10 Movies & Shows Similar to Defiance (2013)

Description: This long-running series shares Defiance's exploration of ancient alien civilizations and their impact on humanity. Both feature teams navigating political and military challenges while uncovering mysterious technologies. The Goa'uld resemble Defiance's alien factions in their complex relationships with humans.

Fact: Spun off from the 1994 film. One of the longest-running North American sci-fi shows. Richard Dean Anderson ad-libbed much of his humor.

Description: Like Defiance, Farscape features humans adapting to alien cultures and technologies. Both shows blend serious themes with quirky humor and feature complex alien civilizations. The Moya crew's found family dynamic resembles Defiance's community spirit.

Fact: Used elaborate puppetry for alien characters. Jim Henson Company was involved. Originally canceled after four seasons.

Description: Joss Whedon's space western shares Defiance's frontier spirit and blend of genres. Both shows feature diverse crews navigating lawless territories, mixing action with humor and character-driven stories. The terraformed worlds of Firefly mirror Defiance's transformed Earth.

Fact: Only 14 episodes were made before cancellation. The movie Serenity continued the story. The Chinese dialogue wasn't always accurate.

Description: This reboot shares Defiance's mix of military sci-fi and deep philosophical questions about humanity. Both series feature desperate survivors in a post-cataclysmic world, dealing with political tensions and the struggle to maintain civilization. The humanoid Cylons parallel Defiance's Votans in their complex relationships with humans.

Fact: The miniseries that launched the reboot was originally meant as a one-time event. Edward James Olmos directed several episodes. The show's 'fracking' became a popular catchphrase.

Description: Like Defiance, this show depicts Earth after an alien invasion, focusing on human resistance and survival. Both feature mixed human-alien alliances and explore what it means to be human. The military and family elements are strong in both series.

Fact: Steven Spielberg was executive producer. Originally planned for five seasons. Featured Noah Wyle in his first regular TV role since ER.

Description: Similar to Defiance, this show explores post-apocalyptic survival and the clash between different human factions. Both deal with tough moral choices in harsh environments and feature young protagonists growing into leadership roles. The grounder culture parallels Defiance's alien-human hybrids.

Fact: Based on a book series by Kass Morgan. Initially marketed as a teen drama but became much darker. Filmed in Vancouver's forests.

Description: Like Defiance, The Expanse is a sci-fi series that blends political intrigue, human drama, and alien encounters in a richly detailed universe. Both shows explore themes of colonization, cultural clashes, and survival in hostile environments. The Expanse's multi-faction conflicts and world-building are reminiscent of Defiance's post-apocalyptic setting.

Fact: The Expanse was initially canceled after three seasons but was revived by Amazon due to fan demand. The show's realistic physics in space earned praise from NASA scientists. It's based on a series of novels by James S.A. Corey.

Description: This Canadian series shares Defiance's bounty hunter elements and planetary adventure vibe. Both shows balance action with character development in a sci-fi setting where different factions vie for power. The trio of protagonists mirrors Defiance's core group dynamic.

Fact: Created by Michelle Lovretta who also worked on Lost Girl. Filmed in Toronto's Pinewood Studios. Initially planned for five seasons.

Description: This series shares Defiance's themes of occupation and resistance, with aliens controlling Earth. Both explore collaboration versus resistance dynamics and feature families caught in the middle. The mysterious alien overlords create similar tension to Defiance's Votan factions.

Fact: Created by Carlton Cuse of Lost fame. Josh Holloway stars as the lead. Canceled after three seasons.

Description: This short-lived series shares Defiance's premise of humans rebuilding civilization in a dangerous new environment. Both feature frontier communities facing external threats while dealing with internal politics. The dinosaur threats parallel Defiance's alien dangers.

Fact: One of the most expensive TV pilots ever made. Filmed in Australia. Canceled after one season despite cliffhanger ending.