7 TV Shows Like Netflix’s ‘3 Body Problem’ To Watch If You Can’t Get Over The Sci-Fi Thriller

7 TV Shows Like Netflix’s ‘3 Body Problem’ To Watch If You Can’t Get Over The Sci-Fi Thriller

Netflix isn’t new to investing in sci-fi thrillers — think the global phenomenon Stranger Things, the German hit Dark and the recently released The Signal. All of these topped charts and garnered critical acclamation for enthralling storylines. The latest entrant to the slew of well-made sci-fi series is 3 Body Problem.

Hailing from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the eight-part series is an adaptation of Liu Cixin’s novel of the same and is a part of his Chinese science-fiction trilogy, Remembrance of Earth’s Past. The adaption is a sci-fi gem that transports viewers through various timelines and settings, ranging from China during the Cultural Revolution to the contemporary UK, and even plunges them into a surreal virtual reality game.

For those who haven’t watched the show yet, we would simply describe it as an excellent story that keeps you thinking for days, thanks to its cinematography and timeline switches.

But in case you have finished bingeing the first season, here are the best TV shows with twists and visuals like 3 Body Problem that you simply can’t miss.

7 TV shows to watch if you liked Netflix’s ‘3 Body Problem’

1. Dark

Image credit: IMDb

In Winden, two children mysteriously disappear and the search leads to uncovering dark secrets and hidden sins of four families, intertwining their past and present. The three-season series starts in 2019 but also goes back into the 1986 and 1953 years through time travel. The main characters discover a wormhole beneath the local nuclear power plant, they are drawn into a conspiracy involving the missing children and the town’s past. The lives of Kahnwald, Nielsen, Dopple and Tiedemann families unravel some of their unusual connections and deepest secrets.

If you’re looking for another sci-fi series that is emotionally engaging and grounded in scientific plausibility, Netflix’s German sci-fi thriller Dark is the perfect choice. Every single binge has left us wonderstruck and amazed at the same time due to its outstanding writing. The best part? Like 3 Body Problem, the series even features a countdown leading to an apocalyptic event.

IMDb rating: 8.7/10

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2. The Expanse

Image credit: IMDb

Based on the novels of the same name by James S. A. Corey, The Expanse is one of the best TV shows like 3 Body Problem to put on your watchlist.

Set in a future where mankind has established colonies throughout the Solar System, the sci-fi thriller follows individuals, Chrisjen Avasarala, who is a member of the United Nations Security Council, a sceptical detective Josephus Miller and a ship’s officer along with his crew, James Holden. They become entangled in a conspiracy that poses a threat to the delicate peace within the system. Simultaneously, they must confront personal crises triggered by the emergence of advanced extraterrestrial technology.

IMDb rating: 8.5/10

3. Silo

Image credit: IMDb

Set against the dystopian and polluted future, Silo focuses on a community which resides within a colossal… you guessed it… silo that stretches for numerous stories beneath the ground. Within this society, consisting of 10,000 individuals, people are governed by a set of regulations which they perceive to be designed for their protection.

One of the highest-rated Apple TV+ series, Silo might not be exactly similar to 3 Body Problem but its dystopian future setting implores people to think about the current state of affairs and the role of science in society. If you loved the mysterious elements of the Netflix series, you will definitely be entertained by this series adapted from Hugh Howey’s trilogy.

IMDb rating: 8.1/10

4. Three-Body

Image credit: IMDb

Another take on Liu Cixin’s novel, Three-Body is a Chinese series that was released a year before Netflix’s adaptation. While the Netflix series might sound like a popular choice if you have read the books and wish to watch a more faithful adaptation of Cixin’s work, then Three-Body should be next on your watch list.

In the year 2007, an expert in nanomaterials Wang Miao, joins forces with a detective Shi Qiang to investigate a series of unexpected deaths within the scientific community. As Wang investigates, he gets to know the actual truth behind the connection between a popular video game’s depiction of an alien world and the mysterious suicides, ultimately uncovering the fate of humanity.

IMDb rating: 7.6/10

5. Devs

Image credit: IMDb

Created and directed by Alex Garland, Devs covers a thought-provoking sci-fi storyline, comprising themes of free will and determinism that 3 Body Problem fans would absolutely devour.

Lily Chan works as a software engineer at Amaya, a company specialising in quantum computing and headed by Forest. She finds herself caught up in sudden circumstances surrounding her boyfriend’s untimely demise, which occurred on his very first day working with the Devs team at Amaya.

IMDb rating: 7.6/10

6. The Silent Sea

Image credit: IMDb

When it comes to this genre, it is hard for us to overlook Korean sci-fi titles. A perfect example of this is The Silent Sea, which makes for another excellent TV show like 3 Body Problem. The series chronicles a team of astronauts who set on a mission to collect samples from a lunar research facility.

An astrobiologist is determined to uncover the truth behind a mishap that occurred at the previously deserted research facility on the moon, where her deceased sister worked as a scientist. The leader of the exploration team must undertake a vital mission with only limited knowledge.

IMDb rating: 6.9/10

7. Invasion

Image credit: IMDb

Like 3 Body Problem, Invasion is a different variant of an alien takeover. In this Apple TV+ series, an extraterrestrial race visits Earth, posing a massive threat to the survival of humanity. The story progresses in the present-day timeline, as seen through the perspectives of several ordinary individuals scattered across the world.

As they grapple to comprehend everything happening around them, the viewers are left to ponder on the state of humanity.

IMDb rating: 6.2/10

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(Hero and feature image credit: IMDb/3 Body Problem)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Is there a sequel to 3 Body Problem?

Given its popularity and cliffhanger ending, 3 Body Problem season 2 might be in the works. But as of April 2024, nothing has been confirmed by the streamer or the makers.

– Is 3 Body Problem a part of a trilogy?

Yes, 3 Body Problem is based on a trilogy of novels by Liu Cixin.