10 Shows & Movies Like Doctor Who (2005)

Description: The Twilight Zone is a classic anthology series that, like Doctor Who, explores strange and fantastical stories with moral and philosophical undertones. Both shows use science fiction and fantasy to comment on human nature and society. The Twilight Zone's twist endings and thought-provoking narratives have influenced countless sci-fi shows, including Doctor Who.

Fact: The Twilight Zone was created by Rod Serling, who also served as the show's narrator. The show's iconic theme music and opening narration are instantly recognizable. The Twilight Zone has been revived several times, with varying degrees of success.

Description: Red Dwarf is a British sci-fi comedy that, like Doctor Who, combines science fiction with humor. The show follows the last human alive and his misfit crew as they travel through space. While Red Dwarf is more comedic and less serious than Doctor Who, both shows share a British sensibility and a love for quirky, character-driven storytelling.

Fact: Red Dwarf was created by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor. The show's title refers to the mining ship where the characters live. Red Dwarf has been praised for its clever writing and has developed a cult following over the years.

Description: The X-Files is a seminal sci-fi series that, like Doctor Who, combines standalone monster-of-the-week episodes with a larger mythology. Both shows feature government agents investigating paranormal phenomena, though The X-Files takes a more grounded, conspiracy-theory approach compared to Doctor Who's time-traveling adventures.

Fact: The X-Files was created by Chris Carter and starred David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. The show's iconic theme music is one of the most recognizable in television history. The X-Files was inspired by real-life UFO conspiracy theories and government cover-ups.

Description: Stargate SG-1 is a sci-fi series that, like Doctor Who, explores the idea of traveling to different worlds and encountering alien civilizations. Both shows feature a team of protagonists who use advanced technology to protect Earth from extraterrestrial threats. Stargate SG-1's blend of action, humor, and mythology is similar to Doctor Who's tone.

Fact: Stargate SG-1 is based on the 1994 film Stargate, directed by Roland Emmerich. The show ran for 10 seasons, making it one of the longest-running sci-fi series in North American television history. Stargate SG-1 featured numerous guest stars from other sci-fi franchises, including several actors who appeared in Doctor Who.

Description: Farscape is a sci-fi series that, like Doctor Who, features a human protagonist traveling through space with a group of alien companions. The show's imaginative alien designs, complex characters, and blend of humor and drama are reminiscent of Doctor Who. Farscape also explores themes of identity, morality, and the consequences of time travel.

Fact: Farscape was created by Rockne S. O'Bannon and produced by the Jim Henson Company. The show's protagonist, John Crichton, is an astronaut who accidentally gets transported to a distant part of the universe. Farscape was known for its innovative use of puppetry and practical effects to create its alien characters.

Description: Torchwood is a direct spin-off of Doctor Who, created by Russell T Davies. It shares the same universe and often references events from Doctor Who. The show focuses on a secret organization that deals with extraterrestrial threats on Earth, similar to how the Doctor handles alien invasions. The tone is darker and more adult-oriented, but it retains the sci-fi elements and British charm of Doctor Who.

Fact: Torchwood stands for 'The Torchwood Institute', an anagram of 'Doctor Who'. The show's main character, Captain Jack Harkness, was first introduced in Doctor Who. Torchwood was initially conceived as a more adult-oriented counterpart to Doctor Who, with themes and content aimed at older audiences.

Description: Primeval shares Doctor Who's British sci-fi roots and features a team of scientists investigating anomalies that allow prehistoric creatures to enter the modern world. Like Doctor Who, it combines science fiction with adventure and humor, and often explores the consequences of time travel and alternate timelines.

Fact: Primeval was created by Adrian Hodges and Tim Haines, the latter of whom also created the Walking with Dinosaurs documentary series. The show was originally conceived as a British response to Jurassic Park. Primeval had a crossover with Doctor Who in the form of a comic book story.

Description: The Sarah Jane Adventures is another spin-off of Doctor Who, aimed at a younger audience. It features Sarah Jane Smith, a former companion of the Doctor, as she investigates alien phenomena with a group of teenagers. The show shares the same sense of adventure, moral lessons, and alien encounters as Doctor Who, but in a more family-friendly format.

Fact: Elisabeth Sladen, who played Sarah Jane Smith, was a beloved figure in Doctor Who history. The show occasionally featured crossovers with Doctor Who, including appearances by the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors. The Sarah Jane Adventures was praised for its ability to tackle serious issues while remaining accessible to children.

Description: Fringe is a sci-fi series that, like Doctor Who, explores bizarre and unexplained phenomena. It features a team of investigators dealing with fringe science, alternate universes, and time travel. The show's blend of episodic monster-of-the-week stories and overarching mythology is reminiscent of Doctor Who's structure.

Fact: Fringe was created by J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci. The show's protagonist, Olivia Dunham, shares similarities with the Doctor in her determination to protect humanity from otherworldly threats. Fringe's alternate universe storyline was praised for its complexity and emotional depth.

Description: Black Mirror is a sci-fi anthology series that, like Doctor Who, explores the impact of technology on society. While Black Mirror is darker and more dystopian than Doctor Who, both shows use science fiction to examine contemporary issues. Black Mirror's standalone episodes and thought-provoking themes are reminiscent of Doctor Who's storytelling style.

Fact: Black Mirror was created by Charlie Brooker. The show's title refers to the black screens of our devices, which act as mirrors to our souls. Black Mirror has been praised for its prescient exploration of technology's role in our lives.