10 Shows & Movies Like Farscape (1999)

Description: While primarily a comedy, Red Dwarf shares Farscape's premise of a small, dysfunctional crew (often just 3-4 characters) surviving in deep space. Both shows feature sentient ships (Red Dwarf itself, Moya) and explore bizarre sci-fi concepts with humor. The shows balance absurd situations with genuine character moments. Lister's everyman persona is comparable to Crichton's fish-out-of-water experience.

Fact: Red Dwarf holds the record for longest-running British sci-fi comedy. The show was originally conceived as a straight sci-fi drama before becoming a comedy. Despite its low budget, the show developed a devoted fanbase and influenced many later sci-fi comedies.

Description: Similar to Farscape, Lexx is a space opera with a mix of dark humor, bizarre alien cultures, and a ragtag crew aboard a living ship. Both shows explore themes of survival, morality, and the absurdity of the universe. Lexx stands out for its surreal and often grotesque visual style, much like Farscape's unique creature designs and alien worlds.

Fact: Lexx was a Canadian-German co-production, blending European and North American sci-fi sensibilities. The show's main ship, the Lexx, is a biomechanical insect-like vessel capable of destroying planets. Unlike most sci-fi shows, Lexx often ventured into erotic and horror themes, pushing boundaries for TV sci-fi.

Description: As contemporaries, both Farscape and SG-1 represent 90s sci-fi at its peak, blending episodic adventures with serialized storytelling. Both feature humans interacting with advanced alien civilizations and technology. The shows share a sense of humor about their sci-fi tropes while taking their characters seriously. The Goa'uld share similarities with Farscape's Peacekeepers as militaristic antagonists.

Fact: Richard Dean Anderson (MacGyver) starred as Jack O'Neill. The show ran for 10 seasons, making it one of the longest-running North American sci-fi series. Many actors appeared in both Stargate and Farscape, including Claudia Black and Ben Browder.

Description: Created by Gene Roddenberry (posthumously), Andromeda shares Farscape's focus on a diverse crew navigating political intrigue and cosmic threats. Both shows feature a charismatic captain (Dylan Hunt in Andromeda, John Crichton in Farscape) trying to find their way in a chaotic universe. The series also explores themes of lost civilizations and the struggle to maintain ideals in a fallen galaxy.

Fact: Kevin Sorbo, famous for Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, starred as Captain Dylan Hunt. The show was based on Roddenberry's unpublished notes for a potential Star Trek series. Andromeda's ship, the Andromeda Ascendant, is an advanced AI-controlled warship from a fallen empire.

Description: Joss Whedon's space western shares Farscape's focus on a found-family crew aboard a single ship (Serenity). Both mix humor with serious themes and feature charismatic leads (Mal Reynolds and John Crichton) who are out of their depth. The shows' unique dialects (Firefly's Chinese influences, Farscape's alien slang) create distinctive universes. Both were canceled too soon but gained cult followings.

Fact: Firefly was canceled after just 14 episodes but spawned a feature film (Serenity). The show blended Western and sci-fi genres unusually for its time. Nathan Fillion's Mal Reynolds became one of sci-fi's most beloved captains.

Description: The successor to SG-1, Atlantis continues Farscape's tradition of a team exploring strange new worlds. Both shows feature ancient alien technology that drives the plot (the Ancients' tech in Atlantis, wormholes in Farscape). The Wraith share similarities with Farscape's villains as biologically unique antagonists. Both shows balance serious stakes with character humor.

Fact: The show was originally conceived as a direct-to-DVD movie before becoming a series. The Atlantis set was one of the most expensive ever built for Canadian television. The show introduced the 'Puddle Jumper' spacecraft, becoming iconic to the franchise.

Description: The reimagined BSG shares Farscape's serialized storytelling and complex character development. Both shows explore what it means to be human through interactions with artificial life (Cylons in BSG, Pilot and DRDs in Farscape). The shows balance military sci-fi with deep philosophical questions. The tense relationship between Adama and Roslin mirrors John and Aeryn's evolving romance.

Fact: The miniseries that launched the reboot was directed by Farscape alum Michael Rymer. The show was praised for its post-9/11 political allegories. Edward James Olmos insisted on making the show as realistic as possible, banning laser weapons and alien characters.

Description: The most Farscape-like of the Stargate series, Universe focuses on a diverse group stranded on an ancient ship (Destiny) with limited control, much like Moya's crew. Both shows feature more serialized storytelling and darker character arcs. The mysterious purpose of the Destiny mirrors Farscape's exploration of wormhole technology. The shows share a grittier, more psychological approach to space survival.

Fact: Universe was controversial for its dramatic departure from previous Stargate tones. The show used a unique 'shaky cam' documentary style. Robert Carlyle starred as the morally complex Dr. Rush, one of sci-fi's most ambiguous protagonists.

Description: While more grounded than Farscape, The Expanse shares its focus on political intrigue between human factions (Earth, Mars, Belters) and mysterious alien technology. Both shows feature complex characters who evolve over time, and both explore how humans adapt to alien environments. The Rocinante crew's dynamic mirrors Moya's crew in their found-family relationships.

Fact: The Expanse was saved from cancellation by fan campaigns, leading Amazon to pick it up. The show is based on novels by James S.A. Corey (a pen name for two authors). Scientific accuracy was a priority, with realistic physics in space combat and travel.

Description: Like Farscape, Killjoys features a small, tight-knit crew (bounty hunters in this case) getting involved in larger cosmic conflicts. Both shows balance action, humor, and character-driven storytelling. The protagonist Dutch shares similarities with Aeryn Sun - both are tough female warriors with mysterious pasts. The show's colorful, lived-in universe echoes Farscape's imaginative world-building.

Fact: Killjoys was created by Michelle Lovretta, who also created Lost Girl. The show was filmed in Toronto, using many of the same sets and locations as The Expanse. Unlike most sci-fi shows, Killjoys avoided military or government protagonists, focusing instead on independent contractors.