Although TV show created by J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci follows a unique team of gifted professionals (including scientists and FBI agents) who come together to solve bizarre and unusual cases. Throughout Fringe's five seasons, the mysteries become more complex as the audience learns more about the characters' pasts (and futures).

Fringe has a 90 percent score on the Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes and an 80 percent average on the Popcornmeter (formerly known as the Audience Score).

Fringe ended in 2013 after five seasons and 100 episodes. However, even though it has been over a decade since its series finale, Fringe has been the furthest thing from being forgotten, as it's easily one of the best sci-fi TV shows of the 2000s (and arguably of all time). It has some tough competition, though. Of course, there are iconic series such as Battlestar Galactica, Lost, The X-Files, Doctor Who, etc. But, one mega-popular CW show that premiered in 2014 (and holds an 89 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes) is one of the most similar to Fringe.

The Flash Was The Perfect Sci-Fi Show For Fringe Fans

The CW's Second Arrowverse Series Contains Many Of The Elements Fringe Does

One might be surprised to hear this, but The Flash and Fringe have a lot in common, meaning fans who watch one should check out the other. Yes, The Flash is a superhero show set in the renowned Arrowverse. However, it's much more than that, and the qualities that make the 2014 show stand out from other superhero series based on comic books are the same ones that make it Fringe's perfect replacement. The Flash features time travel, alternate universes, the guy in the chair trope, futuristic science, cases of the week, etc. Essentially, The Flash is Fringe with superheroes.

The Flash is the first spinoff to Arrow, making it the second Arrowverse show out of six (not counting Superman & Lois, which was later confirmed to take place in a separate universe). Out of all the franchise's series, The Flash ran for the longest — nine seasons and 184 episodes. It's arguably the best and most popular Arrowverse show. The Flash's sci-fi elements elevated the grounded franchise, letting it expand much further than before, similar to how Fringe started exploring its mythology more in season 2. For these reasons alone (and because it premiered one year after Fringe ended), The Flash serves as Fringe's spiritual successor.

The Flash Was Often A More Sci-Fi Show Than A Superhero One

The Show Has Plenty Of Sci-Fi Elements

At first glance, one would simply label The Flash a superhero show. However, when looking closely, its roots clearly lie more in sci-fi than any other genre, while its predecessor, Arrow, is very much a superhero action series that, when good, relies on its grounded nature. The producers evidently wanted The Flash to be much different tonally from Arrow. So, they made it into a sci-fi procedural, with Fringe.

Episodes of The Flash often feature cases that begin and end within the hour, typically when a new metahuman makes themselves known and wreaks havoc on Central City. Meanwhile, Fringe does the same but with mysteries linked to The Pattern. Both shows rely heavily on their respective sci-fi elements and mythology, which is essentially what makes them so similar (despite their mythological differences).

The Flash's Legacy Is Complicated, But It's An Iconic Show Regardless

The Flash's Quality Dwindles In Its Later Seasons

Many agree that The Flash goes off the rails in its later seasons as they just never capture the same magic from the earlier episodes. However, that shouldn't take away from the CW show's legacy as a whole. The Flash made a lasting impression on pop culture and the sci-fi community, similar to Fringe. It has so many fantastic, memorable moments (including the first time Barry time travels, Eddie's sacrifice in the season 1 finale, the crossovers, when Barry enters Flashtime, etc.) that undoubtedly outweigh its negatives. Ultimately, The Flash deserves to be in the conversation of best sci-fi shows, alongside Fringe.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes