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Battlestar Galactica currently has 4 series, several movies, and 2 universes. 
The 2 universes are not canonical to each other.
However, watching the original 1978 series certainly adds to the viewing pleasure of the reboot.
Highly recommended but not entirely necessary, as it is old, cheesy, and "campy".

Here is the Watch Order:

  1. THE ORIGINAL SERIES

    1978 Battlestar Galactica. 21 Episodes. The first episode was a 3 parter. Some say it is 24 episodes. That's fine.
    The show that started it all. Apparantly Lucasarts sued them for copyright infringement but lost the settlement. Watching this will give you a better feel for the characters and how well the reboot did in recreating them.

    2. GALACTICA - 1980

    Honestly, you can skip it. We won't give away any spoilers by saying why. We're just putting it in here for the watch order accuracy. It was a forgettable show., an attempt to revive a dying show back when Sci-Fi was too expensive to turn a profit.

    3. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE MINISERIES - 2003

    This is where the drama begins. The reboot opened in much the same way as the original: with a 3 hour special that introduces a cataclysmic event that begins the harrowing journey of the Battlestar Galactica.

    4. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: SEASONS 1 AND 2 

    Notes:
    1. Season 2 Episode 10: Pegasus, make sure you watch the 56-minute extended version.
    2. The TV Movie, Razor, takes place chronologically after Season 2 Episode 17. Some people like to watch it and the Razor Flashbacks at this point. More on this under the Razor section. It was released between seasons 3 and 4.

    5. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE RESISTANCE WEBISODES

    This is a 10-Episode web-based series that bridges seasons 2 and 3. Appoximately 25 minutes total.

    6. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: SEASON 3

    Note that for Season 3 Episode 9: Unfinished Business, make sure you are watching the 70 minute extended version.

    7. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: RAZOR

    Make sure you are watching the 101-minute extended version not the 81-minute TV version.
    There is some controversy as to where in the order to watch this. We highly recommend the release date order.
    I watched it after S2E17 instead of here and I regretted it. Why? Because season 4 is better with this fresh in your mind. I had all but forgotten by the time I got there.
    You can, of course, just watch it twice. But there are some small spoilers near the end of the movie that change the tone of season 3 for you if you hear them.
    They take place in the last 10 minutes of the movie.
    If you really want to watch it in chronological order, then mute the volume at the following points:
    1. When the Hybrid touches Shaw. Unmute when he lets go.
    2. Shortly afterwards, when Red One contacts Pegasus. "This is Red One, come in". Unmute when you see Red One on your screen.
    3. When Starbuck is talking to Lee, mute after Lee says, "Well, ever think you might deserve it?". Unmute when she turns to leave.

    8. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: RAZOR FLASHBACKS

    This is a 7 part web series. It isn't completely necessary. Actually episodes 3 through 6 were added to the Razor movie in the extended version. Recommend watching Episodes 1 and 2 Before Razor and Episode 7 after it.

    9. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: SEASON 4 EPISODES 1 THRU 11

    10. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE FACE OF THE ENEMY WEBISODES

    This is a 10-Episode web-based series that plays together like a single mini-episode. Appoximately 36 minutes total.

    11. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: SEASON 4 EPISODES 12 THRU 15

    Make sure you watch the 53 minute extended version of Season 4 Episode 12

    12. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE PLAN

    This is one of the very few times we will recommend watching anything not in the release date order. Why? Because the finale is the finale. Everything is all wrapped up.
    This TV movie shows the first 2 seasons from the Cylons' point of view. It helps get everything in perspective for the finale.
    It keeps themomentum of the series to watch it at this point instead of: "Oh it's all done that was good, but wait."
    But if you want to stay true to release date, then watch it after the 3 Parter Finale, Daybreak.

    13. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: SEASON 4 EPISODES 16 THRU 19

    Notes:
    For Season 4 Episode 18, make sure you watch the 62 minute extended version.
    For the Finale, Season 4 Episode 19, "Daybreak", make sure you watch the 150 minute extended version.
    Then the series is all wrapped up.

    14. CAPRICA - 2009

    This is a prequel spinoff series. It was cancelled after one season so don't expect any resolutions. It was good while it lasted, though. Scratched that BSG itch lol. You can watch it before or after, there are no spoilers. But it was released after so... watchorder.ca

    15. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: BLOOD AND CHROME

    The final chapter of Battlestar Galactica. We hope just for now. It is another prequel about Adama when he was younger during the first Cylon war. It takes place after Caprica and before the BSG series.

    That's it. Hope you enjoyed the journey of the Battlestar Galactica and its 50,000 survivors.

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