with me on this one. I will openly admit thatIron Fistis the worst ofNetflix’sDefenders-era Marvel shows. However, I still think it gets way too much hate. Some of the criticisms are valid, but many seem to have arisen as the result of its place in the pecking order compared to its contemporaries likeDaredevilandJessica Jones.
Iron Fistwas part of a larger Marvel worldbuilding effort by Netflix, with the platform doing its best to make it seem as though its efforts belonged in the main MCU. Certain licensing scenarios have resulted inIron Fist's canon status changing a few times through the years, but the recent release ofDaredevil: Born AgaincementsIron Fistas canon.
Iron Fistisn’t essential viewing, but it does offer up a fairly unique experience for Marvel fans. Its mystical nature allows it to serve as a soft-of companion piece to 2016’sDoctor Strange, although Benedict Cumberbatch has reprised that movie’s title role far more recently than Danny Rand has playedIron Fist’s Finn Jones.
Iron Fistis a worthwhile endeavor for fans looking to expand their knowledge of the MCU’s deepest corners.
Either way,Iron Fistis a worthwhile endeavor for fans looking to expand their knowledge of the MCU’s deepest corners. Plus,Daredevil: Born Againseason 2could realistically bring Danny Rand back to screens, andRotten Tomatoes' fan-rating of 66% forIron Fistshould encourage those on the fence about doing their research.
All The TV Shows Mentioned In This List (& Their Rotten Tomatoes Scores)
2015-2016
60%
68%
2020-2022
59%
77%
2021
63%
58%
2004-2005
50%
74%
2001-2005
56%
79%
2017-2018
37%
66%
