Fans of the Hulu phenomenon The Handmaid's Tale were in for a shock in June 2020 when it was announced that everyone's favorite show about an oppressive dystopian future where women are forced to have children for the ruling class wouldn't be returning until 2021 at the earliest. As much of a bummer as it was to hear to that we won't see the show this year, there are dozens of other shows and movies that can more than hold viewers over until the hit Hulu series finally comes back.
Movies like Children of Men and shows like Westworld are just two of the many worthy options that will surely hold you over until The Handmaid's Tale Season 4 is released at some point in 2021, so let's take a look at those as well as eight other movies and shows that you can stream or rent if you really miss the critically-acclaimed series. And with some of these series have multiple seasons of great television, you are going to be quite busy between now and next year.
Alias Grace
If you're looking for another series based on the work of the author of The Handmaid's Tale, look no further than the Netflix miniseries Alias Grace, which is based on the masterfully-written novel of the same name from Margaret Atwood. Although it's set in a different time period, the 2017 miniseries focuses on the mistreatment and demonizing of women by an oppressive ruling class that ultimately leads to murder, mystery, and further intrigue as the show's characters get to the bottom of one of Canada's most interesting crimes.
Stream Alias Grace on Netflix here.
Children Of Men
Alfonso Cuarón's 2006 dystopian science-fiction thriller Children of Men has long been a favorite of mine because of its story of the hope and new beginnings in the face of the civil unrest, turmoil, and an overall bleak look into the future. Set in a world where the human population has been infertile for several decades, this beautifully shot film shows just how much society is affected when no one is able to have children and there is no one to inherit the earth. Fans of The Handmaid's Tale method of dangling hope in front of the characters' faces like carrot to a horse will enjoy this engaging narrative and its shocking bursts of violence.
Stream Children of Men on Starz here.
The Stepford Wives
Not to be confused with the 2004 remake of the same name, the 1975 satirical thriller The Stepford Wives follows a young wife as she and her family leave the hustle and bustle of New York City for a picturesque community in the Connecticut. As the story unfolds, the audience learns that this perfect and peaceful community is anything but. Without giving too much away, this cult classic examines themes such as feminism, conformity, and the nature of the men who want a nice yet submissive partner. And just like any good 1970s horror movie, there's enough violence and strange situations that defy logic and reason.
Stream The Stepford Wives on Tubi here.
The Man In The High Castle
If alternate histories set in a parallel universe is your cup of tea then the Amazon original series The Man in the High Castle should be right up your alley. Similar to The Handmaid's Tale in the sense that America has been overtaken by a violent and ruthless regime who wishes to shape the society based off its own backward values and morals, the series based off the work of Philip K. Dick ran for four seasons on the streaming platform before calling it a day. Add Nazis and plenty of the spying and violence, and you have yourself an engaging series to watch while waiting for Elisabeth Moss' return in one of her best roles yet.
Stream The Man in the High Castle on Amazon here.
Mad Max: Fury Road
Going into Mad Max: Fury Road, it seemed like it was just another entry in George Miller's franchise set in a dystopian future where humanity has reverted back to its tribal and unhinged past, but not long into the 2015 thrill ride you quickly realize that it's anything but. Instead of Max saving the day like he's done in the past, it's Imperator Furiosa who leads the charge to get revenge on the tyrannical Immortan Joe and free the women, children, and even war boys he's essentially held captive by withholding vital resources for years. Who would have thought that a big-budget action thriller would be so rich with themes of feminism, unity, and redemption?
Rent Mad Max: Fury Road on Amazon here.
Watchmen
Just as eerie and violent as The Handmaid's Tale, the HBO series Watchmen also centers around a strong female lead caught up in the madness of the world. Based on the landmark graphic novel from Alan Moore, the 2019 series is set in another alternate reality where civil unrest, racial violence, and corruption run rampant in Tulsa, Oklahoma after a major tragedy rocks the community. Filled with themes of classism, racism, sexism, and many others, this highly-entertaining and unsettling show makes for a great binge as you count the days for The Handmaid's Tale eventual return to your weekly schedule.
Stream Watchmen on HBO Max here.
Snowpiercer
Before taking home four Oscars at the Academy Awards for Parasite in 2020, South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho was mostly known in the United States for his dystopian thriller Snowpiercer. Set on a luxury train traversing the frigid Earth after the plant is plunged into a second Ice Age, the film the 2013 film explores the divide between the haves who live a relatively care-free and unaffected life in the front of the massive train while the have-nots are forced to live in tough and dangerous conditions in its rear. Like in The Handmaid's Tale, there is talk of an uprising for quite some time before enough is enough and action is taken. And if you like the movie, it has also been turned into a series of its own on TNT.
Stream Snowpiercer on Netflix here.
V For Vendetta
There are movies about an oppressive ruling class and the small group of people who sacrifice everything to topple the regime and then there is V For Vendetta. Set in a near-future version of London that is under the control of the fascist Norsefire Party, the 2005 adaptation of the Alan Moore graphic novel of the same name explores the events that lead up to an eventual rebellion by the masses inspired by the masked V. And much like The Handmaid's Tale, the film features a strong female lead in the character Evey who goes through quite a change over the course of the story and eventually helps lead the charge for freedom.
Stream V for Vendetta on Netflix here.
Westworld
Fans of The Handmaid's Tale and long delays between seasons will surely love the HBO series Westworld which had quite a long break between Season 2 and Season 3 (just short of two years). Besides that, both shows share a few common traits and themes: feminism, slavery, and bloody rebellion all come to mind. This highly entertaining science fiction series also features some of the best female-led casts you'll see on modern television thanks to the superb acting of the talented Evan Rachel Wood, Tessa Thompson, and Thandie Newton. And after seeing the world of the show expanded greatly in the most recent season to see life outside the park, this seems to only be the beginning of what's in store for its fans.
Stream Westworld on HBO Max here.
Hidden Figures
Probably one of the most inspirational and groundbreaking movies to come out in the past decade, the 2015 biographical drama Hidden Figures follows three of the African-American female mathematicians who fought a culture war at NASA while the space agency was battling the Soviet Union to put a man into orbit in the early days of the Space Race. This powerfully moving story about history's forgotten heroes doesn't have the dystopian future or bloody violence of The Handmaid's Tale, but it does have one of the strongest female casts in a recent movie as their characters fight to have their voices heard in a room of men. Seriously, this movie needs to be seen.
Rent Hidden Figures on Amazon here.
Those are just 10 shows and movies that fans of The Handmaid's Tale should watch while they're waiting for the smash Hulu series to return at some point in 2021. If you think there is a film or series not included on this list that you think fans of the drama should watch, make sure to let everyone know in the comments below. And if you want to see what questions we have going into the show's next season, check out this story and many others like it here on CinemaBlend.
