AMC's new series Moonhaven transports viewers to a future where humanity has built its own paradise on the moon, and it presents a compelling mystery wrapped in an exciting sci-fi story. Moonhaven may be new, but it follows in the footsteps of a plethora of amazing sci-fi TV shows that have come out over the years.
From classic epics like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine to award-winning modern shows like Westworld, Moonhaven is in good company amongst other memorable sci-fi series. Though there are a ton of great shows for new Moonhaven fans to choose from, only a select few capture the same spirit as AMC's new space-themed epic.
Intergalactic (2021)
Stream On Peacock
Hailing from Great Britain, Intergalactic presented a decidedly female-centered story that was wrapped in familiar science fiction tropes. The series follows a band of female convicts who escape from custody and go on the run across the galaxy.
Much in the same way that Moonhaven addresses the issue of incarceration in the future, Intergalactic pulled no punches with its futuristic prison system. The show only ran for a single season, but it presented a compelling narrative prominently featuring women and people of color, two groups that have been woefully underrepresented in the sci-fi genre over the years.
Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)
Stream On Peacock
While the original series was considered an underrated cult classic, the reboot series of Battlestar Galactica fixed the original's problems and delivered an exciting space epic. Set aboard the Galactica spaceship, the last vestiges of humanity must defend themselves from the evil Cylons who are intent on wiping them out.
Even though it has a flashy premise, the real strength of Battlestar is the tense relationship between the human characters and the rising tension between political factions. While it does deliver a fair amount of action, the intrigue is truly the heart of the show and it is reminiscent of the conspiracy-driven narrative of Moonhaven.
Tales From The Loop (2020-Present)
Stream On Amazon Prime
Trouble in paradise is a strong theme in Moonhaven, and it shares that concept with Tales from the Loop. The show centers around a small town that is situated above a mysterious device that is intended to allow humanity to explore the universe. Meanwhile, the residents of the town begin to experience strange phenomena.
Generally considered one of the best anthology TV shows, Tales from the Loop loosely binds its disparate stories together through the framework of the town. The viewer is left wanting to know more after every episode, and it has a slowly building pace that keeps the audience invested without overwhelming them.
Electric Dreams (2017-2018)
Stream On Amazon Prime
Few science fiction authors captured the audience's imagination quite like Philip K. Dick, and Electric Dreams aimed to bring many of his stories to life on the small screen. Each episode adapted a different Philip K. Dick short story, and brought some of his more neglected works to the forefront.
Dick's view of the future was a bleak one, and the series certainly doesn't attempt to sugarcoat his worldview. Moonhaven exists in a similar headspace and deals with the future through the lens of the audience's modern-day life. Electric Dreams features stories of futuristic detectives, and it certainly shares that trope with Moonhaven.
Another Life (2019-2021)
Stream On Netflix
If there is one thing that is consistent across most science fiction, it is the idea that space is a dangerous place to be. Another Life follows the adventures of a spaceship captain and her young crew as they set out across the galaxy to determine the origin of a strange alien artifact. Meanwhile, they run across many dangers that have them questioning the validity of their mission.
Reminiscent of some of 2001: A Space Odyssey in that it speculates on the origin of life in the galaxy. Similar to Moonhaven, the show is a mystery wrapped in sci-fi accouterments, and it has enough of everything else to keep even non-science fiction fans entertained.
The Expanse (2015-2022)
Stream On Amazon Prime
Politics and science fiction collide in The Expanse, and a stunning mystery only adds to the intrigue. Set in the 24th century, the show follows a group of people who are determined to uncover a conspiracy before it unravels the delicate balance of politics in the galaxy.
The beauty of The Expanse is that it works with or without its science fiction elements. The intriguing plot is deftly woven throughout the seasons, and the politics of the future is fascinating to learn about as the story thickens. Aesthetically, it shares many similarities to Moonhaven, and both shows have a less than generous view of the future.
Raised By Wolves (2020-2022)
Stream On HBO Max
A lot of sci-fi shows are filled with Raised by Wolves came along and turned the entire genre on its ear. Set on a strange planet, a pair of androids are tasked with raising human children while dodging the aggressive colonists who don't trust them.
Rich with deeper meaning, Raised by Wolves makes commentary on parenthood and the relationship between modern man and technology. Though the show is somewhat denser than Moonhaven, both shows attempt to subvert genre expectations and deliver a series that is entirely original.
Foundation (2021-Present)
Stream On Apple TV+
Based on the Isaac Asimov book of the same name, Foundation is millennia-spanning science fiction with a deeper message. The story concerns The Empire as it finally comes to face a reckoning that was predicted by the galaxy's brightest minds thousands of years in the past.
Asimov had a lot to say about modern society when he penned his trilogy of books in the mid-20th century, and as time has ed his predictions have become all the more prescient. All empires eventually fall, but Foundation shows that idea through the interesting lens of science fiction. The Empire, like the colony in Moonhaven, is a supposed utopia. However, there are abundant cracks that show in the veneer of each show's perfect civilization.
Westworld (2016-Present)
Stream On HBO Max
The film that inspired the show is known as one of the best sci-fi horror movies of the 1970s, but the Westworld series elevated its original concept way beyond what the film intended. The series takes place around a futuristic theme park that allows visitors to indulge any and all dark fantasies that they may have.
The best sci-fi takes a simple concept and builds upon it, and Westworld certainly excels in that department. The characters are rich and developed, and the science fiction elements all work to service the character-driven narrative. Like Moonhaven's colony, the Old West-themed park is not what it seems to be, and there is a dark mystery that ties everything together.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)
Stream On Paramount+
After the grand adventure that was Star Trek: The Next Generation, the third series Deep Space Nine took the franchise in a darker direction. Set aboard the outpost station Deep Space Nine, the crew of the newest Federation installation must balance the tensions between alien races that use the nearby wormhole for travel.
Though the series started in a similar way to other Trek shows, DS9 eventually introduced the Dominion War storyline which spiced up the show. Moonhaven's mystery plot is similar to the Unit 31 conspiracy storyline on DS9, and the semi-utopian future predicted in Trek is also hinted at in Moonhaven.