Written by Vince Gilligan, Apple TV+’s ‘Pluribus’ centers around a global event that leads to an unprecedented shift in human life. Because of the discovery of an alien virus, humanity moves into a stage of collective consciousness with a hive mind-like system, wherein only peace and happiness are normal emotions. The joining of humanity also ensures the end of government and the concept of individuality since every brain becomes part of the whole.

An immune author, Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), must navigate the new state of the world at the heart of this post-apocalyptic science fiction series and concurrently find ways to counter the virus and make people “normal” again. In this process, not only does she find her will being tested, but she must also face the difficulties of saving the world from a state of bliss. Here are shows like ‘Pluribus’ that navigate mind-bending mysteries while commenting on the meaning of life.

12. Maniac (2018)

Netflix’s ‘Maniac’ tells the story of strangers Annie Landsberg, a woman with no purpose in life, and Owen Milgrim, challenged by a disputed schizophrenia diagnosis, participating in a mysterious pharmaceutical trial that appears to have reached its peak. The participants are reeling from their own problems as the ones running this trial assure that the radical pill treatment will solve all issues permanently for the twelve subjects. However, unforeseen consequences await. Created by Patrick Somerville, this series is loosely based on the eponymous Norwegian series by Espen PA Lervaag among others. It’s a nuanced take on the human psyche, with its futuristic feel and a commentary on human behavior in all its complexities-a common link between this show and ‘Pluribus’ with its unique world.

11. The 100 (2014-2020)

Based on Kass Morgan’s novel series of the same name, ‘The 100’ is the journey of Clarke Griffin, Bellamy Blake, and other survivors. Nearly a century after a nuclear war devastated Earth, a large space station sends a hundred juvenile delinquents to the surface to see if Earth is habitable. Once they start to navigate, they discover that the truth may be far more complex than they ever imagined. As they learn more about the planet’s truths, they must also come to terms with their own humanity. Created by Jason Rothenberg, the post-apocalyptic science fiction drama series, like ‘Pluribus,’ is a portrayal of survival and the future of humanity. Both stories study characters who must make life-altering choices that may have greater significance to the world at large.

10. Invasion (2021-2025)

In ‘Invasion,’ Earth is suddenly plunged into a crisis evidenced by power cuts, destruction of homes, and other infrastructure-related issues. With these incidents apparently interlinked, they are traced to extraterrestrial interference that threatens humanity at large. In the midst of this chaos, Aneesha Malik played by Golshifteh Farahani, Trevante Cole played by Shamier Anderson, and others need to make sense of the events around them and find their way out. Apple TV+’s science fiction series from creators Simon Kinberg and David Weil supplement ‘Pluribus’ with unusual phenomena, a futuristic premise of an apocalyptic situation, and much deeper looks at human nature.

9. Utopia (2013-2014)

‘Utopia’ is a British conspiracy thriller series dealing with a group of online friends like Ian, Becky, and others, who locate the manuscript of a graphic novel called “Utopia,” believed to predict global catastrophes and conspiracies. Immediately, they become targets of “The Network,” a dangerous organization, while they simultaneously hunt for a mysterious character who may give them more clues about their fate. The Dennis Kelly brainchild is a suspenseful and futuristic tale wherein the survival-based journeys of the characters resemble Carol’s experiences in ‘Pluribus.’

8. Brave New World (2020)

Loosely based on the eponymous novel by Aldous Huxley, Peacock’s ‘Brave New World’ revolves around John played by Alden Ehrenreich, who saves Bernard Marx and Lenina Crowne during a dangerous situation. He gets taken to a futuristic and utopian New London, where he discovers shocking things that might uncover the truth about the nature of the world. The science fiction drama series also touches upon a society founded upon the prohibition of traditional family, money, and privacy. Created by Grant Morrison, Brian Taylor, and David Wiener, it relates to ‘Pluribus’ as it depicts different social systems, loss of conventional human values, and greater mysteries concerning control and power.

7. Orphan Black (2013-2017)

Orphan Black is a science fiction thriller television series created by Graeme Manson and John Fawcett. The series follows the story of Sarah Manning, played by Tatiana Maslany, who, after being a witness to the suicide of her doppelgänger named Beth Childs, gets dragged into a mind-bending conspiracy. Assuming her identity, Sarah embarks on an investigation that may change her view of reality and the nature of power in the world. Given the spiritual connection of new political systems, further developments, and human identity, Orphan Black is probably a little something from the world of Pluribus.

