Shows like Manifest: From Sense8 to JL50, sci-fi mysteries to alter your reality

Binge-worthy sci-fi television shows are few and far between. And the ones that are critically acclaimed are often lesser-known. So for today’s List hai toh hit hai podcast we take a look at the best sci-fi TV shows similar to the hit series Manifest. So here is the binge list

Sense8 (Netflix)

Creators of the Matrix film franchise, the Wachowskis, brought to life another riveting sci-fi story in the form of the Netflix original series, Sense8. The plot revolves around eight strangers from across the globe who inexplicably develop a psychic link which allows them to share their skills and knowledge with one another. Known as the sensates, they are hunted down by sinister organizations that have vested interests of their own. The series was praised by critics for its diverse characters and compelling storylines.

The OA (Netflix)

The next series on the list is another Netflix original series titled, The OA. This sci-fi TV show tells the tale of a young woman named Prairie who reemerges after having gone missing for seven years. Despite her miraculous return, she is surrounded by an air of mystery as the once-blind Prairie returns with her vision completely restored. She calls herself the Original Angel or the OA and recruits five locals to join her on a mission to find missing people by traveling through other dimensions.

Travelers (Netflix)

Ever since Jules Verne published his iconic novel, The Time Machine in 1895, there has been significant interest in stories about time travel and the idea of changing events of the past to reshape the present and the future. The Terminator, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Justice League the Animated Series, Legends of Tomorrow, Avengers: Endgame, and Interstellar have used this plot device to great effect. The Netflix original series Travelers follows a similar plot to these titles where humans from a post-apocalyptic future send back their consciousness to a past timeline to alter the fate of humanity. The series holds a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and was praised for its gripping narrative and excellent performances.

The Leftovers (Disney+ Hotstar)

The iconic ‘Thanos snap’ in Avengers: Endgame wiped out half the living population from the universe. While the film did end up becoming one of the highest-grossing of all time, the snap itself and the eventual return of the missing population left plot holes the size of craters. It's safe to say that it was far from convincing. However, the 2017 HBO series The Leftovers deals with something similar but with plenty of thought put behind the idea of what could happen to the world if millions of people inexplicably disappeared one day. The series delves into how society, religion, politics, and culture will drastically change if just 2% of the global population just vanishes from existence.

Fringe (Amazon Prime Video)

The sci-fi TV series Fringe was not well received when it premiered in 2009. However, over the course of the seasons, the series earned plaudits and a cult following, largely thanks to vastly improved writing and better set pieces. The plot revolves around Olivia Dunham, an FBI agent tasked with investigating unexplained and mysterious phenomena. She soon stumbles upon an alternate universe and it becomes a vital component in saving the multiverse.

JL50 (SonyLIV)

JL50 can be counted among the few authentic sci-fi mystery series to be produced in India in recent years. Manifest fans will be quick to point out the similarities in the premise. In fact, JL50 refers to an aircraft that crashed after having been missing for 35 years since it last took off. Sounds familiar? The show follows a CBI officer who hopes to get to the bottom of the affair and cracks on with the investigation related to this mysterious commercial aircraft and its curious passengers. The series which includes a power-packed cast comprising Abhay Deol, Pankaj Mishra and Pankaj Kapur was initially conceptualized as a feature film but was eventually split into a 4-part series.

Well that's the List hai toh hit hai episode for today on OTTplay, until the next one it's your host Nikhil signing out.

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Written by Ryan Gomez