Dark is Germany’s response to Stranger Things. (Although this is much more than this comparison.)
Netflix
Netflix is well known for several huge science fiction shows (Strange thingsto name the most obvious), but with its ever-expanding international library, it contains several brilliant and unusual television gems from around the world.
Scroll down for the best Netflix originals and great international deals.
Lost in Space (2018-2021)
Netflix
The restart of the eponymous series from 1965 takes us forward to 2046, two years after humanity found itself on the brink of extinction. The talented Robinson family sets off with a crew to colonize a new planet. In addition to the inevitable family drama, they encounter strange new environments and a strange alien robot who befriends young Will. Mystery, heart and memorable villain in Dr. Parker Posey’s Smith gives Lost in Space a lot of fuel to take off (seasons 2 and 3 are significantly improved over season 1).
Pacific (2021—)
Netflix
Yes, Gong Yu from Squid Game is in it. What else do you need to know? This South Korean science fiction mystery follows a team of astronauts on a mission to an abandoned research facility on the moon. Their purpose: a sample of an unknown substance for unclear purposes. Betrayal, government lies and personal secrets send this addictive space journey into congestion.
Changed carbon (2018-2020)
Netflix
The action of Altered Carbon takes place in a cyberpunk world, where human consciousness can be transferred to different bodies. This is seen by investigator and ex-soldier Takeshi Kovacs, transported to the body of Joel Kinaman in season 1 and Anthony Mackie in season 2. Kovacs’ story initially involves uncovering a murder before he goes on a search to find out what happened to his own lost love. Altered Carbon can be cumbersome at times, but its visuals and value for fun elevate you through exposure and heavy social commentary.
OA (2016-2019)
Jojo Wilden / Netflix
The repeal of Netflix is no more criminal than the repeal of The OA. This extremely unique story follows Prairie Johnson, a young blind woman who returns after disappearing for years, now with the ability to see. She claims to be the “original angel” and persuades a small group of locals to listen to her impossible story, which includes kidnappings and great escapes. OA is a type of science fiction that catches you and your characters completely unprepared when introducing your fantasy concepts. Watch the first two flawless seasons on Netflix and pray for the third to be taken elsewhere.
Sense8 (2015-2018)
Murray Close / Netflix
From the creators of The Matrix comes another story that plays with reality. Sense8 tracks eight strangers from around the world who find themselves mentally and emotionally connected. These windows in many different lives not only teach tolerance, but the “senates” can mutually benefit from their skills when confronted with a sinister organization that pursues them. If you have fun with the various characters of Sense8, you will fall in love with this serious and sensual science fiction drama.
In the night (2020—)
Netflix
This apocalyptic science fiction from Belgium will probably repel you from flying soon. Set on a plane, Into the Night sees red eyes abducted by a soldier who, along with other passengers, eventually survives a deadly global event down to earth. Can they keep the plane long enough to get them safe? This premise alone should be enough to entice you to catch this great, intense thriller.
Outside (2020)
Netflix
Hilary Swank is the big star at the heart of Away’s space drama. She plays Emma Green, a NASA astronaut and commander of an expedition to Mars. Things start erratically, and Emma’s international team fills her with doubts about her ability to command. With the division of time between the drama of Earth and reliable entertainment over the stratosphere, Away is mostly successful in landing a versatile journey.
Archive 81 (2022—)
Netflix
Enjoy science fiction series that play with two timelines? Do you have a special place for cults and mysteries? Check out Archive 81. The numerous shows, spanning a variety of genres, feature Mamudou Ati as Dan Turner, an archivist who takes a concert to restore a collection of damaged videotapes from the 1990s. He gets much more than he expected, involved in an investigation into a mysterious cult and a young woman who may or may not be dead. A supernatural thriller with horror, mystery, noir and science fiction permeated its terrifying atmosphere, Archive 81 contains it all.
Dark (2017-2020)
Netflix
Germany’s response to Stranger Things deliberately takes time before entering completely captivating and original places. A science fiction noir, Dark folds time travel, conspiracies and alienated families into a story spanning a generation that began with the disappearance of a child. If these types of meticulous layers are what you’re looking for in storytelling, settle down. All three seasons of Dark’s meditative view of time travel and its effect on human nature are waiting to hit you in full force.
Strange Things (2016—)
Netflix
It wouldn’t be the best list without Stranger Things. If you’ve somehow missed the Duffer brothers ‘ode to the’ 80s horror and Steven Spielberg, things are about to become trumpets. We follow El, an almost mute girl who has been the subject of scientific experiments. It develops telekinetic forces, which it uses to repel monsters that invade from a frightening alternate dimension. The world of Indiana, Hawkins, is with love and detail for anyone who needs a nostalgic hit from the 80’s, and the inappropriate characters, played by a stellar young cast, are part of everything that makes this show exciting.
Travelers (2016-2018)
Netflix
Full disclosure: Netflix has unfortunately canceled Travelers after its third season, but this narrow-minded science fiction from Canada has managed to end with an ambitious explosion. We start with Marcy, a disabled woman who was beaten after helping a friend escape thugs. She dies – then returns to life. This powerful science fiction, led by heroes, reveals its secrets in cunning ways, following future operatives tasked with preventing the collapse of society, but also moving into the complex territory of double living.
Black Mirror (2011—)
Lori Sparham / Netflix
While Charlie Brooker’s grim series of technology anthologies may be hit and missed, at best Black Mirror wraps up its mini-films by exploring futuristic technology ideas through painfully human stories. One of them is San Junipero, following two women in the ’80s (a crash soundtrack) as they fall in love with each other in ways they couldn’t do in their “real” life outside the beach town. The technological aspect is revealed with ingenious time and in general the show explores the consequences of our included life in disturbing and occasionally inspiring ways.
Movies coming in 2022 from Marvel, Netflix, DC and others
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