10 Shows & Movies Similar to The Ark (2023)

Description: Like 'The Ark', 'Farscape' follows a diverse crew aboard a living ship, facing unknown dangers in deep space. Both blend serious sci-fi with quirky character dynamics and explore what it means to be human in alien environments.

Fact: Used elaborate puppetry for alien characters. Created by Jim Henson's company. The protagonist was an astronaut thrown across the universe.

Description: Like 'The Ark', 'Firefly' focuses on a tight-knit crew surviving on the fringes of space civilization. Both shows blend sci-fi with western elements and explore how people from different backgrounds come together under challenging circumstances.

Fact: Only 14 episodes were made before cancellation. The movie 'Serenity' concluded the story. Joss Whedon created a Chinese-English hybrid language for the universe.

Description: Like 'The Ark', 'Battlestar Galactica' explores themes of survival in deep space, human resilience, and the search for a new home. Both series feature a diverse crew facing existential threats, political intrigue, and moral dilemmas. The gritty, realistic approach to space travel and the focus on human relationships under extreme pressure are key similarities.

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

Description: This series shares 'The Ark's' premise of humans stranded on an ancient spacecraft with limited resources. Both explore the psychological toll of isolation in space and feature characters with conflicting agendas forced to work together.

Fact: It was a darker, more serialized take on the Stargate franchise. Used a 'communication stones' concept for Earth interactions. Canceled after 2 seasons despite growing acclaim.

Description: While primarily set on Earth, 'Defiance' shares 'The Ark's' themes of diverse groups forced to coexist under pressure. Both shows feature political intrigue and the challenges of building new societies in difficult circumstances.

Fact: Had a companion MMORPG that affected the TV storyline. Featured multiple alien species with distinct cultures. The show's town was destroyed in the game before appearing on TV.

Description: While set on Earth, 'The 100' shares 'The Ark's' themes of survival in hostile environments and the moral compromises of leadership. Both explore how societies rebuild after catastrophe and the difficult choices required for survival.

Fact: Based on a book series by Kass Morgan. Initially marketed as a teen drama but became much darker. The final season introduced time travel elements.

Description: Sharing 'The Ark's' focus on realistic space physics and political tensions among space-faring factions, 'The Expanse' similarly explores how humans might realistically colonize space. Both shows feature complex characters navigating dangerous situations while representing different factions with competing interests.

Fact: Originally canceled after season 3, fan campaigns led Amazon to revive it. The authors consulted with NASA scientists for accuracy. It features a unique Belter Creole language developed by linguists.

Description: While more action-oriented than 'The Ark', 'Killjoys' shares its themes of found family among a spaceship crew and the struggle against oppressive systems. Both shows balance serious sci-fi elements with character-driven storytelling and moments of levity.

Fact: The show was filmed in Toronto's Pinewood Studios. It features a female-led trio as main characters. The title refers to bounty hunters' licenses called 'Killjoys'.

Description: Similar to 'The Ark', this reboot features a family/crew stranded in space facing survival challenges. Both shows combine high-stakes adventure with interpersonal drama and the constant threat of the unknown in space exploration.

Fact: A reimagining of the 1965 series. Features the first female Dr. Smith. The robot design was completely redesigned for this version.

Description: This miniseries shares 'The Ark's' generation ship concept, exploring how society evolves during a long space voyage. Both examine class divisions and the psychological effects of confined space living over generations.

Fact: Originally planned as a full series but remained a miniseries. Features a major mid-story twist about the ship's true nature. The set design reflects 1960s aesthetics despite being set in space.