6 Sci Fi Shows Like The Orville

Okay, so you’ve finished The Orville. sob I know, right? That pang of "what now?" hits hard. It’s like, where do you find that perfect blend of genuine heart, laugh-out-loud jokes, and actual science fiction that makes you think? Don't worry, friend. I’ve been there. And after a serious amount of scrolling through streaming services and possibly a few existential crises about the future of space comedy-dramas, I've got a few ideas. Grab your metaphorical coffee, because we’re about to dive into some shows that might just fill that wonderfully weird void. Ready?

Think of this as your cheat sheet to good vibes and mild existential pondering, all wrapped up in a spaceship. Because let's be honest, sometimes you just need a break from grimdark futures and overly serious space operas. You need something that feels good. Something that reminds you that even when humanity is messing things up (which, let’s face it, it does), there’s still a lot of hope. And maybe a good laugh at the absurdity of it all. Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so. Let's get started!

1. Star Trek: Lower Decks

Alright, first up. You like The Orville? You probably love animation, or at least tolerate it enough to appreciate a good story. Well, get ready to have your socks (and maybe your uniform socks) knocked off by Star Trek: Lower Decks. This show is chef’s kiss for anyone who’s ever felt a little overlooked in a big organization. It’s all about the folks on the lowest decks of a Starfleet ship. The ones who do the grunt work. The ones who aren’t exactly the bridge crew material, but who are the real backbone of the whole operation, right?

It’s hilarious. Like, actually hilarious. It’s packed with references to all the Star Trek shows, past and present, and it doesn't shy away from making fun of them. They poke fun at Starfleet’s sometimes nonsensical rules, the alien species, and even the iconic characters. But here’s the secret sauce, just like with The Orville: beneath all the jokes, there’s genuine affection for the Star Trek universe. They love Star Trek. You can feel it in every episode. It’s a show that understands the heart of what makes Star Trek, well, Star Trek, while also gleefully tearing it down a bit.

The characters are fantastic too. You’ve got Boimler, the super eager but often incompetent Ensign who just wants to make a good impression. Mariner, the rebellious wildcard who’s secretly a brilliant officer but can’t be bothered to follow rules. Tendi, the enthusiastic and curious science officer who’s always learning. And Rutherford, the sweet, slightly naive engineer who’s obsessed with sci-fi holodeck games. They’re a little bit of a mess, these guys. A lovable, often incompetent mess. But they’re our mess, you know? You root for them. You want them to succeed, even when they’re accidentally blowing up a nebula or getting into a diplomatic incident with a sentient slime mold.

And the plots! They’re not always saving the galaxy, but they are often dealing with really weird, wonderfully bizarre sci-fi problems. Like dealing with a planet that’s run by time-traveling cats, or a dangerous new weapon that’s powered by bad vibes. It’s the kind of stuff that makes you go, "Yep, that sounds about right for the future." If you’re looking for something that’s going to make you laugh until you snort and then also make you feel a little bit more hopeful about the universe, Lower Decks is your jam. Seriously. Go watch it. Now. I’ll wait.

2. Stargate SG-1 (and its sequels)

Okay, switching gears a bit. If The Orville gave you that itch for exploration, adventure, and a healthy dose of alien cultures, then you have to check out the Stargate franchise. Specifically, Stargate SG-1. This show ran for ten seasons, people! That’s a testament to how good it is. It’s basically the ultimate “us exploring the galaxy” show, but with a really cool ancient alien twist.

The premise is simple and brilliant: Earth discovers an ancient alien device, the Stargate, that allows instantaneous travel to other planets. And then, surprise! There are tons of other planets with, like, actual civilizations and ancient threats. So, a team of military personnel and scientists, led by the dashing Colonel Jack O'Neill, goes through the gate to explore, make allies, and generally try not to get vaporized by Goa'uld (evil parasitic aliens, basically the bad guys for a long time). It’s an absolute blast.

What makes it so good, you ask? Well, for starters, the characters are amazing. Colonel O'Neill is sarcastic, witty, and surprisingly brilliant. Dr. Daniel Jackson is the brilliant, empathetic archaeologist who’s always trying to understand the aliens. Captain Samantha Carter is the ridiculously smart astrophysicist. And Teal'c, the stoic Jaffa warrior who defects from the Goa'uld, is just the coolest dude. Their banter is top-notch, and you really feel like they’re a family, just like the crew of the Orville.

The show also does a fantastic job of blending humor with serious sci-fi concepts. There are plenty of jokes, especially from O'Neill, but they also tackle big ideas like diplomacy, cultural understanding, the nature of good and evil, and what it means to be human in a vast universe. It’s got that same optimistic spirit of exploration and discovery that The Orville champions, but with a more grounded, military-esque feel. Think less of a comedy sketch show in space and more of an adventure series that happens to be funny and smart.

