With one of the most devout cult followings in television history, Doctor Who first premiered in 1963 and ran for an incredible 26 years before being rebooted in 2005, where it still continues to entertain audiences to this day.
Blending sci-fi and adventure with an undercurrent of distinctly British humor, Doctor Who manages to be playful and whimsical whilst also delivering deeply thoughtful and emotional moments of introspection, social commentary, and heart — creating something truly special.
4.5
/5
- Release Date
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December 25, 2023
- Network
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BBC
- Directors
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Douglas Camfield, David Maloney, Christopher Barry, Michael E. Briant, Barry Letts, Michael Ferguson, Richard Martin, Peter Moffatt, Pennant Roberts, Lennie Mayne, Chris Clough, Ron Jones, Paddy Russell, Paul Bernard, Michael Hayes, Timothy Combe, Morris Barry, Gerald Blake, Graeme Harper, Waris Hussein, Rodney Bennett, Mervyn Pinfield, Hugh David, John Gorrie
While Doctor Who is certainly one of a kind, we’ve compiled a list of shows for fans of the series to check out. Whether you’re into the quirky humor and campy aesthetics, the time-travelling sci-fi exploits of its titular protagonist, or the lore and world-building of the Doctor Who universe (or a combination of all three), we’re certain that there’ll be something for you.
Here are the best sci-fi shows like Doctor Who.
9
‘Quantum Leap’ (1989 – 1993)
Accompanied by his fast-talking AI companion, Quantum Leap sees Dr. Sam Beckett jumping between time periods into other people’s lives to fix historical faux pas, in the hopes of one day returning to his own home and time. Originally running from 1989 to 1993, the show garnered a strong cult following and was later rebooted in 2022 to mixed reviews.
‘Quantum Leap’ Is Another Time-Traveling Triumph
Similarly to Doctor Who, Quantum Leap is a cult sci-fi show with a focus on time travel, featuring a vast array of quirky supporting characters and encounters, albeit a little less campy and fantastical. Both shows also feature a healthy dose of heart and humanity nestled within their sci-fi premises.
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8
‘Red Dwarf’ (1988 – Presents)
Red Dwarf is a British sci-fi comedy that originally aired between 1988 and 1999, during which time it garnered a strong cult following. Set aboard the titular spacecraft, Red Dwarf follows an eccentric array of characters as they work together to navigate the perils of deep space. The show combines sharp wit and satire with slapstick and puns, making it both intellectually engaging and hilariously absurd.
Both Shows Explore Big Ideas with a Light Touch
Fans of Doctor Who are bound to find enjoyment in Red Dwarf’s clever blend of sci-fi and comedy, incorporating quirky characters and offbeat adventures through space and time. Like Doctor Who, it revels in absurdity and explores big ideas with a light touch. Sharing a similar B-movie charm, Red Dwarf may be a touch more NSFW, but both offer a similarly imaginative ride.
7
‘Torchwood’ (2006 – 2011)
Following the massive hype around the 2005 Doctor Who revival, Torchwood was launched in 2006, serving as a more adult-themed Doctor Who spin-off. Set in Wales, John Barrowman plays Jack Harkness who, with his team, must protect the planet from extraterrestrial threats.
‘Torchwood’ Was Highly Divisive
During its run over four seasons, between 2006 and 2011, Torchwood was highly polarizing, with many criticizing it for trying too hard to be ‘edgy’ and others claiming it suffered from its lack of Doctor Who’s playful, campy charm. However, there were plenty who praised it for taking Doctor Who’s winning formula and adapting it for older audiences looking for more drama, emotionally relatable characters, and thought-provoking narratives.
6
‘The Sarah Jane Adventures’ (2007 – 2011)
- Release Date
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2007 – 2010
- Network
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BBC One
- Directors
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Alice Troughton, Graeme Harper, Ashley Way, Michael Kerrigan, Charles Martin, Joss Agnew
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Elisabeth Sladen
Sarah Jane Smith
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Alexander Armstrong
Mr Smith (voice)
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Daniel Anthony
Clyde Langer
Following the reboot of Doctor Who in 2005, interest in the show was arguably at an all-time high, and with the more adult spin-off, Torchwood, already in production, it made perfect sense to create a more child-friendly spin-off. As the title implies, it follows the adventures of Sarah Jane, who, as a young lady, had spent her time travelling across time and space with the Doctor.
