Suppose you've finished playing Starfield and are looking for more space adventures or other story-driven narratives with exploration and sci-fi themes used to delve into philosophical themes. In that case, you should check out our list of 20 shows to watch that are like Starfield. From Star Wars to Cosmos, there's something on this list for everyone.
With that, here is the list of 20 shows like Starfield that you can watch to satisfy your itch for space adventures!
Rick & Morty (2014 - present)
- Original Network: Adult Swim
- Starring: Justin Roiland, Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer, Sarah Chalke
This animated series, created by Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland, follows the bizarre and quirky adventures of an eccentric scientist, Rick, and his grandson, Morty, as they travel across dimensions and encounter various alien species.
The show is known for blending dark comedy and philosophical themes like Rick’s nihilistic view. Imaginative storytelling can be found in Starfield’s intergalactic narrative.
Cosmos: A Personal Voyage (1980)
- Original Network: PBS
- Created by: Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan, Steven Soter
While not exactly a fictional TV show, Cosmos is an episodic documentary series narrated by the renowned American astronomer Carl Sagan. In this documentary, Carl Sagan takes you on a journey of the cosmos, from the smallest particles to the formation of galaxies, addressing our place within the vast cosmic arena.
If the visuals of Starfield inspire you and want to learn more about galaxies and their planetary systems without profound philosophical lessons, we highly recommend giving Cosmos a shot.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 - 2020)
- Original Network: Cartoon Network (seasons 1–5), Netflix (season 6), Disney+ (season 7)
- Starring: Matt Lanter, James Arnold Taylor, Ashley Eckstein, Dee Bradley Baker, Matthew Wood, Tom Kane
The Clone Wars is an animated series set in the Star Wars universe, which portrays the events between Episodes 2 and 3, highlighting the conflict between the Republic and the Separatists. We highly recommend this show, especially if you like George Lucas’ original Star Wars franchise.
The Clone Wars features some epic battles, character developments, and moral dilemmas amidst the cosmic grandeur, which are the bread and butter of an RPG like Starfield.
Space: 1999 (1975 - 1977)
- Original Network: ITV, RAI
- Starring: Martin Landau, Barbara Bain, Barry Morse, Prentis Hancock, Nick Tate, Zienia Merton
The British sci-fi show Space: 1999 follows a crew of astronauts traveling to the lunar base after a catastrophic event propels the Moon out of Earth’s orbit. It creates a sense of dread and cosmic horror that was way ahead of its time.
This series portrays humanity’s struggle with survival, exploration of uncharted territories, and encounters with alien species exceptionally well, making it a treat for Starfield players.
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987 - 1994)
- Original Network: First-run syndication
- Starring: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Denise Crosby, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden
Set in the vast Star Trek universe, this sci-fi series follows Captain Jean-Luc Picard as he leads his crew of Starfleet officers in the starship Enterprise. The show depicts the challenges they face and overcome while seeking out new lifeforms and planets in space.
Since Starfield is bound to evoke a sense of wonder and discovery, this show does an excellent job of mimicking those feelings.
For All Mankind (2019 - present)
- Original Network: Apple TV+
- Starring: Joel Kinnaman, Michael Dorman, Sarah Jones, Shantel VanSanten, Jodi Balfour, Wrenn Schmidt
This drama series, by Apple TV+, presents an alternate timeline where the Soviets won the space race by landing on the Moon first. It depicts the lives of NASA astronauts and their families amidst this alternate reality.
Starfield players can relate to For All Mankind as it portrays how one single event can have a massive impact on the cosmic scale. Moreover, this series's unique perspective on space exploration, showcasing the impact on human lives, ambitions, and relationships, is pretty special.
Lost in Space (2018 - 2021)
- Original Network: CBS
- Starring: Guy Williams, June Lockhart, Mark Goddard, Marta Kristen, Bill Mumy, Angela Cartwright
The story of Lost in Space mirrors certain narratives within Starfield, as this series follows the Robinson family stranded on an alien planet. The show does a fantastic job of portraying their venture into the unknown as they struggle to survive and seek a way home.
