Calling all science fiction aficionados across the UK: a beloved cult classic has just landed on Netflix, ready to fill the void left by your latest series binge. 'Future Man', a show once dubbed 'the best sci-fi show you've never heard of', is now available for streaming in its entirety, offering a fresh chance for both new viewers and dedicated fans to experience its unique blend of humour and time-travelling chaos.
From Janitor to Saviour: The Plot of Future Man
The American action-comedy, which originally aired from 2017 to 2020, centres on an unlikely hero. Josh Hutcherson, famed for his role in The Hunger Games, stars as Josh Futturman, an underachieving janitor who still lives with his parents and works at a medical research facility. His life lacks direction, until one pivotal night when he becomes the first person ever to complete the final level of an impossibly difficult video game called Biotic Wars.
His gaming prowess does not go unnoticed. Shortly after his victory, he is visited by the game's main characters, Tiger (played by Eliza Coupe) and Wolf (played by Derek Wilson). They reveal themselves to be time travellers from a dystopian future and inform Josh that his gaming skills are precisely what they need to win a real war. Thrust into an adventure far beyond his wildest dreams, the everyman janitor must now travel through time to change the future and save humanity.
A Stellar Cast and Creative Pedigree
Beyond its compelling lead, the series boasts an impressive ensemble cast and production team. Hollywood heavyweights Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg served as executive producers, lending their signature comedic style to the project. The show also features appearances from Rogen himself, alongside other notable actors including Ed Begley Jr., Keith David, and Haley Joel Osment.
The series ran for three full seasons, allowing for extensive character development and increasingly wild, video game-inspired plots. Its removal from Disney+ and Hulu in May 2023 due to budget cuts left a void for its dedicated fanbase, making its new home on Netflix a significant event for British streaming audiences.
Critical Acclaim and Audience Adoration
Don't just take the hype at face value; the numbers speak for themselves. On the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, Future Man holds an impressive 83% audience score, while critics rated it even higher at a stellar 91%. The show's second season achieved a rare and perfect 100% rating from critics, a testament to its evolving quality.
Fan reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. Many describe it as 'one of the greatest comedy sci-fi series of all time' and praise its 'creative take on time travel'. The chemistry between the core trio of Josh, Tiger, and Wolf is frequently highlighted as a major strength, with the character Wolf, in particular, being singled out for generating laugh-out-loud moments. The Guardian aptly summarised the show as a 'bonkers time-travel series full of smut, toilet humour, and sci-fi fun'.
With its debut on Netflix, a new wave of viewers is discovering this hidden gem. As one new fan put it, the show is 'hilarious but with a meaningful plot and great character development,' expressing surprise that it had flown under their radar for so long.
All three seasons of Future Man are now available to stream on Netflix UK, offering the perfect opportunity for a weekend binge. Will it become your new favourite sci-fi obsession? There's only one way to find out.
