5 Movies & TV Shows That Are Love Letters To Star Trek (#1 Is a True Cult Classic)

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It’s surprising how few movies and TV shows truly celebrate *Star Wars*. While the franchise is often referenced, there aren’t many projects, besides the 2009 film *Fanboys*, that genuinely express love for its stories and fans. In contrast, *Star Trek* has directly inspired numerous films and series, even a well-regarded documentary called *Trekkies*. This makes sense, as *Star Trek* has consistently built upon its universe with new movies and shows ever since the original series premiered in 1966.

It turns out *Star Trek* has become incredibly influential – many of the shows and movies mentioned below have become big hits, lasting for multiple seasons or finding success in theaters. We only included examples where *Star Trek* played a significant role, so you won’t find *The Simpsons* on the list, despite its many *Star Trek* references. The connection to *Star Trek* needed to be central to the other work’s creation.

5) Please Stand By

In the movie *Please Stand By*, Dakota Fanning plays Wendy, a young woman with autism who is a huge *Star Trek* fan. She’s written a full-length *Star Trek* script and travels from her group home to Paramount Pictures hoping to submit it to a screenwriting contest, where she meets other *Star Trek* enthusiasts.

Okay, so this movie isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel – it definitely feels familiar if you’ve seen a lot of coming-of-age stories. But honestly, what really surprised and won me over was the genuine love for *Star Trek* woven throughout. It’s that passion that elevates it and makes it something special, even if the basic story isn’t groundbreaking.

Stream Please Stand By on Hulu.

4) Futurama

Matt Groening’s *Futurama* draws heavily from science fiction, particularly *Star Trek*. The show is full of references to *Star Trek* and its films, even jokingly portraying *Star Trek* fandom as a forbidden religion. Given that *The Simpsons* also frequently references *Star Trek*, it’s obvious Groening is a big fan.

Futurama has had a remarkably long run on television. It first aired on Fox from 1999 to 2003, and even after being canceled, continued to be popular through reruns on Adult Swim for another four years. The show was then continued with a series of direct-to-video movies, and later picked up by Comedy Central from 2008 to 2013. After a nearly ten-year hiatus, Hulu revived Futurama in 2023 and plans to produce new episodes through at least 2026. The show’s continued success demonstrates that fans of Star Trek are open to other sci-fi comedies, and that the ideas behind Star Trek can appeal to a broader audience beyond dedicated Trekkies.

Stream Futurama on Hulu.

3) Black Mirror

Often considered one of the best episodes of *Black Mirror*, “USS Callister” was so well-received that it’s the only episode to ever get a sequel. The story perfectly illustrates how a project can damage the relationships between leaders and their teams.

The story centers on a solitary and harsh programmer who secretly uses his colleagues’ DNA to make digital copies of them. He considers them his team, and he’s in complete control, demanding absolute obedience within the virtual world he’s built.

Stream Black Mirror on Netflix.

2) The Orville

The Orville is heavily inspired by Star Trek, clearly created as a tribute to the classic series. It borrows many elements from Star Trek, and over time, has even featured actors who appeared in the original show.

Seth MacFarlane has loved *Star Trek* since childhood, even creating a fan film when he was young. While his shows *Family Guy* and *American Dad!* have included *Star Trek* references, his series *The Orville* takes that passion much further. He created *The Orville*, continues to oversee it, often writes for it, executive produces it, and also stars in it.

Stream The Orville on Hulu.

1) Galaxy Quest

Galaxy Quest is a funny and enjoyable movie that lovingly parodies Star Trek, and you don’t need to be a Trekkie to appreciate it. It was also a commercial success, earning $90.7 million on a $45 million budget.

Galaxy Quest is a clear and affectionate homage to Star Trek and its fans, and it treats both with respect. Beyond that, the movie boasts an exceptionally well-chosen cast – Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, the late Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, and Enrico Colantoni, Patrick Breen, Missi Pyle, and Jed Rees all give fantastic performances.

Stream Galaxy Quest on Paramount+.

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2025-09-26 00:18