10 Best Sci-Fi Shows To Watch If You Love Battlestar Galactica

Fans of Battlestar Galactica already know how riveting and complex the world of science fiction can be — and how many similar shows are out there. Considering the number of Battlestar Galactica spinoff series, the intrigue of surviving in space while questioning humanity’s fate clearly keeps audiences hooked. However, when viewers are done watching Battlestar Galactica, there are options out there now to help fill that void.

Whether craving space politics, high-stakes missions, or philosophical musings on artificial intelligence, there are a handful of shows that can offer another searing look at some of those weighty questions. From shows that came before to those that were undoubtedly inspired by Battlestar Galactica, it’s easy to fill up a viewing queue with worthy companion watches.

10

Babylon 5

1993-1998

Fans of Battlestar Galactica often find Babylon 5 just as intriguing. Both shows go beyond the surface of spaceships and star battles, delivering complex narratives, morally ambiguous characters, and profound explorations of humanity’s struggles and triumphs. Like Galactica, Babylon 5 weaves an intricate, long-form narrative that spans multiple seasons, packed with political intrigue, war, and spiritual themes.

Babylon 5 features the manipulations of the Shadows and Vorlons, which echo the Cylons’ religious and existential dilemmas. Meanwhile, Babylon 5‘s Captain John Sheridan grapples with leadership’s weighty challenges like Adama, while the complex, evolving relationship of rival ambassadors G’Kar and Londo Mollari mirrors the moral gray areas of Battlestar Galactica characters like Gaius Baltar and Number Six. Babylon 5 also pushes boundaries with its groundbreaking special effects and mature storytelling—qualities that Battlestar Galactica fans will appreciate.

9

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

1993-1999

It’s hard to go down the rabbit hole with one intricately plotted, space station-based show of the 1990s without talking about the other intricately plotted, space station-based show of the 1990s. With its serialized storytelling and morally ambiguous characters, DS9 paved the way for modern sci-fi dramas. Set on a space station at a critical crossroads of galactic politics, the show dives into war, religion, and the struggle for peace in an era when other Star Trek series often ran for cover.

Also unlike previous Star Trek shows, DS9 was never afraid to go beyond traditional archetypes, exploring the imperfections and moral gray areas of its characters. DS9’s Captain Benjamin Sisko isn’t a typical heroic Starfleet captain; he struggles with moral decisions in episodes like “In the Pale Moonlight,” where he compromises his values for the greater good of the galaxy. Fans of BSG will also recognize shades of the Twelve Colonies’ struggle for survival in DS9’s ongoing Dominion War storyline. Both shows emphasize how communities face challenges together and highlight the often grim sacrifices required for both peace and survival.

8

For All Mankind

2019-Present

What if the space race never ended? That’s the brilliant premise behind For All Mankind, a show that rewrites history by imagining what would have happened if the USSR beat the USA to the moon in 1969. From that inflection point, a butterfly effect of changes spread down through the years and decades after as the series dives deep into alternate-history scenarios of humanity’s continued determination to conquer space. While not a traditional sci-fi series, For All Mankind smartly weaves the human struggles of space exploration with societal and political drama, echoing the themes that made Battlestar Galactica so compelling.

Whether it’s Ed Baldwin grappling with leading clashing crews of astronauts and cosmonauts on the moon or Mars or NASA head Margo Madison being torn between duty and personal connections, the show dives deep into the human questions and emotional arcs that recall Commander Adama’s impossible decisions shepherding humanity’s survival. Considering the show is headed by former Galactica creator and showrunner Ronald D. Moore, it’s no surprise the BSG vibes are so strong on For All Mankind.

7

Raised by Wolves

2020-2022

For those who enjoy Battlestar Galactica‘s trippy visions and mystical hands of fate, Raised by Wolves could be the logical next step. Executive produced by legendary director Ridley Scott, the show follows two androids, Mother and Father, tasked with raising human children on a barren alien planet after Earth collapses. As the colony develops, religious conflicts and mysterious entities threaten its survival. Like few shows in recent memory, Raised by Wolves dives deep into existential questions about faith, survival, and human nature with equal parts haunting visuals and introspective philosophical depth.

Raised by Wolves also picks up the Galactica banner by pitting science against religion, with atheist androids tasked with guiding humanity’s next generation away from religious zealotry. Fans of conflicted Cylons like Six and Boomer will see clear parallels in Mother, a reprogrammed android with extraordinary powers whose fierce, protective instincts often clash with her machine-like logic. It doesn’t always make sense (the less said about a major character who turns into a tree, the better), but it’s hard not to be drawn in by Raised by Wolves’ deep weirdness.

6

Foundation

2021-Present

Based on Isaac Asimov’s classic novels, Foundation explores nothing less than the rise and fall of civilizations. The series centers on Hari Seldon (brilliantly played by Jared Harris), a mathematician who uses advanced predictive modeling to foresee the collapse of the Galactic Empire and sets a plan in motion to mitigate the coming dark age.

