Sci-Fi Web Series to Watch After [Popular Sci-Fi Movie/Show] – Hollywood Edition

The neon-drenched, rain-slicked world of ‘Blade Runner 2049’ leaves a lasting impression. Its exploration of artificial intelligence, existentialism, and the nature of humanity lingers long after the credits roll. If you’re craving more of that futuristic, thought-provoking atmosphere, the good news is the internet offers a wealth of compelling sci-fi web series that delve into similar themes, often with a Hollywood polish. While lacking the blockbuster budget of Villeneuve’s masterpiece, these series compensate with innovative storytelling, strong performances, and a willingness to tackle complex ideas in a more intimate format.

1. High Maintenance: The Guy

While not explicitly sci-fi, High Maintenance on HBO’s streaming platform offers a subtle, almost mundane, exploration of a near-future New York City. The series revolves around “The Guy,” a weed deliveryman who connects a diverse and often eccentric cast of characters. The subtle technological advancements, like enhanced surveillance and ubiquitous drone deliveries, paint a picture of a future that feels eerily plausible.

• Why it fits: The show’s strength lies in its world-building, subtly depicting how technology shapes human connection and alienation. Like Blade Runner 2049, it explores the human condition against a backdrop of technological progress, albeit on a smaller, more personal scale. The focus is less on grand narratives and more on the everyday anxieties and joys of individuals navigating a rapidly changing urban landscape. The Guy acts as a connective tissue, observing the impact of technology on relationships, privacy, and the search for meaning.

• Hollywood Connection: Created by Katja Blichfeld and Ben Sinclair, High Maintenance gained traction through its initial run on Vimeo before being picked up by HBO, demonstrating the potential for independent web series to break into the mainstream. Its sophisticated writing and character development attracted a wider audience, blurring the lines between web series and traditional television.

2. Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams

This anthology series on Amazon Prime Video directly adapts stories from the legendary Philip K. Dick, the author whose work inspired Blade Runner. Each episode features a different story, cast, and director, offering a diverse range of perspectives on Dick’s themes of reality, identity, and the nature of consciousness.

• Why it fits: Obvious connection: Philip K. Dick is the source material for Blade Runner. Electric Dreams provides a deeper dive into Dick’s literary universe, exploring a wider range of his stories beyond Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. Episodes like “Real Life” and “The Hood Maker” directly tackle themes of simulated reality, corporate control, and the erosion of individual freedom, all of which resonate with the themes explored in Blade Runner 2049. The anthology format allows for a variety of tones and styles, ensuring there’s something for every fan of thought-provoking sci-fi.

• Hollywood Connection: The series boasts an impressive roster of Hollywood talent, both in front of and behind the camera. Bryan Cranston, Anna Paquin, Steve Buscemi, and Vera Farmiga are just a few of the actors who appear in different episodes. Directors like Peter Horton and Tom Harper bring their experience from traditional television to create visually stunning and emotionally resonant episodes. The involvement of high-profile talent elevates the series beyond a typical web series, making it a worthy successor to the Blade Runner legacy.

3. Dimension 404

Hulu’s Dimension 404 is an anthology series that blends sci-fi, horror, and comedy, exploring the dark side of the internet and technology. Each episode presents a self-contained story that delves into the weird and unsettling corners of the digital world.

• Why it fits: While lighter in tone than Blade Runner 2049, Dimension 404 shares a similar fascination with the potential dangers of technological advancement. Episodes explore themes of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and the blurring lines between the physical and digital worlds. The series often uses humor to explore serious issues, such as the impact of social media on mental health and the potential for technology to be used for nefarious purposes. The anthology format allows for a wide range of storytelling possibilities, making it a fun and engaging watch for fans of speculative fiction.

• Hollywood Connection: Dimension 404 features a cast of recognizable actors, including Lea Michele, Joel McHale, and Patton Oswalt. The series was created by Dez Dolly and Will Campos, who have backgrounds in comedy and animation, bringing a unique sensibility to the sci-fi genre. The show’s production values are surprisingly high for a web series, demonstrating the increasing sophistication of online content.

