For fans of the Stargate franchise, the wait for new content has been long—but Prime Video's recent acquisition of MGM has brought a forgotten gem back into the spotlight. Stargate Origins, a 10-part miniseries originally released in 2018 for the now-defunct Stargate Command streaming service, is now available on Prime Video. This standalone prequel explores the origins of the franchise, set before the original 1994 film, and offers a fresh entry point for newcomers and a nostalgic treat for longtime fans.
The miniseries takes place in 1938, years after Professor Paul Langford (Connor Trinneer) and his team unearthed Earth's stargate in Giza. It follows his daughter, Catherine (Ellie Gall), as she struggles to decipher the alien glyphs. When a Nazi occultist forces the professor through the gate, Catherine recruits her boyfriend, Captain James Beal (Philip Alexander), and Egyptian native Wasif (Shvan Aladdin) to follow him, leading to a thrilling adventure on the planet Abydos—decades before Daniel Jackson and Jack O'Neill would arrive.
With episodes running just 10 minutes each, the entire series clocks in at under two hours, making it a perfect weekend binge. For those who prefer a seamless viewing experience, MGM also released a re-edited feature cut titled Stargate Origins: Catherine, which includes a revised score and updated effects. While the production values are lower than Stargate SG-1 or Atlantis, the miniseries is rich with references to the original film and sets up key elements of the franchise's mythology.
If you're new to the Stargate universe, it's best to start with the 1994 film before diving into Origins. The miniseries directly ties into the foundation of the franchise, and watching the original movie first will enhance your appreciation of the prequel's callbacks. For those already familiar with the series, Origins offers a unique look at Catherine Langford's early adventures, a character who played a pivotal role in both the film and SG-1.
While Stargate Origins may not reach the heights of its predecessors, it remains a must-see for dedicated fans. It's a fun, quick sci-fi fix that honors the franchise's roots while telling a standalone story. As Prime Video prepares a reboot of the series, this miniseries serves as a nostalgic reminder of why fans fell in love with the Stargate universe in the first place.
For more sci-fi gems on Prime Video, check out our coverage of The Peripheral and Jack Ryan. And if you're looking for other underrated miniseries, don't miss Hulu's flawless miniseries.