The immersion in Lost in Space is one of its best aspects, which is also a key feature in RPGs like Starfield, so be sure to give it a watch.
Farscape (1999 - 2003)
- Original Network: Nine Network (Australia), Sci-Fi Channel
- Starring: Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Virginia Hey, Anthony Simcoe, Gigi Edgley, Paul Goddard
This cult classic is an epic journey of John Crichton, an astronaut trapped aboard a living spaceship. He must work with other aliens on board in a struggle to survive, forging amazing relationships and camaraderie.
In Starfield, you will focus on building companionship with various lifeforms across different planets and shaping the narrative through your decisions. Since alien companionship is the core focus of Farscape, you’re sure to have a good time with this series.
The Mandalorian (2019 - present)
- Original Network: Disney+
- Starring: Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff
A unique space Western series in the Star Wars universe, The Mandalorian follows the adventures of a lone bounty hunter after the fall of the Empire. The show has reached a much wider audience and is recommended if you have the Starfield itch.
One of the best parts of The Mandalorian is its focus on smaller individual stories in larger cosmic settings, addressing the gritty nature of the universe. You can find many such narratives in the form of side or main quests in Starfield, mirroring this nature.
Babylon 5 (1993 - 1998)
- Original Network: PTEN
- Starring: Bruce Boxleitner, Michael O'Hare, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs
This groundbreaking sci-fi series takes place on a spaceship where various space travelers, including alien races, converge for diplomatic and political reasons. The interstellar relationships and cultural conflicts between different species amidst a struggle for peace are key aspects of the show, much like the player-driven narratives in Starfield.
The cosmopolitan nature of Babylon 5 on a much broader scale is what draws many people in, which is why we recommend this show so highly on the list.
Cowboy Bebop (1998 - 1999)
- Original Network: TV Tokyo broadcast, Wowow broadcast
- Studio: Sunrise
Cowboy Bebop has become a cult classic in the anime world, with many people classifying it as the best anime of all time. It follows a group of bounty hunters who adventure through the solar system in a world riddled with crime and struggles in their spaceship, Bebop.
This genre-bending show has elements of Western space opera, and noir captures the essence of camaraderie, an aspect you’ll explore in Starfield with your companions.
Dark Matter (2015 - 2017)
- Original Network: Space, Syfy
- Starring: Marc Bendavid, Melissa O'Neil, Anthony Lemke, Alex Mallari Jr., Jodelle Ferland, Roger Cross
Dark Matter is a story about the crew members of a derelict spaceship who wake up from stasis only to suffer from memory loss. The crew struggles to make sense of their identities while engaging in personal relationships full of vengeance and betrayal.
It’s a thrilling and character-focused series that is greatly recommended if you’re looking for a sci-fi mystery adventure to amp up your Starfield hype.
Battlestar Galactica (2004 - 2009)
- Original Network: Sci-Fi
- Starring: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia Helfer
In this post-apocalyptic space opera, we follow the crew members of the spaceship Battlestar Galactica, who are searching for their home after being driven out by a race of robotic Cylons.
This show does an amazing job of depicting the grey mortality of people in a politically charged post-apocalyptic world. We highly recommend this show if you appreciate the morality systems in games like Starfield.
Firefly (2002)
- Original Network: Fox
- Starring: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite
The cult classic American Western space drama Firefly takes place 500 years into the future, following the crew members of the spaceship Serenity. Like Starfield, the group takes on various jobs to earn a quick buck during their adventures in a character-driven storytelling fashion.
We highly recommend watching this series before or after finishing Starfield if you’re craving a story that truly depicts the challenges of living on the fringes of society.
