All of it started with a goatee-wearing Spock (Leonard Nimoy) within the Star Trek Mirror Universe. The idea of the Mirror Universe inside Star Trek premiered in 1967, and it did not simply introduce parallel worlds to sci-fi tv—it primarily invented the visible language of the evil counterpart. The long-lasting Mirror Universe will ceaselessly be referred to as the multiverse style’s godfather, however that idea has solely proven up as a recurring visitor star throughout completely different eras and reveals—not often as the primary character.
The identical is true for Physician Who, a present that has fortunately hopped into parallel worlds for many years now however treats them extra like trip locations than house addresses. Whereas the present is a landmark, on this listing, we’re celebrating those who did not simply go to the multiverse however discovered a house and made it their storytelling engine. These are the best sci-fi reveals with parallel universes, ranked from lighthearted escape to emotional smash.
9
‘Sliders’ (1995–2000)
Sliders is an accessible, entry-level parallel universe present, and it earns its place because the tenacious trailblazer that walked so others might run. It was by no means probably the most subtle model of the idea; the later seasons, specifically, leaned closely on camp, whereas behind-the-scenes chaos and mid-show adjustments noticed key solid members leaving. It was canceled after 5 seasons, however for what it is value, we will not point out the historical past of multiverse tv with out mentioning this scrappy little present. Ambitiously written, Sliders was one of many reveals that made of us within the ’90s fall in love with sci-fi.
Sliders follows good graduate scholar Quinn Mallory (Jerry O’Connell), who invents a tool to journey between parallel Earths. Whereas at first, he and his ragtag group of pals jump over to parallel worlds seamlessly, the tech malfunctions and forgets their actual dimension. Each episode brings a brand new “what if” into the combo, from Soviet-controlled America and a dinosaur-populated Earth to a world the place time runs backwards, reworking philosophical thought experiments into Saturday afternoon journey.
8
‘Darkish Matter’ (2024–Current)
Darkish Matter is much less about leaping between wildly completely different Earths and extra concerning the creeping terror of infinite roads not taken. The protagonist goes by means of an infinite variety of “what ifs,” which generally turns right into a terrifying metaphor for the paralysis of remorse. The sequence, starring Joel Edgerton in a twin function and Jennifer Connelly as the lady on the middle of the drama, is a tightly written paranoid thriller that, whereas seemingly predictable, by no means reveals its subsequent transfer.
Darkish Matter relies on Blake Crouch‘s novel of the identical title (Crouch additionally wrote the present’s script). It follows physics professor Jason Dessen (Edgerton), a well-off household man who’s kidnapped, drugged, and awakens in an alternate Chicago the place he’s celebrated as a scientific genius—however his spouse just isn’t his spouse. The kicker? He was kidnapped by one other model of himself, a Jason who had made a special romantic selection fifteen years earlier than and created a machine that opens doorways to distinct, totally realized parallel universes. For those who like this premise, Darkish Matter guarantees a tough sci-fi story that can make you take into account your individual “what ifs.” Season 2 is coming quickly, and it’ll transcend the novel’s conclusion, making this a field that’s simply being opened.
7
‘The Man within the Excessive Fort’ (2015–2019)
The Man within the Excessive Fort just isn’t a present about scientists hopping by means of a multiverse; moderately, it’s a slow-burn espionage thriller through which data of one other actuality is probably the most harmful weapon potential. The sequence deserves its place as a result of it efficiently combines high-concept sci-fi with a grounded, character-driven story about fascism and resistance. Its parallel universe component is highly effective, albeit sparingly used, and the present is at the start a dystopian masterpiece, then a multiverse story. Nonetheless, the multiverse side is central to its resistance, making it troublesome to separate from the style.
The Man within the Excessive Fort, primarily based on Philip Ok. Dick‘s novel of the identical title, is a dystopian nightmare that introduces some of the chilling “what ifs” in trendy historical past: what if the Axis powers received World Struggle II? The sequence is ready in a meticulously imagined Nineteen Sixties America dominated by Japanese and Nazi forces, and it options varied characters from each the resistance and the institution. When a parallel universe is found in mysterious movie reels, together with one through which the Allies triumph, the movies turn into a type of contraband and non secular totems that show a greater world exists someplace—igniting the will to combat. The Man within the Excessive Fort just isn’t your typical parallel universe present, however it is among the best.
6
‘Rick and Morty’ (2013–Current)
It is virtually dishonest to incorporate Rick and Morty as a result of the present is extra akin to Physician Who—till a really particular level when its protagonists settle in a parallel universe. Rick Sanchez (Justin Roiland and Ian Cardoni), the protagonist, owns a portal gun, permitting him to journey to a brand new universe each week. Nonetheless, his actions power him and his household to completely abandon their authentic dimension and transfer to a alternative one. This does not simply occur as soon as, both, however twice, and Rick’s household now has to inhabit a number of, alternate universes.
Rick and Morty follows Rick, probably the most clever man within the universe, and his meek grandson Morty (Roiland and Harry Belden), who journey between realities and have interaction in varied adventures and mishaps; a lot of the present focuses on their particular person journeys, however some components have an effect on the larger image. Their multiverse hopping is a undeniable fact that the present makes use of to create every thing from wildly creative sci-fi ideas to the darkest potential nihilistic comedy. The multiverse is each a playground and an existential loophole; Rick and Morty is not about settling into one parallel world however concerning the nihilistic freedom of realizing that no single actuality issues.
