Best tv shows like Doctor Who
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
The adventures of a Time Lord—a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor—who explores the universe in his TARDIS, a sentient time-travelling space ship. Its exterior appears as a blue British police box, which was a common sight in Britain in 1963 when the series first aired. Along with a succession of companions, the Doctor faces a variety of foes while working to save civilisations, help ordinary people, and right wrongs. The show has received recognition as one of Britain's finest television programmes, winning the 2006 British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series and five consecutive awards at the National Television Awards during Russell T Davies's tenure as Executive Producer. In 2011, Matt Smith became the first Doctor to be nominated for a BAFTA Television Award for Best Actor. In 2013, the Peabody Awards honoured Doctor Who with an Institutional Peabody "for evolving with technology and the times like nothing else in the known television universe." The programme is listed in Guinness World Records as the longest-running science fiction television show in the world and as the "most successful" science fiction series of all time—based on its over-all broadcast ratings, DVD and book sales, and iTunes traffic. During its original run, it was recognised for its imaginative stories, creative low-budget special effects, and pioneering use of electronic music.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 39000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Family, Sci-Fi
Country: UK
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: cliffhanger, exciting, suspenseful, atmospheric, futuristic, apocalyptic, slapstick, tripping, cult classic, spooky
Best tv shows and movies like Doctor Who (1963):
Similar in 86%
K9 (2009)
Plot Summary:
K-9 is a British/Australian comedy/adventure series focusing on the adventures of the robot dog K-9 from the television show Doctor Who, achieved by mixing computer animation and live action. The first episode aired as a sneak preview of the series on Halloween 2009 on satellite channel Disney XD in the UK & Ireland. As of October 2010, the full series has commenced airing on Network Ten in Australia, Disney XD in the UK & Ireland; Scandinavia, Poland, Italy and The Netherlands and Disney Channel CEE in Bulgaria, Romania, Moldava, Slovakia, Hungary and The Czech Republic. A second series is in development and the first season is due to be syndicated around the globe, with two confirmed networks, Channel 5 in the UK and Cartoon Network in New Zealand, other networks have yet to be announced. In the UK, Channel 5 broadcast the first season between December 2010 and April 2011. The US cable channel Syfy began airing the series on 25 December 2012, initially by broadcasting the entire first season in an all-day marathon.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 367
Genere: Family, Sci-Fi
Country: UK, Australia
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: exciting, stylized, semi serious, captivating, apocalyptic, suspenseful
Similar in 78%
Wizards vs. Aliens (2012)
Plot Summary:
Wizards vs Aliens is a science fantasy television series aimed at children. It is produced by BBC Wales and FremantleMedia Enterprises at the newly opened BBC Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff for CBBC and created by Russell T Davies and Phil Ford. The series focuses on 16-year-old wizard Tom Clarke and his scientist best friend Benjamin "Benny" Sherwood as they battle the forces of the alien Nekross, who have invaded Earth with the intent of consuming anything and anyone connected to magic. 26 episodes of the drama, spread over two years and two series, have been commissioned, although co-creator Russell T Davies says that it could continue beyond that, and could 'easily run for ten years'. The first series, consisting of twelve 28-minute episodes, premiered in 2012. In production terms, Wizards vs Aliens is, in effect, the replacement for The Sarah Jane Adventures, also created by Davies, which was ended due to the death of its lead actor Elisabeth Sladen. Other writers working on the show include Gareth Roberts, Joseph Lidster and Clayton Hickman. Originally announced as Aliens vs Wizards, the title was changed to "Wizards vs Aliens" on legal advice.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 624
Genere: Action, Drama, Family, Sci-Fi
Country: UK
Duration: 27 min
Plot tags: exciting, tense, captivating, suspense, futuristic, disturbing, contemplative
Similar in 86%
Totally Doctor Who (2006)
Plot Summary:
A look at everything Doctor Who, with exclusive behind-the-scenes clips, interviews with the programme's stars and competitions.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 95
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Family, Sci-Fi
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: captivating, entertaining, futuristic, disturbing
Similar in 78%
Galactica 1980 (1980)
Plot Summary:
