Finished ‘Murderbot’? Here’s where to get your next sci-fi fix
Finished ‘Murderbot’? Here’s where to get your next sci-fi fix
Grumpy heroes, weird adventures, and plenty of attitude — your next obsession starts here.
“Murderbot” wrapped up on Friday, July 11, and yeah… I already miss that grumpy SecUnit. The mix of dry humor, action, and “ugh, humans” energy was perfect. Now that it’s over, you’re probably wondering what to queue up next. Finding something with that same smart, funny, slightly cynical vibe isn’t easy — but I’ve pulled together a list of shows that come pretty close. Here’s where to head after “Murderbot.”
Murderbot
In a high-tech future, a rogue security robot secretly gains free will. To stay hidden, it reluctantly joins a new mission protecting scientists on a dangerous planet… even though it just wants to binge soap operas.
Loved ‘Murderbot’? Watch: ‘Fallout’
My wife and I loved “Fallout.” It’s like “Murderbot” just in a grittier, post-apocalyptic package. Both have sarcastic, reluctant heroes who’d rather be left alone but keep getting dragged into other people’s problems. Murderbot hides behind its armor and soap operas, while Ella Purnell’s Lucy puts on a sunny, overly polite face as she stumbles through the wasteland. And just like “Murderbot,” this one mixes brutal action with dark, laugh-out-loud moments, showing how ridiculous — and downright awful — the world can be.
The scale’s where it changes. “Murderbot” keeps things small and personal, but “Fallout” goes big, throwing you into a wild, retro-futuristic apocalypse packed with mutant creatures, warring factions, and total chaos. Walton Goggins is fantastic as a sarcastic, world-weary ghoul, giving the show its own weird, offbeat vibe. The humor is more over-the-top and satirical than self-deprecating snark, but the energy feels close enough that you’ll get sucked in just as fast.
Fallout
The story of haves and have-nots in a world in which there’s almost nothing left to have. 200 years after the apocalypse, the gentle denizens of luxury fallout shelters are forced to return to the irradiated hellscape their ancestors left behind — and are shocked to discover an incredibly complex, gleefully weird, and highly violent universe waiting for them.
Watch next: ‘The Orville’
“The Orville” is a great pick if you loved “Murderbot.” Both shows mix jokes with some surprisingly big questions about life, morality, and what makes people (or AIs) tick. Seth MacFarlane’s space series might look like a goofy sci-fi spoof, but it sneaks in plenty of heart — just like “Murderbot.” There’s sarcastic banter, awkward social moments, and characters you actually care about, even while the show pokes fun at how ridiculous humans and aliens can be.
The vibe is way different though. “The Orville” is a big, colorful space adventure with a whole crew, while “Murderbot” keeps things tight on one grumpy robot who just wants to be left alone. The humor here is more classic sitcom-style (think lots of quips and situational jokes) compared to the dry, “I can’t believe I’m stuck dealing with this” inner monologue of “Murderbot.” And where “Murderbot” rolls its eyes at getting attached to humans, “The Orville” leans into friendship and teamwork. It’s warmer, goofier, and a nice change of pace if you’re ready for something a little more optimistic.
The Orville
Follow the crew of the not-so-functional exploratory ship in the Earth’s interstellar fleet, 400 years in the future.
Next up: “Mrs. Davis”
“Murderbot” fans will get a kick out of “Mrs. Davis.” Both shows are all about AIs with big personalities and even bigger trust issues, but they come at it from totally different angles. “Murderbot” gives you a sarcastic, introverted bot who’d rather watch TV than deal with humans, while “Mrs. Davis” is about a hyper-intelligent algorithm running the world… and a nun who’s trying to take it down. It’s just as weirdly funny, though, and it has that same mix of humor and solid emotional moments tucked into the chaos.
The big difference? “Mrs. Davis” is straight-up bonkers in the best way — fast, flashy, and full of bizarre twists. The tone leans more absurdist and over-the-top, but both share that playful, self-aware vibe that pokes fun at how humans interact with tech. If you loved Murderbot’s “I don’t trust anyone, least of all people” energy, “Mrs. Davis” cranks that up to a wild, satirical ride.
Mrs. Davis
Sister Simone partners with her ex-boyfriend on a globe-spanning journey to destroy Mrs. Davis, a powerful artificial intelligence.
Try out “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds”
I’ve loved “Star Trek” since I was a kid when my parents let me stay up until 11 p.m. watching Captain Picard dramatically command his crew in “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” And I have to say, “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” is even more fun. It’s got that mix of adventure but meaningful exploration of the big questions about life in an always-interesting story wrapper. And instead of one sarcastic android in “Murderbot,” you get a whole Starfleet crew exploring strange new planets, running into oddball aliens, and dealing with the messy, very human side of space travel.
The vibe is definitely different, though. “Strange New Worlds” is brighter and more optimistic, with easygoing banter instead of Murderbot’s dry, eye-rolling snark. It’s also way bigger in scope — classic “Star Trek” style — with new adventures every episode instead of one tight, personal story. But if you’re into smart, proven sci-fi that gives you what you want from this genre, “Strange New Worlds” doesn’t miss.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Follow Captain Christopher Pike, Science Officer Spock and Number One in the years before Captain Kirk boarded the U.S.S. Enterprise, as they explore new worlds around the galaxy.
More to watch after finishing ‘Murderbot’:
‘Silo’ | Apple TV+
Silo
In a ruined and toxic future, thousands live in a giant silo deep underground. After its sheriff breaks a cardinal rule and residents die mysteriously, engineer Juliette starts to uncover shocking secrets and the truth about the silo.
‘Avenue 5’ | HBO Max
Avenue 5
40 years in the future, space captain Ryan Clark and the crew of the luxury space cruise ship Avenue 5 navigate disgruntled passengers and unexpected events after experiencing technical difficulties onboard.
‘The End of the F***ing World’ | Netflix
The End of the F***ing World
James is 17 and is pretty sure he is a psychopath. Alyssa, also 17, is the cool and moody new girl at school. The pair make a connection and she persuades him to embark on a darkly comedic road trip in search of her real father.
‘Cowboy Bebop’ | Netflix
Cowboy Bebop
Long on style and short on cash, bounty hunters Spike, Jet and Faye trawl the solar system looking for jobs. But can they outrun Spike’s past?
‘Rick and Morty’ | Hulu
Rick and Morty
Follows a sociopathic genius scientist who drags his inherently timid grandson on adventures across the universe.