10 TV Shows For Star Wars Fans To Watch Now That We're All Missing The Bad Batch
Summary Any viewers feeling lost after Star Wars: The Bad Batch can watch these shows for more family-focused sci-fi adventures.
These suggested series explore themes of family and survival in space, which is great while viewers wait for more Star Wars content.
These captivating and emotionally impactful sci-fi shows can fill the Bad Batch-shaped hole in any viewer's heart.
Now that Star Wars: The Bad Batch is over, many Star Wars viewers have been left wondering what to watch. With its third season now finished, it will likely be quite a while before any of the series’ main characters makes a return. Because of this, there is now a Bad Batch-shaped hole in many viewers' hearts, and choosing a new show to scratch this itch may prove difficult.
The Bad Batch itself is an emotional rollercoaster all about family and surviving in the wake of the Galactic Empire’s rise to power. It’s an adventure that takes its characters all across the galaxy, something that cannot be easily replicated. These shows would be great ones to watch while waiting for more Star Wars movies and TV shows, either because they match the themes of The Bad Batch or because they are just genuinely good science fiction.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch Where to Watch *Availability in US stream
rent
buy Not available Not available Not available Star Wars: The Bad Batch is an action-adventure animated series set after the events of The Clone Wars, following Clone Force 99 (a.k.a. the Bad Batch.) Finding themselves immune to the brainwashing effects of Order 66, the Bad Batch become mercenaries for hire while outrunning the empire, now seeing them as fugitives of the law. Cast Dee Bradley Baker , Michelle Ang , Noshir Dalal , Liam O'Brien , Rhea Perlman , Sam Riegel , Bob Bergen , Gwendoline Yeo Release Date May 4, 2021 Seasons 3 Franchise(s) Star Wars Writers Jennifer Corbett , Dave Filoni , Matt Michnovetz , Tamara Becher , Amanda Rose Munoz , Gursimran Sandhu , Christian Taylor , Damani Johnson Directors Brad Rau , Steward Lee , Nathaniel Villanueva , Saul Ruiz Showrunner Dave Filoni Creator(s) Dave Filoni , Jennifer Corbett Where To Watch Disney Plus Expand
10 Steven Universe Is A Musical Journey Through The Galaxy
The Show Is A More Lighthearted Take On Family
Close
Originally released in 2015, Steven Universe follows the titular character Steven and his adventures with his found family of intergalactic gem-based characters. Each episode follows the group as they save the universe in various ways, often including songs that reflect the situation. As a whole, it is more lighthearted than The Bad Batch, but it still makes a powerful and emotional case for the themes it presents.
The series covers a variety of topics similar to The Bad Batch, the most important of which is family. Both television shows cover the importance of family bonds, both by blood and otherwise. This, coupled with the science fiction backdrop of both series, makes Steven Universe an excellent choice to watch while missing The Bad Batch.
Steven Universe Where to Watch *Availability in US stream
rent
buy Not available Not available Not available Steven Universe is an animated adventure series that follows the adventures of the half-human, half-gem hero with mysterious powers that he can summon from his belly button, accompanied by other powerful magic-using women known as the Crystal Gems. Together with Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst, Steven will fight to protect his planet while learning more about his mysterious power and origins.
9 Fallout Is An Intense Introduction To A Post-Apocalyptic World
The Stakes In Fallout And The Bad Batch Are Both Dire
Close
Based on the video game series of the same name, Amazon’s Fallout was recently released to praise from critics and audiences alike. In an alternate version of the future, the show follows a variety of different characters as they navigate life after a nuclear war. With death seemingly around every corner, the stakes have never been higher to simply survive.
Fallout has everything that someone missing Star Wars could want.
Fallout has everything that someone missing Star Wars could want. There is interesting lore surrounding the war that led to the nuclear fallout as well as plenty of science fiction technology thrown into the mix. The main characters are always on the back foot, constantly fighting against those around them to potentially earn the upper hand. Though it is much bloodier than The Bad Batch, it would make an excellent choice for someone looking for more of the show’s spirit of struggle.