‘The Sarah Jane Adventures’ Takes ‘Doctor Who’s Winning Formula and Adapts It for a Younger Audience
Tasked with keeping the world safe from malevolent forces and extraterrestrial threats, The Sarah Jane Adventures retains the sci-fi intrigue of its parent show, while removing the more frightening moments, darker moral dilemmas, and more complex time travel elements, focusing on universal themes of friendship, courage, and standing up for what’s right.
The show was a hit with younger audiences and ran for five seasons, up until the death of its lead actor, Elisabeth Sladen.
5
‘WandaVision’ (2021)
WandaVision was a groundbreaking miniseries — unlike anything Marvel had put out up until that point. Following the catastrophic events of Avengers: Endgame, Wanda Maximoff creates a surreal sitcom-inspired reality to cope with the loss of her beloved partner, Vision. Jumping through different time periods, the show initially plays out like classic sitcoms reflecting each era. But as the mysteries unravel and the truth begins to surface, it ultimately ends in an explosive superhero showdown — blending raw emotion with high-stakes action, cementing Wanda’s transformation into the Scarlet Witch and setting the stage for the multiverse chaos to come.
‘Doctor Who’ and ‘WandaVision’ Use Fantastical Elements to Tell Deeply Human Stories
Like Doctor Who, WandaVision blends sci-fi with mystery, shifting tones and formats while exploring very real human emotions. Both shows use their fantastical elements to tell deeply human stories, full of twists, character development, and layered narratives that reward attention and emotional investment.
Fans of the original Doctor Who’s nostalgic charm might also get a kick out of the earlier episodes of WandaVision, which try to recreate the tone, look, and feel of bygone shows of yesteryear.
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4
‘Class’ (2016)
- Release Date
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2016 – 2015
- Network
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BBC
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Katherine Kelly
Miss Andrea Quill
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Greg Austin
Charlie Smith
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Jordan Renzo
Matteusz Andrzejewski
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Class is another Doctor Who spin-off, this time focusing on the lives of a group of students at Coal Hill Academy. After a tear in space and time at the school unleashes a torrent of deadly creations from across dimensions into the real world, it’s left to these unlikely heroes to protect the world from these malevolent beings. Class blends coming-of-age drama with the high-stakes, otherworldly dangers of Doctor Who to craft a unique and compelling sci-fi experience.
‘Class’ Is Set in the Same Universe as ‘Doctor Who’
Eagle-eyed Whovians will no doubt find much glee in spotting the Doctor Who homages, references, and Easter eggs littered throughout. While Class takes the franchise in a slightly darker, more melodramatic direction, it still retains much of the show’s signature blend of sci-fi and mystery, with an added layer of teenage angst.
3
‘Primeval’ (2007 – 2011)
Primeval follows a group of scientists who are tasked with investigating a series of unexplained goings-on as they bear witness to a number of prehistoric and futuristic creatures entering present-day Earth. The show ran for five seasons and was a critical hit, praised for its strong female lead characters and innovative visual effects, considering its relatively low budget.
‘Primeval’ Was Initially Written Off as a ‘Doctor Who’ Rip-Off
Originally pitched to the BBC, home of Doctor Who, the show was rejected for being too similar and later made its way to ITV, where it carved its own niche and thrived as a unique show in its own right. While certainly sharing similar themes to Doctor Who, it was a little more grounded, providing Doctor Who fans with a whole new set of mysteries and oddities to sink their teeth into.
2
‘Continuum’ (2012 – 2015)
Continuum sees a group of time-traveling police workers accidentally sent back from the future to 2012, alongside a terrorist organization. Now stranded in the past, they team up with a local detective and a tech genius to take down the organization and prevent them from altering the future in unimaginable ways.
Despite Its Short Run, ‘Continuum’ Was a Critical Hit
While Continuum adopts a more grounded, gritty tone compared to the lighthearted whimsy found in Doctor Who, both shows explore time, technology, and humanity in creative ways. Continuum was a critical hit, being showered with praise for its unique premise and imaginative storytelling, and winning a plethora of awards during its relatively short run between 2012 and 2015.
1
‘The Twilight Zone’ (1959 – Present)
The first Doctor Who television episode aired way back in 1963, making it one of the most influential and enduring shows of all time. The Twilight Zone, however, predates even Doctor Who, making its debut television appearance in 1959. The anthology show finds its characters dealing with often disturbing or unusual events, an experience described as entering “the Twilight Zone.”
With both series experiencing several reboots and revivals over the years, it’s likely they would have occasionally looked to each other for inspiration. While they may have differed in format and even in tone, with The Twilight Zone often opting for a slightly darker, more psychological approach, both shows have cleverly drawn from current affairs to deliver powerful social commentary, using science fiction as a lens to reflect and critique real-world issues.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
