Ever finish a season of Black Mirror and find yourself spiralling, desperate for more mind-bending stories about tech, humanity, and the eerie space in between? You’re not alone. While Black Mirror carved out its own twisted corner of the sci-fi anthology world, it's far from the only series exploring those existential “what if?” questions. Whether it’s the slow-burn paranoia of workplace dystopias, the dreamy surrealism of alternate timelines, or chilling visions of AI-run futures, there’s a whole universe of shows ready to fill the void. Some lean into horror, others are quietly unsettling, but all of them scratch that same itch – the one that makes you question reality just a little.
From underground cult favourites to ambitious new releases, here are the best shows to watch if you’re craving that Black Mirror high.
1. Severance
Where to stream: Apple TV+
The first time I sat down to watch Severance three long years ago, I couldn't help but think that it was perfectly made for a Black Mirror episode. If you've ever thought to yourself 'Man, I wish Black Mirror fleshed this idea out more into its own show' – Severance is just that. Following a group of workers who undergo an operation that 'severs' their memory of work from the rest of their life – we watch as they, and society, grapple with split consciousnesses and whether their 'innies' at work are deserving of rights, love and autonomy.
2. Maniac (2018)
Where to stream: Netflix
One of Netflix's underground best is Maniac, which starred Jonah Hill and Emma Stone across an anthology-style mini series about two individuals undergoing a radical and mysterious drug trial. Through each episode in a new world, we're taken on a mind-bending ride where nothing is as it seems.
3. Love, Death and Robots (2019)
Where to stream: Netflix
This animated anthology isn’t afraid to get weird – or dark. Each episode is its own standalone short, mixing sci-fi, horror, and a touch of eroticism, often with a tech twist. From AI-driven post-apocalyptic worlds to reimagined historical battles, it’s a bite-sized take on the Black Mirror ethos, with a heavy dose of visual experimentation.
4. 3 Body Problem (2024)
Where to stream: Netflix
From the creators of Game of Thrones, 3 Body Problem adapts the acclaimed Chinese sci-fi novel into a cerebral, unsettling story about first contact. But this isn’t your average alien tale – the series dives into physics, philosophy and moral dilemmas, creating a slow-burn existential crisis that’ll leave your brain buzzing.
5. The OA (2016)
Where to stream: Netflix
One of Netflix's most highly contested cancellations was The OA. Equal parts sci-fi, mystery and spiritual awakening, The OA is the kind of show you’ll want to dissect frame by frame. It begins with a blind woman who returns after disappearing for seven years – and now she can see. What follows is a genre-bending, fourth-wall-fracturing exploration of alternate dimensions and the limits of human consciousness.
6. Sense8 (2015)
Where to stream: Netflix
Created by the Wachowskis (the sibling duo behind the Matrix films), Sense8 is about eight strangers around the world who become psychically linked. What sounds like a sci-fi premise quickly transforms into a deeply emotional, genre-fluid series about identity, connection and chosen family. It’s mind-expanding in the best way.
7. Electric Dreams (2017)
Where to stream: Amazon Prime Video
Based on the short stories of Philip K. Dick, this anthology series feels like Black Mirror’s slightly retro cousin. Each episode tackles a different dystopian or speculative scenario, touching on themes like surveillance, synthetic consciousness and the future of humanity. Some episodes hit harder than others, but the ideas stay with you.
8. The Twilight Zone (1985)
Where to stream: Paramount+, Apple TV+
The original. The blueprint. Before there was Black Mirror, there was The Twilight Zone – Rod Serling’s iconic series that blurred the line between reality and the surreal. While it’s older, the storytelling still holds up, with themes of paranoia, identity, and the strange quirks of human nature.
9. Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities (2022)
Where to stream: Netflix
A horror anthology with serious artistic flair, Cabinet of Curiosities leans more into the gothic and grotesque than tech paranoia, but its standalone structure and moralistic twists make it a satisfying watch for Black Mirror fans. With each episode directed by a different auteur, it’s a macabre gallery of stories you’ll want to savour slowly.