Fallout Based on the video game franchise of the same name, Fallout is a drama series set in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles. The series follows the survivors of the human race in an alternate 1950s timeline, where nuclear war laid waste to the Earth, spawning large irradiated areas and mutated humans who now roam the planet. Cast Walton Goggins , Ella Purnell , Kyle MacLachlan , Xelia Mendes-Jones , Aaron Moten Release Date April 10, 2024 Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Prime Video Franchise(s) Fallout Writers Lisa Joy , Jonathan Nolan Showrunner Lisa Joy , Jonathan Nolan Main Genre Sci-Fi Creator(s) Graham Wagner , Geneva Robertson-Dworet Expand
Related Fallout Season 1 Ending Explained: What To Expect Next The ending of Fallout season 1 is suitably climactic, bringing plenty of story reveals, twists, turns, and teases for season 2 along with it.
8 Arcane Follows Memorable Characters With Incredible Stories
Its Emotional Beats Hit Just As Hard As The Bad Batch
Close
Another show based on a video game, this one being League of Legends, Arcane follows the story of sisters Vi and Jinx. As war breaks out between the cities Piltover and Zaun, the two sisters are thrust onto opposite sides of the conflict. Like The Bad Batch, this show really dives deep into the meaning of family and how that love can be tested in such dire circumstances. It does this through more of a steampunk lens as opposed to traditional science fiction, offering a bit of a unique twist.
Arcane is known for not only its excellent storytelling and world building, but its beautiful animation as well. The show is stunning from beginning to end, offering moments that rival or even top much of what is offered by The Bad Batch. With a powerful emotional through line that ties the story together, Arcane is sure to touch the hearts of those who watch it.
Arcane Where to Watch *Availability in US stream
rent
buy Not available Not available Not available Set in the League of Legends universe, Arcane focuses on sisters Violet and Powder (later Jinx) as they end up on opposite sides of a growing conflict between the wealthy utopia of Piltover and its dark undercity whose citizens wish to break away from their oppressors. Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, and Kevin Alejandro star in this animated adventure. Cast Hailee Steinfeld , Ella Purnell , Kevin Alejandro , Katie Leung , jason spisak , Toks Olagundoye , Harry Lloyd , JB Blanc , Reed Shannon , Mick Wingert Release Date November 6, 2021 Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Netflix Franchise(s) League of Legends Writers Christian Linke , Alex Yee Directors Pascal Charrue , Arnaud Delord Showrunner Christian Linke , Alex Yee Expand
7 Stargate SG-1 Builds Upon Another Popular Science Fiction Franchise
Like The Bad Batch, It Expands On The Original Stargate Film
Close
When the original Stargate movie was released in 1994, it became an instant hit that would go on to spawn several different spin-off shows. The best of these shows is the first one, Stargate SG-1, which ran from 1997 all the way up until 2007. Both the movie and the television series center around the military’s discovery of a mysterious “Stargate” that can open up portals to different planets across the galaxy.
For someone looking for more content that is connected in similar ways to the Star Wars franchise, there is no better option than Stargate. They are both great science fiction stories, with Stargate having the same military edge as The Bad Batch. With a great movie and countless television episodes, there is enough content to keep someone busy until more content with The Bad Batch’s characters potentially rolls around.
Stargate SG-1 Where to Watch *Availability in US stream
rent
buy Not available Not available Not available Stargate SG-1 is a sci-fi adventure television series spin-off set in the Stargate Universe, initially created by Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin. Set roughly a year after the film's events; the story takes place after it becomes known that the Stargate technology allows those who use it to travel across different planets. With several teams dispatched to perform recon and defend the Earth from potential extraterrestrial threats, the series follows the titular team SG-1 of the U.S. Air Force as they face several alien threats. Cast amanda tapping , Richard Dean Anderson , Michael Shanks Release Date July 27, 1997 Seasons 10 Network SyFy , Showtime Streaming Service(s) Prime Video Franchise(s) Stargate Writers Brad Wright Directors Peter DeLuise Showrunner Brad Wright Expand
6 Firefly Follows Another Ragtag Group Of Rebels
The Show Tests What It Means To Be Family In The Depths Of Space
Close
Beginning in the wake of a galactic civil war, Firefly follows the crew of the spaceship Serenity. The show was originally pitched by the show-runner, Joss Whedon, as “nine people looking into the blackness of space and seeing nine different things.” It explores the struggles of humanity in a world where Earth was milked dry of its resources and humankind needed to find a new home in order to stay alive.
Despite being a science fiction series, Firefly is also a western and a space opera, giving it a similar feeling to the space opera of Star Wars. Not only this, but the crew of the Serenity comes together as a family much in the same way as the crew of The Bad Batch. Because of its themes and general quality as a show, although short, Firefly makes a great candidate for a Bad Batch replacement.
