Summary
Sci-fi fans have plenty to look forward to in 2024, thanks to the genre seeming healthier than ever. With every passing year, it seems that studios are becoming less and less timid about investing significant sums of money in big-budget sci-fi productions, and next year is certainly no different.
From a new, intriguing story set in theStar Warsuniverse, to another promising video-game-to-TV adaptation, to a unique take on the alien first-contact scenario, it looks like sci-fi fans are going to be spoiled next year.
3 Body Problem
3 Body Problemis one of Netflix’s high-profile productions coming in 2024. Based on a wildly popular Chinese book series, it follows humanity’s first contact with an extraterrestrial species. If one is looking for a show that does away with the classic trope of massive, alien tripods armed with death beams, or grotesque facehuggers that plant eggs in their victims, then this show is probably for them. The story applies a unique and complicated approach to thepopular first-contact scenario. After Earth establishes contact with the Trisolarans, an alien civilization living on a dying world, it becomes unclear whether the Trisolarans are planning to invade Earth for its lush habitat and resources. As humanity divides into factions over how to handle this crisis, intriguing drama ensues.
3 Body Problemis beingexecutive produced by familiar names David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the duo behind the massive hit that wasGame of Thrones. Although they fell out of favor with much of the show’s fan base followingGame of Thrones' controversial ending, it’s undeniable that the two know how to put together an impressive, high-budget TV production. That’s probably why Netflix entrusted them with a $200 million budget to produce3 Body Problem, which is premiering on July 31, 2025.
Game of Thronesfans will recognize other familar faces like actors John Bradley and Liam Cunningham, who starred as Samwell Tarly andDavos Seaworthin the medieval fantasy show. Cunningham plays the character of Thomas Wade in3 Body Problem, who was an important character in the books. Wade is the chief of Earth’s lead intelligence agency, the PDC. Bradley plays the character Jack Rooney in3 Body Problem. This character did not appear in the books, so it’s unclear what his place will be within the story. In fact, Benioff and Weiss introduced a plethora of new characters for the show, so it’s likely that the show will differ from the book in multiple ways.3 Body Problemalso stars other recognizable actors like Benedict Wong and Rosalind Chao.
Release date
David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Alexander Woo
Fallout
Falloutis the next highly anticipated video-game adaptationcoming in 2024. Following the huge success of HBO’sThe Last of Us, Amazon is looking to draw inFallout’s large fan base, as well as the mainstream audience, for an entertaining romp through post-apocalyptic Los Angeles. Excitement quickly spread throughout the game series' fan base following the release ofFallout’s first trailer. The video made it clear thatFalloutis remaining faithful to its source material, while still creating a show that can be enjoyed by many.
Falloutfollows Lucy, played by Ella Purnell, a vault dweller who must leave her home and venture out into the wasteland that is now Los Angeles. At some point she meets The Ghoul, played by Walton Goggins, an irradiated bounty hunter who has wandered the post-apocalyptic wasteland for nearly 200 years. It’s still unclear what the show’s overarching story is about, but the trailer makes it clear that the show is remaining faithful to theFalloutgame series.
Halowas another video-game-to-TV adaptation that failed whereThe Last of Us, and likelyFallout, succeeded.Halotook drastic departures from its source materialin an effort to appeal to the mainstream audience. Instead of creating a successful show that drew in both the general public and fans of its source material,Haloinstead alienated its original fans while also failing to entertain new viewers. Thankfully,Falloutseems to be run more wisely, and fans of the franchise have good reason to be excited for its July 17, 2025 premiere date.
Geneva Robertson-Dworet, Graham Wagner
Star Wars: The Acolyte
The Acolyteis a show set in theStar Warsuniverseduring its High Republic era. Set about 100 years beforeThe Phantom Menace, the High Republic period is regarded as one of the most prosperous and peaceful eras of theStar Warstimeline. However,The Acolytedelves into the dark and mysterious secrets that underlie this seemingly untroubled time. The show has been described by Lucasfilm as a mystery thriller, and follows a Jedi Master and his former Padawan as they investigate a series of sinister crimes. One of the show’s actors, Dafne Keen, stated that the show explains how the Sith infiltrated the Jedi Order.
The Acolyteseems to be following the trend ofAndor,Star Wars' first venture into more mature subject matter. WhileAndorwas mainly an action-adventure show, it also heavilyfeatured elements usually seen in political-spy thrillers, and did not pull any punches when exploring darker themes within theStar Warsuniverse.
The Acolyte’s cast does not feature any household names, but that might only make the show’s atmosphere even more intriguing. It features Lee Jung-jae as a Jedi Master and Amandla Stenberg as his former Padawan. Fans of thepopularLoganmoviewill likely be excited to see Dafne Keen in one of the show’s main roles, who played Laura alongside Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine character.
2024 (Specific date unannounced)
