Since its release in 2019, Love, Death + Robots has released four volumes and a total of 45 short films, collecting numerous awards and establishing itself as one of the most ambitious and widely celebrated short film anthologies in streaming history. With such a broad mix of styles, tones, and genres, it’s no surprise the series has sparked plenty of debate, But with so much variety, which ones truly stand out?

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Fish Night (Volume 1 Episode 12) – Directed by Damian Nenow: Nenow gave us one of the most beloved genre shorts of the 2010s with his supernatural aerial dogfight short, Paths of Hate - the exact kind of film that inspired the Love Death + Robots project. Unfortunately, his entry in the series ranks as one of the worst.
Beyond the Aquila Rift (Volume 1 Episode 7) – Directed by Léon Bérelle, Dominique Boidin, Rémi Kozyra & Maxime Luère: This Volume 1 outing is well-regarded by fans, primarily for delivering the explicit “love” of the show’s title promise and realizing CG video game cut scene quality animation. But a bland and naive protagonist, poor voice acting, and a cringingly Matrix-esque twist make this an outing better left skipped.
The Screaming of the Tyrannosaur (Volume 4 Episode 7) – Directed by Tim Miller: Beast Games in space! MrBeast himself guest stars, but if a gladiatorial space battle with dinosaurs sounds like the kind of outrageous sci-fi concept you’ve been waiting for, prepare for disappointment, as this visually bland and narratively shallow short feels like an underdeveloped pitch stretched to runtime.
Alternate Histories (Volume 1 Episode 17) – Directed by Victor Maldonado & Alfredo Torres: LD+R shorts are sometimes split up by fans as “funny” ones versus the more common “badass” ones. But, despite an interesting premise, when the funny ones aren’t in fact funny, you end up here on the list.
The Dump (Volume 1 Episode 9) – Directed by Javier Recio Gracia: Kind of the replacement level for a particular kind of LD+R film structure - slightly risque tone, slightly interesting worldbuilding, with a slightly unusual and violent twist, but the whole of all these “slightlies” is less than the sum.
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Can't Stop (Volume 4 Episode 1) – Directed by David Fincher: Fincher’s standout contribution to Volume Three set a high bar for his Volume Four return, but Can’t Stop leaves you underwhelmed—its chaotic portrayal of the Red Hot Chili Peppers as bouncing puppets captures the band’s energy, but feels tonally out of place—what's the point?
Lucky 13 (Volume 1 Episode 13) – Directed by Jerome Chen: The story of a ship that makes its own luck, the story is…fine. The photorealistic CG is strong and, in moments, some of the nicest of the series. But, too often, it gets dragged into an overly busy digital sludge.
When the Yogurt Took Over (Volume 1 Episode 6) – Directed by Victor Maldonado & Alfredo Torres: Notable for how its design deviates from the photorealistic CG of many of the episodes, rewatches nonetheless confirm that the pleasures of this outing are mainly in its premise rather than execution.
For He Can Creep (Volume 4 Episode 10) – Directed by Emily Dean: An ambitious showdown with Satan that boasts visual flair and thematic promise. But, despite its devilishly clever setup, this short ultimately fizzles into a hollow spectacle that lacks emotional resonance and narrative substance.
Sucker of Souls (Volume 1 Episode 5) – Directed by Owen Sullivan: It sports the most conventional 2D look of the entire series, but it is well-executed, and the irreverent tone plays like a bloodier, more vulgar Venture Bros. episode. That’s good, but it is also worse than a hypothetical Venture Bros. episode in just about every way.
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Ice Age (Volume 1 Episode 16) – Directed by Tim Miller: Visually, this episode, directed by series co-creator Miller, ranks highly. But the star power of Topher Grace and Mary Elizabeth Winstead can’t elevate its whimsical take on the tried-and-true sci-fi concept of a pocket universe. The couple’s reactions are not believable or funny, and that, combined with an anticlimactic ending, drags the episode down the rankings.