Firefly Where to Watch *Availability in US stream
rent
buy Not available Not available Not available Set in the year 2517, Firefly follows the crew of the Serenity, a smuggling ship operating on the fringes of Alliance space. Captain Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) is a veteran of a civil war, bitter about having fought for the losing side and now making his living as an outlaw smuggler out among the distant colonies forgotten and ignored by the Alliance. However, after taking on paying passengers, Mal finds himself caught up in a conspiracy likely to bring the whole Alliance military down on him and his crew. Cast Ron Glass , Morena Baccarin , Alan Tudyk , Adam Baldwin , Summer Glau , Gina Torres , Nathan Fillion , Sean Maher , Jewel Staite Release Date September 20, 2002 Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Hulu , Disney+ Writers Joss Whedon Directors Joss Whedon Showrunner Joss Whedon Expand
5 The Orville Is A Memorable Take On A Pre-Established Trope
It Explores Space In A Familiar And Yet Unexpected Way
Close
At first glance, The Orville looks like a run-of-the-mill clone of the Star Trek formula. It follows captain Ed Mercer as he is put in charge of the Planetary Union ship, the USS Orville, tasked with exploring the galaxy in order to learn more about what is out there. On the surface, this sounds exactly like Star Trek, but The Orville manages to take this formula and use it in order to tackle heavy emotional themes, all the while being very self-aware of its status as a Star Trek parody.
Similar to many of the shows on this list, the crew of the Orville feel like a family. This is especially true considering that Ed Mercer and his Commander, Kelly Grayson, were married prior to the start of the show. This is something intrinsic to the plots of both The Orville and The Bad Batch, making it something important to note.
The Orville Where to Watch *Availability in US stream
rent
buy Not available Not available Not available Created by Seth McFarlane and set in the 25th century, The Orville follows the crew of the titular ship and its captain, Ed Mercer (McFarlane) as they explore the galaxy. Inspired by Star Trek, it also spoofs the sci-fi classic, taking a comedic approach to its serialized story and science-fiction premise. Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald, and Scott Grimes star alongside McFarlane as part of an ensemble cast. Cast Halston Sage , Adrianne Palicki , J. Lee , Seth MacFarlane , Chad L. Coleman , Peter Macon , Penny Johnson Jerald , Larry Joe Campbell , Scott Grimes , Mark Jackson Release Date September 10, 2017 Seasons 3 Network FOX Streaming Service(s) Hulu , Disney+ Writers Seth MacFarlane Directors Jon Cassar Showrunner Seth MacFarlane Expand
4 Cowboy Bebop Is A Science Fiction Anime Classic
The Anime Is The Best Of The Best For A Reason
Close
Existing as one of the most famous anime of all time, Cowboy Bebop is a 90’s anime that has since inspired an anime movie as well as a live-action series. Short and sweet, this show follows Spike Spiegel and his crew as they take on bounty hunting jobs and learn more about Spike’s past. It is largely considered one of the greatest animated series of all time, both by anime enthusiasts and otherwise.
Cowboy Bebop is one of the classics when it comes to animation, and if someone is already in the mood for sci-fi after watching The Bad Batch, it would be the perfect choice.
The series covers a variety of different topics, from loneliness to the effects of capitalism, but it remains consistent in its exciting portrayal of a genre blending science fiction adventure. It has a little bit of something for everyone, including both action and romance. Cowboy Bebop is one of the classics when it comes to animation, and if someone is already in the mood for sci-fi after watching The Bad Batch, it would be the perfect choice.
Cowboy Bebop (1998) Where to Watch *Availability in US stream
rent
buy Not available Not available Not available Cowboy Bebop is a sci-fi/western action television series widely regarded as one of the best anime ever. The series follows a crew of four disconnected bounty hunters who all slowly come together aboard a ship known as the Bebop. The crew of the Bebop attempt to snag various bounties and embark on several misadventures to keep their pockets lined with coin and their stomachs full. The series also has a heavy musical motif, with each episode title named after various jazz "sessions." Cast Koichi Yamadera , Steve Blum , Megumi Hayashibara , Wendee Lee , Unshô Ishizuka , Beau Billingslea , Aoi Tada , Melissa Fahn Release Date April 3, 1998 Seasons 2 Network Adult Swim Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll Franchise(s) Cowboy Bebop Writers Keiko Nobumoto , Shinichirô Watanabe Directors Shinichirô Watanabe Showrunner Shinichirô Watanabe Expand
Related All 47 Episodes Of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Ranked Star Wars: The Bad Batch has officially come to an end, & it's had an incredible run of thrilling & emotional episodes. Here are all of them, ranked.
