Discover Your Next Obsession - 10 Shows Like 'Paradise

In Dan Fogelman's 'Paradise', viewers are drawn into an seemingly perfect suburban town with a dark secret, where dystopian narratives twist sideways through surprising science fiction elements and political intrigue. If you've been captivated by its blend of mystery, sci-fi, and a world that's not quite what it seems, you're in the right place.

This guide will help you explore 10 other compelling series that share 'Paradise's' unique approach to storytelling, ensuring your next binge-watch is just as thought-provoking and addictive. Get ready to dive into new worlds where reality is questioned, secrets abound, and the future is always uncertain.

What You'll Accomplish

By the end of this guide, you'll have a curated list of 10 high-concept science fiction, dystopian, and political thrillers that masterfully blend genres, much like 'Paradise'. You'll understand what makes each show a great follow-up and know exactly where to stream them.

Prerequisites to Start Your Binge

To access the full range of recommendations, you'll ideally have subscriptions to a variety of streaming services. Many of these shows are available on:

• Hulu
• Apple TV+
• Tubi
• Prime Video
• Disney+
• Netflix

Don't worry if you don't have them all; you'll still find plenty to watch! Many services offer free trials, or you can prioritize shows available on your current subscriptions.

How to Discover Your Next Obsession

We've organized these recommendations to help you navigate through complex narratives and find your perfect match. Each entry provides a snapshot of the show, highlighting its connection to 'Paradise' and its unique appeal. Simply read through the descriptions and pick what piques your interest!

1. Silo (2023 – )

Dive into a grim, underground future where the last 10,000 humans reside in a 144-level silo, convinced by authorities that the outside world is toxic. Engineer Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson) finds herself investigating a local sheriff (David Oyelowo) and unearthing truths that challenge everything. Similar to 'Paradise', this prestige drama uses science fiction to explore human stories of fear and control, with elements of mystery and horror woven throughout its planned four-season arc. Stream on Apple TV+.

2. Ascension (2014)

Experience an alternate history where the Kennedy administration launched a generation ship into space to preserve humanity during the Cold War. Fifty years later, aboard the massive Ascension, the first murder ever committed sparks a series of questions. This smart miniseries offers shocking reveals and clever twists, reminiscent of 'Paradise's' hidden truths, especially as no one on Earth seems to remember the ambitious project. Stream on Tubi.

3. Snowpiercer (2020 – 2024)

Join humanity's survivors on an endlessly moving train in a frozen, post-apocalyptic world. While those with wealth enjoy luxury at the front, the poor struggle in the tail. Former detective Andre Layton (Daveed Diggs) is recruited by engineer Melanie Cavill (Jennifer Connelly) to solve murders, leading to an uprising that reveals both are pawns in a larger political struggle. Less subtle about its sci-fi setting than 'Paradise', this show still delivers a powerful apocalyptic political thriller. Stream on Prime Video and Tubi.

4. Sugar (2024 – )

Follow detective John Sugar (Colin Farrell) into a world steeped in old-school Hollywood noir, where he’s an unexpectedly nice guy in a tough-guy setting. He’s hired by a rich movie producer (James Cromwell) to find his missing granddaughter. While it initially feels like a crime mystery, a wild sixth-episode twist plunges it into unexpected sci-fi territory, much like 'Paradise', showcasing a stealthy genre shift. The series boasts a stylish direction by Fernando Meirelles. Stream on Apple TV+.

5. Wayward Pines (2015 – 2016)

Matt Dillon stars as a Secret Service agent searching for missing colleagues in the seemingly perfect Idaho town of Wayward Pines. After an accident, he wakes to find his ex-partner (Carla Gugino) aged 12 years and the town's sheriff (Terrence Howard) enforcing a brutal "no one leaves" policy. This high-concept sci-fi thriller, based on Blake Crouch's novels, quickly piles on mysteries and dramatic reveals, echoing 'Paradise's' unsettling suburban facade. Stream on Hulu and Disney+.

