Streaming Finds: Tracking down sci fi and fantasy shows of interest available on the streaming services including originals that are worth seeking out.
The streaming services are adding new original series to their line-ups all the time, including quite a number of entries of interest to sci fi and fantasy fans. With the Thanksgiving weekend coming up, you may find yourself with some time to binge a show or two, so following are some suggestions on streaming originals that debuted in the last year or two that are worth checking out. Note that I have not included the new Disney+ series The Mandalorian or Apple TV+’s recently released See and For All Mankind because they are streaming one episode a week and you can’t binge the full seasons yet. But they are definitely worth a look as well.
Black Summer (Netflix, 1 Season Totaling 8 Episodes): If you are looking for a zombie-pocalypse escape from your Thanksgiving weekend, this may be the show for you. It follows a group of survivors trying to make their way through the early days of a zombie outbreak and comes from the same creators that brought us Syfy’s Z Nation. Originally this was announced as a prequel to that show, but the creators have since backed away from that. Black Summer has been renewed for a second season on Netflix, so the story will continue for at least one more year..
The Boys (Amazon, 1 Season Totaling 8 Episodes): If superhero overload is getting to you, then this show might be the perfect salve. Based on the comic book of the same name by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, it deconstructs the genre as it follows a group hunting down superheroes who have gotten too big for their tights. The show offers plenty of snarky wit and can be rather graphic at times, and it is definitely delivers a different perspective on the superhero tale. It has been renewed for a second season which will debut in 2020.
Carnival Row (Amazon, 1 Season Totaling 8 Episodes): Everybody is jumping on the epic fantasy bandwagon, and this is Amazon’s warmup to the Lord of the Rings prequel it has in the works. Carnival Row takes place in an alternate Victorian-like era where fantasy beings co-exist with humans with plenty of bigotry directed toward the unwanted, non-human immigrants. The series mixes some modern politics with fantasy and can be engaging at times. It is definitely worth a look for fans of the fantasy genre and it has been renewed for a second season.
Creepshow (Shudder, 1 Season Totaling 6 Episodes): For horror fans looking for something to binge over the weekend, this might be the perfect choice. It is an anthology series based on the 1982 George A. Romero / Stephen King movie of the same name that draws plenty of inspiration from the classic 1950’s EC Comics and their competitors. Each episode contains two stories, so the first season delivers a total of 12 creepy tales. And this one has been renewed for a second season, so there is more on the way.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix, 1 Season Totaling): Another entry in the epic fantasy sweepstakes, this series acts as a prequel to the classic Jim Henson fantasy film The Dark Crystal. Drawing heavily from the original, it employs retro muppet technology much more than CGI, but it has plenty to offer for older and newer viewers and has been well-received by critics so far. There’s no word on a second season yet, but I would expect another year or two from this one.
The Dragon Prince (Netflix, 3 Seasons Totaling 27 Episodes): For a more family-friendly option, this Anime comes from Avatar: The Last Airbender writer Aaron Ehasz and has a similar feel to that beloved series. It offers an epic fantasy for all ages that follows two human princes and an elven assassin who set aside their differences and try to bring peace to their lands. At less than thirty minutes an episode, you can get through the entire series over the weekend and more seasons of the show are currently planned.
Into the Dark (Hulu, 2 Season Totaling 14 Episodes): Another entry that will be of interest to horror fans, you will probably not be able to get through all fourteen episodes that have been released so far from this movie-of-the-month anthology, but you can pick through some of the choice episodes. The episodes are holiday or time-of-year themed, and the series already has two Thanksgiving stories (last year’s “Flesh & Blood” and the recently released “Pilgrim”) plus the acclaimed Christmas episode “Pooka” (another Xmas-themed installment drops next month). And there are plenty more episodes to choose from to keep you busy over the holiday weekend.
Swamp Thing (DC Universe, 1 Season Totaling 10 Episodes): Sadly, this show was cancelled shortly after it began, but its single season is still one that can be enjoyed by fans of the muck-monster. It is based on the DC character of the same name and presents some interesting twists on the comic book canon. And if you become adicted to the series, it is possible that the character could recur in some of the other DC Universe shows like Titans and Doom Patrol, plus fans are still trying to convince HBO Max, The CW, or another venue to give it another chance.
The Tick (Amazon, 2 Seasons Totaling 22 Episodes): Another series that has sadly been cancelled, this show is based on the Ben Edlund comic and follows the dim-witted titular hero as he gleefully tries to dole out justice with his partner Arthur and the other superheroes that join in his exploits. The show is a ton of fun and at less than thirty minutes per episode you can make it through the entire series in a day or two.
Undone (Amazon, 1 Season Totaling 8 Episodes): For something completely different over the holiday weekend, try out this adult-animated series from Amazon. It follows a young woman who finds her perception of reality shattered when she becomes unstuck in time following an accident. This one delivers a mind-bending experience that will find you questioning the definition of sanity and being “normal” and it delivers wonderful rotoscoped performances from Rosa Salazar (Alita: Battle Angel) and Bob Odenkirk (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul). And don’t be too concerned about that cliffhanger ending as the show has been renewed for a second season.
Click on the following links for a comprehensive list of the Sci Fi TV Shows available on Netflix | Prime Video | Hulu | Other Services
More from CancelledSciFi.com:
Keep up with the ratings developments and the status of all the currently airing sci fi and fantasy shows with our Weekly Roundup posts. And join the #CancelledSciFiArmy on Twitter to bolster our ranks and help us fight for the struggling and cancelled sci fi and fantasy shows.
Check out our Sci Fi TV Schedule for debut and season finale dates and follow our Weekly Listings for a rundown of the shows airing in the current week.
Check back each Saturday for Sci Fi TV Retrospectives: A look back at cancelled, classic, forgotten, and more genre shows from the past.
