Skip to content
MovieCove
Red Dwarf

Red Dwarf

Smeg Head!

1988–Ongoing13 seasons74 episodes~30 min/epTV-14Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

The adventures of the last human alive and his friends, stranded three million years into deep space on the mining ship Red Dwarf.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Red Dwarf?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Red Dwarf streaming on BritBox and Pluto TV (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Subscription

Free

Rent / Buy

BuyBuy

Highlights

What stands out about Red Dwarf?

Red Dwarf earns 10 badges, led by Stood the test of time and Top 5% of shows.

Show 2 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Red Dwarf worth watching?

Red Dwarf's Midcredits score is the 95th percentile of all shows, from 40K ratings across 2 sources. 89% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

95th percentile

Better received than 95% of shows

95th percentile among Comedy91st percentile among 1980s
Acclaim (how much people like it)94th
Approval (how many liked it)91st

Acclaim

Universally Loved: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

83 /100

94th percentile of all shows

95th percentile among Comedy92nd percentile among 1980s

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

Approval

How many liked it

89% liked it

91st percentile of all shows

90th percentile among Comedy87th percentile among 1980s
89% rated it 7–1011% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

94th percentile

40K ratings across platforms

90th percentile among Comedy91st percentile among 1980s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 70% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

Red Dwarf is a low-budget sci-fi sitcom centred on a mismatched crew of losers, with its first six seasons widely considered the strongest.

Fans praised

  • Clever witty dialogue and rapid-fire joke delivery
  • Strong character chemistry and ensemble acting
  • Unique blend of high-concept sci-fi and British comedy

Detractors panned

  • Juvenile, mean-spirited humour and repetitive insults
  • Later seasons lost the original charm due to writer departure and forced plots
  • Cheap production values and inconsistent continuity

What stands out

OriginalityDivisive88

Groundbreaking fusion of sitcom and hard sci-fi; unlike anything else

ActingDivisive85

Cast chemistry and performances universally praised, especially Chris Barrie and Craig Charles

DialogueDivisive85

Quick-fire, quotable insults and clever wordplay

CharactersDivisive82

Deeply drawn, instantly recognisable misfit crew with strong dynamics

HumorDivisive80

Mix of verbal wit, slapstick, and absurdity; divisive in later seasons

AtmosphereDivisive75

Bleak, lonely space setting balanced with irreverent comedy

Plot and storyDivisive60

Inventive sci-fi premises but often loose continuity; later seasons criticised for losing focus

PacingDivisive60

First series slow; later series uneven; best seasons brisk and well-paced

Preferred by

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Over-30s

Over-30s scored it 13 points higher than under-30s.

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 10 points higher than US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 8 points apart
  • Critics vs users 3 points apart

Episodes

12 seasons

Series XII · 2017 · 6 episodes · 6.6 average across 3 rated episodes

  • S12E1

    Cured

    Oct 12, 201729 minTMDB rating 6.7
  • S12E2

    Siliconia

    Oct 19, 201727 minTMDB rating 7.2Season best
  • S12E3

    Timewave

    Oct 26, 201727 minTMDB rating 6.0
  • S12E4

    Mechocracy

    Nov 2, 201728 min
  • S12E5

    M-Corp

    Nov 9, 201727 min
  • S12E6

    Skipper

    Nov 16, 201728 minFinale

Watch experience

What is Red Dwarf like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Ironic, light and gentle — a slow-burn watch that leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
AbsurdJoyfulContemplative
Heaviest: throughout
Absurdist humor: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Register
Absurdist · 6% of shows: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.Satirical · 5% of showsWry · 7% of shows: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Resets each episode · 10% of showsStatus quo each season
ToneA shabby BBC sitcom that plays deadpan-absurd sci-fi premises with a straight face while winking at genre conventions, lampooning Star Trek tropes and British stereotypes yet keeping its misfit crew warmly likable.
The rideThe series maintains a consistently absurd and lighthearted mood across its run, with occasional contemplative moments amid the comedy.
StructureEach episode is a conventional setup-complication-resolution sitcom story told in order; the show has no prominent nonlinear, framing or multi-perspective devices across its run.
Episode formatThe show follows a classic sitcom structure where each episode is a self-contained comedy, with the status quo largely restored by the end.
Season formatSeasons are largely interchangeable batches of episodes; any season is an entry point, though there is some serialized character development.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayA warm, endlessly rewatchable comedy: you come away grinning and oddly fond of this ridiculous, bickering crew.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).ComedyFarce
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12% (this title): Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% (this title) · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Farce: Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).

12% of shows fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeTypical episodes are self-contained sitcom farces: an absurd sci-fi situation, usually a spoof of genre conventions, drops the mismatched crew into escalating comic chaos driven by their clashing personalities rather than by plot.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfFriendship
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31% (this title): Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% (this title) · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% (this title) · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% (this title) · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Bonds

FriendshipIsolation · 3% of showsIdentity
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe series explores the unlikely friendship that develops among the stranded crew, who are all that's left of humanity and must rely on each other.
StanceThe series celebrates the bonds of friendship and found family among its misfit crew, even in the face of cosmic absurdity.

The world

Far futureOuter spaceIn transitScience fiction
Orchestral modernBackground music · original score · Howard Goodall
Settingthe mining ship Red Dwarf, three million years into deep space
MusicThe theme tune is a memorable, upbeat synth-orchestral piece that sets the comedic tone.

Content guide

Is Red Dwarf okay for kids?

TV-14

Red Dwarf is rated TV-14. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (38/100), sexual content at moderate (39/100), language at moderate (51/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (47/100) and frightening material at moderate (37/100). Overall it is heavier than 39% of TV-14 shows.

Ratings in 9 other countries
  • UK12
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Ireland12
  • Netherlands6
  • Spain13
  • SwedenFrån 7 år
  • Türkiye13+
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 32% of all showsHeavier than 39% of TV-14 shows
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 31%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 51%
Profanity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 74%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
heavy for a TV-14 show
heavier than 76%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 35%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is language, heavier than 74% of TV-14 shows.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Red Dwarf have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Red Dwarf?

Cast

At least 4 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

Craig Charles
as Lister
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Danny John-Jules
as Cat
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Chris Barrie
as Rimmer
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Robert Llewellyn
as Kryten
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Norman Lovett
as Holly
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Hattie Hayridge
as Holly
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Chloë Victoria Annett
as Kochanski
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Mac McDonald
as Captain Hollister
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Tony Hawks
as Dispensing Machine
Daniel Barker
as Alien Natural History Presenter

More like this

What are shows like Red Dwarf?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like Red Dwarf include Futurama (1999), Mork & Mindy (1978) and Star Trek: Prodigy (2021).

Like this, but

Explore by

What other shows share a tag with Red Dwarf?

623 other shows share the rarest tag below, relationship: odd couple. Each tag opens Browse with the shows that share it.