Galactica 1980 is a science fiction television series, and a spin-off from the original Battlestar Galactica television series. It was first broadcast on the ABC network in the United States from January 27 to May 4, 1980. It was later shown in reruns on the Sci Fi Channel.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Adventure, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: saga, epic, atmospheric, serious, suspenseful, stylized, vintage
Similar in 89%
Battlestar Galactica (1978)
Plot Summary:
When the 12 Colonies of Man are wiped out by a cybernetic race called the Cylons, Commander Adama and the crew of the battlestar Galactica lead a ragtag fleet of human survivors in search of a "mythical planet" called Earth.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, atmospheric, stylized, apocalyptic, uplifting, epic, saga, futuristic, vintage
Similar in 82%
The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy (1981)
Plot Summary:
An Earth Man and his alien friend escape an exploding Earth, and set forth on an odd adventure across the universe with a known fugitive. Based on the book by Douglas Adams, the dialog follows the book closely. This was originally a 6-part series from the BBC.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Country: UK
Duration: 152 min
Plot tags: humorous, offbeat, light, futuristic, talky, stylized, not serious, witty, sitcom, melancholic
Similar in 83%
The Sarah Jane Adventures (2007)
Plot Summary:
The Sarah Jane Adventures is a British science fiction television series, produced by BBC Cymru Wales for CBBC, created by Russell T Davies and starring Elisabeth Sladen. The programme is a spin-off of the long-running BBC science fiction programme Doctor Who and focuses on the adventures of Sarah Jane Smith, a middle-aged investigative journalist who, in her youth, had numerous adventures across time and space. The series debuted on BBC One with a 60-minute special, entitled "Invasion of the Bane", on 1 January 2007. A full series of ten 25-minute episodes followed, beginning on 24 September 2007. The first series consisted of five two-part stories, and a second series, comprising six two-part stories, began airing on 29 September 2008. A third series, once again comprising six two-part stories to make a total of twelve episodes, with Russell T Davies serving as executive producer, aired from 15 October 2009 to 20 November 2009. The fourth series aired from 11 October 2010. An episode of another spin-off series, Sarah Jane's Alien Files, was shown immediately after each of the first episodes of the stories. Filming for three of six two-part serials planned for the fifth series was completed prior to Elisabeth Sladen's death on 19 April 2011. Although some UK media, including the Sun, reported in early May 2011 that production of the series was to continue, the BBC has stated explicitly that no further episodes will be filmed. The fifth series was broadcast starting 3 October 2011 on Mondays and Tuesdays. It finished just two weeks later on 18 October 2011.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Family, Sci-Fi
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, entertaining, tense, futuristic, suspenseful, semi serious, nostalgic
Similar in 89%
Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. (1966)
Plot Summary:
Doctor Who and his companions are hurled into the future and make a horrifying discovery: the Daleks have conquered Earth! The metal fiends have devastated entire continents and turned the survivors into Robomen.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: UK
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: futuristic, apocalyptic, independent film, exciting, humorous, suspenseful, stylized, semi serious, psychotronic, cult film
Similar in 80%
Doctor Who (1996)
Plot Summary:
The Seventh Doctor becomes the Eighth. And on the streets of San Francisco – alongside new ally Grace Holloway - he battles the Master.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: exciting, suspenseful, humorous, disturbing, stylized, tense, enigmatic, semi serious, captivating, cult classic
Similar in 79%
Space: 1999 (1975)
Plot Summary:
The crew of Moonbase Alpha must struggle to survive when a massive explosion throws the Moon from orbit into deep space.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: UK
Duration: 50 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, futuristic, suspenseful, spooky, bleak, cult classic, vintage, cult film
Similar in 83%
Frank Herbert's Children of Dune (2003)
Plot Summary:
Under Paul ‘Muad'Dib’ Atreides' rule as Emperor, the planet Arrakis has enjoyed a renaissance. However, the revolution that Muad'dib inspired has transformed into a brutal jihad that has plunged all of humanity into a bitter, neverending cycle of interstellar war. Now a conspiracy on Arrakis threatens to rob Muad'Dib of his throne and his life.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Germany, USA
Duration: 266 min
Plot tags: futuristic, atmospheric, epic, intense, bleak, serious, suspenseful, stylized, saga, cult classic
