Few debates in pop culture have lasted as long as the battle between Star Wars and Star Trek. Both franchises have defined science fiction for generations, and fans remain fiercely loyal to their chosen universe. But when looking at measurable categories, which one really comes out on top?
The first point has to go to Star Trek, simply for being the original. Its pilot aired in 1966, more than a decade before George Lucas released A New Hope in 1977. Lucas himself admitted that Star Trek partly inspired his creation. Yet when Captain Kirk first hit television screens, audiences barely noticed. William Shatner once reflected that while the show was fun to work on, it didn’t become popular until years later through reruns in syndication.
When it comes to box office results, however, Star Wars absolutely dominates. The combined total of the 13 Star Trek films sits around $2.2 billion, but Star Wars eclipses that with more than $10 billion in revenue. Ratings tell a more balanced story. The classic Star Trek series and The Next Generation hold ratings comparable to the original Star Wars trilogy. But the weaker installments tip the scales toward Lucas’s saga, especially considering that Star Wars has earned ten Academy Awards while Star Trek has only one.
In terms of sheer output, Star Trek takes the edge. With 13 films, an animated series, and seven live-action shows, it has boldly gone further than Star Wars, which so far has eleven films, several animated series, and Disney+ hits like The Mandalorian. That makes the score even at this stage.
When measuring cultural iconography, though, Star Wars is hard to beat. The John Williams score, Darth Vader’s breathing, and famous lines like “May the Force be with you” are ingrained in popular culture. Star Trek does have its share of recognizable catchphrases. Alice Eve pointed out that people always remember “Beam me up, Scotty,” even though no one actually said it in the films. Zoe Saldana joked that her own iconic phrase is “Hailing all frequencies,” while Zachary Quinto emphasized the universally known “Live long and prosper.”
On the subject of depth, Star Trek edges ahead. The franchise has long explored complex themes of morality, philosophy, politics, and religion, while Star Wars tends to focus on a more straightforward struggle between good and evil. George Lucas himself once explained that science fiction is unique because it asks the bigger questions about where humanity comes from and where it is going, whether from a scientific or spiritual perspective. Both sagas address these themes, but Star Trek tends to lean more heavily into them.
Finally, there’s cultural impact through technology. Star Wars may have the cooler weapons, but Star Trek inspired real-world inventions. Devices like communicators paved the way for mobile phones, and concepts like tricorders remain an influence on scientific development. Lightsabers, by contrast, are still a fantasy.
Tallying up the points, Star Trek surprisingly wins this matchup by a score of four to three. Of course, debates about who has the cooler heroes, aliens, or villains will continue forever — and that’s part of the fun. Whether your loyalty lies with a galaxy far, far away or the final frontier, both universes have earned their place as the greatest sci-fi franchises of all time.
