We’ve still got a while beforeSeveranceseason 3 is released, but there are some other recent twisted sci-fi shows worth streaming while we wait. 2025 has been a great year for the genre, andSeveranceseason 2 has stood out as a prime example. Released on June 14, 2025, this installment left us with an infuriatingly intriguing cliffhanger, but we at least got confirmation for season 3 shortly after.
Severanceseason 1 hit AppleTV+ in 2022, so we had a long three-year wait for the continued story after Mark Scout first caught our attention. Hopefully, it won’t take nearly as long betweenSeveranceseason 2 and season 3. Creator Dan Erickson said that he is aiming for a late 2026 or early 2027 premiere—certainly good news, but still a while away.
In the meantime,Severancefans can turn their attention to some of the other sci-fi series with newer offerings. Whether these have just begun their first season in 2025 or have recently returned for a new installment, audiences can find a similar sort of mind-bending sci-fi thrills in these shows as they did inSeverance’s first two seasons. Hopefully, they can ease the wait.
Foundationis another AppleTV+ series, and its first season premiered on the streaming platform a year beforeSeverance, in 2021. Based on theFoundationnovels by Isaac Asimov, the TV series was created by David S. Goyer and Josh Friedman.Foundationhas a massive cast, which includes names like Jared Harris, Lee Pace, Lou Llobell, Leah Harvey, Laura Birn, and more.
Foundationis a more traditional sci-fi thanSeverance. Set in a distant future, the series sees humanity spread throughout the galaxy and follows mathematician Hari Seldon, who predicts the crash of this galactic empire. It’s full of classic sci-fi action, withtwists and turns that guide audiences through concepts of politics, philosophy, morality, and more.
On the surface,FoundationandSeveranceseem to share little in common. The former series lacks the “workplace comedy” tropes. However,both shows revolve around similar themes, with powerful institutions ruling over the lives and minds of the lesser. Viewers ofFoundationare pushed to ask themselves questions about free will and societal expectation, all the while enjoying a visually stunning experience.
Thesci-fi anthology series,Black Mirror, created by Charlie Brooker, explores the darker sides of technology and human nature. Each episode contains a standalone story, typically set in the near future, though always within a dystopian, high-technology society.Black Mirrortakes heavy inspiration fromThe Twilight Zone, but with more consistent themes revolving around social issues and technology.
Though again, there are significant differences, Mark Scout’s story could have easily been an episode of Black Mirror.
Black Mirrorprovides another twisted, cerebral experience for fans ofSeverance. Though again, there are significant differences, Mark Scout’s story could have easily been an episode ofBlack Mirror. Those looking for something similar would surely enjoy episodes like “White Christmas” or “Nosedive,” since they matchSeverance’s corporate or cognitive fracturing concepts.
Though someepisodes ofBlack Mirrorare about as different fromSeveranceas could be,many of this series' offerings have that similar unsettling, or mind-bending feel. Of course, as an anthology, the pace of each episode will be a bit faster thanSeverance—less of a slow burn because every episode has its own complete conclusion. If you’re looking for something likeSeverancebut in more bite-sized pieces,Black Mirrorshould scratch the itch.
Murderbotis another AppleTV+ series, this time a sci-fi action comedy. It’s created by Paul and Chris Weitz, and is based on the book series, The Murderbot Diaries, by author Martha Wells.Murderbotstars Alexander Skarsgård in the titular role—a self-aware security android with dark humor and a gripping internal monologue. The series premiered on June 22, 2025.
Skarsgård’s self-proclaimedMurderbotisn’t as violent as his name suggests. It’s far more interested in bingeing TV dramas than killing, and its primary task is to protect. However,Murderbot grapples with its newfound autonomy in theAppleTV+ series, attempting to construct its own identity as it frees itself from corporate control. Naturally, this is very different fromSeverance, but there is still an intriguing overlap here.
Those who loveSeverancefor its covert (and often overt) statements about corporate dehumanization, identity in relation to memory, and resistance against the powers that be are sure to be intrigued byMurderbot. Like Mark S., the titular robot of this series is endeeringly naive, but with that sliver of rebellion growing steadily stronger.Murderbotalso has the added touch of comedy to balance, but with far more action thanSeverance(a win-win).
Revivalis a Syfy network supernatural horror noir series based on the comic book series of the same name by Tim Seeley and Mike Norton. The TV show comes from creators Aaron B. Koontz and Luke Boyce, and stars Melanie Scrofano, Romy Weltman, David James Elliott, Andy McQueen, and more.Revivalseason 1, made of seven episodes, beganstreaming on Peacockon June 15, 2025.
This supernatural series, set in Wausau, Wisconsin, follows a massive event known as “the Revival,” during which deceased residents of the town suddenly return from the dead. These aren’t mindless zombies. They behave exactly as they did in life. Following this event, Officer Dana Cypress gets pulled into a murder investigation, with the primary twist being that the victim is now alive.
Once again,Revivalis unlikeSeverancein its basic premise. However,just as Lumon’s Severed employees are seen as less-than-human, the “Revivers” are immediately othered by their peers. This leads to an internal debate around identity and agency, in addition to institutional control and morality.Revival’s tone is much less cerebral, and the supernatural elements are unique, but it will still keep audiences thinking and guessing.
MGM+‘sThe Instituteis a supernatural psychological horror series based on the 2019 novel of the same name by Stephen King. Developed by Benjamin Cavell and directed by Jack Bender,The Institute’s first season, released on July 23, 2025, contains eight episodes and stars Joe Freeman, Ben Barnes, Mary-Louise Parker, Simone Miller, Fionn Laird, Julian Richings, and more.
The Institutefollows Freeman’s character, Luke Ellis, who awakens in a secret Maine facility known as the Institute. This is wheregifted teens are held and subjected to grueling experiments aimed at weaponizing their abilities. Former cop Tim Jamieson (Barnes) begins to uncover the truth about the Institute’s agenda as Luke and his captive friends plan their big escape.
Both shows revolve around characters who are trapped against their will within a secret institution, which hides behind a respectable facade.
Fans ofSeverancearelikely to findThe Instituteto be more resonantthan other comparisons. Both shows revolve around characters who are trapped against their will within a secret institution, which hides behind a respectable facade. There are themes of government control and identity, but,unlikeSeverance’s sterile surrealism,The Instituteexplores these ideas through supernatural elements.
Overall, it’s evident that there are no recent sci-fi series that are precisely likeSeverance. The appeal of this AppleTV+ series is that it is so unique, after all. However, the show’s themes and approach have drawn inspiration from or inspired other recent offerings, allowing us to find some substitutes untilSeveranceseason 3 finally premieres.
