Space battles are nothing new in the sci-fi genre, but these eight TV shows have the best out there. Sci-fi doesn’t inherently require characters to be in outer space, let alone participate in warfare. Plenty of stories include characters traveling through time and the development of robots. Still, space is a pretty traditional element in these stories, and it’s fundamental to the popular space opera subgenre.
Even the best sci-fi TV shows and movies can flounder in the realm of space battles. There are so many factors to consider. Members of the creative teams have to consider types of ships, weaponry, and movement. They have to decide whether to lean into real science. When orbital mechanics, aerospace engineering, and physics are brought into it, there’s a lot of room to go wrong. Luckily, these eight sci-fi TV shows, listed in no particular order, excel in space battles, whether that be because of entertainment value or the application of hard science.
8
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 was absolutely revolutionary when it came to space battles, as it was an early major TV show to completely replace miniaturized models with 100% CGI. Additionally, the show took a different approach to camera work and composition. Dynamic angles and movement made space feel like a real three-dimensional environment instead of a flat, fictional world. The staticness of space was previously an issue present throughout sci-fi TV.
What’s more, Babylon 5 might not be hard sci-fi, but it still integrated real science like Newtonian physics and aerospace mechanics in a zero-g environment, making the battles feel like they could actually happen. If all that weren’t enough, Babylon 5 dared to give the space battles consequences. If characters or ships were taken out, they were gone. They didn’t just use space magic, retcons, or deus ex machina to help the narrative.
7
The Expanse
The Expanse is another standout example of a great sci-fi TV show with top-notch space battles. The Prime Video TV show has a similar approach to Babylon 5, as ships are impacted by orbital mechanics and Newtonian physics. On top of that, The Expanse shows how the human body would be impacted by the G-forces, and they can even have deadly effects. Not every science detail is completely correct, but it tries much harder than other sci-fi TV shows.
Another brilliant part about The Expanse’s space battles is that the ships’ defense comes from the armor and build, meaning a missile to the wrong place can actually have severe and explosive effects. When the ships are up close, they fight differently than when they’re at a distance, giving it more realism and visual variation. Ultimately, the attention to detail and larger budget means some space battles in The Expanse look better than sci-fi movies.
6
Space Battleship Yamato 2199
Some of the most impressive space battles on TV don’t come in live-action form, appearing in anime instead. The fights in Space Battleship Yamato 2199 stand out because they are not only realistic, to a degree, but visually engaging. The anime seamlessly blends together 3D models and hand-drawn animation, giving it a jaw-droppingly beautiful style.
The movement of the ships and the fights are directly impacted by the shape and weight of naval battleships, rather than functioning like sci-fi spaceships. They even throw in details like periscopes and torpedoes that would be found under the water rather than in outer space. The characters in Space Battleship Yamato 2199 also use real tactical knowledge and strategy. It’s just as much a game of brains as it is a battle.
5
Space: Above And Beyond
The 90s TV show Space: Above and Beyond came out, and it unfortunately only lasted for a single season. It’s all but forgotten these days. However, the show included a great story and some of the best space battles. The space fights include zero-gravity inertia, which introduces realistic effects. Everything from the ships to the suits has a grittiness to it that makes it seem like they’ve been involved in battle before.
The ship designs themselves were nice to look at, rather than feeling like copies of other sci-fi vehicles. The SA-43 Hammerhead and the Chig Bommer are my personal favorites. Space: Above and Beyond also mixed together dogfights and space battles. To keep things engaging, the space battles also have a psychological effect on the infantry and pilots. This makes it extremely similar to real-life war.
4
Cowboy Bebop
The sci-fi anime Cowboy Bebop has great space battles, even though they are more one-on-one dogfights than major-scale fights between legions. The TV show has iconic ships with unique and recognizable designs, which makes it easier to follow who is doing what at all times. Each of the ships has different strengths and weaknesses, making it feel like a real fight.
On top of that, Cowboy Bebop stands out because of the great choreography. The movements and attacks never feel repetitive. The tight and high-speed maneuvers feel almost like a dance, except there are real stakes. While the focus of this ranking is on TV shows, it’s worth noting that the Cowboy Bebop movie’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” is truly the best of the best of the franchise, showing Spike and the Swordfish II up against far more advanced military jets.
3
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
As a long-time Trekkie, Deep Space Nine isn’t my favorite in terms of story and tone. However, it is an incredible show that really brings it with the space battles. When it comes to scope alone, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine outdoes every other show. Audiences frequently watch hundreds of ships going up against each other, rather than smaller dogfights. The scenes are incredibly detailed, and the choreography is engaging to watch. These two factors give it major rewatchability.
Additionally, the battles in Deep Space Nine are dictated by the plot. They have a clear purpose, and the emotional effects linger on the story and characters. The military strategy in the space battles also felt realistic and grounded. Ultimately, it seems appropriate that one of the darkest Star Trek shows of all time would also have the best space battles.
2
Legend of the Galactic Heroes
The anime Legend of the Galactic Heroes is one of the best military stories in the medium, and that extends to the space battles as well. The battles seem to me like it was inspired by Edward Gibbon’s The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. The TV show mirrors many 19th-century battles in the six-book account of history, setting it apart from most sci-fi shows.
The decisions made throughout the war anime feel like a chess game. Sometimes, ships are sacrificed for what they believe is the greater good. The structures and formations of the ships matter, making attacks more or less effective. On top of that, there is nonstop death and actual political consequences. Ultimately, Legend of the Galactic Heroes might not be the most beautifully animated series, but it’s certainly worth the watch if only for the space battles.
1
Battlestar Galactica
The remake of Battlestar Galactica is widely considered one of the best sci-fi TV shows, but it’s also a standout choice because of its space battles. Like many of the other shows on this list, it incorporates real science. Rather than science fantasy energy lasers, Battlestar Galactica’s weapons feel real, including creating shrapnel. They don’t create fake rocket sounds because there’s no sound in space, choosing instead to use radio communications and the sounds inside the ships.
The cinematography style makes the space battles even more impressive because it almost seems like audiences are watching a documentary of real events. Adding to that, the enemy parties fight in different styles, rather than everything feeling the same. For all these reasons, Battlestar Galactica is one of the must-watch shows for viewers who love a good sci-fi space battle.
