Netflix has continued to add to its impressive slate of original TV shows with the recently trending The Sandman and the return of hits like Cobra Kai on September 9th. Of course, despite everything new they create, so many subscribers love going through the back catalog of classic content available.
They have iconic TV series from the 2000s like Gilmore Girls and Friday Night Lights but for anyone who digs a little deeper, they can find shows that flew under the radar or have been forgotten to time. From intriguing animated projects to overlooked sci-fi shows and more, Netflix is home to hidden gems
Ouran High School Host Club (2006)
The popularity of anime is among the most consistent things in all of television, especially when those shows are based on existing manga series. Ouran High School Host Club fits that mold as it was watched by a solid audience and met with strong critical reception, though it has been unjustly forgotten by many.
The story was centered on Haruhi Fujioka and her relationship with a popular host club at the prestigious school she attends. The adaptation basically worked as a miniseries, spanning just over 20 episodes, and telling a complete story. It's perfect to binge watch across a short time period.
One On One (2001-2006)
It could be difficult to consider One on One a hidden gem as it was a show that lasted five seasons and spanned more than 100 episodes. There was clearly an audience for the series and they stuck around for a while but it still isn't a sitcom from the 2000s that gets talked about that much. It's an unfortunate case with far too many Black-led sitcoms of the era.
One on One focused on a sportscaster who gains custody of his teenage daughter after his ex-wife moves out of the country. The father/daughter dynamic is a true highlight as Flex Alexander and Kyla Pratt had fantastic chemistry. On top of that, there were major guest stars like Brenda Song, Laz Alonso, Kel Mitchell, Alfonso Ribeiro, Charlie Murphy, and more.
Iris (2009-2013)
Better known as Airiseu, Iris was a South Korean espionage show that followed the adventures of a black ops agency known as the National Security Service. They battled the titular terrorist organization across 20 exciting episodes that are sure to be easy to binge.
Although it's not well known in the United States, Iris was a hit in its home country. It was given a big budget, won some notable awards, and even led to both a spin-off series and a movie adaptation. Plus, the show features Lee Byung-hun, who has gained more recent fame thanks to a role in Squid Game.
Merlin (2008-2012)
Ultimately, Merlin might not be considered an under the radar show by many. After all, it lasted five seasons and has a pretty strong fanbase. However, those fans do kind of view it as a cult classic, which tends to happen when something doesn't really catch on with the masses.
The BBC series worked as a reimagining of the titular legend where he's a warlock sent to live in Camelot by his mother because of his abilities. Due to being made on a small budget, many of the special effects and CGI are rough even for the time and certainly don't hold up. Thankfully, the fantastic characters, the storytelling and the performances are more than on point.
Vampire Knight (2008)
Along the same lines as Ouran High School Host Club, Vampire Knight is a short-lived anime show based on an existing Japanese manga series. The intriguing storyline centered on Yuki Cross, a girl who attempts to keep the peace between vampires and humans at a prestigious academy.
Vampire Knight aired throughout 2008 and features enough episodes to satisfy a viewer but also allows them to wrap things up in quick fashion. It was met with widespread acclaim for everything from the writing to the animation style to the music.
The 4400 (2004-2007)
Modern TV viewers might recognize the name The 4400 as the show was recently rebooted for the CW Network. While the new version was one of the most intriguing revivals in a long time, the original is hard to top as it had a fantastic setup that grabbed audiences instantly.
The sci-fi show focused on a group of 4,400 people who disappeared over the years all returning together with no memory of what happened and having not aged a day. It's the kind of high concept show that catches everyone's eyes but doesn't tend to last all that long. A bonus of checking it out is getting to see future Oscar winner Mahershala Ali in an early role.
Dead Set (2008)
Yet another miniseries from the 2000s, Dead Set is likely the most unique of them all. It manages to deliver a zombie concept that hasn't really been done before, as it depicts an outbreak from the undead that takes place on the set of the reality TV series Big Brother.
Just knowing that premise is enough to make it something worth watching. Fans of the reality series will also appreciate cameos by former housemates from Big Brother, while those who love the zombie genre are sure to get a lot out of it.
The Spectacular Spider-Man (2008-2009)
Considering the wild popularity of Spider-Man, it's likely surprising to see a show starring him among hidden gems. That said, when people think about shows focusing on the wall-crawler, their minds go to the series from the '90s, 2012's Ultimate Spider-Man, or even the one that premiered in 2017.
That means The Spectacular Spider-Man gets overlooked when it shouldn't. It followed the expected story of Peter Parker juggling high school life and being a superhero while also featuring impressive animation and iconic Marvel villains. It's simple but effective.
