If you’ve read any of my science fiction, you already know that I’m a big fan of short sci-fi stories. This isn’t true in just writing – but also when it comes to streaming as well. One of my favorite go-to sources is the animated anthology Love, Death, and Robots (❤️❌🤖).
If you’re like this sci-fi fan and author, you’ve already watched the first three volumes of this award-winning collection. And – if you haven’t, enjoy this trailer for the animated short stories that came out in May of 2022 as Volume 3:
A Visually Stunning Collection of Mind-Bending Science Fiction Stories
With an incredible 18 stories released in March of 2019, this acclaimed collection created by director Tim Miller made waves throughout the science fiction community. If their plan was to launch big to get sci-fi fans hooked and hungry for more – well, mission accomplished. The first volume featured prominent sci-fi authors who write in space opera, military sci-fi, and more including:
- Peter F. Hamilton
- John Scalzi
- Steven Lewis
- Kirsten Cross
- Alastair Reynolds
- Ken Liu
- Joe Lansdale
- Marko Kloos
- Claudine Griggs
- Michael Swanwick
- David W. Amendola
The stories were adapted into this visual medium by Philip Gelatt, Alberto Mielgo, Janis Robertson, and Vitaliy Shushko, each ranging in length from 6 to 17 glorious minutes.
There’s much to be said about this first round of incredible short sci-fi tales. While I enjoyed them all in different ways – my favorites (in no particular order and with no spoilers) would have to be:
“Three Robots” – What’s not to love about robots trying to make sense of the destruction that humans left behind? Well, that and the cats…
“Beyond the Aquila Rift” – I’ve always enjoyed stories where things aren’t quite what they seem…
“Helping Hand” – When desperate times call for desperate measures…
“Lucky 13” – Because there’s something about the underdog saving the day that warms my heart…
“Ice Age” – When you need an excuse to not clean out your freezer…
Volume 2 Brings Another 8 Stories to Love, Death, + Robots
A little more than two years after Volume 1, Volume 2 hit Netflix in May of 2021. These eight additional short science fiction films featured science fiction authors:
- John Scalzi
- Rich Larson
- Paolo Bacigalupi
- Neal Asher
- Joe Lansdale
- Joachim Heijndermans
- Harlan Ellison
- J. G. Ballard
These short animated science fiction films range in length between 7 and 18 minutes. With a few repeat writers from Volume 1, fans were eager to watch and discuss the latest installment of these bite-sized tales. While there were substantially fewer SF stories, I did thoroughly enjoy the series with my favorites being:
“Automated Customer Service” – Sometimes I feel as though we’re already headed down this path…
“Pop Squad” – Because everyone should have a heart…
“Life Hutch” – When survival means destroying what was supposed to save you…
“Snow in the Desert” – Because everyone deserves a happily-ever-after…
“All Through the House” – If you think it’s bad now – just imagine what the alternative might mean…
Love, Death, +Robots Volume 3 Adds 9 More Sci-Fi Shorts
In May of 2022, Netflix presented 9 additional animated science fiction short stories. This volume featured stories by SF authors including:
- John Scalzi
- Neal Asher
- Michael Swanwick
- Jeff Fowler and Tim Miller
- Justin Coates
- Bruce Sterling
- Alan Baxter
Volume 3 once again saw some familiar scifi authors along with some new storytellers. Viewers enjoyed the return of Scalzi’s “Three Robots” (or at least I did) and several others. Following Volume 2, which took a little over 2 years to release following the first volume, it stands to reason that Volume 3 may have been in the works around the same time or shortly after, given its release only a year after Vol. 2. Unfortunately, as we’ve seen, this 8-9 stories releasing each May did not continue as May of 2023 came and went without another round of stories despite the series being renewed for a 4th Volume. Regardless, my favorites included:
“Three Robots: Exit Strategies” – I just can’t get enough of these guys and their take on humans…
“Bad Travelling” – Because doing the right thing doesn’t always mean doing the safest thing…
“Mason’s Rats” – Sometimes the enemy isn’t the enemy you think it is…
“Jibaro” – Learning when to stop is the key to survival…
Where is Volume 4?
The first three volumes of Love, Death, & Robots went on to win 26 of 38 awards the stunning shorts were nominated for between the years of 2019 and 2023. The series has also received high scores from critics, which can be challenging in the science fiction arena. So it’s no surprise that Netflix announced that SF fans could look forward to Volume 4 of the acclaimed anthology. The only question that remains now is – WHEN?
The Volume 4 announcement was announced in August of 2022, and there hasn’t been a whole lot of buzz since then. Of course, we’ve also witnessed a fair amount of strikes and work stoppage the last few years. We do know that, per a Netflix press release, season 4 of Love, Death, and Robots will contain another 9 episodes that range from ancient evils to an amusing apocalypse. However, it’s the end of 2023 and I can’t find anything official about the upcoming release. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a 2024 release – but I’m not holding my breath as 2025 may be more realistic due to the amount of work that goes into these incredible short science fiction films.
