Believe it or not, there haven’t been many movies or TV shows that serve as love letters to Star Wars. There have been plenty of references to the property, sure, but outside 2009’s Fanboys there aren’t many big or small screen projects that are true love letters to the franchise’s lore or its expansive fandom. Star Trek and its fandom, however, have directly inspired several movies and TV series. Even a well-reviewed documentary film, titled Trekkies. And it’s easy to see why as, ever since Star Trek: The Original Series‘ debut all the way back in 1966, it has consistently expanded its universe with both movies and TV series.
Videos by ComicBook.com
In fact, Star Trek has proved to be so popular that even some of the love letters listed below have been either box office successes or series with multiple seasons under their belts. We excluded movies or TV series that just have a few references, however, so no The Simpsons here (though it has referenced Star Trek quite a few times). There had to be a mainline thread that could not have existed without the long-running saga.
5) Please Stand By
In Please Stand By, Dakota Fanning stars as Wendy, an autistic young woman who loves nothing more than Star Trek. She has written a massive script for the IP that she hopes to enter in Paramount Pictures’ screenwriting contest. She leaves her group home to deliver said script to the studio in person, meeting a few fellow Trekkers along the way.
Critics found the film a bit too similar to other coming-of-age films to recommend with great enthusiasm. However, they found the Trek love to be the major factor that helped it stand out from its ilk.
Stream Please Stand By on Hulu.
4) Futurama
Matt Groening’s Futurama incorporates elements from many science fiction properties, but none more so than Star Trek. It frequently makes references to the show (and its subsequent movies) and even made Star Trek fandom a banned religion. And, considering The Simpsons has oft made references to Trek, it’s clear that Groening is a massive fan.
Futurama is still going strong. It initially ran on Fox from 1999 to 2003, then after its cancellation it aired reruns on Adult Swim. That lasted another four years until it was revived for a quartet of direct-to-video films at which point Comedy Central picked it up in 2008 and kept it running until 2013. The show then did not air new episodes for nearly a decade, but Hulu then picked it up in 2023 and will continue producing episodes until at least 2026. Futurama‘s longevity is proof positive that Trek‘s fanbase is willing to branch out from Trek itself and that the core concept of Trek can appeal to people who don’t consider themselves a Trekker.
Stream Futurama on Hulu.
3) Black Mirror
Many Black Mirror fans’ choice for one of the very best episodes overall, “USS Callister” was popular enough to get itself a sequel, the only one to do so. This is the ultimate example of a project warping the camaraderie between the various ships’ captains and their crew.
The plot follows a reclusive, cruel programmer who uses his co-workers DNA to create digital clones of them. They’re his crew and he’s the captain, never to be questioned in this world he’s crafted.
Stream Black Mirror on Netflix.
2) The Orville
The Orville is a direct love letter to Star Trek. From top to bottom just about everything in it is a direct homage to all things Star Trek. It has even shared quite a few cast members over the years.
Seth MacFarlane has been a Star Trek fan ever since he was a kid, even making a Star Trek fan film in his early years. His Family Guy and American Dad! have both made references to Trek, but nothing to the extent of The Orville, which he created and continues to run, frequently write for, executive produce, and star in.
Stream The Orville on Hulu.
1) Galaxy Quest
The ultimate big-screen love letter to Star Trek, Galaxy Quest is a delight even for those who don’t consider themselves fans of the space-traversing classic IP. It also did fairly well at the box office, netting $90.7 million against a price tag of $45 million.
Galaxy Quest wears its love for Star Trek and Trekkers on its sleeve. It never talks down to the property or those who love it. Not to mention, it’s one of the most well-cast movies of the ’90s, with Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, the late Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, and the quartet of Enrico Colantoni, Patrick Breen, Missi Pyle, and Jed Rees all delivering note-perfect performances.
Stream Galaxy Quest on Paramount+.
Most Viewed
-
image courtesy of 20th Century Studios -
Image courtesy of Prokino Filmverleih