The Expanse (2015 - 2022)
- Original Network: Syfy (Seasons 1–3), Amazon Prime Video (Seasons 4–6)
- Starring: Thomas Jane, Steven Strait, Cas Anvar, Dominique Tipper, Wes Chatham, Paulo Costanzo
The best show to truly capture the feeling of playing Starfield is the sci-fi drama The Expanse. It takes you on a journey across the solar system during the investigation of the disappearance of a young woman, which unfolds into a much larger conspiracy.
Spanning over six seasons, the world of The Expanse shows humanity’s future after the successful colonization of Mars, leading to rising political tensions between independent Martian and Earth forces. It is just the type of conflict you can expect from factions in Starfield.
Westworld (2016 - Present)
- Original Network - HBO
- Starring - Evan Rachel Wood, Thandiwe Newton, Jeffery Wright
Delos Inc. ran several amusement parks in the 2050s, one being Westworld, modeled after the American Old West. The "Hosts" are biomechanical robots that blend perfectly with their surroundings. The hosts will partake in and be exposed to all forms of violent and sexual behavior as they are designed to satisfy all of the guests' desires. However, the hosts' programming prevents them from hurting anyone, even themselves or the visitors. The Hosts' memories are erased once each story is over, which is something the park's operators write for them to act out while interacting with visitors. Delos Inc. claims that these events cannot injure the Hosts like a person would since they are robots and cannot feel pain.
Westworld and Starfield both deal with themes of artificial intelligence, consciousness, and the nature of reality. There are many overlapping themes when we compare the story of Westworld and many of the quests in Starfield.
Black Mirror (2011- Present)
- Original Network - Channel 4, Netflix
- Starring - Wunmi Mosaku, Monica Dolan, Daniel Lapaine
Black Mirror is a television anthology series that creates standalone episodes, each with its unique storyline and characters. The attacks often explore dystopian futures where technology has gone awry, leading to negative consequences for humanity.
Similarly, Starfield also explores the dark side of technology with similar themes and choices. It raises questions about the future of humanity and uses the science-to-fiction setting to tackle real-world problems.
Twilight Zone (1959 - 1966)
- Original Network - CBS
- Starring - Rod Serling, Robert McCord, Jay Overholts
The Twilight Zone (marketed as Twilight Zone for its final two seasons) is an American science fiction horror anthology television series created and presented by Rod Serling. It ran for five seasons on CBS from October 2, 1959, to June 19, 1964. Each episode presents a standalone story in which characters deal with often disturbing or unusual events, an experience described as entering "the Twilight Zone."
Starfield and Twilight Zone are stories about exploring the unknown and unraveling secrets. In Twilight Zone, the viewers are taken to unknown places where they encounter strange phenomena. In Starfield, the player hunts for mysterious artifacts and the even more mysterious Starborn.
The Outer Limits (1963 - 1965)
- Original Network - ABC
- Starring - Bob Johnson, Ben Wright, William Douglas
American television program The Outer Limits aired on ABC Mondays at 7:30 PM Eastern Time from September 16, 1963, to January 16, 1965. It is sometimes likened to The Twilight Zone but with a stronger focus on science fiction narratives than fantasy or paranormal ones. It is a collection of stand-alone episodes.
Another show is about the exploration of the vast unknown of space. Similar to Starfield, you will find more elements of Starfield’s science fiction setting here than compared to Twilight Zone.
Lexx (1997 - 2002)
- Original Network - Citytv
- Starring - Brian Downey, Micheal McManus, Jeffery Hirschfield
The science fiction television series Lexx (also titled LEXX: The Dark Zone Stories and Tales from a Parallel Universe) comprises four made-for-TV films that debuted on Canada's Citytv on April 18, 1997. The narrative points include irony and parody and explore ideas of fatalism, the afterlife, and the paradigms of good and evil. It is all done with a sci-fi setting as its backdrop, with a story spanning thousands of years.
Like Starfield, you will find an adventure of Spacefaring, but with a touch of humor, it pokes fun at science fiction conventions.
That concludes our list of 20 shows like Starfield that will help satiate your hunger for more space adventures and sci-fi stories!
- READ MORE - 20 Games to Play Like Starfield