The Multiverse is a concept that has continued to develop in the popular psyche thanks to movies such as Spiderman: Enter the Spider-verse and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The idea of parallel universes has long been a point of fascination, with the idea of other realities even existing in mythology and folklore.
Today, multiverse fiction is experiencing a renaissance of sorts as comics and films explore their worlds via alternate versions of themselves. Television's forays into the concept have largely been very well done, often continuing or building on the ideas put forth by other series. The best TV makes a point of finding meaning in these massive multiverses.
What If...? (2021- ) - 7.5
What If...? is one of the shows to make the clearest and most deliberate use of the multiverse that it takes place within. The show's premise is that of a multidimensional being who keeps watching over the multiverse, called the Watcher. Though, the Watcher makes it clear he can only monitor the situations as they arise, and cannot interfere.
The show's excellent framing and premise are somewhat undercut by things like the animation and the limited views of the multiverse that are given. Many fans wished for more variation in animation, which could have given each story more impact. Spiderman: Enter the Spider-verse utilized a variety of animation techniques to achieve something unique and impressive.
The Flash (2014- ) - 7.6
One of the few non-animated DC shows to make full use of the multiverse, The Flash has toyed around with many iterations of the idea throughout its run. With Barry Allen's (Grant Gustin's) flash being able to run through time, as well as Cisco Ramon's (Carlos Valdes) Vibe being able to create portals to alternate dimensions, there have been ample opportunities to see other worlds.
While the CW DC shows have a mixed bag of reviews from fans, The Flash's enthusiastic use of the multiverse has often been a high point. Multiversal travel was originally how these shows managed their frequent crossover specials. Many shows take the multiverse very seriously - it's refreshing to see a show like this that enters it so joyously.
His Dark Materials (2019- ) - 7.8
His Dark Materials is not a show that is deeply interested in the multiverse from the start. But the original trilogy of books it is based upon, as well as the direction the show has taken, direct the story towards traveling to many disparate universes. Though the plot is largely focused on two universes for the first season, the multiverse continues to grow.
The original trilogy achieved widespread critical and fan acclaim, though it was largely overshadowed by the Harry Potter series that was released around the same time. The TV adaptation has largely managed to keep up with expectations, though this might be partly since previous adaptations have been almost universally panned.
The Man In The High Castle (2015-2019) - 8.0
The Man In The High Castle is a show set on a simple premise - what if the Axis Powers won World War II? Based on a book by Philip K. Dick, this series follows several rebels and Nazis who are involved with the discovery of a multiverse. This show is a dark alternate history story in the same vein as Wolfenstein.
The multiverse is not as fully explored in this series as it is elsewhere, as most of the travel is done by unique individuals who have several restrictions on their abilities. It is the knowledge of the multiverse that is a point of contention, with secret recordings of the victorious Allied Nations being a major plot point throughout.
Midnight Gospel (2020- )- 8.2
Midnight Gospel is a show that uses the concept of a multiverse more as a set dressing for something bigger. This series follows a 'spacecaster' as he travels to a myriad of imaginative and often absurdist or surreal universes and interviews their inhabitants. The show is a unique mix of the showrunner's skills and humor.
Pendelton Ward is an animator and writer most known for his work on Adventure Time, and Duncan Trussell is a comedian whose podcast, The Duncan Trussell Happy Hour, serves as the basis for the interviews in Midnight Gospel. Their combined efforts make this show philosophical, emotional, and incredibly hilarious.
Loki (2021- )- 8.2
The show Loki isn't just a story about the multiverse, it's a story about not having a place in an infinite multiverse of possibilities. Loki is a follow-up series that takes place after Avengers: Endgame after an alternate universe's Loki escapes. Captured by a time-traveling organization that erases errant timelines, Loki must make meaning for himself somewhere.
Loki's primary draw is in the main character's chaotic nature which is somehow out-shined by his companions who all know what to expect from him. The multiverse of the MCU is almost literally blown wide open by this series, which provides a foothold for many new possibilities across the IP's multiverse.
Infinity Train (2019-2021) - 8.5
Infinity Train is an incredibly imaginative series from Regular Show animator and storyboard artist Owen Dennis. Each season follows a new set of characters who are traversing the titular train, which seems to appear throughout the universe and take passengers on. What's more, each train car itself appears to contain a universe of its own.
This show has earned high praise for nearly every aspect of its production, from writing and animation to voice acting and music. Like most animated shows nowadays, each season is a self-contained story, but there is a massive amount of hidden lore and background stories that play out through each season.
Adventure Time (2010-2018)- 8.6
Adventure Time is a long-running cartoon that plays with the idea of different universes multiple times throughout. The core of the story takes place in Ooo, which is slowly revealed to be a world that is post-nuclear-apocalypse, but there are many times in which the show explores alternate universes.
Adventure Time itself finds a foothold in a very imaginative and surreal world which allows it to often explore or involve alternate universes in its narrative. From the Ice King's fan-fiction universe to the 'Crystal Dimension,' many of the most interesting stories in adventure time take place in these alternate places.
Doctor Who (2005-)- 8.6
Doctor Who is largely focused on time travel, but it has explored multi-dimensional adventures along the way - as expected for a series that has lasted for more than 50 years. The idea of parallel universes in Doctor Who has been in the series since the '70s, but became a major plot point in the second season of the modern run, when Cybermen invaded from a universe they conquered.
Because Doctor Who is traditionally a time travel show, the multiverse is not as frequently involved as in other series. In-universe, there are rules and reasons that explain why the act of interdimensional travel is difficult. But this series has always had a very strong writing team that makes every use of the multiverse a meaningful and impactful one.
Rick and Morty (2013- )- 9.2
Rick and Morty is a simple show which nearly anyone can enjoy, about a scientist and his largely inept grandson who explore the multiverse. This show makes the most liberal use of the multiverse, but it also uses the concept to explore Rick's nihilism and disaffection, as well as Morty's more hopeful and wide-eyed perspective.
Rick and Morty's multiverse is full of danger and horrors, just as much as Rick's inventions can spawn such terrors. But the core of the show is often demonstrating the importance of being in the moment and making the most of life with the people around you. The philosophy behind it is simple but can be very powerful at times.