The Secret War (Volume 1 Episode 18) – Directed by István Zorkóczy: The most explicitly video game coded entry of volume one, watching WWII-era Soviets mow down demon hordes does tickle basic lizard brain pleasure centers. But, the anonymity of the design and handwavy approach to character development keep this a subpar outing overall.
Life Hutch (Volume 2 Episode 7) – Directed by Alex Beaty: Featuring Michael B. Jordan, a thrilling space battle, and a tense showdown with a malfunctioning robot, Life Hutch checks all the boxes for sci-fi fans with its impressive visuals and high-stakes premise, though those less devoted to the genre may find the familiar “stranded pilot fights for survival” narrative thin and predictable.
Golgotha (Volume 4 Episode 6) – Directed by Tim Miller: Delivering the over-the-top humor expected from series co-creator and Deadpool director Tim Miller, and visually notable as only the second live-action entry in the LD+R anthology, this short is nonetheless undercut by a familiar, somewhat unoriginal take on another end-of-the-world situation.
Helping Hand (Volume 1 Episode 11) – Directed by Jon Yeo: Reminiscent of Gravity, an astronaut risks floating into the vastness of space after a spacewalk accident. While not the most original concept, the film is at least visceral.
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Snow in the Desert (Volume 2 Episode 4) – Directed by Léon Bérelle, Dominique Boidin, Rémi Kozyra, Maxime Luère: A visually striking 18-minute film that plays like a prelude to a larger narrative, with its scorched alien landscapes and seedy cantinas evoking an R-rated Star Wars vibe, this short will ultimately appeal more to die-hard sci-fi fans than those seeking deeper storytelling.
In Vaulted Halls Entombed (Volume 3 Episode 8) – Directed by Jerome Chen: Though initially expected to be a high-octane action piece, this episode proves most effective in building fear and tension through its grounded setup and photorealistic CGI, even if it ultimately feels like a greatest-hits remix of more iconic genre films.
The Tall Grass (Volume 2 Episode 5) – Directed by Simon Otto: Breaking from the anthology’s usual futuristic sci-fi slant, The Tall Grass delivers a haunting, horror-tinged tale set in the past. Featuring painterly 3D animation and a steadily building tension, this is an impressive showcase of Otto’s animation expertise.
Blindspot (Volume 1 Episode 15) – Directed by Vitaliy Shushko: One of the more overlooked episodes of the series for real animation-heads. The 2D on 3D look and phenomenal character design from S/W alum director Vitaliy Shusko (X-Story) is top-notch, but the generic chase aspect of its plot causes it to slip to the middle of the pack in our rankings
Ice (Volume 2 Episode 2) – Directed by Robert Valley: Oscar-nominated director Valley (Pear Cider & Cigarettes) has directed three films in the series. This Volume 2 outing is the weakest, but still solid, with cool 2D style, legible character motivations, and an understated approach to adapting Native cultures and coming-of-age rituals into a sci-fi context.
[caption id="attachment_40932" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Love Death + Robots V2 Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2025[/caption]
Pop Squad (Volume 2 Episode 3) – Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson: It took until Volume 2 for a director to take on a neo-noir detective story and Yuh Nelson does that with this adaptation of a Paolo Bucigalupi work. While not the most emotionally subtle of pieces, the attempts at genuine emotional and character development are welcome in a series that often lacks these qualities.
The Other Large Thing (Volume 4 Episode 5) – Directed by Patrick Osborne: A comedic take on a robot uprising led by a cunning cat, based on John Scalzi’s short story and told from the feline’s perspective, this episode delivers a sharp satire on humanity - whom he dismissively calls “beef-witted fart-generators” - and offers a witty, entertaining twist on the sci-fi rebellion theme.
Three Robots: Exit Strategies (Volume 3 Episode 1) – Directed by Patrick Osborne: The one direct sequel in the series, this Volume 3 entry packs some of the same sharp humor and snappy dialogue as its Volume 1 counterpart, to slightly diminishing returns.