Similar in 81%
Andromeda (2000)
Plot Summary:
Andromeda is a Canadian/American science fiction television series, based on unused material by the late Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, developed by Robert Hewitt Wolfe, and produced by Roddenberry's widow, Majel Barrett. It starred Kevin Sorbo as High Guard Captain Dylan Hunt. The series premiered on October 2, 2000 and ended on May 13, 2005. Andromeda was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and produced by Tribune Entertainment and Fireworks Entertainment. It was distributed by Global TV in Canada and syndicated in the United States on WGN and other channels. It was picked up by the Sci-Fi Channel in the U.S. halfway through season four. Andromeda is one of two TV series based upon concepts Roddenberry had created as early as the 1960s and 1970s. The name Dylan Hunt had also been used for the hero of two TV movie pilots Roddenberry had produced in the mid-1970s, Genesis II and Planet Earth, which had a similar premise. The other series posthumously created from Roddenberry's notes is Earth: Final Conflict.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 43 min
Plot tags: futuristic, exciting, atmospheric, suspenseful, apocalyptic, funny, retro, uplifting, serious, telenovela
Similar in 77%
Blake's 7 (1978)
Plot Summary:
A group of convicts and outcasts fight a guerrilla war against the totalitarian Terran Federation from a highly advanced alien spaceship.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: UK
Duration: 50 min
Plot tags: cult classic, futuristic, serious, suspenseful, stylized, vintage
Similar in 79%
Babylon 5 (1993)
Plot Summary:
Babylon 5 is a five-mile long space station located in neutral space. Built by the Earth Alliance in the 2250s, it's goal is to maintain peace among the various alien races by providing a sanctuary where grievances and negotiations can be worked out among duly appointed ambassadors. A council made up of representatives from the five major space-faring civilizations - the Earth Alliance, Minbari Federation, Centauri Republic, Narn Regime, and Vorlon Empire - work with the League of Non-Aligned Worlds to keep interstellar relations under control. Aside from its diplomatic function, Babylon 5 also serves as a military post for Earth and a port of call for travelers, traders, businessmen, criminals, and Rangers.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 34000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: serious, saga, suspense, philosophical, retro, uplifting, apocalyptic, futuristic, offbeat, bleak
Similar in 88%
Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars (2004)
Plot Summary:
Sixty days on and Rygel is retrieving pieces of John and Aeryn from the sea bed. The Diagnosan re-crystalises them and they start getting to know the local species. Meanwhile, Scorpius and Sikozu are aboard a Peacekeeper Command Carrier on a recon mission. They attack a Scarren ship, which provokes the Scarrens into declaring war on The Peacekeepers.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: USA, Australia
Duration: 182 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, emotional, witty, talky, serious, suspenseful, exciting, stylized, intense, epic
Similar in 79%
Space: Above and Beyond (1995)
Plot Summary:
Space: Above and Beyond is a short-lived mid-1990s American science fiction television show on the FOX Network, created and written by Glen Morgan and James Wong. Originally planned for five seasons, it ran only for the single 1995–1996 season. It was nominated for two Emmy Awards and one Saturn Award. It was ranked "50" in IGN's top 50 Sci-Fi TV Shows, described as "yet another sci-fi show that went before its time". Set in the years 2063–2064, the show focuses on the "Wildcards", members of the United States Marine Corps Space Aviator Cavalry, 58th Squadron. They are stationed on the space carrier USS Saratoga, and act as infantry and pilots of SA-43 Endo/Exo-Atmospheric Attack Jet fighters.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA, Australia
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: apocalyptic, cliffhanger, atmospheric, thrilling, exciting, serious, suspenseful
Similar in 83%
The Tripods (1984)
Plot Summary:
Earth has been conquered by an alien race known as the Masters using their giant Tripods. cousins. When humans reach the age of sixteen, they must undergo a process known as capping which places their mind under the control of the conquerors. In 2089, having learned the truth, cousins Will and Henry Parker embark on a journey to the White Mountains in search of a group of free men.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Australia, UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: apocalyptic, serious, captivating, suspenseful
Similar in 82%
Earth 2 (1994)
Plot Summary:
