Don’t Change the Channel! The Best Geeky TV in 2024

Is there anything better than a TV show you love to come back to? The episodic nature of TV lets us escape in bite-sized portions, for however long we need. Marathon viewers and spacing it out one part a time, we at Sideshow salute you both. And this year, the 2024 geeky TV options did not disappoint.

Currently, we still have plenty of time to watch as geeky series like Star Wars: Skeleton Crew™ and DC’s Creature Commandos unfold. Those shows will wrap up next year in January. Plus, 2024 also gave us additional seasons to hits like House of the Dragon, The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, and Interview With the Vampire. But the following shows really broke the mold with epic storylines, fresh new ideas, and shocking heartbreak.

Which was your favorite? Tell us below then keep reading for a deep dive on these TV selections!

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Agatha All Along

As a spinoff solo series for a character who is neither an Avenger nor a big name baddie in the comics, Agatha All Along casts a deep spell on audiences. Agatha Harkness was a surprise star of WandaVision, her live-action MCU debut. But the real magic within Agatha All Along is the enchanting attention to detail.

Every episode is filled with blink-and-you-miss-it nods to the characters’ backgrounds. Plus, the final few episodes have multiple reveals that encourage repeat viewing to ask yourself, “Could I have seen that coming all along?” In addition to the Young Avengers tie-in and a hilarious ensemble cast, Agatha All Along also gives the MCU one of its most heart-wrenching romances. Without giving away too much, it would be a grave mistake to miss Agatha and Rio’s palpable tension (and chemistry).

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Arcane

section contributed by writer Jasmine Edwards

Listen, Arcane‘s got it all. Monster fights, animated action sequences, and truly astounding writing make Netflix’s Arcane a show for the history books. The story follows sisters Vi and Jinx, formerly Powder. After a harrowing event shakes their corner of the Undercity, their paths diverge to the point of no return. But that doesn’t stop them from trying to find each other again and again, with varying consequences.

If you boil Arcane down, the entire thing can be defined by its relationships and differing ambitions. Arcane really digs into the narrative devices of lies, secrets, and betrayal. Yet it does so with a video game-esque quality that keeps it engaging the whole way through. Really, it’s like if a play also included Hextech-powered hammers and exploding wind-up monkeys. Now that’s a stage production we’d be seated for. Cue the spray paint splash zone!

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Fallout

section contributed by writer Amy Chase

Want another video game adaptation starring powerhouse Ella Purnell (the voice of Arcane‘s Jinx), this time based on Bethesda’s hit post-apocalyptic RPG series? Okey dokey! Fallout rolled back the Vault doors this year and took audiences by radstorm with its original story of naive Vault dweller Lucy MacLean emerging to find her missing father out in the unforgiving, irradiated wasteland of an America devastated by nuclear warfare.

But while Bethesda’s releases are famous for their bugs (not just radroaches), Prime Video’s series launch went down smoother than a refreshing Nuka-Cola. Intersecting narratives with a wandering ghoul and the Brotherhood of Steel made Fallout an irresistibly captivating, surprisingly emotional watch with plenty of nods and Easter eggs from the games for diehard fans. In every episode, viewers can spot things like stimpaks, iconic bits of Vault-Tec, and the most freakish monsters that have ever made you reload your quicksave dozens of times. (We don’t judge.)

And with Ghoul actor Walton Goggins confirming Fallout season 2 has just begun filming, fans are hoping the adventure treks into New Vegas territory next — with plenty of Deathclaws on the way.

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The Penguin

section contributed by writer Jasmine Edwards

After The Batman‘s global success, many fans wanted to learn more about Matt Reeves’ version of Gotham City. Max’s limited series, The Penguin, exceeds expectations. Diving deep into the underbelly of Gotham, the show explores the socioeconomic and political landscape of an underprivileged community. It doesn’t shy away from the brutality of mob violence or Oz Cobb’s selfishness. But is that acquired taste of a personality natural or nurtured? Throughout all eight episodes, the audience continuously grapples with our protagonist. Is he a hero, a villain, or something else? That depends on which side of him you stand, perhaps. Just don’t get close enough to be strangled.

Ultimately, The Penguin is a must-watch. It includes all the action of the super hero genre without becoming outlandish. Grounded and gritty, The Penguin reveals a quieter and tougher side of DC media than we’ve ever seen. The Penguin also does so while expertly dissecting the social and financial struggles that make most people point their fingers to say, “That’s the bad guy!” Plus, it has Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone. What more could you want?

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The Legend of Vox Machina

section contributed by writer Amy Chase

While Critical Role‘s mercenaries for hire still aren’t the Exandrian world-renowned legends they are fully destined to become, season 3 of The Legend of Vox Machina shows these vibrant heroes on the rise. Continuing their conflict against the Chroma Conclave, these latest episodes see the team collecting more Vestiges of Divergence in pursuit of defeating their foes Vorugal, Thordak, and Raishan. Along the way, our favorite heroes face some of their biggest challenges yet. Heartbreak, love, action, and expletives abound — everything you’d expect from a group of adventurers turned family.

Of course, as any Critter will tell you, there’s tons of campaign remaining to fit into the animated series. Already renewed for a fourth season, this is far from the conclusion of Vox Machina’s tale. Romances and rivalries continue to burn hotter, and the party crosses the expanses of Exandria — from Marquet to the Hells themselves — on their quest. But as we see in a concluding teaser for season 3, their deadliest foe is about to awaken…

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X-Men ’97

Nostalgia is always a driving factor in resuscitating fan favorites. But X-Men ’97 evolved into something entirely different, breathing new life into an already rich tapestry of mutant lore. Dedicated fans of X-Men: The Animated Series and new recruits to the mutant cause will both find plenty of things to love in this animated Marvel show.

With a team like the X-Men, it can be a tough balancing act to let everyone shine but each mutant somehow does in this sprawling series. Classic storylines are remixed into mind-bending and soul-crushing combinations. Nearly every episode ends on a clenching cliffhanger. Beloved favorites like Storm, Cyclops, and Rogue excel as mutant leaders while Jean Grey finally stops fainting all over the place. Truly everybody wins here. Well, maybe except the mutants. They never seem to catch a break.

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But hey, these weren’t the only new or amazing shows of 2024, by any means. A geek’s watchlist is never truly completed. Let us know what your favorite TV shows were from this past year!

Join the conversation with other pop culture fans over at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!