5 Great Sci-Fi TV Shows For If You Miss Old-School Star Trek

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Starting with the newer Star Trek films and the Star Trek: Discovery series, the franchise has experienced a major comeback. Paramount has effectively used Star Trek to build its streaming service, creating a wide variety of shows that update the look and feel of the original series. These shows range from the familiar faces and storylines of Star Trek: Picard to the lighthearted humor of Star Trek: Lower Decks. Because of this success, Star Trek will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026 with more content available than ever before, including the new series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, which delves into the challenges of the 23rd century.

The Star Trek franchise is doing well, but recent shows often move too quickly, focusing on long, connected storylines instead of the slower, self-contained episodes of the original series. While Star Trek: Strange New Worlds did a good job of bringing back that classic style, many longtime fans miss the look and feel of the older shows – things like detailed spaceship models, formal shipboard rules, and stories that presented a clear moral question each week. Luckily, other sci-fi series offer a similar blend of hopeful stories and strong teamwork between characters.

5) Star Trek Continues

Star Trek Continues is a remarkable achievement in fan-funded television. This web series, starring Vic Mignogna as Captain James T. Kirk, aims to finish the original five-year mission of the Starship Enterprise that was cut short by NBC in 1969. The creators paid incredible attention to detail, faithfully recreating the original studio sets – from the buttons on the consoles to the material of the uniforms – to perfectly capture the look of the 1960s show. This commitment extends to the lighting and filming style, making the episodes feel like a natural extension of the classic series. The writing also stays true to the optimistic and thought-provoking themes established by Gene Roddenberry, exploring important social issues through compelling science fiction stories. For fans who loved the original Star Trek’s style and pace, this series delivers exactly that, and it does so with consistently high production values despite being a fan-made project.

4) Andromeda

Based on ideas originally created by Gene Roddenberry, Andromeda is a fast-paced space adventure set in a galaxy torn apart by conflict. The story centers on Captain Dylan Hunt (Kevin Sorbo), a high-ranking officer who wakes up after being frozen for 300 years to discover his peaceful civilization has fallen. He takes command of the powerful warship Andromeda Ascendant and gathers a mismatched crew of mercenaries to try and rebuild order. The show deliberately echoes the hopeful spirit of Star Trek, portraying Captain Hunt as a determined diplomat in a chaotic time. The first few seasons, guided by Robert Hewitt Wolfe, focused on the difficulties of leading a large spaceship and the clashing beliefs of the crew. Andromeda also used practical effects for its alien races and featured standalone adventures on different planets, appealing to fans of classic Star Trek.

3) Stargate SG-1

Stargate SG-1 turned a movie idea into a long-lasting and consistently popular science fiction TV show. The series follows a military team, led by Colonel Jack O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson), who use an ancient network of portals to protect Earth from alien threats. Each week, the team explores different planets, encountering strange cultures, forming alliances, and facing difficult moral choices. This ‘planet of the week’ format captures the spirit of adventure that made the original Star Trek so beloved. Beyond the exciting sci-fi concepts, the strong connection between the main actors creates a believable sense of teamwork and friendship, similar to a family working together.

2) Babylon 5

J. Michael Straczynski’s Babylon 5 changed science fiction on television by planning out a complete five-year story, a bold move before shows commonly told ongoing stories. The series takes place on a huge space station that serves as a neutral meeting ground for competing alien civilizations, first led by Commander Jeffrey Sinclair (Michael O’Hare) and later by Captain John Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner). It focuses heavily on political maneuvering, trade, and the possibility of an old war, much like the complicated conflicts seen in Star Trek. The show gives alien ambassadors like G’Kar (Andreas Katsulas) and Londo Mollari (Peter Jurasik) complex personalities, turning them into sympathetic, tragic characters. This detailed and realistic world offers a politically driven alternative for fans who enjoy the deep space diplomacy of Star Trek.

1) The Orville

Initially a lighthearted parody, The Orville developed into a genuine and thoughtful continuation of the classic Star Trek spirit. Created by and starring Seth MacFarlane as Captain Ed Mercer, the show intentionally captures the look and feel of older science fiction, with bright sets, colorful uniforms, and an orchestral soundtrack. It echoes the storytelling style of late 20th-century Star Trek, focusing on the everyday lives and relationships of the crew, alongside the big questions of space exploration. Many episodes explore important real-world issues – like gender, religion, and artificial intelligence – by examining them through the lens of alien cultures. The Orville demonstrates that the classic Star Trek formula still works incredibly well for telling meaningful and thought-provoking stories.

What science fiction show, in your opinion, best embodies the hopeful vision of exploring new planets that Star Trek established? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-18 20:17