11 Epic Space Opera TV Shows That Aren’t Star Trek

Today, we’re exploring the vast universe of space opera TV shows—but here’s the twist: we’re leaving Star Trek off the list.

Don’t get us wrong, Star Trek is legendary and has defined the genre for decades, but there’s a whole galaxy of other incredible space operas that deserve the spotlight, too! So, get ready to blast off as we count down the best space opera TV shows that aren't Star Trek!

00:00 Intro
00:28 Killjoys
01:09 Firefly
01:48 The Expanse
02:32 Battlestar Galactica
03:13 Dark Matter
03:51 Farscape
04:31 Cowboy Bebop
05:12 Babylon 5
05:53 Andromeda
06:32 Stargate SG-1
07:15 The Orville
07:52 Outro

Mercury

[jameswarner]

Dark Matter getting canned on a cliffhanger was infuriating. There should be a law that no series can be cancelled without allowing for a tie-up episode.

[steveaustin]

Y'all said countdown and if that is so, then Firefly and Babylon 5 need to be tied at the #1 spot in this list.

[Emanon...]

There's a special place in hell for execs that canned a show on a cliffhanger.
Dark Matter. Colony. Stargate Universe!

[nealkrueger]

You forgot the 90sTv show : Space Above & Beyond .

[bledy]

People really don't realize how good of a series Killjoys is

[theironclads]

You left out the terrific Space: Above & Beyond.

[TheLinKrust]

The Expanse was epic - and worth a watch

[centaura]

Defiance. About survivors of refugees from space came crashing on Earth. Several years later the aliens are treated like enemies of Earth. A small community of both humans and aliens coexist with an uneasy truce. The show follows a human sheriff and an alien teen trys to navigate the uneasy town and from the outside influences.

[CaritasGothKaraoke]

If the only criterion is “Space Opera and not Star Trek”, then you’re leaving the opening for Doctor Who as well as all the Star Wars shows.

You also left out Blake’s 7, Red Dwarf, Space 1999, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Flash Gordon, the original BSG, the two other Stargate series, Space Above & Beyond…

And loads of people insist Discovery isn’t Star Trek.

[GrayOperative]

It's a spin-off, but Stargate: Atlantis was awesome!

[ycplum]

Dark Matter ended too soon. It had just finished most of the backstory and was starting to get interesting.

[nullpexception]

Cowboy Bebop-- only as the anime. That live-action was drek.

[shawngillogly]

There is B5, and there is everything else.

[seanharry]

Your missing Blakes 7, Space 1999, Raised By Wolves, The Lexx and Foundation, and you should drop Cowboy Beebop from the list.

[leecrystal]

Cowboy Bebop's Japanese anime was WAY BETTER. (There was also a related anime movie.)

[PaulHFleming]

Summer Glau, didn't she appear as female Terminator in the Sarah Connors Chronicles about 2008-12?

[hurgar]

I can't believe you put the netflix cowboy bebop on this list. it is pure crap.

[Emanon...]

The Orville _is_ for all intents and purposes a star trek show. It's fun and entertaining, but utterly derivative. Doesn't deserve to be among these gems and titans of sci fi.

[thehobbyistgeek]

How did Cowboy Bebop, Killjoys, and Orville make this list? Even worse, you skipped Space: Above and Beyond. Shame on you!

[marcinborowski]

"Space beyond and above", "Earth 2".