MGM+ is one of the second-tier streaming services and they fall somewhere under the Amazon umbrella since that company bought MGM Studios (there is also a linear channel, but not many of the cable or satellite providers carry it). The service has a wide selection of movies from its studio’s back catalog which also includes films that had some sort of partnership with MGM. Among the offerings there of interest to sci fi fans are War of the Worlds (1953), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), 10 Cloverfield Lane, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, several Star Trek films, and more. That streamer does not have as much in the way of sci fi TV, though they did recently make a deal with AMC and they have some originals from that network such as The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, Creepshow, Interview with the Vampire, and A Discovery of Witches. In addition, MGM+ has several original series that are worth a look which I detail below. And with the channel currently available for only $1.75 a month for two months as a Prime Video add-on (thru December 2nd), it is certainly worth the money to check out some of these shows as well as the streamer’s other offerings.
From (3 Seasons)
From unravels the mystery of a nightmarish town that traps all those who enter. As the unwilling residents search for a way out, they must also survive the threats of the forest including the terrifying creatures that come out at night. Starring: Harold Perrineau, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Eion Bailey, David Alpay, Elizabeth Saunders
This sci fi/horror entry has been developing some buzz as the next Lost, and it is currently the most-watched original series on the service. It just wrapped up its third season with a fourth on the way, so this one certainly offers some binge-worthy television that could keep you busy through the holidays.
Beacon 23 (2 Seasons)
Aster and Halan are drawn to Beacon 23 and face an onslaught of threats. When an object called The Artifact appears, they begin to unravel its mysteries, and develop a deep bond just in time to face a deadly AI. Starring: Lena Headey, Stephan James, Natasha Mumba, Stephen Root
This sci fi entry has been getting some mixed reviews, but it should attract those who enjoy a space-based genre entry. This was an acquisition from AMC and Spectrum after they bowed out of the production, and MGM+ gave a burn-off run for the two seasons completed with no plans to continue it to a third season. It does end on a cliffhanger, so be aware of that before getting invested.
War of the Worlds (3 Seasons)
In present-day Europe, astronomers detect a transmission from another galaxy and the world waits for further contact. Within days of the transmission, mankind is all but wiped out by a devastating attack. There are pockets of humanity left in the eerily deserted world and the survivors must avoid and escape the aliens bent on destroying them and everything they hold dear. Starring: Gabriel Byrne, Elizabeth McGovern, Léa Drucker, Adel Bencherif, Emilie de Preissac
This European-produced series resembles the H.G. Wells story in name only and in the fact that it follows an alien invasion. It did develop a following over its three-year run and it did get the chance to resolve its storylines, so it will not leave you hanging. Note that the three-part, British-made War of the Worlds mini-series which came out around the same time and more closely follows the Wells book is also streaming on MGM+.
Britannia (3 Seasons)
Set in 43 A.D., Britannia is an epic and visionary drama that follows the Roman invasion of Britain when the country was ruled by the powerful Druids and warrior queens. Starring: David Morrissey, Kelly Reilly, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Mackenzie Crook, Barry Ward, Stanley Weber.
This fantasy entry (a co-production with Sky TV) delivered a Celtic Game of Thrones of sorts, and sadly it never received the attention it deserved. The first season streamed on Prime Video in the states before moving to MGM+ (then known as EPIX). Its intricate and nuanced story continued to develop with each new season, but sadly it was cut short after its third year. It is still definitely worth a look, though, as it certainly counts as a sleeper fantasy series.
Pennyworth (3 Seasons)
This series follows Bruce Wayne’s legendary butler, Alfred Pennyworth, a former British SAS soldier in his 20s, who forms a security company and goes to work with a young billionaire Thomas Wayne. Starring: Jack Bannon, Ben Aldridge, Hainsley Lloyd Bennett, Ryan Fletcher, Dorothy Atkinson
This delivered yet another Batman series without Batman similar to Gotham, Gotham Knights, and the recent HBO entry The Penguin. Pennyworth did develop somewhat of a following, but it is another one that ending on a cliffhanger. Still, fans of the Dark Knight might have an interest in checking it out.
Subscribe to MGM+ for $1.75 a month for two months with Prime Video
Other Prime Video Add-Ons Currently on Sale (thru Dec 2nd):
Paramount+ (with ads) $2.99 per month
MGM+ (no ads) $1.75 per month
AMC+ (with ads) $1.25 per month
Crunchyroll (no ads) $2 per month
Starz (no ads) $2.75 per month
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Follow our Sci Fi TV Schedule for all the currently airing and upcoming sci fi and fantasy television shows, and you can see the premieres for all the upcoming genre entries at this link.