4. Future Man

Another Hulu offering, Future Man, is a time-travel comedy series about a janitor who is recruited to save the world from a dystopian future. The series is full of pop culture references and over-the-top action, making it a fun and irreverent take on the time-travel genre.

• Why it fits: While primarily a comedy, Future Man explores serious themes about the consequences of technological progress and the importance of individual agency. The series presents a bleak vision of the future, where humanity is on the brink of extinction due to a devastating war between humans and genetically engineered super-soldiers. The protagonist, Josh Futturman, is forced to confront the ethical implications of his actions as he travels through time to prevent the apocalypse. The series’ blend of humor and action makes it a highly entertaining and thought-provoking watch.

• Hollywood Connection: Future Man stars Josh Hutcherson and Eliza Coupe, and is executive produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the duo behind Superbad and This Is the End. The series’ Hollywood pedigree is evident in its high production values, strong performances, and sharp writing. The show’s success demonstrates the growing appeal of genre-bending comedies that push the boundaries of traditional television.

5. Counterpart

Counterpart, originally airing on Starz and now available on various streaming platforms, presents a complex sci-fi thriller about a low-level bureaucrat who discovers that the agency he works for is guarding a secret: a parallel dimension identical to our own.

• Why it fits: Counterpart excels in its exploration of identity, morality, and the potential consequences of choices. The existence of a parallel world allows the series to examine the “what if” scenarios of life, exploring how different decisions can lead to vastly different outcomes. The series’ atmosphere is often tense and suspenseful, with a focus on espionage and political intrigue. Like Blade Runner 2049, Counterpart raises profound questions about the nature of reality and the meaning of existence.

• Hollywood Connection: Counterpart stars J.K. Simmons in a dual role, showcasing his impressive acting range. The series was created by Justin Marks, who has written screenplays for films like The Jungle Book and Top Gun: Maverick. The show’s high production values and sophisticated storytelling attracted critical acclaim, demonstrating the potential for premium cable networks to produce high-quality sci-fi content.

6. Upload

Amazon Prime Video’s Upload is a satirical sci-fi comedy that explores the concept of digital afterlife. In the near future, people can “upload” their consciousness to a virtual afterlife of their choice. The series follows Nathan Brown, a young app developer who dies prematurely and is uploaded to Lake View, a luxurious digital afterlife.

• Why it fits: Upload tackles themes of class, consumerism, and the meaning of life in the digital age. The series satirizes the idea of a perfect afterlife, highlighting the potential for inequality and exploitation even in a virtual world. The show also explores the impact of technology on relationships and the challenges of maintaining human connection in an increasingly digital society. Like Blade Runner 2049, Upload raises questions about the nature of consciousness and the potential for technology to alter our understanding of life and death.

• Hollywood Connection: Upload was created by Greg Daniels, the Emmy-winning creator of The Office and Parks and Recreation. Daniels brings his signature comedic style to the sci-fi genre, creating a series that is both funny and thought-provoking. The show’s success demonstrates the growing appeal of comedies that tackle complex themes in an accessible and entertaining way.

7. Humans

Based on the Swedish series Äkta Människor, Humans (available on various streaming platforms) explores a near-future where highly realistic humanoid robots, called “Synths,” serve humans in various roles.

• Why it fits: Humans directly confronts the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and the potential for Synths to develop consciousness. The series explores the complex relationships between humans and Synths, examining themes of prejudice, exploitation, and the definition of humanity. Like Blade Runner 2049, Humans raises profound questions about what it means to be human and the potential consequences of blurring the lines between humans and machines.

• Hollywood Connection: While based on a Swedish series, Humans features a cast of British and American actors, including Gemma Chan, William Hurt, and Katherine Parkinson. The series’ high production values and compelling storytelling attracted a wide audience, demonstrating the global appeal of well-crafted sci-fi dramas.

8. Maniac

Netflix’s limited series *Maniac