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This is a list of speculative, fringe or otherwise disregarded theories in science. Some of these theories are considered by some to lie the outside boundary of the "conventional" or "mainstream" science (though the definition of each of these terms can sometimes be subjective; see below for more information). Some of these theories are considered by some to not be based on fact or investigation. Some of these theories are considered by some to be barred from attention or consideration.

Conventional science follow accepted customs and proprieties. Mainstream science follows only the prevailing current of thought, with little deviation. Conventional science acts in accord with and being in tune with traditions or practices accepted from the past. Mainstream science is rigidly formal and bound by convention. Conventional science conforms with accepted standards only. Conventional science is unimaginative and conformist. These theories do not follow at least one of these proscribed items, in one aspect or another.

Historically, some current scientific conventions used today would appear on such a list (such as plate techtonics).

Note: Idiosyncratic theories, or theories with an extremely small base of followers, are not encyclopedic and should not be included.

• Cold fusion - Considered by some as a pathological science; there are 2 types though (see article).
• Dynamic theory of gravity - Critique on Einstein's work considered to exceed the bounds of reason by the scientific establishment.
• Hidden variable theory - Maintaining underlying a level of indeterminacy there is an objective foundation; Urged by a handful of physicists.
• Hollow Earth - Ridiculed and contradicted by substantial evidence and dismissed as pseudoscience by the scientific community.
• Luminiferous aether - Few modern proponents; mysticism appeal draws pseudoscientific proponents; intuitive appeal protoscience proponents; conservative history draws classical field proponents.
• Orgone energy - Seen as mystic pseudoscience by the scientific community; "Reichian Therapy"; based on orgone energy.
• Plasma cosmology - Alternative cosmology to the Big Bang cosmology; developed by Hannes Alfven.
• Quaternion physics - Maxwell's Quaternionic Electromagnetism and Compressible Elastic Aether.
• Reciprocal System of Theory - Advocates to be a theoretical framework capable of comprehensively explaining all physical phenomena from subatomic particles to galactic clusters.
• Steady state theory - Developed in 1949 by Fred Hoyle and others as an alternative to the Big Bang theory.
• Superficial anatomy - Superficial anatomy are to show, first, the form and proportions of the human body and, second, the surface landmarks which correspond to deeper structures hidden from view.

See also pseudoscience, protoscience