Earth 2 is an American science fiction television series which aired on NBC from November 6, 1994 to June 4, 1995. The show was canceled after one season of 22 episodes. It follows the journey and settlement of a small expeditionary group called the Eden Project, with the intent to journey to an Earth-like planet called G889 in an attempt to find a cure to an illness called "the syndrome". The series was created by Michael Duggan, Carol Flint, Mark Levin, and Billy Ray, produced by Amblin Entertainment and Universal Television, and filmed primarily in northern New Mexico around the Santa Fe area. The series' music was composed by David Bergeaud, and the executive producers were Michael Duggan, Mark Levin, and Carol Flint. Initially, the show's audience was quite large, reaching eighth place; however, by April 23 of the next year, Nielsen ratings share had dropped from 23% to 9%. During its run, it had been nominated for a Primetime Emmy, Saturn, and other awards. In 2005, the entire series was released on DVD in a 4-disc set.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Adventure, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: futuristic, apocalyptic, exciting, serious, suspenseful
Similar in 80%
Primeval: New World (2012)
Plot Summary:
A North American spin-off of the hit U.K. television series, Primeval: New World follows a specialized team of animal experts and scientists that investigates the appearance of temporal anomalies and battles both prehistoric and futuristic creatures.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Canada, UK
Duration: 42 min
Plot tags: suspenseful, stylized, exciting, serious, tense, captivating, futuristic
Similar in 90%
Power Rangers Time Force (2001)
Plot Summary:
When a crimelord from the year 3000 finds that times are too tough, he goes back in time to 2001. And the Power Rangers of year 3000 come back to battle him. Things only get crazier when the bad guy masters time travel, allowing him to pop up wherever he wants in the timestream.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Family, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: serious, exciting, captivating, suspenseful, futuristic, super sentai
Similar in 79%
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979)
Plot Summary:
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century is an American science fiction adventure television series produced by Universal Studios. The series ran for two seasons between 1979–1981, and the feature-length pilot episode for the series was released as a theatrical film several months before the series aired. The film and series were developed by Glen A. Larson and Leslie Stevens, based upon the character Buck Rogers created in 1928 by Philip Francis Nowlan that had previously been featured in comic strips, novellas, a serial film, and on television and radio.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: suspenseful, exciting, semi serious, touching, saga, tense, captivating, uplifting, epic, apocalyptic
Similar in 77%
Flash Gordon (2007)
Plot Summary:
Flash Gordon is an American science fiction television series that debuted on Sci Fi in the United States on August 10, 2007 and continued airing new episodes through February 8, 2008. It has also appeared on the United Kingdom Sci Fi Channel and SPACE in Canada. The series was developed by Peter Hume, who served as executive producer/show runner and wrote the first and last episodes, among others.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, suspenseful, stylized, saga, epic, fast, futuristic
Similar in 80%
Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965)
Plot Summary:
Scientist Doctor Who accidentally activates his new invention, the Tardis, a time machine disguised as a police telephone box. Doctor Who, his two grand-daughters, and Barbara's boyfriend Ian are transported through time and space to the planet Skaro, where a peaceful race of Thals are under threat of nuclear attack from the planet's other inhabitants: the robotic mutant Daleks. Overview Written by Alexander Lum.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: UK
Duration: 82 min
Plot tags: exciting, humorous, futuristic, stylized, semi serious, psychotronic, independent film
Similar in 85%
Star Trek: Enterprise (2001)
Plot Summary:
Star Trek: Enterprise is a science fiction TV series and a prequel to the original Star Trek set 100 years before. The series premiered September 26, 2001 on the UPN television network with the final episode airing on May 13, 2005. The series takes place in the 22nd century aboard Earth's first warp 5 capable starship Enterprise NX-01 designed for long-range exploration of the galaxy and captained by Jonathan Archer. The NX designation indicates that this Enterprise is an experimental prototype.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 58000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, serious, intellectual, erotic, epic, saga, futuristic, suspenseful, cult film
Similar in 80%
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
Plot Summary:
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. The show is set in the nearby regions of the Milky Way galaxy, approximately during the 2360s and features a new crew and a new starship Enterprise.
