Summary
Apple TV+‘sDark Matteris one of the most unique TV shows of the year, telling the story of physicist Jason (Joel Edgerton) as he is kidnapped and transported into an alternate version of his life and fights to get back to his core universe. It’s an entertaining journey that explores the idea of parallel universes, a concept that has been used in many movies and TV shows before.
While the idea of parallel universes has become more popular in the last few years with the releases ofSpider-Man: Into the SpiderVerse,Everything Everywhere All at Once, and the introduction of the Multiverse in the MCU, the idea has been used in Hollywood in movies and TV shows since the 1930s.Dark Matteris just the latest in a line of fantastic movies and TV shows that enter multiple different universes. While the wait forseason 2 ofDark Matterbegins, there are plenty of movies and TV shows that offer different looks at their respective multiverses.
I’m Confident Apple TV+ Could Do This Blake Crouch Book Justice After Dark Matter’s Success
Now that I’ve seen how well Dark Matter was adapted by Apple TV+, I’d trust them to take on one of my other favorite Blake Crouch sci-fi novels.
15Sliders (1995-2000)
Imaginative And Groundbreaking
Slidersis often revered as the quintessential TV show about alternate realities, centering around Quinn Mallory (Jerry O’Connell) and his companions. Quinn accidentally opens an interdimensional portal which sends the group on a cosmic adventure around parallel Earths, a method of transportation they call “sliding”. Across its five seasons,Slidersoffers viewers something new every time, from aworld where the US lost the Revolutionary War, to one where men were treated as the “weaker sex”, making it a refreshing take on the sci-fi genre.
Sliders
Cast
Sliders is a science fiction television series that follows Quinn Mallory (Jerry O’Connell) and a group of fellow travelers as they “slide” between parallel universes. With each new world presenting a unique alternate reality, the team encounters various versions of Earth, facing different challenges and societal structures. The series, which aired from 1995 to 2000, explores themes of consequence, diversity, and adaptation.
14Community (2009-2015)
A Unique Take On The Concept
The “darkest timeline” continues to pop up throughout the show, makingCommunityone of the more unique uses of the parallel universe concept.
Communitymay appear to be just a regular sitcom, but its exploration of parallel universes is one of the most prominent storylines throughout the show. The introduction of parallel universes in the iconic episode “Remedial Chaos Theory” is one of the cleverest pieces of TV in the sitcom, not only providing expert comedic material but also delving into the relationships and dynamics between the characters in different ways. The “darkest timeline” continues to pop up throughout the show, makingCommunityone of the more uniqueuses of the parallel universe concept.
Community
Community is a comedic television series that chronicles the lives of diverse students at Greendale Community College, a fictional and notoriously underperforming educational institution in Colorado. Released in 2009, the show explores the quirky interactions and relationships among the eclectic group navigating their academic and personal challenges.
13The Wizard Of Oz (1939)
There’s No Place Like Home
The Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton), Dorothy (Judy Garland) and Glinda (Billie Burke) inThe Wizard of Oz(1939).
The iconicWizard of Ozisprobably the most famous, yet unknown, use of a parallel universe in movie history. Oz is quite literally depicted as being a different reality to Kansas, with this being highlighted particularly by the stark difference between the dull sepia of Dorothy’s home and the Technicolor fantasy of the magical world. A timeless, heartwarming tale about courage, home, and the meaning of friendship,The Wizard of Ozis an iconic movie, and perhaps one of the earliest explorations of a parallel universe in movie history.
The Wizard of Oz
Based on Frank L. Baum’s book of the same name, The Wizard of Oz follows young Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) as she’s swept away to the magical land of Oz. Upon arriving, she falls afoul of a witch, then enlists the help of a scarecrow, a tin man, and a lion in order to find the Wizard and get home to her family.
12Barbie (2023)
Barbie World vs The Real World
Playful and poignant,Barbieuses the concept of a parallel universe to highlight the difference between the “perfect” Barbie World and the messy reality of the human world. By juxtaposing Barbie World with the real world like this, the movie takes both Barbie (Margot Robbie) and the audience on a journey, exploring what it truly means to be human.Barbieis a coming-of-age movie like no other, and its use of a parallel universe as a metaphor for embracing the imperfections of humanity is fantastic.
Barbie
Barbie is a film adaptation of the generational iconic toy directed by Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote the script with Noah Baumbach. The film centers on Margot Robbie’s Barbie who is expelled from Barbieland and travels with Ken (Ryan Gosling) to the real world in search of happiness. The film also stars Simu Liu, Will Ferrell, and several other famous celebrities in cameo roles.
11Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
A Culmination Of Two Decades Of Live-Action Spider-Men
A fan-favorite,Spider-Man: No Way Homeis the third installment in Tom Holland’s trilogy, and introduces the initial consequences of the multiverse on the MCU. As Peter Parker grapples with his identity being revealed, he then takes it upon himself to “save” a host of villains from previous Spider-Man franchises by sending them back to their own universes.Spider-Man: No Way Home’s convergence of parallel universesmanaged to blend heart-pumping action with some truly emotional scenes about doing what’s right, while remaining a nostalgic and endearing story.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the trials and tribulations of being a superhero. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) asks for help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) when his identity becomes a problem for the ones he loves. Unfortunately, when the spell goes wrong, Spider-Man will now have to face off with villains such as Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) and Electro (Jamie Foxx) as Peter finally comes to terms that he can’t run from being Spider-Man. Supported by his close friends and help from an unexpected place (or multiverse), Spider-Man will go toe-to-toe with some of the most legendary foes in his storied history.
Would a live-action Spider-Man (Peter Parker) series be exciting?
Sony is planning multiple Spider-Man-related series for Prime Video. Currently, the studio is getting ready to start filming Spider-Man Noir, which will star Nicolas Cage as the title character, who is not a version of Peter Parker in this story. Based on Sony’s plans for the characters, there could be the potential for a Spider-Man reboot on TV, which Spider-Verse producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were reportedly hired to oversee back in 2019. TV’s format allows for a Spider-Man story that is more akin to the comics’ style, delving deeper into the characters and staying more in that world.
10Rick and Morty (2013-)
A Constant Parallel Universe Innovator
Rick and Mortyis an outrageously funny and uniquely clever animated TV show that tells the story of alcoholic scientist Rick Sanchez, and his impressionable grandson, Morty. Using Rick’s portal gun, the titular characters travel through innumerable different worlds and universes in the show, embarking on a series of creative and exciting adventures as they do so.Rick and Mortyconsistently pushes the boundariesof the parallel universe concept, while frequently diving into the existential questions of infinite realities through a vessel of dark humor and absurdism.
Rick and Morty
Rick and Morty is an animated science fiction series that follows the eccentric scientist Rick Sanchez and his impressionable grandson Morty Smith as they embark on perilous adventures across space and alternate dimensions. The show explores the impact of these exploits on Morty’s tumultuous family life and personal challenges.
9Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness (2022)
It Really Is Madness
Fun, utterly chaotic, and full of heart,Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessis a solid addition to the parallel universe genre.
The second installment in theDoctor Strangeseries sees Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) embarking on a mission to protect America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) from the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen). Chavez’s superpower allows her to travel through the multiverse, withMultiverse of Madnessexploring a host of different parallel universes, including one where the Illuminati (led by Professor Charles Xavier) is the dominant superhero group on Earth. Fun, utterly chaotic, and full of heart,Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessis a solid addition to the parallel universe genre.
8Stranger Things (2016-Present)
The Duality Of The Upside Down And Hawkins
Stranger Thingsis a cultural phenomenon, taking the world by storm ever since it premiered on Netflix in 2016. It tells the story of a group of townspeople and kids from Hawkins, Indiana, as they seek to uncover the mysteries of why odd phenomena keep happening in their town, including thedisappearance of Will Byers(Noah Schnapp). It is eventually revealed that Hawkins is linked to a parallel universe known as the Upside Down, where a host of evil entities, including a demagorgon, originate and wreak havoc on the town. As original as it is iconic,Stranger Thingsis a fantastic exploration of the concept of a parallel universe to ours, particularly one that is “evil”.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the 1980s, where the mysterious disappearance of a young boy leads a small town to uncover secret experiments and supernatural forces. A significant focus is on a peculiar girl who may hold the key to the unfolding mystery.
7Deadpool and Wolverine (2024)
A Comedy Like No Other
Utterly hilarious and ridiculous,Deadpool and Wolverineis a refreshing and fun take on the parallel universegenre, continuing to explore the multiverse of the MCU. Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) team up to try and save his universe in this R-Rated superhero comedy. The multiverse is used here as a metaphor for Deadpool himself not feeling like he truly belongs anywhere, and his team-up with fellow lost soul Wolverine allows the two of them to challenge and change each other for the better, all while exchanging a wide array of expletive insults.
Deadpool & Wolverine
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
6Gravity Falls (2012-2016)
The Parallel Universe Pushes The Story Forward
One of the most acclaimed animated TV shows of recent years,Gravity Fallstells the story of twins Dipper (Jason Ritter) and Mabel (Kristen Schaal) as they spend their summer in the titular town, where a variety of mysterious things occur.Gravity Fallseventually introduces the twins and the audience to a portal between dimensions, with this particular parallel universe setting the foundation for the show’s climax in itsthree-part finale, “Weirdmaggedon”. A timeless tale of siblinghood, coming-of-age, and adventure,Gravity Fallsis a more than worthy addition to the parallel universe genre.
Gravity Falls
When Dipper and Mabel Pines are dropped off to spend the summer with their uncle in Gravity Falls, they discover that all is not as it seems in this small town. When Dipper discovers a strange journal in the forest, the twins team up to solve the town’s mysteries.
