Dystopian shows on Hulu

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Which dystopia would you rather live in: the year we’re currently having, or one of these fictional universes? For many people, it seems the answer is anywhere but here. At a time when everything feels like it’s falling apart, people have taken more interest than ever in dystopian sci-fi, worst-case scenario visions of what past authors feared would come to pass. Maybe watching others fight through unprecedented grimness makes us feel better about fighting our own — or maybe the universe just has a dark sense of humor. Either way, dystopian fiction is blessedly back on the rise, and it makes for some seriously bingeable TV. From classics like Westworld and Black Mirror to cult favorites 3% or The 100, your dystopian TV playlist is waiting below.

While the worlds represented in these various dystopian worlds vary greatly, ranging from an infiltration of zombies to eyesight being wiped out, theocratic rulers taking over, and more, the central question of many of these TV shows remains the same. How will the irrepressible human desire to be known, loved, and free fight its way out of these new confines? In a world where all seems lost, how does that first spark of humanity flicker back?

Dystopian cinema has plenty to offer in terms of CGI and production design, and the aesthetics of these imagined worlds alone are awe-inspiring. But I have a feeling it’s this triumph of the human spirit that keeps us returning to the dystopian genre now more than ever, when we need inspiration from heroes whose mounting obstacles mirror our own.

Art imitates life in these dystopian TV shows — by watching them, and being inspired by their heroes, we can make sure life imitates art right back.

A version of this story was originally published in 2020. 

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Hulu has slowly expanded its catalog, which is good news for fans of sci-fi movies and shows. The streaming service used to be just a bit more affordable than Netflix, but nowadays Hulu Original shows have largely levelled the playing field and justified some price increases. The service seems to get new movies in a much more timely fashion. When it comes to sci-fi shows on Hulu, along with sci-fi movies, there are a lot of options. From classic films to award-winning Hulu Original shows, there are more than enough options to get your science fiction fix.

We’ve split the list into the best sci-fi shows and the best sci-fi movies on Hulu. You’re sure to find something to watch, so keep on reading!

Editor’s note: This list will be updated as sci-fi movies and shows leave and other new arrivals make their debut on Hulu.

The best sci-fi shows on Hulu

The Handmaid’s Tale

This Hulu Original is not only one of the streamer’s best, but also one of its most successful. The first season of the Handmaid’s Tale won eight Primetime Emmys and several Golden Globe awards, and in many ways was the first show to put Hulu Originals on the map.

The show takes place in a dystopian near-future New England, where ultra-conservative religious leaders have taken over. Women’s rights have been erased, and their role in society reduced to that of Marthas, who do typical house chores, and Handmaids, whose only purpose is to bear children for their masters. It’s based on the classic 1985 novel by Margaret Atwood, and it strays far from standard genre tropes, making it one of the best sci-fi shows on Hulu.

Firefly

If you’re looking for more standard science-fiction action, Joss Whedon’s Firefly will be right up your alley. If you haven’t already seen it, the 2002 space cowboy western can be streamed in its entirety on Hulu. It was unceremoniously canceled in its first season, but it remains a fan favorite. The movie, Serenity, can also be streamed on Hulu and ties up some loose ends from the series.

Firefly follows the crew of captain Mal Reynolds aboard a Firefly-class spaceship. Unlike other shows in the genre, it takes place in a multicultural future, where Eastern and Western cultures intertwine. Significant disparities between the rich and the poor still exist, and the decision to focus on the latter makes it all the more interesting. Even if you don’t care for Whedon personally, it’s still one of the best sci-fi shows on Hulu.

11.22.63

James Franco stars in yet another Hulu Original sci-fi series, this time based on a Stephen King novel of the same name. The miniseries unfolds over eight episodes, all of which are available for streaming now on Hulu.

11.22.63, as the name implies, centers around the assassination of JFK. An ordinary high-school teacher is tasked with travelling back in time to prevent the murder from taking place, which proves more difficult than he could imagine.

The X-Files

The X-Files follows FBI agents Mulder and Scully. They search for “the truth” and often work on far-out cases. Some topics covered include UFO sightings, abductions, and other paranormal activities. The series is a classic favorite from the ’90s.

You’ll be entertained for a while, with 11 seasons to work through, including two reunion seasons. It is definitely one of the best sci-fi shows on Hulu.

12 Monkeys [series]

Loosely based on the 1995 movie, 12 Monkeys is a science fiction show that originally aired on the SyFy network. All four seasons and 47 episodes are available now on Hulu.

