All 6 Adaptations Of 3 Body Problem Explained (2024)

Netflix's 3 Body Problem is far from the only adaptation of Chinese science fiction author Liu Cixin's Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy. In fact, there are a total of five TV series and film adaptations — and likely more on the way. The Three-Body Problem, the first in Cixin's Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy, was released in 2008 in China, followed by an English-language publication in 2014. The novel eventually won a Hugo Award for Best Novel, cementing its place in the literary science-fiction canon.

As in the Netflix series, the book straddles three time periods — past, present, and future — as an alien invasion of Earth nears. The alien species — called the San-Ti in the Netflix show — are forced to leave their homeworld and search for a viable planet. After making contact with Ye Wenjie, a Chinese scientist on a remote military base during the 1960s, the extraterrestrials plot a course for Earth. Although their arrival is centuries off, it becomes increasingly clear that the San-Ti and humans cannot trust each other, pushing both sides to prepare for the inevitable conflict.

In order to stave off human scientists’ efforts to advance technology, the San-Ti (also called Trisolaris) employ proton-sized supercomputers with artificial intelligence known as Sophons to disrupt Earthlings’ progress. The Sophons are not only responsible for 3 Body Problem’s countdown, but for the San-Ti’s apparent ability to always be several steps ahead of humans. Although the San-Ti are centuries away from Earth, the Sophons allow them to overhear verbal communication and intercept anything that’s written down or digitized.

To counteract this Sophon problem, the UN initiates the Wallfacer Program: the organization selects certain humans it believes can solve the San-Ti problem and provides them with ample resources to enact their anti-alien plans. The catch, of course, is that these Wallfacers can’t share their ideas. One character — Saul Durand in the Netflix show — realizes that the answer lies in solving the Fermi Paradox, which leads to the trilogy’s second novel, The Dark Forest.

Essentially, the dark forest principle notes that there are many advanced civilizations in the universe that hide from each other as a means of staying safe. As a result, all the hiding means that there’s no concrete evidence of said civilizations. The Fermi Paradox is an interesting notion, but it can be upended. In Death’s End, things become even more complicated, with the author recounting the events of the first two novels and delving into the principle of micro-universes.

While none of the current Three Body Problem adaptations have chosen to tackle Death’s End, the recently announced feature-length film and Netflix’s well-received series might change all of that. The trilogy deserves to be seen through until the end as it tells a complete story — a history, really. Still, there’s no denying how well The Three Body Problem works as a standalone tale. It may not provide a complete resolution, but the novel has gone on to inspire several TV shows, movies, and podcasts.

6 Three-Body

A Chinese TV Series Based On The Novel

Released in 2023, the 30-episode Three-Body is a Chinese television adaptation of the novel. Unlike the Netflix series, which changes the location of the series, the Chinese TV series is more true to the books' setting and characters. A fairly well-reviewed series, Three-Body is currently streaming with English subtitles on both Peaco*ck and Amazon Prime Video. While the show is perhaps a more faithful adaptation, it isn't the most compelling translation of the novel. In particular, the 3 Body Problem's virtual reality game sequences aren't as all-consuming and believable as they're portrayed in the novel.

For viewers, the sometimes “corny” visual effects and jarring editing underscore the potential budgetary differences between the made-for-TV Three-Body and Netflix’s behemoth by Game of Thrones duo David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. Nonetheless, the 2023 series spends its time deeply examining the at-time challenging scientific concepts from the books. For those who prefer a deep-dive — and a slow-burn — over the flair of something like the Netflix series, Three-Body may be the definitive adaptation.

5 3 Body Problem

Netflix's 2024 TV Series

Created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, the duo behind HBO's Game of Thrones, as well as Alexander Woo (True Blood), Netflix's 3 Body Problem was a global hit when it was released in 2024. Although the series changes its present-day setting — it swaps China for London, for the most part — as well as some of its characters — the all-Chinese cast changes in accordance with the new setting — the Netflix version is perhaps the most well-received adaptation. Visually striking, incredibly immersive, and a harrowing account of the Chinese Cultural Revolution time period, 3 Body Problem was rightly greenlit for a second season, which will adapt The Dark Forest book.

That sophom*ore outing will seemingly adapt the second novel in the trilogy, The Dark Forest. In 3 Body Problem season 1’s ending, Saul gradually learns more about his Wallfacer fate and Ye Wenjie, who spent so much of her life welcoming the San-Ti with open arms, realizes her own miscalculation. Needless to say, there’s a lot to explore in the upcoming 3 Body Problem season 2. More than any other adaptation, the Netflix version makes a strong case for translating the entire trilogy to the screen.

