Earlier this week, HBO premiered Season 3 of their expensive, much-discussed science-fiction/western series, Westworld. Created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, based on the 1973 movie of the same name directed by the late novelist Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park), the sci-fi/western series is often celebrated for its strong visuals and intriguing story turns, among other aspects. While not everyone was on-board with Season 2, the start of the third season suggests that the mature series is going to take some interesting new turns in the new episodes ahead. Whether or not that's the case, there are certainly a lot of TV viewers out there who love Westworld. And they're likely looking for another show like it. Don't worry, we can help. Here are 12 shows available for streaming that you might also enjoy!
The Leftovers (HBO Go)
What The Show Is About: Created by Damon Lindelof (Lost, HBO's Watchmen) and Tom Perrotta, based on the latter's novel of the same name, The Leftovers takes place three years following the "Sudden Departure," a global event where two percent of the world's population suddenly disappeared.
Why Fans Of Westworld Would Like It: Compared to a few other shows on HBO, The Leftovers didn't get as much attention, though it certainly got a good bit of acclaim. While the first season wasn't quite as well-regarded, many viewers were quick to praise Seasons 2 and 3 as extraordinary TV. If you enjoy Westworld for its thoughtful atmosphere, heady commentary, and resonate thematics, then you will definitely want to dig into The Leftovers.
Where To Stream: All three seasons of The Leftovers are available on HBO Go.
Altered Carbon (Netflix)
What The Show Is About: Based on the 2002 novel of the same name, Altered Carbon is a cyberpunk streaming series showcasing a futuristic world where technological advancements allow consciousness to be transferred into different bodies, as we follow an investigator trying to solve a murder.
Why Fans Of Westworld Would Like It: Incorporating noir elements into the sci-fi genre has been seen before, notably with the Blade Runner movies, and Altered Carbon is exactly that sort of show. Certainly, TV viewers who like how Westworld is a mature sci-fi vehicle with heady ideas will find a lot to appreciate in this expensive blockbuster streaming series, which stars Joel Kinnaman and Anthony Mackie in the lead role. If you love Westworld for how it explores aspects of identity and technology inside a futuristic setting, you'll definitely find yourself enticed with what Altered Carbon has to offer.
Where To Stream: Altered Carbon Seasons 1 and 2 are available on Netflix.
The Expanse (Amazon Prime)
What The Show Is About: Based on the novels of the same name by James S. A. Corey, The Expanse is a futuristic series showing life after mankind colonized the solar system. It follows a disparate band of anti-heroes, including a police detective, ship's officer, and United Nations Security Council member, who are now at the center of a conspiracy which threatens peace, civility, class balance, and survival as humanity knows it within the system.
Why Fans Of Westworld Would Like It: Similar to Altered Carbon, The Expanse is another series that blends sci-fi and detective noir elements into one streaming package. Acclaimed for being a smart, thrilling, and imaginative program with gorgeous production values, compelling character arcs, and politically intriguing narratives, The Expanse should suitably satisfy anyone who finds themselves engrossed in the big ideas at the center of HBO's Westworld. Particularly if you're invested in Westworld's class warfare commentary, you'll find quite a bit to enjoy in Amazon's The Expanse, which was already renewed for a fifth season and recently wrapped production. This newest season is expected to make its premiere at some point later this year.
Where To Stream: All four seasons of The Expanse are available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Watchmen (HBO Go)
What The Show Is About: Based on the acclaimed graphic novel of the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, HBO's Watchmen takes places 34 years after the events of the book and centers around a detective known as Sister Night (Regina King) who investigates the murder of her friend and superior, Judd Crawford (Don Johnson). She then discovers a bunch of information regarding vigilantism in a time of ongoing social and political unrest.
Why Fans Of Westworld Would Like It: Ever since Game of Thrones became a massive worldwide success, HBO has strived to push for more mature genre shows, particularly those that lean into both fantasy and sci-fi. Indeed, viewers saw that with Westworld. They also saw it with Watchmen too. As soon as it premiered on the paid cable station, it was considered one of the best shows on television, as well as one of the best superheroes stories in an era that seems to be defined by them. Both audiences and critics alike celebrated Watchmen for its sharp writing, strong direction, and its masterful performances from its top-tier cast. Certainly, if you love Westworld for its adult-orientated takes on its various genres, you'll likely love Watchmen too.
Where to Stream: Every episode of Watchmen Season 1 (which might be the only season we'll see) is available on HBO Go.
The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
What The Show Is About: Set in a dystopian version of the future and within a totalitarian society where, following the Second Civil War, every fertile women, i.e. "Handmaids," are placed into child-bearing slavery, The Handmaid's Tale is a series adaptation of the novel of the same name from Margaret Atwood.
Why Fans Of Westworld Would Like It: While certainly not lighthearted, The Handmaid's Tale is celebrated critically and commercially for its beautiful photography, suspenseful storytelling, relevant social commentary, and its strong performances, notably from Emmy-winning actress Elisabeth Moss in the lead role. If you like visually-stunning shows set in a near future where things just aren't quite right, and the underclass fight for their freedom, you'll find a lot to appreciate and engage with in Hulu's compelling, thoughtful, and well-acclaimed adaptation of Margaret Atwood's best-selling 1985 novel.
