Franchise Wars: Star Trek, Star Wars, or Dune?

When it comes to sci-fi sagas, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Dune have dominated the conversation for decades. Each franchise…

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Posted: October 2, 2024

When it comes to sci-fi sagas, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Dune have dominated the conversation for decades. Each franchise has captured the hearts of different generations. Star Wars has been beloved by Boomers (original trilogy), Gen X (original and prequels), and Millennials (prequels and sequels). Meanwhile, Star Trek became a Gen X and Boomer favorite due to its ’60s origins, though the reboots helped attract some Millennials. Dune, on the other hand, appeals more to Gen Z and Millennials for its thoughtful, complex narrative.

But which one is truly the best? Let’s dive into each and see why fans of all ages are hooked.

Star Trek: Boldly Going Where No One Has Gone Before

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Star Trek is the grandfather of sci-fi TV shows. Starting in the 1960s, it made “space exploration” cool (or at least less nerdy). Its fans, known as Trekkies, are famously devoted, wearing pointy ears to conventions and greeting each other with a Vulcan salute. The show is known for its optimistic view of the future, where humanity has figured out how to live in peace (shocking, right?) and spends its time exploring the universe.

What makes Star Trek stand out is its focus on diplomacy over battles. While Star Wars fans are busy wielding lightsabers, Star Trek fans are negotiating peace treaties. Sounds thrilling, right? But seriously, the show is more about moral dilemmas and human connections than it is about blowing stuff up.

Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away

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Now, let’s talk about Star Wars, the franchise that basically owns space. Star Wars has become a cultural phenomenon since the first movie in 1977. It’s a story about good vs. evil, featuring the Force, lightsabers, and a walking carpet named Chewbacca. The battles are more intense, the stakes higher, and the explosions…well, let’s just say Michael Bay would be proud.

Unlike Star Trek, Star Wars leans into the action—big time. The Jedi, Sith, and bounty hunters have captured our imagination for decades, and let’s face it, you’ve probably hummed the Imperial March in your head more times than you care to admit. But if you’re more into character development and deep political drama, you might want to steer clear. Star Wars is flashy, epic, and full of plot holes. (Looking at you, Episode IX.)

Dune: Spice, Sandworms, and Lots of Politics

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Finally, we have Dune. This one’s a bit different. It’s not as well-known (unless you’ve seen the recent movie and can’t stop talking about Zendaya’s screen time—all SEVEN minutes of it). For many Zendaya fans, her seven minutes of screentime in the two-and-a-half-hour movie were a letdown, especially after the Spider-Man star had appeared in countless press events and premieres. But Dune is a classic in its own right, a more serious, philosophical take on the future. The book series started back in 1965, and it deals with power, politics, and giant worms. Lots of giant worms.

The story takes place on Arrakis, a desert planet where the most valuable substance in the universe—spice—is found. It’s less about space battles and more about who’s going to backstab who next. If you’re into political intrigue and existential musings, Dune is your jam. But be prepared: it can be dense, and it’s not going to spoon-feed you action every five minutes.

So, Who Wins?

Well, that depends on what you’re into! Do you like your sci-fi with a side of diplomacy and moral lessons? Then boldly go with Star Trek. Are you all about epic battles, heroic quests, and Yoda’s weird speech patterns? Then the Force is strong with Star Wars. Or maybe you prefer something a bit more philosophical, with giant worms for good measure? Dune might be your spice of life.

In the end, there’s no right or wrong answer (except there is, and it’s the one you love). Just don’t mention this debate in front of hardcore fans—you might start a real franchise war. And no one wants to be stuck in the middle of that!

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