Love, Anthologies & Robots
Love, Death & Robots is an animated delight. It’s a series that could so easily spawn a number of different spin-off shows in its own right, such is the level of quality on offer. If you’ve finished watching Love, Death & Robots and are looking for more of the same – fret not! We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle of having to try and find something similar with our top 10 picks for alternate viewing. Of course for all the shows we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link so you can check out our full thoughts on that series and see if it’s something you want to invest your time with. So without further ado, we present 10 TV shows that should whet the appetite when you’ve finished streaming Love, Death & Robots!
The Twilight Zone (1959)
Similarities – Horror & Anthology
The Crème de la crème of anthologies; The Twilight Zone is a classic in every sense of the word and a mainstay for any sci-fi or horror fan. Not to be confused for the lackluster 1980’s reboot or the forgettable re-reboot in 2020, the original Twilight Zone combines horror, thought provoking ideas and sci-fi to make this a wonderful show to watch. Even all these years later, The Twilight Zone holds its own. For that alone, this is a must-watch for sure.
Black Mirror
Similarities – Sci-Fi & Moody Atmosphere
Black Mirror is still the go-to for most people looking for a dark slice of sci-fi. While the later seasons do wane in quality, there’s no denying that some of the early episodes are absolutely fantastic. This dark, cautionary tale about technology comes straight from the mind of Charlie Brooker. From VR games gone wrong to the bizarre satirical world of political personalities, Black Mirror remains one of the best modern-day Twilight Zone replacements. With an uneasy dread clinging to a lot of the episodes and plenty of social commentary to boot, this one’s a solid choice and one you should absolutely check out if you haven’t already. You can read our thoughts on Black Mirror in our full season review here!
The Animatrix
Similarities – World-building & Sci-Fi
If you’re a fan of The Matrix, this is essential viewing. Serving as an accompanying world-building piece to the original trilogy, The Animatrix serves up 9 animated short films into one 100 minute collection. The Animatrix adds in some compelling sci-fi and challenging ideas to boot. Yes this is technically still a film but it could very easy be cut up into 9 different chapters and tonally, this is very similar to Love, Death & Robots.
Electric Dreams
Similarities – Anthology & Open Endings
As with any anthology, there’s a range of different stories showcased here, from virtual reality showcasing an entirely new life to space voyages that take a turn for the worst. Unlike Black Mirror, the material here feels far more challenging, leaving a lot open to interpretation by the abrupt and open endings. Considering the variety of stories shown here, each plot follows a surprisingly similar arc. A familiar setting for the main character soon turns to the unfamiliar before a climactic charge for the finale. Almost all of these end with unanswered questions used to incite discussion about what’s just been shown. In that respect, it’s quite similar to Love, Death & Robots. You can read our thoughts on Electric Dreams in our full season reviews here!
The Kirlian Frequency
Similarities – Sci-Fi
Blending a cleverly worked aesthetic dependent on shadows and lighting to craft its story, The Kirlian Frequency is a surprisingly engrossing horror anthology. The bite-sized episodes will also leave you eager for more when the credits finally roll. Narrated by a lone radio DJ in a twilit room, strange, fantastical and horror-fueled tales are told about a lost city in the heart of Argentina called Kirlian. To give much more away would be a disservice to this one but this anthology is well worth a watch.
Tales from the Loop
Similarities – Sci-Fi & Atmosphere
Based on a series of paintings by Simon Stålenhag, this sci-fi anthology uses this sci-fi as a backdrop for more human-driven drama that runs through the different episodes, following a tight-knit community living above “The Loop” where the impossible becomes possible. The strange organization simply known as The Underground is run by Russ Willard and serves as a looming, mysterious shadow we never really explore that much. Instead, the show plays out with a series of stories that play out as modern day fables. Aesthetically, Tales From The Loop looks fantastic. The backdrops are detailed, the effects are believable and there’s a gorgeous piano-driven score that runs under most of the drama. However, Tales from the Loop is also a bit of a mixed bag too. This one’s a bit more polarizing but if you’re sold after a few episodes, you should find enough to like here. You can read our thoughts on Tales from the Loop in our full season reviews here!
Inside No. 9
Similarities – Spooky Tone & Big Twists
The set-ups may be simple but don’t let that fool you – Inside No 9 is a fantastic anthology series and one of the must-watch sci-fi shows. This British show is split into 6-episode long series that tackle a unique situation that usually unfolds with a shocking or bizarre twist at the end. Unlike Black Mirror, Inside No. 9’s quality has only grown from strength to strength. In fact, season 5 could well be one of the best so far. The first episode of season 1 really sets the tone for what follows and there’s some definite horror vibes flowing through this one. A must watch for sure. You can read our thoughts on Inside No. 9 in our full season reviews here!
SF8
Similarities – Technology & Anthology Format
If there’s one thing Korean dramas do incredibly well – it’s tell a competent and driven story. Following in the footsteps of both Inside No. 9 and Black Mirror, Korea’s latest sci-fi anthology SF8 takes clear inspiration from both of those aforementioned Western titles. Only, it blends that in with an authentic Korean tone to make for a wholly unique experience. There are seven well-written and thought provoking tales to choose from and these cleverly branch out across a range of different genres too. One episode explores the possibility of AI companions. The tone is slightly comedic but there’s a larger message about self-driving cars and their possible faults. Elsewhere, Prayer (our personal favourite) looks at the bleak idea of hierarchical robot nurses. While it’s unlikely to hit the prolific heights of other anthology shows, this is easily one of 2020’s shining sci-fi jewels. You can read our thoughts on SF8 in our full season reviews here!
Room 104
Similarities – Anthology & Creativity
Most anthologies are a mixed bag of quality. When it comes to Room 104, that couldn’t be truer. Split across four seasons, Room 104 has an equal number of good and bad episodes, making for quite the turbulent ride. However, it’s certainly imaginative enough to warrant a place on this list. The entire show revolves around a single motel room and what goes on inside the four walls. From cerebrally charged horror to sitcoms and musicals, each 30 minute episode touches on a different genre with varying degrees of success. However, there are some real stand-out gems here. You can read our thoughts on Room 104 in our full season reviews here!
Robot Carnival
Similarities – Animated Anthology
Robot Carnival is a gorgeous showcase of anime talent. It’s also another project that feels similar to The Animatrix both in terms of tone and atmosphere. This 90 minute showcase of anime talent makes it a must-watch. This project combines a series of different short stories into one anthological film, brought to life by different animators. Interestingly, all these projects are joined together through the use of the word “robot”. What follows is a visually pleasing and well worked anime. So there we have it, our 10 TV show picks to check out when you’re finished with Love, Death & Robots. What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
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