The Paramount+ sci-fi library is expanding in a big, frakking way. Starting Friday, May 1, a comprehensive offering of the 2000s-era Battlestar Galactica franchise – including the complete, 2004-2009 Battlestar Galactica series – streams on Paramount+ with a subscription. Also coming to the service: 2003’s Battlestar Galactica: The Miniseries, the 2009 made-for-TV movie Battlestar Galactica: The Plan, and the 2010 prequel series, Caprica.
Figuring out what to watch can get more confusing than differentiating Cylon models. But just like Starbuck, we’ll get you to where you need to go – but with less cigar smoke. Read on to learn how to stream Battlestar Galactica titles (and in the best order), and how to fill in the gaps.
Where to watch Battlestar Galactica
As of Friday, May 1, you can watch the following titles on Paramount+:
- Battlestar Galactica: The Miniseries
- Battlestar Galactica (2004) Seasons 1–4
- Battlestar Galactica: The Plan (2009)
- Caprica Season 1
So, yes, if you know Paramount+ as the home of Star Trek, then get ready for a Paramount+ that also houses core pieces of the Battlestar Galactica franchise. To watch all you need is a Paramount+ subscription. Plans start at $8.99 a month. The Battlestar Galactica titles stream with any plan, either the ad-supported Paramount+ Essential plan, or the Paramount+ Premium plan. Visit the Paramount+ Help Center for more information on plans and pricing.
Psst: Starting Friday, May 1, you’ll also be able to watch Battlestar Galactica: The Miniseries, all seasons of Battlestar Galactica (2004), and Battlestar Galactica: The Plan on Pluto TV, the free streaming television service.
What’s not on Paramount+
While starting Friday, May 1, you’ll be able to watch essential pieces of the Battlestar Galactica franchise on Paramount+, you won’t be able to stream every piece. Here are notable titles that may be found elsewhere:
- Battlestar Galactica (1978) (series)
- Battlestar Galactica (1978) (theatrical movie)
- Galactica 1980 (1980)
- Battlestar Galactica: Razor
Recommended viewing order
With so much Battlestar Galactica out there, it can be tough to know where to start. If you’re new to the franchise, or simply want to start the epic battle back to Earth from the beginning, here’s a suggested viewing order of the titles coming to Paramount+:
Battlestar Galactica: The Miniseries
In this two-part, Emmy®-nominated miniseries from 2003, writer Ronald D. Moore and director Michael Rymer take inspiration from the original 1970s series, and run with it.
After a decades-long war between humans and Cylons, the Cylons launch a nuclear attack that wipes out the human race – almost. A ragtag Battlestar fleet survives the attack. Commander William Adama (Oscar® nominee Edward James Olmos), President Laura Roslin (Oscar® nominee Mary McDonnell), and the remaining humans set off to find Earth … with undercover Cylons in their midst.
Battlestar Galactica (2004) Seasons 1-4
This Emmy®-winning series picks up right where Battlestar Galactica: The Miniseries leaves off, with Commander Adama (Olmos) learning there are Cylons masquerading as humans on board Galactica. Along with Lt. Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff), Adama leads what’s left of humanity in a quest to find the 13th colony – Earth – all the while battling (and sometimes aligning with) Cylons.
Caprica Season 1
So, technically, Caprica is a prequel to Battlestar Galactica (2004), set 50 years before the events of that series. But we recommend you watch it after you binge-watch all four seasons of Battlestar Galactica so that you’re fully familiar with the universe.
Originally aired in 2010, Caprica covers how the human race was brought down at its height by its own creation: the Cylon. Its all-new cast is led by Eric Stoltz as Daniel Graystone, and Esai Morales as one Joseph Adama … father of William Adama (yes, the character played by Edward James Olmos in the 2003 miniseries and 2004-2009 series).
Battlestar Galactica: The Plan
This made-for-TV movie from 2009 rewinds the tale to where Battlestar Galactica: The Miniseries ends, but this time, the story is told from the perspective of the Cylons, specifically the versions known as Cavils. One Cavil lives aboard Galactica, and attempts to dismantle the human fleet from the inside, while another Cavil leads a resistance on Caprica, the hub of the 12 colonies where the Cylon was originally created.
Battlestar Galactica favorites Edward James Olmos, Dean Stockwell, Michael Trucco, Grace Park, Aaron Douglas, Callum Keith Rennie, Kate Vernon, Rick Worthy, Matthew Bennett, Rekha Sharma, Tricia Helfer, and Alisen Down reprise their roles from the 2004 series.
What Battlestar Galactica is about
One of the most acclaimed sci-fi sagas, the Battlestar Galactica franchise chronicles the post-apocalyptic battle between what’s left of humankind and the sentient AI humanoids known as the Cylons. Having destroyed all of humanity, the human-created Cylons set their sites on the only holdout, Battlestar Galactica, as the fleet journeys through space to find the lost 13th colony – also known as Earth.
The 2004 series rides on themes of morality, identity, religion and politics, so believe us when we say things get very deep. The show is lauded for its special effects as well as its character-focused storytelling. With AI on the tip of everyone’s tongue these days, now is an opportune time to relive the prestige sci-fi drama.
Why it’s worth watching on Paramount+
Battlestar Galactica is a high-stakes, character-driven, sci-fi franchise that made its mark in the 2000s, back when there really was nothing like it. In effect, the critically acclaimed franchise reboot set a new standard. The best part? Starting Friday, May 1, you can binge the core story on Paramount+.
Already a premiere destination for sci-fi and fantasy, boasting everything from the Star Trek collection to HALO, and, coming soon, the film Avatar Ang: The Last Airbender, Paramount+ welcoming key Battlestar Galactica titles into its streaming library makes sense.
Streaming the franchise on Paramount+
Catching up on the essential parts of this classic franchise is easier than ever, with Battlestar Galactica: The Miniseries, all seasons of Battlestar Galactica (2004), Battlestar Galactica: The Plan, and Caprica, all streaming on Paramount+ starting Friday, May 1. So get frakking streaming, already!
