Hold on to your paradoxes: the wildest time travel comedy on TV just dropped on Netflix, and it’s about to turn everything you think you know about the genre upside down.
Why So Serious? A New Take on Time Travel
Time travel stories have long carried the weight of the world—or at least the timeline—on their shoulders. From the mind-bending twists of Looper and Tenet to the existential gloom of shows like 12 Monkeys and Dark, most entries in the genre play things pretty straight, with disaster lurking behind every butterfly wing. But what if, just for once, someone decided that rewriting history was less of a universe-ending threat and more of an opportunity for wildly inappropriate jokes?
That’s where Future Man comes crashing in, armed with lasers, a heap of references, and not a trace of solemnity. Created by Kyle Hunter, Howard Overman, and Ariel Shaffir, the show first landed in 2017—but now, with all three seasons newly arrived on Netflix (region permitting!), it’s recruiting a brand new army of binge-watchers ready to save the world one laugh at a time.
Meet the Team: Janitor, Gamers, and Accidental Heroes
The story follows Josh Futturman—yes, his actual name—lovingly portrayed by Josh Hutcherson (if you’re getting Hunger Games flashbacks, you’re not alone). Josh mops floors at a research lab by day and grinds away at the near-impossible video game Biotic Wars by night. The game is reportedly unbeatable. Naturally, that makes Josh obsessed.
That is, until he actually beats it. Cue dramatic sci-fi fanfare—and two genuine future warriors (the tough-as-nails Tiger, played by Eliza Coupe, and the maniacally dedicated Wolf, played by Derek Wilson) appearing out of thin air in his bedroom. Suddenly, video gaming isn’t just a hobby—it’s a recruitment process set up by soldiers from a dystopian future desperate for help. Their mission? Recruit the one person who proved themselves worthy: our heroic(?) janitor, Josh. Their goal is nothing less than saving humanity before a catastrophic war unfolds.
- Josh Hutcherson as Josh Futturman: janitor-turned-reluctant world-saver
- Eliza Coupe as Tiger: fierce, intense, and probably allergic to subtlety
- Derek Wilson as Wolf: master of violence, confusion, and meat-based humor
Time Travel, But Make It Ridiculous
Most shows warn that meddling with the past will unravel reality. Future Man barrels into chaos with a maniacal grin. You’ll be treated to outrageous action set pieces, slapstick gags, and more winks to classics like Terminator and Back to the Future than you can shake a DeLorean at.
The magic is in how the show affectionately lampoons—and simultaneously embraces—every sci-fi cliché in the book. One episode? The crew’s time-hopping leaves the timeline so mangled they have to fix their own fixes. Another? They’re stuck in a time loop that’s as tragic as it is hilarious. Future Man is at its best when it teeters on the edge of the absurd, never afraid to leap face-first into the weird.
Don’t be fooled by the comedy: there’s real storytelling nestled in all the mayhem. Future Man cleverly examines how even the smallest of choices can send ripples through time. What does it actually mean to be a “hero” if you’d rather be leveling up your avatar?
Binge Ready (with a Side of Regional Frustration)
Future Man gracefully wraps up its three-season run with a satisfying finale—a rarity among shows prone to vanishing into unresolved cliffhangers and deleted timelines. Across 34 turbo-charged episodes, you’ll find adrenaline-pumping action, snarky laughs, and just enough earnestness to make you care.
Just a quick note (and a shoutout to our friends in Colorado): due to some mysterious regional laws of the streaming universe, Netflix may not have Future Man available everywhere in the U.S. So, if you’re in a futureless zone, it’s not you, it’s the algorithm.
- All three seasons and 34 episodes now available on Netflix in many regions
- Blends parody, action, and genuine emotion without ever losing its playful spirit
- Think Rick and Morty energy but with all the high-stakes sci-fi of The Terminator
Whether you’re a die-hard time travel fan or just need an adventure that delivers as many laughs as explosions, Future Man is your next must-watch binge. Let the world-saving begin—preferably with a joke in hand and, of course, snacks at the ready.
why would it not be available everywhere in the US? that doesn’t even make sense!
Not available in Virginia