Television series

Cleopatra 2525

Name: Cleopatra 2525
Genre: Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Released: 2000
Cast: Gina Torres, Victoria Pratt, Jennifer Sky

Cleopatra 2525 is a gloriously absurd syndicated action series where a defrosted stripper from 2001 joins a underground resistance against mechanical flying monsters. It's campy, fast-paced, and never takes itself seriously for a second. Perfect for anyone who wants their sci-fi with tongue planted firmly in cheek and stunts that actually move.

TVMaze rating

3.4

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you have a soft spot for campy, big-hearted science fiction where a mismatched crew fights a war for the surface and the tone stays playful about its own absurdity.

Skip it if you want sleek, serious science fiction, since this one leans on camp and a premise that asks you to laugh along with its absurd setup.

What it asks of you: Light attention over 28 episodes of roughly 36 minutes each, with quick action and a breezy tone that rewards keeping pace rather than dwelling.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

Xena: Warrior Princess1995

Same syndicaton energy, same era, same commitment to practical action and mythology-bent storytelling. If you loved Cleopatra's anything-goes tone and stunt work, this is the obvious next step into syndicated adventure gold.

But Xena runs five seasons, so it's a real time commitment. And the earlier episodes are rougher than later ones, so patience helps.

Legend of the Seeker2008

Pure fantasy pulp adventure with the same syndication DNA—practical effects, cheerful violence, and zero pretension. Follows a similar formula of a small team fighting overwhelming odds with weapons and wit.

But It's very straightforward fantasy without much irony. If you want camp to be self-aware, this sometimes plays it straight.

La Femme Nikita1997

Female-led action adventure with the same propulsive energy and practical stunt work. Three seasons of government operatives fighting enemies both institutional and external, always moving.

But It's considerably more serious and grounded than Cleopatra. Less fun, more espionage procedural.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Cleopatra 2525

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Dark Angel2000

Both are year-2000 syndicated action series with female leads, practical stunt work, near-future settings, and cheerful disregard for plausibility in service of movement and fun.

James Cameron's cyberpunk near-future with a female lead, practical stunts, fast action, and the same syndicated-adjacent energy. Post-apocalyptic Seattle with genetic super-soldiers fighting corporate overlords.

But Cancellation meant it ended abruptly and unevenly. The mythology gets unwieldy and the later writing suffers.

Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda2000

Gene Roddenberry's other space adventure, syndicated at exactly the same moment. Pulp sci-fi action with a ragtag crew, practical effects, and genuine charm despite its wonky plotting.

But Andromeda is messier than even Cleopatra. The plotting gets increasingly incoherent as it goes on.

Barb Wire1996

Pamela Anderson action vehicle with the same cheerful disregard for realism. It's campy, violent, and knows exactly what it is. A spiritual cousin in the exact same tone register.

But It's 90 minutes of unironic action schlock. Some will find it painful; others will find it perfect.

Johnny Mnemonic1995

Keanu Reeves in cartoonish near-future sci-fi action. Goofy special effects, huge set pieces, plots that don't quite make sense, and genuine entertainment. Same era, same sensibility.

But The plot barely holds together and the dialogue is sometimes unintentionally hilarious. You need to be ready to laugh with it.

Species II1998

B-movie sci-fi action with practical aliens, preposterous plotting, and an ensemble cast trying their best. It knows it's ridiculous and leans into it cheerfully.

But It's a sequel to a half-serious film, so it can't commit fully to camp. Straddling that line is awkward.

Trancers1984

Time-travel cop action with practical effects, a committed lead performance, and genuine fun in its B-movie bones. Short, pacy, and exactly as smart as it needs to be.

But It looks dated even for 1984. Low budget means low production values throughout.

Daria1997

Both thrived in syndication's anything-goes ecosystem, made by people who knew exactly what they wanted to make and weren't chasing network approval. Both have cult devotion despite their era.

Completely different register, but same era syndication energy. A smart, funny, unexpectedly vicious animated comedy that found huge audiences despite its smallness. Different genre, same scrappy syndication spirit.

But It's a high school comedy. If you're here for flying robots and combat, this is 22 minutes of teenage complaints.

Flash Gordon1980

Both understand that low budget and high stakes create permission for absolute tonal freedom. Neither is trying to impress critics; both are trying to thrill an audience with practical ingenuity and committed performances.

Mike Hodges' absolute masterpiece of campy sci-fi adventure. Impossibly garish, unapologetically fun, with practical sets and costumes that cost nothing but look incredible. Pure cinema joy.

But It's a 1980 film and a Queen soundtrack showcase. If you can't surrender to its aesthetic, you're fighting it the whole time.