And the world-building! Oh my gosh, the world-building. They create so many unique alien cultures, each with their own history, mythology, and problems. You get to see different societies, different ways of life, and it really expands your perspective on what’s possible out there. It’s like taking a grand tour of the galaxy, and you never know what you’re going to find. If you liked the sense of wonder and the character dynamics in The Orville, but you’re craving a bit more action and a slightly older, but still incredibly relevant, sci-fi classic, then Stargate SG-1 is your next stop. And don't even get me started on Atlantis and Universe – there's a whole universe of Stargate goodness to explore!

3. Galaxy Quest

Okay, this one is a movie, not a show, but it’s so important for anyone who loves The Orville that I just had to include it. Think of it as a spiritual predecessor, a warm-up act. Galaxy Quest is, quite simply, a love letter to sci-fi fandom and the shows we obsess over. It’s brilliant, it’s funny, and it has more heart than a room full of tribbles.

The premise? The actors from a beloved, cheesy 80s sci-fi show called Galaxy Quest are still making a living doing conventions, signing autographs, and generally being nostalgic for their one hit wonder. But then, wouldn't you know it, actual aliens from an alien race called the Thermians show up. And these Thermians? They think the TV show was a documentary. Yeah. They’ve come to Earth asking for help from the legendary crew of the Protector, the ship from the show. They think the actors are real space heroes.

The actual actors, bless their hearts, are completely out of their depth. They’re not heroes; they’re actors who probably peaked in the 80s. But they have to play along, otherwise the Thermians are in serious danger from an alien warlord. And that’s where the magic happens. Watching these washed-up actors have to become the heroes they played on TV is just pure gold. They have to use their acting skills, their knowledge of the show's "lore" (which the Thermians take as gospel), and a whole lot of improvisation to save the day.

It’s hysterical. The jokes are sharp, the performances are pitch-perfect (Tim Allen, Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver – come on!), and it really captures that feeling of being a fan, of loving a fictional world so much that you wish it were real. And then, when it kind of becomes real, and you have to deal with the actual stakes? That’s where the heart comes in.

Galaxy Quest understands the appeal of optimistic space exploration, of found family in a sci-fi setting, and of the sheer, unadulterated joy of a well-crafted space adventure. It’s got the right amount of silly, the right amount of danger, and the right amount of genuine emotional resonance. If The Orville made you feel warm and fuzzy and a little bit inspired, Galaxy Quest will do the same, but with a healthy dose of meta-humor. Think of it as the ultimate fan-fiction come to life, and then have a good cry and a good laugh about it.

4. Red Dwarf

Now, if you enjoyed the quirky humor and the ensemble cast dynamics of The Orville, but you’re open to something a little… more British… then prepare yourself for Red Dwarf. This show is a cult classic for a reason, and it’s a masterpiece of comedic sci-fi. It’s been going on for ages, which is always a good sign, right?

The premise is wonderfully bleak and hilarious: Dave Lister is the last human alive, floating around in deep space on a mining ship called the Red Dwarf. He’s been in stasis for three million years because he was a bit too hungover to do his duties. Oops. His only companions? A holographic projection of his deceased (and incredibly annoying) bunkmate, Arnold Rimmer; a genetically engineered cat who’s evolved into a sophisticated, bipedal creature named Cat; and a service droid named Kryten who’s programmed to serve, but who slowly develops a rebellious streak. Oh, and there’s also a ship’s computer that’s gone slightly insane.

Does that sound like a recipe for existential dread? It could be, but instead, it’s a recipe for pure, unadulterated comedy. The humor in Red Dwarf is dry, witty, and often incredibly silly. It’s the kind of humor that comes from characters who are stuck together, who annoy each other to no end, but who ultimately rely on each other for survival. Think of the Orville crew dealing with some minor inconvenience, but then imagine that inconvenience is being trapped in a time loop or being chased by a killer vending machine.

The characters are the absolute heart of this show. Rimmer is the ultimate loser, a coward and a sycophant who’s constantly trying to impose his will on everyone. Lister is the slobbish, good-natured everyman who just wants a curry and to go home. Cat is the vain, self-obsessed fashionista who’s all about himself. And Kryten is the perpetually put-upon robot butler with a growing sense of existential angst. They are a glorious, dysfunctional found family, and their interactions are gold.

While The Orville often tackles more philosophical sci-fi concepts, Red Dwarf leans heavily into the absurdity of space and the human (and not-so-human) condition. It’s about boredom, loneliness, and the ridiculousness of existence, all wrapped up in a spaceship. If you enjoyed the character banter, the creative alien concepts (even if they are often bizarrely British), and the optimistic underlying message of finding connection even in the most unlikely circumstances in The Orville, then you’ll find a lot to love about Red Dwarf. Just be prepared for a lot of "smegheads."

