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"The Leftovers" and "The OA" Promo Photos | Source: Youtube/Netflix | Youtube/HBO
"The Leftovers" and "The OA" Promo Photos | Source: Youtube/Netflix | Youtube/HBO

8 Shows Like 'Manifest' for Fans of Thrilling Sci-Fi and Mystery Dramas

Naomi Wanjala
Sep 02, 2023
09:15 P.M.

"Manifest" became an instant hit from the start, taking viewers to the edge of their seats with its gripping storyline. If you enjoyed this show, the following is a list of others similar to "Manifest" that will leave you glued to your screen.

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"Manifest" won viewers' hearts when it first premiered in July 2019. This mystery drama received a great reception, and its final season aired on Netflix, following its exceptional performance on the streaming platform's Top 10 chart.

This mystery drama storyline centers around the crew and passengers of Montego Air Flight 828. The flight lands safely in New York after a turbulent but routine flight from Jamaica.

After landing, the crew and passengers discover the few hours they were in the air, the world has aged five and a half years, and their families, friends, and colleagues have mourned them and moved on.

Confronted with the seemingly impossible, they've been granted a second chance. But as they grasp their new realities, a deeper mystery unfolds, and some passengers begin to recognize that they might have a purpose greater than they ever imagined. The show starred Melissa Roxburgh, JR Ramirez, and Josh Dallas, among others.

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As the mystery drama ends, fans can seek solace in watching shows like "Manifest," available on various streaming platforms. These shows delve into vanishing flights, individuals disappearing and reappearing mysteriously, and sci-fi mysteries involving death. Prepare to be on the edge of your seat with these thrilling alternatives.

'The Returned'

This show, similar to "Manifest," centers around a small French mountain town that is rocked to its core when several people from the community who are presumed dead reappear at their homes. Even though they had died years ago, these ghostly characters have returned to human bodies, not aging and unaware of their deaths.

They want to restart their lives but soon realize they aren't the only ones returning from the dead. Their reappearance distresses their community as a horrifying murder attempt mirrors the gruesome methods of a notorious serial killer from the past.

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This horror series, co-written and directed by Fabrice Gobert, defies expectations and reshapes the idea of a "zombie" show. "The Returned," rated 8.1/10 on IMDb, stood out as a captivating and unique show.

'Travelers'

The storytelling in "Travelers" shines, particularly in the first episode, where it dives straight into the action and introduces viewers to each new Traveler. These travelers take on the identities of seemingly random people while collaborating secretly to execute missions to save humanity from a terrible future.

By its fourth season, the series firmly introduced a parallel universe where characters have counterparts with opposite personalities.

The series revolves around five travelers sent from a dark future under the command of a mysterious "Director." They can send their consciousness to a person in the 21st century who is dying or on the brink of death. This sci-fi mystery series is cleverly structured to captivate your attention, and it smoothly transitions into the next episode.

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'The Leftovers'

This Emmy-nominated series revolves around a small group of people trying to continue their lives three years after the disappearance of 2% of the global human population. The show focuses on the Gavey family and their friends as they seek answers to the unexplained nature of the event.

What starts as a supernatural mystery evolves into a gripping drama that delves into profound aspects of human existence. The show featured talented actors like Liv Tyler, Justin Theroux, Carrie Coon, and Margaret Qualley, among others.

'The OA'

This Netflix original mystery drama series, created and written by Brit Marling and Zal Batmangli, delves into the inexplicable reappearance of Prairie Johnson (Marling), who was previously blind and went missing for seven years.

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Now in her late twenties, Johnson has returned home with her sight restored. She bears scars on her back and endures traumatic episodes, yet she refrains from burdening her adoptive parents with her story.

Instead, she turns to the internet, connecting with like-minded friends through YouTube. While some view her as a miracle, others express concerns that she might pose a threat.

'Fringe'

By its fourth season, the series firmly introduced a parallel universe where characters have counterparts with opposite personalities. Most episodes of this captivating show seamlessly shift between these worlds without clear notifications.

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Amidst all this universe-hopping, Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson), who plays a leading role, is revealed to have never existed according to the mind-bending Season Three finale. The challenges faced in "Fringe" share similarities with typical genre show dilemmas: characters face constant mortality, and the world is perpetually on the brink of destruction.

However, what makes "Fringe" truly engaging is that all these predicaments are doubled. With its intricate exploration of two parallel universes, the show's mythology places every character at risk of not one but two deaths, and there are two societies in desperate need of safeguarding and redemption.

'Into The Night'

This captivating Belgian Netflix thriller is similar to "Manifest." Its compelling plot and standout cast performances will keep you glued to your screen. The series' storyline unfolds as a solar radiation catastrophe befalls Earth, compelling survivors on an overnight flight from Brussels to race between cities, striving to stay in the safety of darkness to evade the sun's lethal rays.

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'Wayward Pines'

This mystery drama series centers around Secret Service agent Ethan Burke (Matt Dillon), who gets involved in a car accident while traveling to Wayward Pines to investigate the disappearance of two federal agents.

Instead of finding answers, Burke's investigation only uncovers more perplexing questions. Every step closer to the truth distances Burke further from the life he once had as a husband and father. Eventually, he confronts the terrifying reality that he may never escape from Wayward Pines alive.

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'Lost'

"Lost" became an instant hit and is still discussed today. This acclaimed show, which scooped ten Prime Time Emmys, aired from 2004 to 2010 on ABC. This adventure drama series became a success thanks to its combination of humor, science fiction, and drama.

Similar to "Manifest," this show revolves around the intertwined lives of Oceanic Flight 815 survivors, spanning the past, present, and future. Their struggle for survival intensifies after a mysterious island crash landing.

Each revelation leads to more mysterious secrets as the hastily formed community searches for an escape from the island while questioning if it might be their new home.

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