Battlestar Galactica
A battered human fleet crosses hostile space toward a legendary refuge while Commander Adama confronts betrayal, scarcity, and a suspicious paradise.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- adventurous
- earnest
- suspenseful
- classic science fiction night
- space adventure marathon
What critics said
Critics generally viewed the film as an expensive but derivative space adventure that imitates Star Wars while sacrificing humor and fun.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Commander Adama leads the surviving human fleet toward the mythical planet Earth after the destruction of the Twelve Colonies.
The remnants of the Twelve Colonies travel together aboard the Galactica while facing shortages of water, supplies, and fuel.
The film foregrounds the Battlestar Galactica, space battles, planetary mining operations, and an interstellar fleet journey.
The survivors view the seemingly paradisiacal planet Carillon as a source of supplies while Adama suspects its welcome is a trap.
Films like Battlestar Galactica, and why
Star Wars
shared space opera adventure, military ensemble, large-scale space battles, and family-friendly spectacle
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
shared human fleet survival premise, spacecraft-focused science fiction, and optimistic adventure tone
The Black Hole
shared 1970s science fiction spectacle, space mission structure, and practical-effects production style
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
shared serialized television-derived space adventure, heroic pilots, and survival-focused ensemble drama
Movie Details
- Directors
- Alan J. Levi, Richard A. Colla
- Release Date
- 1978-10-25
- Runtime
- 122 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (218)
Cast
- Richard Hatch
- Dirk Benedict
- Lorne Greene
- Herbert Jefferson Jr.
- Maren Jensen
- Laurette Spang
- Terry Carter
- Tony Swartz
- Jane Seymour
- Randi Oakes
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Battlestar Galactica about?
- A battered human fleet crosses hostile space toward a legendary refuge while Commander Adama confronts betrayal, scarcity, and a suspicious paradise.
- What is Battlestar Galactica like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Battlestar Galactica as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Battlestar Galactica violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Battlestar Galactica as mild.
- What did critics think of Battlestar Galactica?
- Critics generally viewed the film as an expensive but derivative space adventure that imitates Star Wars while sacrificing humor and fun.
- Which films are like Battlestar Galactica?
- Films with a similar feel include Star Wars, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, The Black Hole, and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.
- How long is Battlestar Galactica?
- Battlestar Galactica runs 122 minutes.
- Where can I watch Battlestar Galactica?
- In United States, Battlestar Galactica is available to rent or buy from Fandango At Home, Google Play Movies, YouTube.
In Ember's collections
Movies like Battlestar Galactica
- Babylon 5: The Gathering1993
- Battlestar Galactica: The Plan2009
- Space Pirate Captain Harlock: Mystery Of The Arcadia1978
- Space Battleship Yamato2010
- Battlestar Galactica: Razor2007
- Star Trek III: The Search for Spock1984
- The Last Starfighter1984
- Star Trek V: The Final Frontier1989
- Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country1991
- Buck Rogers in the 25th Century1979
