Babylon 5 is an American space opera television series created by writer and producer J. Michael Straczynski. FULL OVERVIEW OF COMPLETE SERIES: https://trakt.tv/shows/babylon-5#overview.
Legend for Babylon 5 Release Order:
~ Abbreviations (OBD = Original Broadcast Date) (HDSD = Historical Database story dates)
~ *Story dates which overlap multiple shows.
~ SOURCE Https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/babylon-5-watch-order/ AND https://babylon5.fandom.com/wiki/Viewing_Order#Viewing_order_chart which has different orders and HBO order.
BABYLON 5 IN RELEASE ORDER:
1. Babylon 5: The Gathering (Pilot) (OBD 22nd Feb 1993) (HDSD 2257-01-03 to 2257-01-08)
2. Babylon 5: Seasons 1 - 4 (OBD 26th Jan 1994-27th Oct 1997) (HDSD 2258 – 2262)
3. In the Beginning (TVMovie OBD 4th Jan 1998) (HDSD 2245 -2249 flashbacks & 2278*)
4. Babylon 5: Season 5 (OBD 21st Jan 1998) (HDSD 2262 – 2281)
5. Thirdspace (TVMovie 19th Jul 1998) (HDSD 2261-06*) NOTE: Thirdspace was released while Babylon 5’s fifth season was airing on television and is chronologically set during the events of season four.
6. The River of Souls (TVMovie 8th Nov 1998) (HDSD 2263-06-08 to 2263-06-13)
7. A Call to Arms (TVMovie 3rd Jan 1999) (HDSD 2266-12-17 to 2266-12-30)
8. Crusade: Season 1 (OBD 9th Jun 1999) (HDSB 2262 – 2267)
9. The Legend of the Rangers-To Live and Die in Starlight (TVMovie 19th Jan 2002) (HDSD 2265)
10. The Lost Tales: Voices in the Dark (31st Jul 2007) (HDSD 2271-12-24 to 2271-12-30)
BABYLON 5 IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER:
(SOURCE https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/babylon-5-watch-order/) NOTE:
When tackling a sci-fi saga such as Babylon 5, some people wish to follow the
action in the chronological order of the universe, which can sometimes add some
extra insight into events as they unfold. Given that this was not the order
intended by the writers behind the show, this technique isn’t recommended to
complete newcomers to the franchise as it could make some plot points more
confusing. But if you’re revisiting the world and looking to shake up your viewing
schedule, consider watching Babylon 5 in this chronological order.
~ ~ As of SEPT 2021 (Straczynski): Babylon 5 is in active development as a series for the CW. This is a REBOOT from the ground up rather than a continuation. Taking the original elements and put them with a ton of new, challenging ideas, along with the technological resources available in 2021 that were not on hand then, to create something fresh yet familiar. Source https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/27/22696836/babylon-5-reboot-j-michael-straczynski-warner-bros-the-cw
OTHER RELATED HISTORY & SOURCES:
~ After the successful airing of a backdoor pilot movie, Warner Bros. commissioned the series as part of the second year schedule of programs. It premiered in the United States on JANUARY 26, 1994 and ran for the intended five seasons (a five year story) for television. SET BETWEEN THE YEARS 2257 and 2262.
~ The original show spawned a multimedia franchise of spin-offs consisting of a miniseries, five television movies, twenty-two novels, two tabletop games (an RPG and a wargame), and various other media such as technical books, comics, and trading cards.
~ The original series has a newly REMASTERED VERSION you can stream on HBO Max and purchase via Amazon and iTunes since January of this year (2021).
~ As of SEPT 2021 (Straczynski): Babylon 5 is in active development as a series for the CW. This is a REBOOT from the ground up rather than a continuation. Taking the original elements and put them with a ton of new, challenging ideas, along with the technological resources available in 2021 that were not on hand then, to create something fresh yet familiar. Source https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/27/22696836/babylon-5-reboot-j-michael-straczynski-warner-bros-the-cw
~Babylon 5 Collection: https://www.themoviedb.org/collection/10441-babylon-5-collection
~Babylon 5 TV Series In development: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15507124/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
~ Thank you to John Winder & candicain1717 for help creating my list