3 Altered Carbon Covers Similar Themes To The Bad Batch
But It Does So In A Much Darker Manner
Close
Set in a world where death has become meaningless through the use of technology, Altered Carbon follows war criminal Takeshi Kovacs as he is resurrected from the dead and put into a new body in order to hunt down the killer of the influential Laurens Bancroft. He is hired by Laurens himself, who has since been brought back through the use of technology. More than a detective story at its core, Altered Carbon examines what a world without death would actually look like.
Altered Carbon, while a more contained science fiction story that never leaves Earth, has all the excitement of one that traverses across the galaxy. It poses many questions to the audience, including especially when it comes to society and what it means to be an individual. Individuality amongst the clones is something heavily commented on in The Bad Batch, tying the themes of the two shows together.
Altered Carbon Where to Watch *Availability in US stream
rent
buy Not available Not available Not available Altered Carbon is set in the far future, at a time when a human's consciousness can be stored in a device called a Stack and transferred into different bodies, allowing people who have the means to become functionally immortal. Takeshi Kovacs (Joel Kinnaman and Anthony Mackie), the former member of a rebellion against Stack technology, is awakened and released from prison so that he can be employed by a wealthy man to solve the man's own murder. The Netflix original series is based on the 2002 novel of the same name by Richard K. Morgan. Cast Kristin Lehman , Martha Higareda , Ato Essandoh , Renee Elise Goldsberry , James Purefoy , Dichen Lachman , Trieu Tran , Joel Kinnaman , Chris Conner Release Date February 2, 2018 Seasons 2 Streaming Service(s) Amazon Prime Video , Netflix Writers Laeta Kalogridis Showrunner Anthony Mackie Expand
2 X-Men ‘97 Holds The Same Sense Of Nostalgia As The Bad Batch
It Brings Back The Same Feelings As The Clone Wars
Close
Although not technically science fiction, the Marvel franchise holds the same kind of storied history as Star Wars. This is especially the case with their X-Men property, which has been portrayed in film for decades. With the 2024 release of the nostalgic series X-Men ‘97, Marvel has brought some of that nostalgia back to the franchise.
Following where the original 1997 series left off, X-Men ‘97 follows the X-Men in the wake of Charles Xavier’s death. With stunning new animation and unique stories to be told, the show covers mutants’ fight to be accepted in a similar manner to the clones’ fight for freedom in The Bad Batch. It would be the perfect watch for both aged-old X-Men enthusiasts and newcomers to the franchise alike.
X-Men '97 Where to Watch *Availability in US stream
rent
buy Not available Not available Not available X-Men '97 is the direct continuation of the popular 1990s animated series X-Men: The Animated Series. Taking up where the third season left off, Marvel's revival brings back famous mutants such as Wolverine, Storm, Rogue, Gambit, Cyclops, Beast, Magneto, and Nightcrawler, who fight villains like Mr. Sinister, the Sentinels, and the Hellfire Club. Cast Jennifer Hale , Chris Potter , Alison Sealy-Smith , Lenore Zann , Cal Dodd , Catherine Disher , Adrian Hough , Ray Chase , Chris Britton , George Buza Release Date March 20, 2024 Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Disney+ Franchise(s) X-Men Writers Beau DeMayo Directors Jake Castorena Main Genre Animation Creator(s) Beau DeMayo Where To Watch Disney Plus Expand
1 Trigun Stampede Is A Beautifully 3-D Animated Science Fiction Story
The Reboot Of The 90’s Anime Is Worth A Watch
Close
Trigun is a science fiction anime series that spans decades. Beginning with a manga and loosely adapted anime run in the 90’s, it was eventually recreated from the ground up with the release of Trigun Stampede in 2023. The series follows outlaw and pacifist Vash the Stampede as he adventures across Noman’s Land, making headlines and saving people’s lives along the way.
Similarly to The Bad Batch, Trigun Stampede is also created with an impressive and often beautiful 3-D animation style. The story starts out light but quickly intensifies, giving it similar emotional weight to that of The Bad Batch. For anyone looking for more science fiction with galaxy-altering implications similar to those found in Star Wars, Trigun Stampede is the perfect answer.

COMMENTS