5. The Expanse

Okay, now for a curveball. If you loved The Orville for its more serious moments, its exploration of complex themes, and its realistic portrayal of space travel (even with the fantastical elements), then you need to experience The Expanse. This show is a masterpiece. It’s a hard sci-fi epic that’s incredibly well-written, visually stunning, and emotionally resonant. It’s not a comedy, but it shares that core sense of humanity and the struggle to do the right thing in a vast, often unforgiving universe.

Imagine a future where humanity has colonized the solar system. Earth is overcrowded, Mars is a militaristic society, and the asteroid belt is a harsh, exploited frontier. Tensions are high, and everyone is just trying to survive. Then, a detective and a ship’s captain stumble upon a conspiracy that could plunge the entire system into war. It sounds heavy, and it is, but it’s also incredibly compelling.

What makes it so good? The world-building is unparalleled. It feels real. The physics of space travel are respected, the political landscape is intricate and believable, and the characters are deeply flawed, complex, and utterly human. You’ve got James Holden, the reluctant captain who’s always trying to do the right thing, even when it gets him into trouble. Naomi Nagata, the brilliant engineer with a complicated past. Amos Burton, the brutally efficient enforcer with a surprising moral compass. And Chrisjen Avasarala, the sharp-tongued, cunning UN politician who’s a master manipulator. They’re all fighting for something, and their journeys are captivating.

While The Orville uses humor to explore big ideas, The Expanse tackles them head-on with grit and intelligence. It delves into themes of class struggle, political corruption, the nature of humanity, and the profound impact of our choices on others. It’s a show that will make you think, make you feel, and keep you on the edge of your seat. The sense of discovery and the exploration of new frontiers are present, but they're tinged with the harsh realities of survival and the difficult decisions that come with it.

If you appreciated the moments in The Orville where it wasn't afraid to get a little serious, to explore the darker side of space exploration and human nature, then The Expanse will absolutely blow you away. It’s a show that respects its audience, delivers incredible storytelling, and leaves you pondering the vastness of the universe and our place within it long after the credits roll. It’s a different flavor of sci-fi than The Orville, but it scratches a similar itch for intelligent, character-driven storytelling in a space setting.

6. Futurama

Alright, last but not least. We’re bringing it back to pure, unadulterated animated comedy. If you loved the humor, the heart, and the sheer creative brilliance of The Orville’s sci-fi gags, then you absolutely must revisit (or discover!) Futurama. This show, created by Matt Groening (the genius behind The Simpsons), is a comedic sci-fi masterpiece that deserves all the praise it gets.

The premise is simple: Philip J. Fry, a pizza delivery guy from the year 1999, is cryogenically frozen and wakes up a thousand years later in the year 3000. He finds himself in a wacky, futuristic New New York and, through a series of comical events, ends up working for an interplanetary delivery company called Planet Express. Along the way, he makes friends with a cynical robot named Bender, a one-eyed alien captain named Leela, and a whole crew of eccentric characters.

What makes Futurama so special? Well, for starters, it’s brilliantly funny. The jokes are sharp, often intellectual, and there’s a wonderful blend of slapstick, wordplay, and observational humor about the future. But what really sets it apart, just like The Orville, is its surprising depth. Beneath all the laughs, there are episodes that are genuinely moving, poignant, and thought-provoking. They explore themes of love, loss, friendship, the meaning of life, and the vastness of the universe with a surprising amount of emotional weight.

The characters are unforgettable. Fry is the lovable, slightly dim-witted everyman who just wants to fit in. Bender is the anarchic, selfish, beer-drinking, crime-loving robot who’s somehow endearing. Leela is the strong, capable, and often exasperated captain who’s searching for her place in the universe. And the supporting cast? Professor Farnsworth, Zoidberg, Amy Wong, Hermes Conrad – they’re all brilliantly written and voiced, and their interactions are consistently hilarious.

Futurama excels at creating inventive sci-fi concepts that are both hilarious and surprisingly plausible within its own universe. They play with time travel, alternate dimensions, alien encounters, and the everyday absurdities of living in the far future. It’s the kind of show that can make you laugh out loud one minute and then hit you with a surprisingly emotional story about the nature of existence the next. If you loved the blend of humor, heart, and imaginative sci-fi in The Orville, and you’re looking for something that’s a little more overtly comedic but still delivers on the emotional punches, then Futurama is your jam. It’s pure, unadulterated joy in animated form.

So there you have it! Six shows that should hopefully help you navigate that post-Orville void. Whether you’re looking for more laughs, more adventure, or more thoughtful sci-fi, there’s something here for you. Happy watching, and may your streaming queues be ever full!