10 TV Shows Like Futurama You Should Watch Next
After two cancellations and four so-called series finales, and counting, Futurama may be the most enduring show in history. Hulu is preparing another new season , as well as a series of ( just announced ) specials. While it doesn’t have the same enduring appeal as The Simpsons (with which it shares creator Matt Groening), Family Guy , or Bob’s Burgers , its cheerfulness makes it all the more charming. Plus, those shows never made me cry like that episode about Fry’s dog.
If you’re looking for other shows with similar sci-fi humor, or just want a backup in case Futurama gets canceled again, these 10 comedy shows are a great solution.
Rick and Morty (2013–)
Rick and Morty is more cynical than Futurama (which is saying something), but it nonetheless operates in the same high-concept sci-fi sandbox; both shows excel at blending silliness and wit. Rick Sanchez is an old-school mad scientist (think Doc Brown, but drunker) who drags his good-natured but hapless grandson on adventures across time and space and between dimensions— Back to the Future meets Doctor Who, but grittier and far stranger. It’s smart, nasty, often disturbing, and at times a little emotional—but mostly, it’s a wildly fun exploration of the multiverse. Watch Rick and Morty on Hulu and HBO Max.
Star Trek: Lower Decks (2021–2024)
Rather than focusing on the upper echelons of a Federation starship, Star Trek: Lower Decks follows the lower decks—the crew that ensures the smooth operation of a second-rate ship specializing in “Second Contact,” arriving after the main event to ensure all the paperwork is signed. It’s a space sitcom that nonetheless manages to feel like Star Trek , balancing cartoonish absurdity with compelling character arcs. By the end of Lower Decks ‘ five seasons, the two-dimensional crew of the Cerritos feels as real as any other series in the franchise. Watch Star Trek: Lower Decks on Paramount+ .
Gintama (2006–2018)
One of the closest Futurama analogs is set in Japan’s past—the story takes place during the late Edo period (around the early to mid-1800s), but in this version of history, aliens have invaded the country, the shogun has surrendered, and the samurai are outlawed. Eccentric Gintoki Sakata takes on a teenage apprentice who makes deliveries and runs errands, who is later joined by an alien teenager. The series features long-running storylines and deep character arcs, but all of this is balanced by often over-the-top and often very funny comedy that alternates between clever, raunchy, and silly. Characters directly address the audience for humor, and the series mercilessly parodies pop culture, including other popular anime. Watch Gintama on Hulu and Netflix.
Solar Opposites (2020–2025)
Solar Opposites, which airs on Hulu alongside Futurama and is created by the creators of Rick and Morty , follows Korvo (Dan Stevens), Terry (Thomas Middleditch), Yumulak (Sean Giambrone), and Jesse (Mary Mac)—aliens from a once-advanced planet destroyed by an asteroid. The humor is reminiscent of Rick and Morty , including subplots about shrunken humans and alien police officers, but there’s more sincerity; the series satirizes human culture while simultaneously demonstrating that being a refugee isn’t always fun. Watch Solar Opposites on Hulu and Netflix.
Gravity Falls (2012–2016)
This beloved, if relatively short-lived, animated series follows twin siblings Mabel and Dipper Pines (Kristen Schaal and Jason Ritter), who go to spend the summer with their great-uncle (aka “Uncle”) Stan (voiced by series creator Alex Hirsch). Helping Stan manage his detective-themed vacation home, the kids investigate a series of supernatural mysteries, many of which involve the show’s main antagonist, the dream demon Bill Cipher. While it’s not quite Futurama- style sci-fi, the X-Files influence is definitely noticeable. Watch Gravity Falls on Disney+ .
The Orville (2017–)
Seth MacFarlane’s The Orville began as a mildly scatological parody of Star Trek , a show that paid respect to The Next Generation but also made jokes about sperm. However, it quickly evolved into something more interesting, as MacFarlane’s obvious love for the franchise steered the show in a more serious direction. By its third season, picked up by Hulu, it had become one of the most ambitious (if still a bit silly) sci-fi series on television. Rumor has it a fourth season is in the works , though I’ll believe it when I see it. Watch The Orville on Hulu .
Avenue 5 (2020–2022)
Planet Express isn’t exactly a luxury liner, but Avenue 5 certainly is. It’s an interplanetary cruise ship captained by the popular Captain Ryan Clark (Hugh Laurie) and owned by the brash and eccentric billionaire Herman Judd (Josh Gadd). A minor change in course throws the ship off course, causing the planned months-long voyage to stretch into three years, despite running low on supplies. Soon, the island of civilization on board begins to crumble, and the crew and passengers struggle for power—or simply for food. The series was created and shown by Armando Iannucci, known for Veep, and if you’re familiar with that show, you’ll recognize its overall tone: dark comedy and a pessimistic look at people under pressure, especially the rich and powerful. Watch Avenue 5 on HBO Max .
Cowboy Bebop (1998–1999)
What if all the characters in Futurama were as effortlessly cool? Okay, that’s a big “if,” but while it’s not exactly a coincidence in tone, there are some similarities in that we’re dealing with a ragtag crew of oddballs—among them a woman transported to another time and awakened from a long-term cryogenic freeze she never agreed to. Cowboy Bebop is a cult classic, an undisputed anime masterpiece that blends elements of Western, film noir, comedy, and crime, all complemented by a stunning soundtrack. The “cowboys” of the title are bounty hunters in a near-future where humans have been forced to colonize the solar system after Earth has become uninhabitable. Former assassin Spike Spiegel leads his team from one near-disastrous mission to the next, all of their independent adventures culminating in an unforgettable climax. Watch Cowboy Bebop on Crunchyroll or buy it on Prime Video .
Disappointment (2018–2023)
It’s not science fiction, but this fantasy twist is also created by Matt Groening and his team; the art style and sense of humor are very similar, as are the voice actors, many of whom (including John DiMaggio and Lauren Tom) are direct transfers from Futurama . Oh, and there’s a brief appearance of the crew through a crystal ball, so it seems the shows are set in the same universe. Abbi Jacobson plays Bean, the hard-drinking, wild-life princess of Dream Land, who teams up with half-elf Elfo and Luci, her personal demon, for a series of increasingly bizarre adventures. It starts off friendly enough, but the serialization and cohesive plotting distinguish it from Matt Groening’s other shows.Watch Disenchantment on Netflix .
Red dwarf (1988–2020)
Another irreverent sci-fi comedy that’s returned from the dead more than once—and might return again. Craig Charles plays Dave Lister, a good-natured loser and well-meaning slob who holds the lowest possible job on the massive mining ship Red Dwarf (if you like Fry, you’ll love Lister). When he smuggles a pregnant cat on board, he’s punished by being placed in suspended animation (without pay) for the rest of the voyage. Which turns out to be much longer than anyone expected: when Dave awakens, three million years have passed, and humanity has become extinct. The kittens survived, spawning a feline empire that has risen and nearly fallen since, and the ship’s decrepit mainframe has recreated Dave’s hated roommate (Chris Barrie) as a hologram to keep him company. They are soon joined by a prim android, and for the next 30-odd years they wander the cosmos, having various adventures—some of which involve intertemporal and/or inter-universal encounters with the Leela-like Christine Kochanski, the object of Dave’s (mostly) unrequited affection. Watch Red Dwarf on Britbox .