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The 2040s: 2040–2049

Stories set in the 2040s — top stories

2040–2049 · worldwide, all places

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Replicants retire in a drowned Los Angeles, gamers inherit a virtual universe, and generation ships go wrong in deep space: the 2040s shelf belongs to Blade Runner 2049, Ready Player One and Event Horizon. No history here yet - just neon futures arguing whether technology saves or hunts us. Open the 2040s on the StoryTerra map and explore its stories by place.

Sets 2040–2049 automatically — all places

10 famous stories set in the 2040s

Live snapshot of the top 10 most popular catalogue items (2026-09-05). Click any card to open this entry on the live map.

Browse 9 books, 27 movies, 8 TV shows and 12 games set in the 2040s (2040–2049).

Blade Runner 2049

Blade Runner 2049

Alcon Entertainment-Columbia Pictures-Scott Free Productions-Bud Yorkin Productions-Torridon Films-16:14 Entertainment-Thunderbird Entertainment
movie

Thirty years after the events of the first film a new blade runner LAPD Officer K unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos. K's discovery leads him on a quest to…

Setting: Los Angeles, USATime Period: Sci-Fi: 2049
Ready Player One

Ready Player One

Amblin Entertainment-Village Roadshow Pictures-Warner Bros. Pictures-Dune Entertainment-De Line Pictures-Reliance Entertainment-Farah Films & Management
movie

When the creator of a popular video game system dies a virtual contest is created to compete for his fortune.

Setting: Sci-Fi: Columbus, Ohio, USA; Sci-Fi: OASISTime Period: Sci-Fi: 2045
Event Horizon

Event Horizon

Impact Pictures-Paramount-Golar Productions-Lawrence Gordon Productions
movie

In 2047 a group of astronauts are sent to investigate and salvage the starship Event Horizon which disappeared mysteriously 7 years before on its maiden voyage. However it soon becomes evident that something sinister…

Setting: Sci-Fi: SpaceTime Period: Sci-Fi: 2047
Ready Player One

Ready Player One

by Ernest Cline (Goodreads Author)
book

Librarian's note: An alternate cover edition can be found hereIN THE YEAR 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the…

Setting: ['Columbus, Ohio (United States)', 'Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (United States)']Time Period: 2044; Dystopian future
2048: Nowhere to Run

2048: Nowhere to Run

Alcon Entertainment
movie

“2048: Nowhere to Run” takes place one year before the events of Blade Runner 2049. The short film focuses on Sapper a man who is trying to make it through life day-by-day without turning back to his old ways. We’re…

Setting: Sci-Fi: Los Angeles, USATime Period: Sci-Fi: 2048
Almost Human

Almost Human

tvshow

The year is 2048. By mandate, every cop must partner with a robot. Detective John Kennex returns to work after waking up from a 17-month coma. As he adjusts to working with his new partner, Dorian, a discontinued…

Setting: Sci-Fi: Los Angeles, USATime Period: Sci-Fi: 2048
World's End Harem

World's End Harem

tvshow

The Man-Killer Virus: a lethal disease that has eradicated 99.9% of the world's male population. Mizuhara Reito has been in cryogenic sleep for the past five years, leaving behind Tachibana Erisa, the girl of his…

Setting: Sci-Fi: JapanTime Period: Sci-Fi: Future
Voices of a Distant Star

Voices of a Distant Star

CoMix Wave Films
movie

It is 2046 when a mysterious alien force begins their annihilation of the human race. Leaving behind the one person she loves Mikako joins the interstellar battle as a pilot. And so - while Mikako risks her life to save…

Setting: Sci-Fi: SpaceTime Period: Sci-Fi: 2046
EVA

EVA

Canal+-Wild Bunch-TVE-TV3-Escándalo Films-Canal+ España-Ran Entertainment-Saga-Productions
movie

In 2041 humans live side-by-side with robots and androids. A well-known cybernetic engineer Alex Garel returns to his hometown to create a new model of robot child.

Setting: Sci-Fi: SpainTime Period: Sci-Fi: 2041
Accel World

Accel World

tvshow

A short, overweight student uses the Neuro Link, an evolution of the Nerve Gear, to escape himself from the reality. But his skills in the virtual world brings him to the attention of Kuroyukihime, a popular student who…

Setting: Sci-Fi: Virtual World; Tokyo, JapanTime Period: Sci-Fi: 2040s

The 10 stories above are just a sample of the 56 in the catalogue for this entry. For the live 2040–2049 catalogue, use the button above — or browse the whole 21st century. On the live map you can also filter by the exact time the stories take place — any year, decade or century, from BCE to the future.

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2030s · 21st century · Time hub · All places · 2050s