The Dune franchise expanded last year with the new TV series Dune: Prophecy (2024). As a prequel to Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films, the series follows Harkonnen sisters Valya (Emily Watson) and Tula (Olivia Williams), who construct a Sisterhood along a years-long journey for power and prestige 10,000 years before the time of Paul Atreides.
The series has earned praise for its stunning visuals, powerful lead performances, and expansion of the Bene Gesserit lore. Viewers interested in similar large-scale space opera and sci-fi series can use our guide to find 10 more TV shows like Dune: Prophecy, available to watch on platforms like Disney+, Paramount+, Max, and more.
Babylon 5 (1993-1998)
Babylon 5 follows Commander Jeffrey Sinclair (Michael O’Hare), Captain John Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner), and their crew on the space station Babylon 5 as they navigate a universe with clashing species, political ideologies, and cultures. With its sprawling story and beloved characters, Babylon 5 has gained a cult following and been hailed as a groundbreaking space opera. Although some of the dialogue and CGI effects are now a bit dated, modern viewers can still appreciate the sophisticated storytelling, action, and character development.
Like Dune: Prophecy, it brings a large-scale tale to television and delves into intriguing themes of conflict, leadership, and power. In fact, it made shows like Dune: Prophecy possible by demonstrating that epic space operas could be translated to the small screen. If you love space adventures like Star Trek (1966) and Battlestar Galactica (1978), you’ll love Babylon 5.
Frank Herbert’s Dune (2000) & Children of Dune (2003)
Viewers who enjoyed Dune: Prophecy may be interested in the prior Dune TV shows. Frank Herbert’s Dune and its sequel, Children of Dune, adapt the first three novels in the Dune book series and see Paul Atreides (Alec Newman) struggle to fulfill his destiny as his family becomes stewards of a coveted planet. The miniseries doesn’t boast the big budget or sophisticated effects of Dune: Prophecy or the Dune movies. However, viewers interested in earlier interpretations of Herbert’s work will likely be interested in the shows.
Like Babylon 5, there’s a little bit of cheesiness and dated effects. Even so, the Dune shows have exemplary performances, and their closeness to the source material makes them must-sees for any Dune fans. Dune and Children of Dune will especially appeal to fans who enjoyed Dune: Prophecy but are seeking a more faithful rather than loose adaptation of the source material.
Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Game of Thrones is a great epic fantasy alternative to Dune: Prophecy. The series spans many storylines across several years as noble families vie for control of the coveted Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms, sparking political strife, war, violence, and drama. Few shows feature as extravagant a scale as Game of Thrones. The large ensemble cast, stunning visuals, and worldbuilding make it one of the best shows of the century, though the gratuitous violence and sex may not be appealing to all viewers.
Game of Thrones leans more into fantasy than sci-fi, but it still parallels Dune: Prophecy with stunning scale and meticulous world-building, lore-establishment, and a story about feuds, vengeance, and the pursuit of power. Viewers who enjoy the scale and storytelling of Dune: Prophecy and Babylon 5, but want something that matches Vikings (2013) in grit, will love Game of Thrones.
The Expanse (2015-2022)
The Expanse takes place in a futuristic world where humanity has colonized space and new world powers grapple for control. When a young woman goes missing, Josephus "Joe" Miller (Thomas Jane) and his ragtag crew race to investigate the case and maintain the universe’s precarious peace, uncovering shocking truths and conspiracies along the way. The Expanse boasts the gorgeous visuals, world-building, and political intrigue of Dune: Prophecy while also leaning more into the mystery genre.
It especially gained attention for its realism, as it falls into the genre of hard sci-fi with its exploration of science-based and semi-plausible technology. The Expanse definitely has the same vibe as the Dune, Star Wars, and Star Trek franchises, as well as most prominent space operas. However, the sophistication and care with which it handles its world-building and politics elevate its depth for fans seeking a little more complexity.