6. Fallout (2024 – )

Step into a uniquely styled post-nuclear Earth in 2296, two centuries after a devastating war. Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell) ventures from her underground vault to find her kidnapped father, discovering a wasteland dominated by warring factions, radiation monsters, and a cynical view of humanity. Adapted from the popular video games, 'Fallout' offers a vibrant yet dangerous dystopian landscape with underlying political conflicts, much like 'Paradise's' sideways approach to dystopia. Stream on Prime Video.

7. The Silent Sea (2021)

In a near-future Earth suffering from severe water scarcity, a team of astronauts and scientists, including Bae Doona, embarks on a perilous mission to an abandoned lunar base. Their objective is to retrieve a mysterious sample, but it soon becomes clear that the terrestrial bureaucrats have withheld critical information. This twisty sci-fi drama unfolds with betrayals and deaths, revealing a deadly secret that could either be humanity's salvation or its ultimate demise, similar to the high stakes in 'Paradise'. Stream on Netflix.

8. Heavenly Delusion (Tengoku Daimakyō) (2023)

This deeply unusual post-apocalyptic anime weaves two parallel stories: one following children in a sterile, monitored "Heaven" unaware of the outside devastation, and another tracking bodyguard Kiruko and companion Maru through a ruined Japan. The straightforward dystopian setup quickly gives way to wild twists involving gender politics and dark secrets, as the plot lines converge in surprising ways, akin to 'Paradise's' unexpected genre shifts. Stream on Hulu.

9. Class of '09 (2023)

Initially presenting as a crime thriller, this series, like 'Paradise', gradually reveals its sci-fi core. Starring Brian Tyree Henry and Kate Mara, it follows FBI trainees in 2009 through concurrent timelines in 2023 and 2034. The central focus is the alarming development of artificial intelligence for predicting crime and the ethical dilemmas of pre-emptively targeting individuals, making it feel prescient and eerily current in our AI-driven era. Stream on Disney+ and Hulu.

10. Severance (2022 – )

Explore the dark side of "work-life balance" in a world where biotech giant Lumon Industries splits employees' consciousnesses, creating separate work and home identities. Lead characters (Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, Britt Lower) find their work- and home-based selves becoming distinct individuals. This show masterfully blends office dark comedy with sci-fi, critiquing totalitarian capitalism and highlighting technology's potential to worsen lives, much like 'Paradise's' commentary on societal control. Stream on Apple TV+.

Tips for Choosing Your Next Show

• Consider your mood: Do you want something darker and more philosophical like 'Silo', or a more action-packed adventure like 'Fallout'?
• Check your subscriptions first: Prioritize shows available on the streaming services you already have.
• Read the descriptions carefully: Look for keywords like 'mystery', 'political thriller', or 'twists' that align with what you enjoyed about 'Paradise'.

Troubleshooting Your Binge

• "I don't have the streaming service for a show I like!" Many services offer free trial periods. Alternatively, check if the show is available to rent or purchase digitally, or save it for later if you subscribe to that service in the future.
• "I watched the first episode and it didn't grab me." That's perfectly fine! Not every show is for everyone. With 9 other options on this list, feel free to move on and explore another recommendation that might be a better fit for your taste.

Next Steps

Now that you have a fantastic list of shows, pick one that sounds most appealing and hit play! If you enjoy these, consider exploring other genres that blend sci-fi with social commentary or mystery. The world of television is vast, and there are always more dark holes to fall down.

FAQ

Q: What if I haven't watched 'Paradise' yet? A: While this guide is tailored for fans of 'Paradise', all these shows stand alone as excellent sci-fi, dystopian, or political thrillers. You can absolutely enjoy them even if you haven't seen 'Paradise' yet. However, watching 'Paradise' on Hulu first will give you a great benchmark for why these shows were selected.

Q: Are all these shows exactly like 'Paradise'? A: Not exactly. They share core elements like dystopian themes, surprising sci-fi twists, or political thriller aspects, but each brings its own unique style, setting, and specific genre blends. Some are more overtly sci-fi, while others use it as a stealthy backdrop, similar to 'Paradise'.

Q: How should I pick which one to watch first? A: Start with the shows available on your existing streaming services. Then, consider the primary plot hook and overall tone described. If you're looking for something with a more immediate mystery, try 'Silo' or 'Wayward Pines'. If you want unique style and genre blending, 'Sugar' or 'Heavenly Delusion' might be your pick.