3 Hard Sci-Fi Shows All Cyberpunk Fans Need to Stream

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More than forty years after Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner defined the cyberpunk genre, filmmakers have continued to use similar imagery – like glowing cityscapes, massive urban centers, and powerful companies – to warn us about potential dark futures ruled by technology. Films such as The Matrix, Ghost in the Shell, and Strange Days foresaw issues like artificial intelligence taking over, constant surveillance, and our increasing reliance on digital technology, proving how remarkably prescient this type of science fiction can be.

Cyberpunk hasn’t appeared much on TV, mostly because creating a high-quality series is incredibly expensive. Considering a film like Blade Runner 2049 cost over $185 million in 2017, you can imagine how much a modern TV show would cost. Fortunately, companies like Netflix and Apple are investing in the genre, and early results are promising.

Good cyberpunk TV shows are rare. That’s why we’ve put together a list of three series every fan needs to see. You’ll likely recognize two of them, but the third is a hidden treasure – a must-watch for anyone who truly loves the genre.

3
‘Altered Carbon’ — Netflix

Netflix’s Altered Carbon, created by Laeta Kalogridis and inspired by Richard K. Morgan’s novel, presents a future where people can transfer their minds into new bodies. The story begins with Takeshi Kovacs, a skilled mercenary, who is brought back to life 250 years after his death. A powerful man named Laurens Bancroft revives Kovacs and hires him to solve the mystery of his own murder, suspecting foul play.

Set in the future, Altered Carbon is a fantastic series that blends classic detective stories with intense science fiction, action, and thought-provoking themes. It’s easily one of the best shows Netflix has produced – especially the first season. The second season doesn’t quite live up to the original, so you can happily stop after the first ten episodes. But if you choose to watch Season 2, don’t say we didn’t warn you!

2
‘Mr. Robot’ — Tubi

Cyberpunk shows vary in quality, but Mr. Robot clearly embodies the genre, even though it’s not set far in the future. The show centers on Elliot, a cybersecurity expert who secretly works as a hacker. He’s pulled into a plan by the activist group fsociety to erase all debt, and begins to question whether their actions will truly make a difference, or just create new issues.

Though it tackles difficult subjects like mental health, trauma, and addiction, Mr. Robot is still a cyberpunk story at its core. It features powerful corporations, a group of rebels fighting back, and surprisingly realistic hacking – it’s sure to appeal to anyone craving a bit of rebellious chaos.

1
‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ — Netflix


Netflix

We couldn’t possibly leave out Cyberpunk: Edgerunners – it’s arguably the best cyberpunk series ever made! Don’t let the fact that it’s animated fool you; this isn’t your typical cartoon. Edgerunners perfectly captures the spirit of the genre, diving into complex themes like class struggles, the power of corporations, and what it means to be human. It’s packed with action and delivers everything a cyberpunk fan could hope for in a TV show.

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Inspired by the video game Cyberpunk 2077, Edgerunners is an animated series created in collaboration between CD Projekt Red and the Japanese studio Trigger. The show takes place in Night City and centers on David Martinez, a young man who turns to a life of mercenary work as an “edgerunner” after tragedy strikes. The first season has 10 episodes, and a second season, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2, is currently being made.

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2026-03-08 15:33