In February 1993, sci-fi space-opera movie, Babylon 5: The Gathering made its debut. The television film – created by J. Michael Straczynski – was set in the year 2257 and centred its story around a space station which acted as a neutral zone where five different races could discuss and resolve ongoing issues.
Due to the popularity of this movie, a television series followed, which continued the story. This in turn paved the way for various films and spin-offs, all set within the Babylon 5 universe.
But are you familiar with all the Babylon 5 TV shows and movies, and do you know what order to watch them in? Well, don’t worry, I can help.
From Babylon 5: The Gathering through to Crusade and more, I am putting everything in order. So, if you’ve ever considered starting a journey with Babylon 5, but didn’t know how to go about it, this post should help you out.
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Understanding Babylon 5
As noted above, Babylon 5: The Gathering made its debut in February 1993 as a pilot movie which aired on television screens via PTEN. The movie set up the core concept of Babylon 5, and introduced key characters.
Due to the success of this film, PTEN commissioned a Babylon 5 television show with the first season (Signs and Portents) airing in 1994 between January and October. A second season (The Coming of Shadows) then followed in November ’94.
A third season (Point of No Return) aired in November ’95. A fourth season (No Surrender, No Retreat) aired in November ’96.
After the fourth season of Babylon 5 aired, the show switched networks from PTEN to TNT. To kick-start the switch, TNT aired a made-for-television prequel movie, called Babylon 5: In the Beginning.
Babylon 5: In the Beginning aired on January 4th 1998, and was quickly followed by the fifth season of Babylon 5 (The Wheel of Fire). This season aired in its new home on TNT from January 21st 1998 until November 25th.
Midway through Season Five of Babylon 5, another movie hit television screens. This film was called Babylon 5: Thirdspace, which told a standalone story set between events taking place in the show’s fourth season.
Another movie soon followed in ’98, called Babylon 5: The River of Souls. This was accompanied in January 1999 by another film, Babylon 5: A Call to Arms.
In June 1999, a second television series took to the airwaves, which was designed as a follow-up to Babylon 5. The series – Crusade – was set in the year 2267, picking up five years after the events of Babylon 5 Season Five.
Crusade was not as successful as its predecessor and only lasted for one season, comprising 13 episodes. However, the Babylon 5 universe still continued on regardless, with 2002 seeing the release of Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers – a pilot movie for a proposed series that never happened.
For the next few years, things died down a little, but fast-forward to 2006, and Babylon 5 creator, J. Michael Straczynski announced he was working on a new anthology series set within the Babylon 5 universe. Unfortunately, this show didn’t materialise, but it did result in a 2007 direct-to-DVD release called Babylon 5: The Lost Tales: Voices in the Dark.
Things then went quiet again before J. Michael Straczynski announced a new project, this time in the form of a 2023 direct-to-video animated movie. The film – Babylon 5: The Road Home – features the vocal talents of many of the original cast members of Babylon 5.
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Babylon 5 in order
With all of the different Babylon 5 shows and movies in existence, it can be a bit confusing to any newcomers who wish to follow along with the series. However, it doesn’t have to be – you simply need a handy list to guide you through!
As such, below I am presenting two lists, to guide you through Babylon 5. The lists allow you to watch Babylon 5 in production order, or if you prefer you can watch in chronological timeline order.
Babylon 5 in production order
Should you wish to watch Babylon 5 in the order it was originally produced, then follow this list:
- Babylon 5: The Gathering (1999) – TV movie
- Babylon 5 – Season One: Signs and Portents (1994) – TV series
- Babylon 5 – Season Two: The Coming of Shadows (1994 – 1995) – TV series
- Babylon 5 – Season Three: Point of No Return (1995 – 1996) – TV series
- Babylon 5 – Season Four: No Surrender, No Retreat (1996 – 1997) – TV series
- Babylon 5: In the Beginning (1998) – TV movie
- Babylon 5 – Season Five: The Wheel of Fire (1998) – TV series
- Babylon 5: Thirdspace (1998) – TV movie
- Babylon 5: The River of Souls (1998) – TV movie
- Babylon 5: A Call to Arms (1999) – TV movie
- Crusade (1999) – Season One – TV series
- Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers (2002) – TV movie
- Babylon 5: The Lost Tales: Voices in the Dark (2007) – Mini-series
- Babylon 5: The Road Home (2023) – TV movie
Babylon 5 in chronological order
Should you wish to watch Babylon 5 in chronological timeline order, then follow this list:
- Babylon 5: In the Beginning (1998) – TV movie
- Babylon 5: The Gathering (1999) – TV movie
- Babylon 5 – Season One: Signs and Portents (1994) – TV series
- Babylon 5 – Season Two: The Coming of Shadows (1994 – 1995) – TV series
- Babylon 5 – Season Three: Point of No Return (1995 – 1996) – TV series
- Babylon 5 – Season Four: No Surrender, No Retreat (1996 – 1997) – TV series
- Babylon 5: Thirdspace (1998) – TV movie*
- Babylon 5 – Season Five: The Wheel of Fire (1998) – TV series
- Babylon 5: The River of Souls (1998) – TV movie
- Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers (2002) – TV movie
- Babylon 5: A Call to Arms (1999) – TV movie
- Crusade (1999) – Season One – TV series
- Babylon 5: The Lost Tales: Voices in the Dark (2007) – Mini-series
- Babylon 5: The Road Home (2023) – TV movie
*Please note: Babylon 5: Thirdspace is set during the events of Season Four: No Surrender, No Retreat. The film takes place after episode six ‘Into the Fire‘, but before episode 14 ‘Moments of Transition‘.
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