It is quite possible that taking advantage of Crave or CBC Gem that many viewers scroll through without noticing that some of the great Canadian storytelling is discreetly hidden under the various layers of trending movies and American content imports. Raw documentaries, edged comedies, and emotional drama- no matter what you prefer, you will find underrated choices on these platforms that will need a serious consideration. The shows and films that you should have seen and that you really should not have skipped are discussed below.
Crave Originals That Didn’t Get Enough Buzz
Crave has culminatively become a place for fearless, homegrown stories. All the same, some of its own strongest first ever never ever got the lovely they truly deserved – also here in Australia.
Swan Song is a good instance. Featuring a stunning and stunningly funny performance by Udo Kier as a seedy retired hairdresser on a cross country journey of redemption and release, it is achingly funny and beautifully shot. Not many saw it when it came out, but the critics loved it (Rotten Tomatoes: 92).
Then there is “The Trade,” a new docuseries that explores not one, not two but five stories in the world of drug cartels and human trafficking. Unlike Netflix’s slicker versions, this is one that’s low-key and downright scary.
“Sort Of,” a gender, culture and identity-digging drama-comedy, took the 2022 Peabody Award, but still flies under-the-radar. It’s underplayed, clever and emotional – all things one could want in a cult classic of Canadian cinema..
CBC Gem Films That Were Never Advertised
CBC Gem is home to some of the most well-considered films in Canada but many are unaware of what to seek.
The story Beans is a product of 1990 Oka Crisis and traces events of a young Mohawk girl struggling through the phase of child development and also struggling through activism. It is in the 2022 BAFTAs long-list, but it is not marketed appropriately.
And then there is Porcupine Lake which is a low-key film of the relationship between two teen girls during the summer. Unpretentious, unemotional, it describes adolescence in black, not pink. Majority of the viewers merely failed to notice because of no international promotion.
The two movies are an indication of the largely undiscovered (and unheard) brilliance that CBC Gem possesses.
Family-Friendly Picks That Adults Will Also Enjoy
Kid content need not be something meant to be sleep inducing or with screamy graphics. CBC Gem has light entertainment titles with depth to the story.
Big Blue is a cartoon show concerning the mysteries of the ocean by two brothers. It is witty, coloured and a breath of fresh learning, and more suitable to 6 11 yr olds and more so to inquisitive parents.
Detention Adventure is a Canadian version of stranger things without horror. A band of bright, square pegs kids crack a secret lab with science and history. The dialogue is snappy, the characters are made of mixed ethnicity and the jokes do stand up.
Crave is more geared toward adults whereas CBC Gem truly excels in all-ages stuff that is heartfelt.
Comedies That Deserved a Larger Audience
Too many great Canadian comedies barely reach their audience. These two deserve far more love:
- New Eden
- Genre: Satirical mockumentary
- Premise: A 1970s feminist utopia spirals into chaos
- Style: Structured like a true-crime doc
- Why it’s special: Absurd, sharp, and refreshingly original
- Why it was missed: Limited promotion despite strong critical praise
- Perfect for: Fans of Tiger King or Documentary Now! who enjoy smart, dark humour
- Strays
- Genre: Workplace sitcom
- Premise: Shannon (from Kim’s Convenience) runs an animal shelter
- Tone: Sweet, awkward, and sincere
- Highlights: Diverse cast, punchy dialogue, heartfelt moments
- Why it was missed: Overshadowed by its popular predecessor
- Perfect for: Viewers who want quick laughs with emotional depth
Both shows are easy to binge, underrated, and uniquely Canadian in humour and voice. Add them to your list – you’ll thank yourself later.
Must-Watch for Viewers Who Want Diverse Stories
Less than often, the Canadian screen stories succeed in diversity where their big-budgeted relatives fail. These programs are testimony of that.
Black railway men in the 1920s and their struggle against the first Black union were the protagonists of the so-called The Porter. It is retro-chic, period, and lays upon deep characterizations. Whenever I wanted to give it a try, CBC canceled it before it reached its internal conditions, however, all episodes should be watched.
Here, again, the credit is to be given to “Sort Of”. It propagates not gender identity, but care giving, culture and finding a place without a label. Bilal Baig presents by unique example.
The stories presented in Crave and CBC Gem are concerned with various walks of life without putting differences in boxes as checkboxes. The two titles do this the best.
Conclusion: Why These Gems Are Still Worth Your Time
Many of these titles didn’t trend. They didn’t get billboards or autoplay trailers. But they’re well-crafted, deeply human, and far more reflective of real stories than what dominates big platforms.
Crave and CBC Gem hold real cultural value – especially for viewers who want more than just loud plots or recycled ideas. These hidden gems might’ve slipped past the spotlight, but they stick with you long after the credits roll. If you’re tired of endless scrolling, start with one from each list. You’ll not only discover something new – you’ll support storytellers who truly deserve it.