Adapted from Isaac Asimov's novels, Apple TV+'s Foundation offers ambitious ideas, poetic dialogue, and visually stunning action to create a smart and exciting science fiction adventure. With each passing episode, viewers have become hooked by the central conflict between the titular Foundation and the nefarious force known as the Empire.
With Foundation's second season wrapped up, fans must wait and see if the show's story will continue. Thankfully, people who are looking for another intelligent and futuristic-set show have many options to choose from. From space-set series like The Expanse to series about uprisings like Andor, fans of Foundation will enjoy these similar shows.
10 Invasion (2021 - present)
Another sci-fi series from Apple TV+, Invasion centers around the lives of multiple people worldwide as they deal with an alien invasion that threatens to wipe out everyone on Earth. The characters try to deal with the growing worry and panic surrounding them as the aliens plot their next move.
While Invasion does share the same streaming service as Foundation, it also presents the comparable idea of how seemingly ordinary people get thrown into a conflict where they must battle a powerful force that threatens to destroy them. Similar to Foundation, each character in Invasion has an important role to play in the grand story and the show manages to balance each of their journeys effectively.
9 Raised By Wolves (2020 - 2022)
Chronicling a future where Earth was destroyed by war, Raised By Wolves follows two androids named Mother and Father who become tasked with raising human children on a deserted planet. However, when a human colony arrives on the planet, the androids' beliefs and responsibilities are put to the test.
Raised By Wolves presents the story of a group with an unconventional belief system as they survive on an uninhabited planet, which shares some similarities with Foundation's premise. Additionally, Mother has a reminiscence of Demerzel, a character from Foundation who is also an android with peculiar motives. Raised By Wolves lasted only two seasons, but the series remains a unique sci-fi drama about faith and differing beliefs.
8 His Dark Materials (2019 - 2022)
Phillip Pullman's best-selling book franchise His Dark Materials got a second chance for an adaptation after the mixed response to the 2007 film The Golden Compass. Set in a fantastical future, the HBO series follows young orphan Lyra as her quest to find her missing friend intersects with a hunt for a mysterious substance that could change the world.
Much like Foundation, His Dark Materials is a worthy television adaptation of well-known novels. Plus, the show is full of fascinating world-building, thought-provoking ideas surrounding religion, and captivating discoveries that affect several main characters. His Dark Materials has become one of the best fantasy shows that has hooked viewers, and its expansive story will surely delight Foundation fans.
7 Silo (2023 - present)
Apple TV+ has a knack for creating well-crafted science fiction series, and Silo is an excellent example. Set in a future where the Earth has become a toxic wasteland, the remains of humanity live in an enormous underground silo. After an occurrence of unforeseen events, the residents begin to question the regulations that are supposed to protect them.
Regarded as one of the best new shows of 2023, Silo is an engaging sci-fi thriller that showcases how people grow curious about their place in society and the destiny that lies ahead, which is what several characters in Foundation ponder as well. In addition, like Foundation, Silo boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Rebecca Ferguson, Common, Rashida Jones, and Tim Robbins.
6 Westworld (2016 - 2022)
Based on Michael Crichton's 1973 film, HBO's Westworld chronicles a future where robots called "hosts" populate technologically advanced theme parks to entertain wealthy guests. However, the hosts begin to rebel against their programming, and they soon inspire an uprising against their human creators.
Fans who love Foundation's thought-provoking ideas and dialogue will also adore Westworld's themes surrounding free will and control. Also, similar to Foundation, Westworld is filled with stunning visuals thanks to its high production value and jaw-dropping twists that throw viewers in for a loop.
5 Altered Carbon (2018 - 2020)
Netflix's Altered Carbon presents a world 300 years in the future where people can store their consciousness in devices called "stacks" and use synthetic bodies called "sleeves" to live longer lives. When Takeshi Kovacs awakens from a centuries-long sleep, he must adjust to the new environment and appreciate his second chance at life.
Altered Carbon has several elements that make it as fascinating as Foundation, which includes eye-popping visuals and plenty of science fiction lore for genre fans to learn about. The show also tackles outlandish science fiction concepts within its futuristic setting like consciousness and immortality, which Foundation heavily explores.
4 Battlestar Galactica (2004 - 2009)
TV reboots can be a difficult challenge, but the mid-2000s reboot of Battlestar Galactica is a rare success. In the series, evil robots called Cylons have decimated several planets and their populations. Meanwhile, the remains of humanity are left to take refuge on several spaceships as they try to survive and outmaneuver their highly advanced enemy.
Foundation features stunning space battles that leave viewers in awe of its scope. Fortunately, Battlestar Galactica has several action-packed space sequences where the heroes face off against armies of Cylons, showcasing a rivalry reminiscent of Foundation's titular group fighting against the evil Empire.
3 Star Trek: Discovery (2017 - 2024)
Star Trek has been a part of popular culture since the 1960s and Star Trek: Discovery, one of the franchise's modernized shows, has helped bring in a new generation of fans. Discovery follows the crew of the titular spaceship led by Captain Michael Burnham - played by Sonequa Martin-Green - as they explore several planets and encounter dangerous enemies.
Anyone fascinated by Foundation's exploration of space and its array of enchanting worlds will be intrigued by Star Trek: Discovery. Devoted Star Trek fans and newcomers to the long-running franchise have been thrilled by Discovery as the show provides plenty of exhilarating sci-fi adventures with each episode.
2 Andor (2022 - present)
The Star Wars franchise has continued to expand its world-building across several movies and TV series, and Andor is one of the most prominent. Set before Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Cassian Andor - played brilliantly by Diego Luna - gets recruited by a mysterious leader to join a small group of rebels and inspire a revolution.
Andor is praised for being one of the best Star Wars shows and one of the most deeply mature narratives in the long-running franchise. Compared to Foundation, Andor also provides a well-constructed ensemble of characters that present the heroes as courageous rebels and the villains as complex individuals who will stop at nothing to maintain their power. Furthermore, Andor is full of great action scenes and moments of inspiration that will please fans of Foundation.
1 The Expanse (2015 - 2022)
Based on James S. A. Corey's novels, The Expanse introduces a future where humanity has colonized the entire solar system. However, the peace becomes threatened as Earth and Mars are on the verge of war. A group of detectives, officers, and council members must band together to stop the incoming destruction, only to stumble upon a conspiracy that could jeopardize everything and everyone.
The Expanse is an incredible book-to-TV adaptation within the science fiction genre thanks to incredible visual effects and magnetic political themes, which makes it a nice comparison piece to Foundation. Plus, with The Expanse's increasing variety of science fiction storytelling and lore within each episode, Foundation fans have another engaging series with a futuristic space setting to get immersed in.