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The 2040s: 2040–2049
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.
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
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…

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

Event Horizon
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…

Ready Player One
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…

2048: Nowhere to Run
“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…

Almost Human
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…

World's End Harem
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…

Voices of a Distant Star
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…

EVA
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.

Accel World
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…
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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