5
‘Loki’ (2021–2023)
Loki is a primary instance of Marvel’s multiverse, and its genius lies in its design. Set in a retro-futurist world, the present’s visible language makes the infinite really feel claustrophobic whereas by no means revealing its true location in time and area; Tom Hiddleston delivers a career-best efficiency because the character he’s greatest recognized for. Loki is a standalone story about parallel universes that occurs to be half of a bigger franchise, and whereas its inherent affiliation with a company machine makes any anti-corporate messages appear to be an oxymoron, it nonetheless succeeds as a visible and narrative triumph.
Loki follows Loki, the God of Mischief himself, getting arrested for crimes towards the multiverse. Through the occasions of Avengers: Endgame, he’s plucked from his timeline and transported to the bureaucratic nightmare of the Time Variance Authority, a corporation that trims any timeline that doesn’t adhere to the predetermined “Sacred Timeline.” What follows is a panoramic two-season journey that transforms Loki from a narcissistic trickster to a person actually holding the material of actuality collectively; it demonstrates how a Marvel villain can turn into an (anti)hero and the way any character might be redeemable in the event that they make the fitting ethical choice.
4
‘His Darkish Supplies’ (2019–2022)
His Darkish Supplies options parallel worlds that do not simply really feel like copies of Earth however have distinct and meticulous world-building; from the haunting, specter-infested metropolis of Cittàgazze to the Land of the Useless, every realm has its personal mythology and bodily legal guidelines. The present makes use of the multiverse to make use of themes of consciousness, authority, and free will, producing an adaptation that upholds its supply materials’s unwavering critique of organized faith and blind dogma. It is a full-fledged, satisfying journey that leans barely extra towards fantasy than pure sci-fi however is a shocking achievement regardless.
His Darkish Supplies is a BBC and HBO adaptation of Philip Pullman’s beloved trilogy, following younger Lyra Belacqua (Dafne Eager), a toddler of a world that appears much like ours however is run by a totalitarian regime, and each human has an animal daemon—a bodily manifestation of their soul. Lyra is prophesied to be a human who will change the world, and people round her are both working with or towards her to realize their final aim. It is entertaining, lore-heavy, and stars a improbable solid; disgrace it is closely underseen.
3
‘Fringe’ (2008–2013)
J. J. Abrams‘ Fringe did not simply play with the thought of a parallel universe; it centered its total emotional core on it. The premise seems deceptively easy: members of an FBI “Fringe Division” examine weird, scientifically flawed circumstances, however the present step by step unravels a devastating saga about two universes—ours and the Different Aspect—locked in a slow-motion collision, a conflict that started when somebody from our world tampered with the occasions of the Different Aspect, inflicting havoc and precipitating an unavoidable collision of worlds. It is emotionally devastating tv and a watershed second in science fiction.
Fringe‘s third season particularly has total episodes dedicated to the Different Aspect’s perspective. Anna Torv portrays FBI agent Olivia Dunham and her alternate “Fauxlivia” with fully completely different physique language and emotional registers, whereas John Noble‘s two Walter Bishops are a masterclass in duality. The alternate universe is greater than only a reflection; it is a totally realized world with its personal historical past, together with an oxidized bronze Statue of Liberty moderately than inexperienced. Fringe makes you fall in love with each universes earlier than asking you to observe them destroy one another, doubling the stakes and creating unimaginable, memorable tv.
2
‘Darkish’ (2017–2020)
The German Netflix masterpiece Darkish is a piece of narrative genius. From screenwriting to meticulous casting, each side of this present culminates in an emotionally cathartic and philosophically breathtaking finale. The present makes use of its parallel world as a chunk of a puzzle to discover themes of destiny, free will, and the lengths individuals will go to keep away from ache. It is a three-season murals that calls for and rewards full consideration (and repeat viewings). Darkish is, by any customary, one of many best science-fiction achievements in tv historical past.
Darkish is, on the floor, a time-travel story about 4 interconnected households within the small German city of Winden. At its coronary heart is Jonas (Louis Hofmann), a teenage boy who discovers a cave within the woods close to Winden, revealing a number of tragic timelines that have been unintentionally damaged by a grieving scientist. There’s additionally Jonas’ romantic curiosity, Martha (Lisa Vicari), who turns into integral to a parallel universe, a priest affiliated with a time-traveling cult, and a toddler who seems to be the reason for the tear within the multiverse. Darkish is a meticulously crafted internet that finally appears like its creators’ magnum opus, in addition to a sequence that they themselves are nonetheless struggling to grasp.
1
‘Counterpart’ (2017–2019)
Counterpart is an underappreciated sequence, which is a bummer as a result of it is among the best sci-fi reveals ever made. It depicts parallel universes which were reworked into starkly completely different environments over a long time of tampering, however the present’s true genius lies in watching J. Ok. Simmons play two completely different variations of the identical man: one damaged and the opposite a hardened, ruthless spy. The present step by step reveals to us that they’re each, in their very own methods, the identical wounded soul. Counterpart is a spy thriller, a philosophical reflection on human nature, and a tragedy concerning the life selections we do not get to expertise. The present was cancelled after solely two excellent seasons, which could possibly be the cruelest factor to occur in any universe.
Counterpart stars Simmons in two roles: Howard Silk, a meek, low-level bureaucrat at a mysterious Berlin-based UN company, and Howard Silk Prime, his counterpart from a parallel Earth created when a Chilly Struggle experiment went mistaken. For thirty years, the 2 worlds communicated by means of a checkpoint in a basement, leading to espionage between the 2 dimensions, elevating distrust and wreaking havoc; Howard meets Howard Prime, and the 2 start in search of the true function of the checkpoint. Counterpart is ideal for thus many causes, from its stunning precision and spectacular performances to its sudden however heartfelt humanity.
