7 Great Sci-Fi Movies For If You Miss Old-School Star Trek

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Star Trek is a classic science fiction series, but many other films capture a similar spirit. Science fiction is a consistently popular part of today’s culture, with a large and devoted fanbase spanning generations. Star Trek is particularly important to the genre, with its original show being truly groundbreaking. The series presents a hopeful vision of the future, filled with equality and exploration, taking viewers on adventures amongst the stars and raising important questions along the way.

I’m a huge Star Trek fan, and while the franchise itself has gotten so big with all the shows, it feels like those of us who really love a good movie experience sometimes get left out. Luckily, I’ve found a bunch of films that capture that same Star Trek spirit, even if they aren’t officially part of the series. They don’t tell the same stories, but they hit all the right notes and give me that familiar feeling I love from classic Star Trek. I think any fan who’s been missing that vibe will really enjoy these!

7) Galaxy Quest (1999)

Few films capture the spirit of classic Star Trek quite like 1999’s Galaxy Quest. It’s widely considered the ultimate sci-fi tribute to the show, cleverly poking fun at it while still telling a compelling story that feels like a natural continuation of the original series. A favorite among Star Trek fans and a cult classic, Galaxy Quest is a great choice for anyone wanting a fun, lighthearted adventure with a strong connection to the Star Trek universe.

6) Contact (1997)

While many science fiction films feature astronauts, few can match the talent involved in making Contact. Starring Jodie Foster and directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film is based on a novel by the famous astronomer Carl Sagan. The story follows a scientist searching for extraterrestrial life who gets the chance to make first contact, and it shares a similar feel to an early Star Trek adventure. Contact focuses on the human side of sci-fi, examining what it means to be human in the vastness of the universe, making it a great choice for Star Trek enthusiasts.

5) Starship Troopers (1997)

Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers might not have been totally appreciated upon release, but it has since come to be more favorably reappraised as the excellent piece of satirical sci-fi it is. The ’90s sci-fi movie didn’t deserve its criminally bad reviews, as it brilliantly examines the ugly side of prominent sci-fi stories like Star Trek. It imagines the most likely manner in which humanity would spread out among the stars, with its United Citizen Federation evoking Star Trek’s Starfleet. It’s a great sci-fi movie for those wanting to recapture the feeling of classic Star Trek with an added edge of science fiction cynicism.

4) Forbidden Planet (1956)

As a huge sci-fi fan, and especially a Trekkie, I always recommend Forbidden Planet to anyone who loves the original Star Trek. It came out ten years before the show even aired, but it feels like an early episode! Sure, the special effects look a little old-fashioned now, but the story is classic sci-fi. It’s actually based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and honestly, it feels like it laid the groundwork for a lot of what Star Trek would become. If you’re looking for something that captures that same spirit, Forbidden Planet is pretty much perfect.

3) Enemy Mine (1985)

The 1980s sci-fi film Enemy Mine is a hidden gem that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. The story centers around a human and an alien soldier who crash-land on a harsh planet and must rely on each other to stay alive. It strongly resembles a Star Trek episode, exploring themes of understanding, acceptance, and overcoming prejudice – making it a great watch for Star Trek fans.

2) Serenity (2005)

Although the TV show Firefly was unfortunately cancelled quickly, the story lived on in the movie Serenity. Serenity answered many questions left hanging from the show’s ending and offers the kind of creative, character-focused science fiction that Star Trek fans often enjoy. While the sci-fi elements aren’t exactly the same as Star Trek, the exciting action and memorable characters make it a fantastic film for anyone looking for a longer, star-filled adventure.

1) Stargate (1994)

Many fans believe the sci-fi series Stargate is due for a revival, and it all started with Roland Emmerich’s 1994 film. The movie introduces a device that creates wormholes, revealing that aliens have played a role in human history. The Stargate TV shows offer a similar experience to Star Trek, and the original film is a great choice for anyone who enjoys classic sci-fi.

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2026-02-22 16:13