4 The Three-Body Problem In Minecraft

An Animated Series Made With Minecraft

The Three-Body Problem in Minecraft is exactly what it sounds like: an animated adaptation of the best-selling novel that uses video-game-style pixel art as well as compelling voicework to translate Liu Cixin's sci-fi series to the screen. The production team behind the labor-of-love project were fans of the source material, which means the animated series pays attention to all the rich detail of Cixin's book. Available to watch in its entirety on YouTube, the Minecraft-looking adaptation remains one of the most faithful.

The three-season project ultimately covers the first two books in the trilogy. My Three-Body (2014) adapts the first novel, while My Three-Body: The Legend of Luo Ji (2016) chronicles The Dark Forest, including the Wallfacers project and the looming Trisolaran threat. A third season, My Three-Body: The Legend of Zhang Beihai, adapts the remaining half of the slow-burn Dark Forest novel. For viewers who can look beyond the inherent “silliness” of the Minecraft-style animation, they’ll find a very fun and faithful project that serves as a great recap for book lovers.

3 The Three-Body Problem

A Chinese Anime Adaptation Based On The Dark Forest

A Chinese science fiction animated series based on The Dark Forest, the second book in the trilogy, The Three-Body Problem was produced by Bilibili and contains a whopping 15 episodes. Although it's difficult to track down online, especially with English subtitles, The Three-Body Problem is well worth the watch. The beautiful animation, combined with the moving score, capture the novel's emotional core that exists beneath the compelling science and the overwhelming dread. Richly imagined, the anime series aired between 2022–23, and deserves way more attention, especially ahead of 3 Body Problem season 2's Dark Forest adaptation.

Despite the project’s name, it doesn’t really focus on the first novel. Instead, the anime jumps head-first into The Dark Forest. That isn’t necessarily a drawback, though. An opening title card tells viewers, in summary, that the Trisolarans are headed for Earth, setting up the urgency of the Wallfacer program. As the show progresses, key moments from the first novel are shown in flashback form, giving viewers a complete-enough understanding of the project as a whole. In particular, audiences love the anime’s focus on and characterization of Da Shi.

2 The Three Body Problem Serialized Podcast

Tor Books' Podcast Puts Listeners Amid The Action

A serialized podcast that adapts the author's acclaimed The Three-Body Problem, the show is part of the Stories from Among the Stars initiative. Essentially, an audio version of the book, The Three Body Problem podcast was released at weekly intervals before finishing its run in September. While audiobooks are all well and good, a podcast — which has a little extra dramatic flair and, usually, a more thorough production team — can bring a story to life through sound alone. That said, the 3 Body Problem podcast is a great listen for newcomers.

1 Three-Body Problem

An Upcoming Feature-Length Film

An upcoming feature-length film, Three-Body Problem will be directed by celebrated Chinese auteur Zhang Yimou (via Variety). While not too much has been revealed about the film adaptation, it will likely focus on the first book in the trilogy. Yimou is perhaps most well-known for working on films like House of Flying Daggers, Hero, and The Great Wall. If well-received, the Three-Body Problem movie could spawn an entire film trilogy — one that could compete on a global scale with Netflix's acclaimed 3 Body Problem TV series.

In 2019, Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy author Liu Cixin noted that the series isn’t primed to be a blockbuster-style Hollywood adaptation (via GamerSky). The writer noted that the necessary mainstream appeal of big-budget Hollywood sci-fi movies wouldn’t be the right way to adapt The Three-Body Problem’s more morally gray, complicated themes. Although the Netflix series isn’t a Hollywood movie, it certainly grounds the narrative in a more “conventional” and accessible point of view, especially by the end of season 1. That said, it will be interesting to see how Zhang Yimou approaches the thematic complexities of the series.

While the jury is out on what is the definitive adaptation of The Three-Body Problem, viewers have no shortage of options to check out. It seems the fascination with Liu Cixin’s series will continue to inspire creatives who work in all sorts of mediums. In Beijing, even a 2016 stage adaptation premiered to packed theaters, with the author recounting that he “felt quite astonished after watching the play” (via China.org). It’s hard to predict how many more adaptations of 3 Body Problem will surface, and what they’ll be, but clearly the beloved story will endure in many mediums.

3 Body Problem

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3 Body Problem is a Netflix original series from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, along with Alexander Woo. Based on the novel of the same name by Liu Cixin, 3 Body Problem centers on a detective who joins forces with a group of scientists after an unknown force begins killing scientists around the world.

Cast

Saamer Usmani with Shailene Woodley , Jess Hong , Jovan Adepo , Benedict Wong , John Bradley , Eiza González , Liam Cunningham , Sea Shimooka , Tsai Chin

Release Date

March 21, 2024

Seasons

1

Writers

David Benioff , D.B. Weiss , Alexander Woo

Directors

Minkie Spiro , Derek Tsang

Creator(s)

David Benioff , D.B. Weiss , Alexander Woo

Where To Watch

Netflix

Sources: GamerSky, China.org, Variety