IMDB Rating: 8.7
IMDB Votes: 132000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 44 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, suspenseful, intellectual, epic, captivating, funny, inspirational, retro, philosophical
Similar in 81%
Torchwood (2006)
Plot Summary:
Torchwood is a British science fiction television programme created by Russell T Davies. The series is a spin-off from the 2005 revival of the long-running science fiction programme Doctor Who. Torchwood follows the exploits of a small team of alien hunters, who make up the Cardiff branch of the fictional Torchwood Institute, which deals mainly with incidents involving extraterrestrials.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 43000
Genere: Action, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: UK, Canada, USA
Duration: 50 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, serious, suspenseful, captivating, detective, sexy, apocalyptic, thrilling, exciting, odd
Similar in 75%
Star Trek (1966)
Plot Summary:
Space. The Final Frontier. The U.S.S. Enterprise embarks on a five year mission to explore the galaxy. The Enterprise is under the command of Captain James T. Kirk with First Officer Mr. Spock, from the planet Vulcan. With a determined crew, the Enterprise encounters Klingons, Romulans, time paradoxes, tribbles and genetic supermen lead by Khan Noonian Singh. Their mission is to explore strange new worlds, to seek new life and new civilizations, and to boldly go where no man has gone before.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 91000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 50 min
Plot tags: exciting, futuristic, intellectual, retro, epic, cult classic, philosophical, uplifting, political, mysterious
Similar in 88%
Doctor Who (2005)
Plot Summary:
The Doctor looks and seems human. He's handsome, witty, and could be mistaken for just another man in the street. But he is a Time Lord: a 900 year old alien with 2 hearts, part of a gifted civilization who mastered time travel. The Doctor saves planets for a living – more of a hobby actually, and he's very, very good at it. He's saved us from alien menaces and evil from before time began – but just who is he?.
IMDB Rating: 8.6
IMDB Votes: 241000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: exciting, suspenseful, futuristic, humorous, tense, atmospheric, captivating, mysterious, retro, thought provoking
Similar in 76%
Lost in Space (2018)
Plot Summary:
After crash-landing on an alien planet, the Robinson family fights against all odds to survive and escape. But they're surrounded by hidden dangers.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 104000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Family, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, tense, sincere, futuristic, sitcom, children's program
Similar in 88%
The Flash (2014)
Plot Summary:
After a particle accelerator causes a freak storm, CSI Investigator Barry Allen is struck by lightning and falls into a coma. Months later he awakens with the power of super speed, granting him the ability to move through Central City like an unseen guardian angel. Though initially excited by his newfound powers, Barry is shocked to discover he is not the only "meta-human" who was created in the wake of the accelerator explosion -- and not everyone is using their new powers for good. Barry partners with S.T.A.R. Labs and dedicates his life to protect the innocent. For now, only a few close friends and associates know that Barry is literally the fastest man alive, but it won't be long before the world learns what Barry Allen has become...The Flash.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 365000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 43 min
Plot tags: exciting, suspenseful, thought provoking, humorous, epic, saga, action adventure, fast, serious, surprise ending