Wicked

If you want science fiction that respects its own premise, Wicked is available in Australia on Paramount Plus and Foxtel Now, and in the US on Peacock Premium right now. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. With 3,109 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Cynthia Erivo's performance is the anchor the more ambitious scenes need. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Paramount Plus.

Wicked arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. The world-building is meticulous, but it is the characters who carry Wicked through its more ambitious moments. In the land of Oz, ostracized and misunderstood green-skinned Elphaba is forced to share a room with the popular aristocrat Glinda at Shiz University, and the two's unlikely friendship is tested as they begin to fulfill their respective destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande lead a cast that makes the ambitious moments land. It was released in 2024. The rules of Wicked's world are consistent enough that the big swings never feel like cheating. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Wicked is satisfying on multiple levels — something to watch and something to think about after. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Watch for Cynthia Erivo in particular — the performance elevates the material. Satisfying on multiple levels.