Updated: December 23, 2025

Irwin Allen created the original 1965 to 1968 science fiction series Lost in Space, which followed the Robinson family's adventures as they became lost in space. The series was inspired by the Swiss Family Robinson novel and featured pioneering space colonists, a pioneering robot, and Dr. Zachary Smith, a character whose initial sabotage trapped the family in space. The original series was followed by a 2018 Netflix adaptation also inspired by the original show and the novel.

Creator: Irwin Allen, who also produced the series for CBS.

Inspiration: The original Lost in Space was based on the novel The Swiss Family Robinson.

Premise:

In 1997, the Robinson family sets off to find a new home for humanity, but an enemy agent, Dr. Zachary Smith, sabotages their mission, causing them to become lost in space.

Tone:

Initially intended as a family show, it developed into a mix of drama, comedy, and adventure, with a focus on the young Will Robinson, the robot, and the villainous Dr. Smith.

Original Run:

The series originally aired for three seasons from September 1965 to March 1968, with 84 episodes.

Later Adaptations:

Netflix series: A new Lost in Space series was created for Netflix by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless, with Zack Estrin as the showrunner.

Netflix Details:

This series aired from April 2018 to December 2021 and was also inspired by the original series and the Swiss Family Robinson novel.