Shape-Shifters (Volume 1 Episode 10) – Directed by Gabriele Pennacchioli: The only “directed by” credit for Pennacchioli, who served as the supervising director of Volume 1, Shape-Shifters is not necessarily good. Indeed, the mocap is much weaker than in several others, and the plot is a bit rote. But, this werewolves in the American military tale has an operatic pathos and serious silliness that nearly veers into camp. It's a reminder that the series could benefit from more truly wild swings.
Sonnie's Edge (Volume 1 Episode 1) – Directed by Dave Wilson: One of the entries which drew ire from critics for the series’ exploitation of sexual violence, Sonnie’s Edge is clumsy in many ways, not least in its exploration of post-trauma, but the worldbuilding of its competitive underground monster fights and its cool twist make it a memorable entry.
[caption id="attachment_40922" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Love Death + Robots V4 Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2025[/caption]
Close Encounters of the Mini Kind (Volume 4 Episode 2)– Directed by Robert Bisi & Andy Lyon: A spiritual, if not direct sequel to a Volume 3 standout, Bisi & Lyon return to spoof alien invasion tropes with impressive scale and energy, though the novelty feels slightly worn, leaving the short more like a fun retread than a fresh triumph.
Suits (Volume 1 Episode 4) – Directed by Franck Balson: LD+R most often gets in trouble leaning on chases or massive melees, and this Volume 1 entry is primarily the latter. That said, attractive design, better than usual characterization, and a familiar, but solidly utilized twist make this outing one of the better of its kind in the series.
Spider Rose (Volume 4 Episode 3) – Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson: Set in the same universe as Swarm, which is next on this list - Spider Rose suffers from many of the same pitfalls, but the two entries showcase some of the coolest, most far-out sci-fi concepts of the series.
Swarm (Volume 3 Episode 6) – Directed by Tim Miller: For a sci-fi show, LD+R doesn’t probe hard sci-fi concepts often, which makes this Miller-directed installment stand out. It has a horror turn and is dulled by clunky expository dialogue, but the strength of its ideas from sci-fi legend Bruce Sterling and its ethical dimension make it worth checking out.
The Witness (Volume 1 Episode 3) – Directed by Alberto Mielgo: Mielgo’s inimitable style subsequently won him an Oscar with The Windshield Wiper, and while this extended chase short from Volume 1 is not a masterpiece, its aesthetic freshness served as a key component in building his future legend.
[caption id="attachment_40933" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Love Death + Robots V1 Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2025[/caption]
Good Hunting (Volume 1 Episode 8) – Directed by Oliver Thomas: Working off an excellent source in a 2012 Ken Liu short story, Good Hunting is emblematic of the sheer promise of an anthology project like LD+R. With dizzying pace, it spans a pre-industrial era of magic to a steampunk future, blending exotic folklore and anti-colonialism. The narrative scope results in a film that paints in wide brushes, but the storytelling ambition makes it a top entry.
Mason's Rats (Volume 3 Episode 7) – Directed by Carlos Stevens: A fun and stylish addition to the Love, Death + Robots collection, a farmer's hi-tech war against a rat infestation is not the most groundbreaking premise, but its sense of comedy and ultimately optimistic closing note are a refreshing addition to the collection.
The Drowned Giant (Volume 2 Episode 8) – Directed by Tim Miller: Pairing a hauntingly grounded aesthetic with themes of society and mortality as it explores the mysterious appearance of a giant’s corpse in a seaside town, this entry is a standout of Volume 2. While the dated, prose-like narration may not be the most dynamic, it offers a contemplative tone that suits the story’s reflective nature, which is a welcome counterpoint to many other entries.
Smart Appliances, Stupid Owners (Volume 4 Episode 9) – Directed by Patrick Osborne: A clear homage to Aardman’s Creature Comforts, what the Oscar-winner Osborne's short lacks in originality it makes up for in pure pleasure, as it is the most consistently funny of the series' comedy episodes.
Kill Team Kill (Volume 3 Episode 5) – Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson: If you’ve ever dreamed of an all-out action romp featuring a cybernetically enhanced grizzly bear, Kill Team Kill delivers in gloriously over-the-top fashion, as a barrage of blood, bullets, and bad jokes are unleashed through a hyper-macho Special Forces showdown that channels the explosive spirit of ’80s action flicks cranked to eleven.
