10 Movies and Shows Similar to Ascension (2014)

Description: Like Ascension, Battlestar Galactica is a sci-fi series that delves into human survival, political intrigue, and the psychological toll of long-term space travel. Both shows feature a contained society aboard a spaceship, dealing with internal conflicts and external threats, while questioning what it means to be human.

Fact: The show was a reimagining of the 1978 series. It won a Peabody Award for its post-9/11 allegorical storytelling. The phrase 'So say we all' became a cultural catchphrase.

Description: Westworld shares with Ascension themes of artificial consciousness, the nature of reality, and the ethics of creating life. Both shows feature confined environments where characters question their existence and purpose.

Fact: Based on the 1973 film. Features nonlinear storytelling. The piano covers of modern songs became iconic.

Description: Fringe and Ascension both blend science fiction with mystery elements, featuring government conspiracies and alternate realities. They share a similar tone of slowly unraveling a larger mystery while maintaining character-driven storytelling.

Fact: Created by J.J. Abrams. Featured a unique 'pattern' of glyphs between scenes. The show had a dedicated 'mythology' following.

Description: Continuum and Ascension both deal with time displacement and its consequences. They explore how individuals cope with being out of their time period, and how small changes can have large impacts on the future.

Fact: Originally a Canadian series. The show's timeline was carefully mapped out. Features a morally ambiguous protagonist.

Description: Like Ascension's exploration of societal experiments, Black Mirror examines the dark side of technology and human nature through standalone stories. Both shows present thought-provoking 'what if' scenarios about human behavior in extreme situations.

Fact: Each episode is a standalone story. The show originated from Channel 4 in the UK. 'San Junipero' won multiple Emmy awards.

Description: While not set in space, Orphan Black shares Ascension's themes of identity, conspiracy, and the ethics of scientific experimentation. Both shows feature ordinary people uncovering extraordinary secrets about their existence, with a strong female protagonist at the center.

Fact: Tatiana Maslany plays multiple clones in the series. She won an Emmy for her performance. The show was initially rejected by several networks before being picked up.

Description: Similar to Ascension (2014), The 100 explores themes of survival in a post-apocalyptic world, human morality, and the challenges of leadership. Both shows feature a confined group of people dealing with limited resources and societal collapse, with a strong focus on character development and ethical dilemmas.

Fact: The 100 is based on a book series by Kass Morgan. The show was initially marketed as a teen drama but evolved into a darker, more complex narrative. It features one of the first bisexual lead characters on mainstream television.

Description: 12 Monkeys shares Ascension's time travel elements and themes of destiny versus free will. Both shows feature complex narratives about preventing apocalyptic events, with characters questioning whether they're changing fate or fulfilling it.

Fact: Based on the 1995 Terry Gilliam film. The showrunner planned the entire series arc from the beginning. Features one of TV's most intricate time travel plots.

Description: The Expanse shares with Ascension a realistic approach to space travel and societal structures in confined environments. Both explore class divisions, political power struggles, and the human capacity for both cooperation and conflict when resources are scarce.

Fact: Based on the book series by James S.A. Corey. The show was saved from cancellation by fan campaigns. It's praised for its accurate physics in space scenes.

Description: Like Ascension, Travelers involves a secret mission to save humanity, with characters operating under false identities. Both shows explore the psychological impact of living a lie for a greater cause, and the ethics of manipulating the timeline.

Fact: Created by Brad Wright of Stargate fame. Features a unique time travel mechanism. The show was designed to have a definitive ending.