Where to Stream: All three seasons of The Handmaid's Tale are available on Hulu.
Black Mirror (Netflix)
What The Show Is About: In the vein of anthology series like The Twilight Zone, Black Mirror examines different stories regarding humanity's troubled or often dangerous relationship with modern/futuristic technology, with narratives set in the near present, an alternate past, or a not-too-distant future.
Why Fans Of Westworld Would Like It: Certainly, if you enjoy Westworld for how it explores humanity's unease relationship with technology — new, alternative or futuristic in their design — and the implications found therein, you'll certainly value the bleak and/or satirical stories found in Black Mirror.
Where to Stream: All five seasons of Black Mirror, including the interactive standalone movie Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, are available on Netflix.
Firefly (Hulu)
What The Show Is About: From creator Joss Whedon, Firefly is a space western set in the year 2517, where the U.S. and China are the only surviving superpowers. Firefly follows the renegade crew of Serenity, a nine-team group of adventures exploring the recesses of space and the dangers therein.
Why Fans Of Westworld Would Like It: If you love shows that blend western and sci-fi elements with wit, heart, humor, and ease, then Firefly is one of the best shows you can find. While it didn't find its due on the tube, Firefly has gone on to be one of the biggest cult classic TV shows of the '00s, most notably with many Joss Whedon fans clamoring for more. Alas, Fox only gave 14 episodes in total to Firefly, but that makes it a quick, enjoyable binge.
Where To Stream: All 14 episodes of Firefly's first season are on Hulu. Additionally, Serenity, the film continuation, is available with the Starz add-on.
Godless (Netflix)
What The Show Is About: A criminal (Jeff Daniels) and his band of outlaws pursue revenge on a former protege (Jack O'Connell) who betrayed their trust. They seek refuge in an isolated mining town mainly governed by women, where they find company with a tough-willed widow (Michelle Dockery).
Why Fans Of Westworld Would Like It: If you're a big fan of the western aspects of Westworld, notably in the first season, and you love how the HBO show explores gender politics, particularly in typically male-driven genres, then you'll find a lot to enjoy in this acclaimed Netflix seven-part mini-series.
Where To Stream: All seven episodes of Godless are available on Netflix.
The Son (Hulu)
What The Show Is About: Based on the novel of the same name by Philipp Meyer, The Son follows the extensive McCullough heritage, most notably following Eli McCullough (Pierce Brosnan), a charismatic Texas rancher who transforms from being a hard-working family man to a paranoid murderer.
Why Fans Of Westworld Would Like It: If you love Westworld's beautiful Western elements and find yourself itching for more shows that cater to that itch, you might want to check out The Son. While not exactly as critically acclaimed nor as well-viewed as some other shows found throughout this list, the Pierce Brosnan-led series is a quick and easy watch, particularly with only 20 episodes in total, and it should hopefully satisfy the desire you'll have.
Where to Stream: Both seasons of The Son are available on Hulu.
Hell on Wheels (Netflix)
What The Show Is About: Hell of Wheels is western TV series about the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad across the United States.
Why Fans Of Westworld Would Like It: Similar to The Son and Godless, Hell on Wheels is another recent western series that should appease to fans of the genre. If you find yourself most engrossed with Westworld whenever it's centered around characters in the (not so) vast west, this is one for you.
Where to Stream: All five seasons of Hell on Wheels can be found on Netflix.
Rick & Morty (Hulu)
What The Show Is About: Created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon (Community), Rick & Morty is an animated sci-fi/dark comedy centered around an alcoholic, cynical mad scientist named Rick and his fretful, good-natured grandson, Morty, as they travel through several strange inter-dimensional adventures throughout the recesses of space, time, and alternate universes, while also spending time together in their domestic life. Basically, imagine if Back to the Future was cruder, louder, more rambunctious, and prone to random antics involving one's fleetingly thin threshold on control and sanity.
Why Fans Of Westworld Would Like It: If you like all the strange futuristic technology, mechanical wizardry, and other sci-fi elements found inside Westworld but you want a show that, well, has a better sense of humor about itself, then you'll probably enjoy yourself immensely with Rick & Morty.
Where to Stream: All four seasons of Rick & Morty are available on Hulu.
Dollhouse (Hulu)
What The Show Is About: From creator Joss Whedon, Dollhouse revolves around a corporation running numerous underground establishments around the world known as Dollhouses wherein individuals known as Actives (i.e. Dolls) are given temporary personalities, identities and skill sets. It primarily centers around the character of Echo (Eliza Dushku), who is an active trying to forge a path towards self-awareness, away from her creators.
Why Fans Of Westworld Would Like It: Certainly, if you are compelled with the role of artificial intelligence inside Westworld and you are particularly enamored by the show's desire to show the uprising and self-actualization of its robotic characters, you'll find a lot to like in the short-lived Dollhouse.
Where to Stream: Both seasons of Dollhouse can be found on Hulu.
Which of these shows are your favorites? Which ones would you recommend to TV viewers who can't get enough of Westworld? Let us know below!
