10 Cyberpunk TV Shows That Are Considered Masterpieces

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While science fiction is now widely popular, the cyberpunk subgenre holds many brilliant, lesser-known works. Building on the foundations of science fiction, cyberpunk explores dark, gritty futures where technology doesn’t improve life, but instead contributes to societal breakdown and inequality. As a result, the most compelling cyberpunk shows offer thought-provoking stories that feel both imaginative and disturbingly plausible.

Cyberpunk anime often showcases incredible futuristic technology and body modifications through animation. However, many live-action shows are just as innovative, using clever practical effects and editing. What makes cyberpunk truly groundbreaking is its combination of rebellious themes, exciting action, and thought-provoking social messages woven into compelling stories – it’s a genuinely revolutionary genre.

Dollhouse

2009-2010

Similar to many shows created by Joss Whedon, Dollhouse didn’t receive much attention until after it was cancelled, and has since become highly praised. This cyberpunk thriller starred Eliza Dushku as Echo/Caroline, a ‘Doll’ who agreed to a five-year contract with the Rossum Corporation. As part of the deal, Caroline’s personality was wiped clean and regularly overwritten with new, artificial memories and personas.

An FBI agent gone off-course is determined to destroy the Dollhouse and rescue Caroline. But Echo struggles to understand who she is, haunted by the conflict between her manufactured past and her present life. As pieces of her false memories linger even after missions, she starts to become self-aware, leading her to question the ethics of the technology used on her and what it truly means to be free.

Max Headroom

1987-1988

When it comes to science fiction, the 1980s had a unique style, and nothing may have been more influential on TV than Max Headroom. The show was a satirical look at a future controlled by television, following journalist Edison Carter (played by Matt Frewer) as he fought to uncover wrongdoing—until a serious motorcycle crash changed everything.

The show fights back with Max Headroom, an AI character brought to life using a digital version of Carter’s face. Max delivers sharp, witty observations in brief, disruptive scenes. The character’s unsettling appearance, achieved through impressive makeup effects, adds to the show’s overall eeriness and is technically remarkable.

The Peripheral

2022

The TV series The Peripheral is based on William Gibson’s 2014 novel of the same name. It centers around Flynne Fisher (Chloë Grace Moretz), who accidentally gets involved in a dangerous plan involving time travel. After trying out a new virtual reality headset, Flynne thinks she’s playing a game, but soon realizes she’s actually experiencing events 70 years in the future, and everything is very real.

I was completely blown away by The Peripheral. The world-building was incredible, and it’s such a shame Prime Video cancelled it after just one season – it really felt like a huge loss. Even though it didn’t get a second season, that first season of eight episodes is fantastic. The visuals are stunning, the acting is really moving, and it raises some seriously thought-provoking questions that stuck with me long after I finished watching.

Batman Beyond

1999-2001

The superhero genre often blends with science fiction, and Batman Beyond offered a fresh, futuristic take on the classic Gotham hero. Set in 2019 – a significant leap forward at the time – an aging Bruce Wayne continues fighting crime despite his weakening health. That’s when Terry McGinnis, a directionless teen, appears and proves to be the ideal successor.

Batman Beyond, or Batman of the Future, is a unique superhero cartoon that mixes the familiar Batman story with a futuristic, cyberpunk world. Even years after it first aired, the show is still loved by fans – and its recent appearance as a skin in Fortnite has introduced Batman Beyond to a whole new audience.

Incorporated

2016-2017

Okay, so ‘Incorporated’ didn’t grab me right away with a huge twist, but what did get me thinking was how realistic the world they built felt. It’s set in 2074, and society’s basically divided into two areas: the Red Zones, which are painted as total chaos, and the Green Zones, run by these massive companies – Spiga Biotech is the big one we follow. It’s a scary thought because it doesn’t feel that far off from things happening now.

In Milwaukee, Aaron Sloane, a spy working for an organization called Red Zone, goes undercover as a manager named Ben Larson at the Spiga corporation. His mission is to gather information to destroy Spiga and find a woman he’s been searching for. The show Incorporated was praised for its incredibly realistic depiction of a futuristic world, and it remains a favorite among cyberpunk enthusiasts even today.

Pantheon

2022-2023

Drawing inspiration from Ken Lie’s short stories, Pantheon explores a fascinating but dangerous idea: the singularity. This concept suggests that technology will eventually advance so rapidly that humans will lose control, potentially reshaping the world and leaving humanity marginalized.

The sci-fi show Pantheon centers around the controversial practice of mind uploading, driven by a fierce rivalry between two powerful tech companies, Logorhythms and Alliance Telecom. As a small band of rebels fights against these corporations, they uncover a vast and complex conspiracy. Many consider Pantheon to be one of the best science fiction shows in recent years, and it’s a standout example of contemporary cyberpunk storytelling.

Mr. Robot

2015-2019

For many people, Mr. Robot was their initial experience with cyberpunk ideas. The show, starring Rami Malek as Elliot Alderson, successfully combined the classic elements of cyberpunk with a compelling and accessible drama. Interestingly, a lot of Mr. Robot fans didn’t even realize the show fit into the cyberpunk genre.

Once you understand what to look for, the clues are everywhere. The anarchist group fsociety uses technology – and especially Elliot’s hacking abilities – to try and destroy E Corp, a massive and deeply corrupt company. Fortunately, the popularity of the show Mr. Robot has brought this kind of story back into the spotlight, which could lead to more similar, exciting cyberpunk thrillers in the future.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

2002-2005

As a long-time fan of the genre, I can confidently say that Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is a true cyberpunk classic. This series, which first aired back in 2002, centers around Section 9, an elite team of operatives dealing with cyber-terrorism. What really sets it apart, even today, is how brilliantly it explores the idea of technologically enhanced bodies – it’s still one of the best examples out there, and a must-watch for anyone interested in the genre.

I truly believe Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is a sci-fi masterpiece, even if you’re not into the whole cyberpunk thing. It’s got these really gripping mysteries, and the world they build feels so complete and real. Plus, I think it’s safe to say it basically created the blueprint for a lot of the cyberpunk stuff we see in anime and other media today.

Humans

2015-2018

I’m really fascinated by how cyberpunk makes you think about what it means to be human. The show Humans seems simple at first – it’s about these incredibly realistic robots, called synths, who are basically servants. But it quickly gets much deeper, because these synths start showing signs that they’re actually aware and have feelings, and that really makes you question everything.

The show Humans constantly explores the ethical debate around how we should treat artificial intelligence. Throughout its three seasons, characters grapple with the question of what it truly means to be human, and when something – like a synth – gains or loses that quality. This is reflected in an ongoing discussion within the show, where some believe synths deserve rights, while others subject them to abuse.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

2022

Based on the popular video game Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners perfectly captures the core conflict of the cyberpunk genre. The series depicts a world of bright lights and advanced technology where wealth is concentrated at the top, and those struggling to survive are forced to take extreme measures against powerful corporations.

The story centers around David Martinez, a student who turns to a life of crime as an ‘edgerunner’ – a mercenary operating outside the law – after a personal tragedy changes everything. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners isn’t just considered the best cyberpunk show ever; it’s a brilliant work of science fiction that will likely become even more appreciated over time.

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2026-02-22 00:41