The essential episodes of The Leftovers
Watch these 15 in order and you've got The Leftovers — each pick states its reason.
- 01
Three years after millions of people - some 2% of the world's population - vanished into thin air, residents of Mapleton, NY weigh the pros and cons of a "Heroes Day" tribute to the local "Departed." Attempting to maintain a sense of normalcy in his strained community, police chief Kevin Garvey faces additional challenges at home with his daughter, Jill, who's lost in a cloud of apathy with her friend Aimee, and son, Tom, who has gravitated to a cult led by the charismatic Holy Wayne. Also of concern is a silent, white-clad group of chain-smoking men and women called the Guilty Remnant, who team up in pairs to stake out people and places around town. As tension in Mapleton escalates, the lives of Laurie, an unexpected member of the Guilty Remnant, and Meg, a recently engaged young woman, converge.
- 02
Nora takes care of unfinished business in Mapleton before heading to New York for the Second Annual DROP conference. Upset that her ID has been pinched, she scours the convention for her imposter while wearing a "Guest" badge, and ends up getting detoured by an amorous salesman, a bestselling author and a rogue attendee.
- 03
An unexpected ally helps Kevin get out of a jam near the town of Cairo. Meanwhile, an elaborate Memorial Day initiative by the Guilty Remnant plunges Mapleton into chaos. Holy Wayne grants a final wish; Tom copes with his new reality; Nora makes a life-changing decision.
- 04
Kevin, Nora and Jill try to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of the Mapleton riots, but problems from the past keep resurfacing. The new Garvey clan finds a fresh start in the safety of Miracle. Nora makes an impulsive choice, while Kevin gets entangled in the Murphy family's problems.
- 05
Nora gives Kevin and Jill news they weren't expecting. Kevin deals with the fall-out of Nora's news and explores his options re: tackling his Patti problem head-on. Jill goes on a solo adventure that could only happen in Miracle. Laurie makes a rash decision that affects the Garveys.
- 06
In the shadow of Laurie questioning his mental health, Kevin attempts to vanquish Patti on an unexpected battlefield. A terrible, heartbreaking choice is all that stands between Kevin and his chance to rid himself of her and his past.
- 07
A personal loss and subsequent pilgrimage to Miracle offer clues on why Meg embarked on her path as a Remnant crusader. After a fallout with Laurie, Tom seeks to reunite with Meg.
- 08
Kevin comes clean to a skeptical John about his connection to Evie's disappearance, as Miracle faces an unexpected threat on the fourth anniversary of The Departure.
- 09
Three years after Miracle, Texas was overrun by the Guilty Remnant, Kevin Garvey has returned to his role as chief of police. Although he seems to have moved past the incredible events surrounding his "resurrection," the Seventh Anniversary of the Sudden Departure is just two weeks away and many believe another apocalyptic event may come with it.
- 10
In her official capacity as fraud investigator for the Department of Sudden Departure, Nora travels to St. Louis to investigate a possible scam that involves convincing the family members of The Departed there's a way to see their loved ones again.
- 11
With the clock ticking towards the anniversary of the Departure and emboldened by a vision that is either divine prophecy or utter insanity, Kevin Garvey, Sr. wanders the Australian Outback in an effort to save the world from apocalypse.
- 12
Kevin and Nora travel to Australia, where she continues to track down the masterminds of an elaborate con, while he catches a glimpse of an unexpected face from the past, forcing him to confront the traumatic events of three years earlier.
- 13
Laurie Garvey, a former therapist, must become one again as she heads to Australia to help Nora and Kevin along their paths.
- 14
The Most Powerful Man in the World (and His Identical Twin Brother)
On a mission of mercy, Kevin assumes an alternate identity.
- 15
Series Finale. Nothing is answered. Everything is answered. And then it ends.
Shows like The Leftovers
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
- 01Drama·Science-Fiction·ThrillerThe essential episodes of Black Mirror2011–present
Over the last ten years, technology has transformed almost every aspect of our lives before we've had time to stop and question it. - 02Drama·Science-Fiction·ThrillerThe essential episodes of 3 Body Problem2024–presentAcross continents and decades, five brilliant friends make earth-shattering discoveries as the laws of science unravel and an existential threat emerges.
- 03Drama·Science-Fiction·ThrillerThe essential episodes of Star City2026–present
Star City is a propulsive, paranoid thriller that takes us back to the key moment in the alt-history retelling of the space race — when the Soviet Union became the first nation to put a man on the moon. - 04Drama·Science-Fiction·ThrillerThe essential episodes of Pluribus2025–presentThe most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness.
- 05Drama·Science-Fiction·ThrillerThe essential episodes of Under the Dome2013–2015·CBS
Under the Dome is the story of a small town that is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome. - 06Drama·Science-Fiction·ThrillerThe essential episodes of Humans2015–2018·Channel 4
Humans is set in a parallel present where the latest must-have gadget for any busy family is a Synth – a highly-developed robotic servant eerily similar to its live counterpart.