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Three Robots (Volume 1 Episode 2) – Directed by Victor Maldonado & Alfredo Torres: Robot tourists tour a post-human Earth. This John Scalzi short story adaptation is a Volume 1 highlight - the humorous chemistry of the three robots archetypes, while cliched and not terribly explainable in hard sci-fi terms, is effective and a good advertisement for the range the series can deliver. It is the only short in the series to get a sequel as well.
All Through the House (Volume 2 Episode 6) – Directed by Elliot Dear: Best known for heartwarming holiday commercials for John Lewis and the BBC, Dear leans into horror over sci-fi in All Through the House, a seven-minute stop-motion-style short that channels his festive storytelling into a darkly twisted tale of two kids catching a glimpse of a truly unsettling Santa.
Bad Travelling (Volume 3 Episode 2) – Directed by David Fincher: With Fincher at the helm, Bad Travelling delivers on high expectations with a gripping, genre-blending tale of a monstrous crab - introduced within seconds - that hijacks a fishing vessel and unravels the fragile alliances among its crew. The highest rated short on IMDB, it's not quite our favorite, but it's up there.
Automated Customer Service (Volume 2 Episode 1) – Directed by Meat Dept (Kevin Van Der Meiren, David Nicolas, Laurent Nicolas): Eccentric French collective Meat Dept (Black Holes) bring their unmistakable, rubbery 3D aesthetic and a healthy dose of comedy to a familiar robot-uprising premise, resulting in a standout 12-minute short that surprises and delights with its offbeat energy.
The Very Pulse of the Machine (Volume 3 Episode 3) – Directed by Emily Dean: Featuring a strong lead performance from MacKenzie Davis, the short combines a psychedelic visual style with an introspective, emotional narrative, following a lone astronaut’s hallucinatory struggle for survival. A contemplative, thought-provoking pause amidst the anthology’s usual sensory overload.
[caption id="attachment_40935" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Love Death + Robots V1 Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2025[/caption]
Zima Blue (Volume 1 Episode 14) – Directed by Robert Valley: In a series so often dedicated to testosterone, this smart and contemplative portrait of a generational artist stands out for its intellectual and emotional satisfaction.
How Zeke Got Religion (Volume 4 Episode 8) – Directed by Diego Porral: Though one of the lesser-known names in Volume Four, Diego Porral quickly proves he belongs in the LD+R universe with a gloriously stylized 2D short that pairs blood-soaked horror with some of the most brutal deaths in the anthology. While the exposition-heavy intro stumbles slightly, the moment his terrifying creature emerges and begins its savage rampage, the chaos is nonstop, marking Porral’s entry as a bold, visceral standout that fully embraces the series’ appetite for audacious storytelling.
400 Boys (Volume 4 Episode 4) – Directed by Robert Valley: A visually distinct and refreshingly original short that drops viewers into a brutal world of gang warfare and shifting allegiances. While the richly built universe leaves you eager for more, the audacious decision to drop you in the middle of action with little to no exposition is thrilling and produces a kinetic experience.
Night of the Mini Dead (Volume 3 Episode 4) – Directed by Robert Bisi & Andy Lyon: One of the shortest entries in the LD+R universe, Night of the Mini Dead delivers a hilariously chaotic zombie apocalypse in miniature scale, with Bisi and Lyon using clever comedy - from graveyard sex gone wrong to full-blown global destruction - to create a wildly ambitious, uniquely styled short.
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Jibaro (Volume 3 Episode 9) – Directed by Alberto Mielgo: As big admirers of Mielgo’s Oscar-winning work, this was easily the most anticipated episode for the S/W team - and it doesn’t disappoint. Delivering a visually stunning, folklore tale brought to life with masterful choreography, bold camera work, and an originality so striking it’s hard not to wonder if “masterpiece” might already apply - fans certainly seem to agree, with cosplay and fan art inspired by the short.

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For more detailed analysis of the short films in the anthology, check out our dedicated reviews of Volume 2, Volume 3 and Volume 4