Much like Battlestar Galactica, Foundation isn’t afraid to take big swings when it comes to charting the story of man told across eons of time and space. Both shows address existential threats and the costs of rebuilding, weaving intricate plots that challenge moral and ethical boundaries. Fans of Galactica’s human-Cylon conflict will likely resonate with Foundation’s exploration of humanity’s fragility. The expansive (and expensive) world-building coupled with intricate political intrigue make it a must-watch for fans of cerebral sci-fi.

5

The Expanse

2015-2022

Here’s another show built just for the fans of the gritty hard sci-fi coded into Galactica’s DNA. Just like BSG’s grounded “ragtag fleet” navigating through the unknown, The Expanse focuses on authenticity, especially regarding space physics and politics. Set in a future where humanity has colonized the solar system amid rising tensions between Earth, Mars, and the asteroid belt, the concept of limited resources in space, a critical aspect of BSG, also rings true in The Expanse, where factions vie for survival and power.

While BSG focuses on the survival of humanity against the Cylons, The Expanse introduces the Protomolecule, a mysterious alien technology that could threaten all life. The tension and stakes feel familiar yet fresh. Meanwhile, the blurred internal lines of anti-heroes like BSG’s Gaius Baltar are echoed in the intricate political motives of everyone from Earth chief executive Chrisjen Avasarala all the way down to desperate, scraggly Belter revolutionaries. For a show with such high stakes, deep character drama, and thought-provoking storytelling, The Expanse delivers.

4

Space: Above and Beyond

1995-1996

Space: Above and Beyond is a ’90s cult classic that deserves more attention. Set during a war between humans and an alien species known as the Chigs, the show follows a group of Marine Corps space aviators as they fight for Earth’s survival. The military aspects and camaraderie within the United States Marine Corps Space Aviator Cavalry 58th Squadron will instantly remind fans of Starbuck, Apollo, and the rest of Galactica’s Colonial Fleet. The desperation of war also runs thick between the two shows, with an ever-present specter of death hanging over the 58’s battle-scarred and combat-weary soldiers.

While often separated by nearly a decade and unique in their presentation, these two series share threads that make them equally captivating for fans of intelligent and action-packed sci-fi. Both shows explore themes of survival, morality, and human connection amidst interstellar backdrops, offering experiences that complement each other beautifully. It only ran for one season before its bleak finale and controversial cancellation, but Space: Above and Beyond’s strong character work and poignant storytelling make it worth the watch.

3

Westworld

2016-2022

Cylons wrestle with humanity, and so do the hosts of this chaotic HBO production. Focusing on the convergence of artificial intelligence and human consciousness in a theme park populated by android hosts, what begins as a thrilling adventure turns into a deep exploration of free will, morality, and identity. Westworld hosts like Dolores and Maeve struggle with gaining autonomy, grappling with what it means to be alive. Both shows also ask viewers to question how humans treat sentient beings and reflect on the morality of their decisions, offering fans of thoughtful sci-fi plenty to grapple with.

Perhaps the strongest connection between the two shows is a shared love for twisty, question-filled storytelling, While Battlestar Galactica kept fans on the edge of their seats with cliffhangers like the mystery of the Final Five Cylons or Kara Thrace’s complex destiny, Westworld unraveled multiple timelines and hidden agendas with ferocious narrative complexity. Viewers can argue about whether Westworld stuck the landing or was mired in story arc muck for most of its run, but the sci-fi intrigue of Westworld was seldom ever lacking.

2

Firefly

2002

Before Battlestar Galactica dominated the sci-fi scene, Joss Whedon’s Firefly captured fans’ imaginations with its unique blend of space travel mixed with Western tropes. The show follows the quirky crew of the Serenity as they skirt the edges of the law while battling their own internal conflicts. Another Fox one-season wonder, Firefly’s witty dialogue, lovable characters, and engaging setting make it a fan favorite that’s survived 20 years later despite its short network lifespan.

At their cores, both shows are about finding connection in hostile worlds. In fact, it could be argued that the tight-knit bond between the Serenity crew and the Galactica survivors, with unity and relationships forged under shared adversity, may even have helped drive the popularity of both shows with hardcore sci-fi fans. Whether it’s the camaraderie between Mal and Zoe in Firefly or the unshakable bond between Apollo and Starbuck in Battlestar Galactica, the theme of family is central. Fans drawn to the emotional heart of Battlestar Galactica can appreciate Firefly’s focus on relationships that provide meaning in their chaotic universes.

1

Dark Matter

2015-2017

Dark Matter begins with a central mystery as six crew members wake up on a spaceship with no memory of who they are or how they got there. As secrets are revealed — betrayals included — they must determine whether they can truly rely on one another. The twists and turns in Dark Matter will keep viewers hooked as the crew grapples with their lost humanity and collective trauma.

Each crew member aboard the Raza wrestles with questions tied to their mysterious histories.

Determining whether someone with a dark past can redeem themselves or what sacrifices are worthy of survival are questions both shows ask, to great effect. With all that mystery, it’s no surprise that whiplash plot twists are also a heavy part of Dark Matter’s appeal. Like Boomer’s identity as a sleeper Cylon or the truth behind Earth’s location on BSG, Dark Matter serves up a steady stream of jaw-dropping twists, from secret conspiracies to shocking character backstories.