6. Westworld (2016-2022)

HBO’s ‘Westworld’ is set in a future where a large organization in the industry has come up with a theme park where people can witness brutalities of human nature without any legal issues. People are allowed to enter into a world where humanoid robots exist to serve them or help them in bringing their fantasies alive. However, things take an unprecedented turn of events when the robots seemingly start developing consciousness. Dolores Abernathy finds herself right in the middle of this chaos as she seeks to find meaning. Created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, the dystopian science fiction Western drama series is a poignant navigation of positives and negatives of technology. Based on a film with the same name by Michael Crichton, it looks into the cost of advancement, the nature of human consciousness, and struggles against authority in ways similar to ‘Pluribus.’

5. Severance (2022-)

‘Severance’ is set in a world where Lumon Industries has come up with a revolutionary technology that splits the human mind into two with the help of an implant. It gives the company the power to segregate work and non-work memories of the employees once inside and outside the office space, respectively. This out-of-this-world technology messes up the lives of Mark Scout (Adam Scott), Dylan George (Zach Cherry), Helly R. (Britt Lower), and other employees who have two memory systems alive in their very same bodies. Apple TV+’s science fiction psychological thriller series, created by Dan Erickson, is similar to ‘Pluribus’ in the aspect of external control of the human mind as it relates to power structures. Both stories deal with the aftermath of technological advancement and civilization’s future.

4. The Last of Us (2023-)

HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ traces the travels of Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal), who forge a complicated bond as they travel across a post-apocalyptic America plagued by fungal infections that transform people into zombie-like creatures. Joel is entrusted with the duty of escorting the teenager Ellie to a safe place as she might hold the key to saving humanity from a dreaded future. Adapted from the eponymous video game series by Naughty Dog, the post-apocalyptic drama series by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann is a haunting tale of complexities. Therefore, for depicting apocalyptic stakes, control of human minds, and sacrifices to be made to keep humanity safe, it spiritually connects with ‘Pluribus’ and its characters.

3. Sense8 (2015–2018)

Netflix’s ‘Sense8’ follows Capheus, played by Aml Ameen, Nomi Marks, played by Jamie Clayton, and six other strangers from different cultures and parts of the world whose minds get interconnected after a violent vision. They can understand each other and also share thoughts. Their unique collective consciousness makes them a challenge to the power structure of the world, which prompts a discreet global organization to hunt them down, even as they learn to adapt to their new reality. The science fiction drama series, created by Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, and J. Michael Straczynski, much like ‘Pluribus, depicts the hive-mind concept, the nuances of futuristic existence, and the nature of the human mind.

2. The Leftovers (2014-2017)

Based on the eponymous novel by Tom Perrotta, ‘The Leftovers’ follows the post-apocalyptic consequences of an inexplicable event that saw the disappearance of a substantial portion of the world’s human population. In this new world, Kevin Garvey Jr. (Justin Theroux), his wife Laurie (Amy Brenneman), and other family members in a small New York community grapple with the truth as religious activities dwindle, and cults become increasingly popular. As the community deals with tragedy, groups like the “Guilty Remnant” have their agenda for the future of humanity. HBO’s supernatural drama series, created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta, represents the after-effects of large-scale disasters, shifts in social structures, and the struggles of the ordinary citizen, much like Carol in ‘Pluribus.’

1. Childhood’s End (2015)

In ‘Childhood’s End,’ humanity enters a new mode of life, free from crime and war, due to the invasion of the planet by a peaceful race of extraterrestrials called the “Overlords.” This new utopia enables people to stay happy and peaceful. However, strange happenings in the world threaten the new normal. Children around the world appear to act in a connected manner that puts the adults in a state of disarray. As human identity and culture are in jeopardy of being wiped out, the actual intentions of the aliens may not be exactly as the people envisioned. The life of Ricky Stormgren (Mike Vogel) and others get linked to the fate of the world. Based on the eponymous novel by Arthur C. Clarke and developed by Matthew Graham, the American-Australian dystopian science fiction series is a complex play on a futuristic world. The elements of alien intervention in human society, the inexplicable behavioral changes in sections of the population, and the visual tones of the series link it with the world of ‘Pluribus’ and its characters. Read More: Pluribus Title Meaning, Explained