These 7 TV shows have surprisingly low IMDB ratings despite being good

Nowadays, due to a plethora of TV shows, we tend to make decisions on what to watch next based on ratings. Whether you prefer IMDb or any other website, we end up choosing the TV shows with a higher rating, probably more than 8.

However, since ratings are based on individuals, sometimes a good TV show ends up with an average score or even below 7. There are numerous TV shows that, due to their low IMDb scores, stay hidden in the list below, as everybody prefers to watch the highest-rated shows. However, some of these shows, despite being liked by the audience, have a low IMDb rating. Whether comedy or sci-fi, these TV shows have good storylines and also characters that deserve more attention and admiration.

Here’s a list of 7 TV shows that are great but have a low IMDB rating.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's opinion and contains spoilers. Reader discretion is advised.

7 TV shows have surprisingly low IMDB ratings despite being good

7) Charlie’s Angels

Farrah Fawcett in Charlie’s Angels | Image via Columbia Pictures Television

Charlie’s Angels might remind many of the film series. However, it was actually a continuation of the series that premiered in 1976. It revolved around the story of three women who worked as private investigators after becoming dissatisfied with their jobs. The show was a hit when it was released, and it also became the show that made Farrah Fawcett popular.

However, despite its cult classic status, the crime drama with three lead women has an IMDb score of 6.6. A show that introduced Charlie’s Angels to the audience, who would go undercover solving numerous cases, might not have a good rating on IMDb. However, its storytelling and performances by the actresses have made it one of the best TV shows.

6) Death Valley

Cast of Death Valley | Image via BBC Studios

The 2025 British crime drama has an IMDb score of 6.6, but don’t fall for the low score, as this six-part crime mystery has everything a good crime series needs. The show follows Timothy Spall’s John, a famous actor who played the titular character in the detective show, Caesar, and Gwyneth Keyworth’s Janie, a detective, who come together to solve a murder mystery.

Just like a good crime series, Death Valley curates a compelling tale that is gripping and evenly paced. Various moments show wittiness and British dry humor. Despite a low score, this new show is a must-watch and deserves to be among the good TV shows of the year.

5) Derrick

Horst Tappert in Derrick | Image via ZDF

Derrick is regarded as one of the best crime TV shows of the 1970s. It narrates the story of Detective Inspector Stephan Derrick and his assistant, Sergeant Harry Klein, who solve various cases with unconventional methods of catching the criminals.

The show leans more toward the psychological aspect of crime dramas rather than depicting the violent side of crime TV shows, as Derrick preferred to follow his hunches from early on and didn’t need much evidence to catch the criminals. He preferred to engage his suspects in conversation, where they ended up confessing to their crimes. While it has an IMDb score of 6.7, it is still one of the best early TV shows that delved into the psychological side of crime to solve them.

4) Dawson’s Creek

Joshua Jackson in Dawson’s Creek | Image via Columbia TriStar Television

Dawson’s Creek focused on a group of teenagers and their issues in the late 1990s. The show follows the stories of a group of friends - Dawson, Pacey, Joey, and later Jen- and their personal struggles while growing up. As a coming-of-age drama, the series focuses on important issues - sexuality, first love, and mental health, among others.

The show begins with Dawson's story and the love triangle between Dawson, Jen, and Joey. It covers many emotional topics in the first season itself, such as Dawson coping with finding out about his mother’s affair and later how it impacts his parents’ marriage, which in turn affects him as well. With different seasons, many more issues are depicted while the characters grow up in the small town. While the series has an IMDb score of 6.8, it is still counted among the classics.

3) Carême

This French historical drama might be one of the best TV shows released this year so far, but it has an IMDb rating of 6.6. Carême revolves around the story of celebrity chef Antonin Carême, regarded as one of the best chefs in the Napoleonic era.

It focuses on Antonin’s story, starting from where he came from to the beginning of his becoming a celebrity chef. But the story doesn’t end there, as his fame puts him in front of politicians who want him to gain information by making him their spy. The TV show depicts whether Antonin gives in to it, becomes their spy, and sells the information to get rid of poverty. The storytelling, the suspense it creates, and also the performances of the actors add to make this show one of the best, making it a must-watch, even if the IMDb score is low.

2) Doctor Who

While Doctor Who is one of the most popular sci-fi series, which has a cult classic status and is also a part of the pop culture phenomenon, Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor Who series 14 has an IMDb score of 6.2. Gatwa portrayed the 15th Doctor in the series and accompanied by Ruby Sunday, they travel to different timelines to solve various types of situations that the time lord has to solve.

Gatwa’s performance, just like in his other ventures, is phenomenal, and while the show takes time to establish itself among the Doctor Who lore, it has finally found its place with its unique world-building, new stories, and adventures of the alien Timelord. Gatwa has carved his name among these performances and made one of the best sci-fi TV shows, which deserves a better rating.

1) Glee

Matthew Morrison in Glee | Image via 20th Century Fox Television

Considered one of the comfort TV shows for many, Glee has been popular for a long time. It revolves around Spanish teacher Will at William McKinley High School, who becomes the new teacher and manages the Glee club. He tries his best to make the club, now named New Directions, one of the best, just like it used to be in the past, amid the conspiracies of the principal and cheerleading coach, who want to get rid of the club.

The show also focuses on the individual lives of the members of the Glee Club, their love life, and issues, as it consists of high school students. The musical show has been popular among viewers, but still has an IMDB rating of 6.8 and deserves a better score as it is actually one of the best feel-good TV shows.