Star Trek: Discovery (2017-2024)
Star Trek: Discovery follows Spock’s adopted sister, Commander Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), as she leads the USS Discovery on various adventures to preserve the United Federation of Planets. One of the best things about the series is that viewers don’t have to be big Star Trek fans to enjoy it. It’s one of the lighter series when it comes to callbacks and canon, allowing fans and newcomers alike to enjoy the epic sci-fi adventure.
Like Dune: Prophecy, Star Trek: Discovery boasts an excellent female lead, serves as a sophisticated prequel to an established franchise, and expands Star Trek lore in a clean, meaningful manner. With visuals and heart that harken to the earlier franchise, but with a story that still feels ambitious and distinct, Star Trek: Discovery is excellent for fans looking for a creative and new Star Trek series in the vein of Star Trek: Prodigy (2021).
Raised by Wolves (2020-2022)
Raised by Wolves tells the story of two androids, Mother (Amanda Collin) and Father (Abubakar Salim), who flee a ravaged Earth with 12 human embryos to colonize planet Kepler-22b and later adopt several children of the Mithraic religious order. Both Raised by Wolves and Dune: Prophecy are unique tales examining what happens when humanity’s fate lies in the hands of a few beings. However, Raised by Wolves is arguably even more ambitious in its bold, daring premise and complex themes.
The series sometimes veers into absurd territory, but this adds to its artfulness and ability to dive deep into complex topics about religious tension and the nature of humanity. Raised by Wolves’ visually stunning and wholly unique world is bursting with symbolism, while it features complex androids unlike any other in sci-fi. Viewers who loved Dune: Prophecy but want a sci-fi series that feels genuinely distinct and unlike any other won’t want to miss Raised by Wolves.
Foundation (2021-Present)
Foundation is based on Isaac Asimov’s eponymous book series and follows gifted mathematician Hari Seldon (Jared Harris), who predicts the empire’s collapse and forms a group dedicated to preserving humanity. The series, like Dune: Prophecy, ambitiously adapts some of the most significant sci-fi literature of all time. Meanwhile, Foundation’s hard sci-fi premise, stunning visuals, and sprawling scale do justice to Asimov’s work.
Like The Expanse, Foundation falls more into the genre of hard sci-fi, making it especially appealing to fans of cerebral and complex series. It also gets better with each season, continuously topping its visuals, depth, character arcs, and action over time. If you enjoy the scale of Dune: Prophecy and the hard sci-fi of The Expanse and For All Mankind (2019), Foundation is the show for you.
Andor (2022-2025)
Andor is a prequel to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) that centers on Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) as he rises from a petty thief to one of the Rebel Alliance’s most influential figures. The series has earned high praise for its gritty premise and sophisticated political commentary. It’s one of the most ambitious and distinct entries in the Star Wars universe, delving far deeper into politics than previous entries and also entering more mature territory.
Both Andor and Dune: Prophecy are sci-fi series that explore people who operate in a morally gray area and how one person’s trauma, beliefs, and motives can impact the universe’s future. While expanding on franchise lore, they also offer stories that are distinct enough to appeal to newcomers. For viewers who love the political intrigue of Dune: Prophecy and have always wanted a deep dive into the Resistance in Star Wars, Andor is a must-see.
The Acolyte (2024)
Similar to Dune: Prophecy, The Acolyte is a tale of two powerful sisters, Osha and Mai (Amandla Stenberg), whose powerful Force connection and sordid history with several Jedi Masters threaten the Jedi Order. Like Andor, The Acolyte gets into grittier territory than most Star Wars entries, including exploring the flaws of the Jedi. It adds nuanced layers to Star Wars lore while maintaining the spirit of the franchise, especially by featuring some of the best choreographed lightsaber duels in recent history.
The Acolyte is perfect for viewers who especially enjoyed Dune: Prophecy’s feminine-centered plot about women rising to power, seeking vengeance, and contemplating their dark side. Fans who loved Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) but are seeking a little more diversity and complexity will especially enjoy The Acolyte.