The series focuses on two strangers who are tasked to travel back in time to stop a cataclysmic event. A deadly plague will wipe out more than 90% of the planet unless they can stop it in time.

Devs

Devs is the first television series by British science-fiction writer and director Alex Garland [Ex Machina, Annihilation]. The tech thriller follows Lily Chan [Sonoya Mizuno], a software engineer at a tech company called Amaya, as she gets embroiled in the mysterious death of her boyfriend after he starts working on a secretive project that gives the series its name.

The FX on Hulu show has received great praise for its grand ideas and imagination. It’s an eight-part miniseries, so it also makes for a quick watch, and it’s one of the best sci-fi shows on Hulu.

Y: The Last Man

After over a decade of failed attempts, Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra’s celebrated comic series Y: The Last Man finally made it to the small screen in 2021 as part of the now-defunct “FX on Hulu” brand.

The show was sadly canceled partway through its first season, but it was a true standout and remains one of the best science fiction shows on Hulu. It tells the story of one of the last men standing following a mysterious global event that wiped out every person and animal with a Y chromosome — all but Yorick Brown and his pet monkey Ampersand. The show offers a thoughtful portrait of gender politics in America wrapped in a thrilling post-apocalyptic adventure.

The best sci-fi movies on Hulu

Sea Fever

Marine biologist Siobhán likes her solitude and laboratory time, but she is forced to spend some time in a fishing boat. The crew already has its bonds, and she is having trouble adapting. A strange parasitic infection forces her out of her comfort zone to find a solution.

This film was directed by Neasa Hardiman and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. It has received a plethora of positive reviews since then, and it has become a very popular movie.

Akira

Akira is one of the most famous animated movies of all time, and for good reason. This cyberpunk sci-fi action film was first released in 1988 and has proved hugely influential on the genre ever since.

Set in the distant future of 2019 [ok, maybe not so distant], Akira follows the story of Kaneda, the leader of a local biker gang. When one of his friends suddenly gains telepathic powers, it’s up to Kaneda to protect him from government forces that want to take advantage of his supernatural abilities, and to protect him from himself.

Palm Springs

The premise of Groundhog Day, where characters have to relive the same events again and again until they find a way to break the cycle, has been done to death. Miraculously, though, films and shows like Edge of Tomorrow, Happy Death Day, and Russian Doll have shown that there are, perhaps fittingly, endless ways to repeat the formula.

You can add 2020’s Hulu original Palm Springs to that list. This comedy — with a sci-fi conceit at its heart —brings two strangers together, finding them trapped at a wedding in Palm Springs. It’s a hilariously clever spin, with Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti bringing humor and heart to the increasingly chaotic nuptials.

Fast Color

In a not-too-distant future, a woman with supernatural abilities is on the run from mysterious agents. She takes refuge at her childhood home, reconnecting with her estranged mother and daughter who may be able to help her better understand her powers. Gugu Mbatha-Raw shines as the star of this film, written and directed by Julia Hart.

Fast Color is like a brilliant indie take on The X-Men and could serve as an ideal blueprint for a film about the Marvel Mutants. It’s easily one of the best sci-fi films on Hulu.

Gemini Man

Gemini Man features Will Smith as the protagonist. In this film, he is Henry Brogan, an older assassin getting ready to retire after a long, tiring career. His plans are ruined when he starts being chased by a mysterious assassin that seems to be in tune with everything he does. It turns out it’s a clone of himself, and he must find a way to survive attacks from a younger, stronger, and faster version of himself.

This film is definitely one of the best sci-fi movies on Hulu if you are also looking for some action.

The Mandela Effect

If you haven’t heard of the Mandela effect, it’s a phenomenon where a large portion of the population remembers something differently from reality. One clear example is that of the monopoly man, also known as Rich Uncle Pennybags. Many believe he wears a monocle, but the character never has.

In this film, a man becomes obsessed with these cases and believes they are part of something much larger.

Dredd

Devs creator Alex Garland wrote [and rumor has it was an uncredited director] of this 2012 adaptation of the long-running British comic book.

Set in a United States of the far future where people live in the massive Mega City One, it follows a day in the life of Judge Dredd, who has the complete power to enforce the law and fight crime in the city. He faces off against a drug kingpin who thinks she is safe on top of a massive urban skyscraper. She’s wrong.

That’s a look at the best sci-fi shows on Hulu along with the current best list of best sci-fi movies on the streaming service.