What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedStar Trek
Gene Roddenberry · Series · 1966
If you loved Star Trek, start with Star Trek (2009) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Star Trek across media.
If Star Trek pulled you in with its optimistic vision of human potential, these stories examine the grandeur and complexity of our future.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Star Trek
Film · 2009
Adaptation
Star Trek: Lower Decks
Mike McMahan · Series · 2020
Books on the same thread
From the Earth to the Moon
Jules Verne · Book · 1967
Shares a thread with Star Trek: Technological Advancement.
Just as Star Trek celebrates the spirit of scientific discovery, this work captures the same foundational human ambition to push past our earthly limits and explore the great unknown.
The Foundation Trilogy
Isaac Asimov · Book · 1950
Shares 2 threads with Star Trek: Space Opera, Hard Science Fiction.
The sweeping galactic politics of this trilogy echo the diplomatic challenges faced by the crew in Star Trek, focusing on the preservation of civilization across a vast interstellar landscape.
Foundation
Isaac Asimov · Book · 1984
Shares 2 threads with Star Trek: Space Opera, Hard Science Fiction.
Fans of Star Trek who appreciate the show's focus on long-term survival and societal development will find this exploration of galactic history a compelling look at humanity's future trajectory.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams · Book · 1979
Shares a thread with Star Trek: Space Opera.
While Star Trek approaches space with earnest curiosity, this story provides the necessary comedic counterbalance, using the vast absurdity of the universe to highlight the quirks of human nature.
Films on the same thread
2001: A Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick · Film · 1968
Shares 2 threads with Star Trek: Hard Science Fiction, Space Opera.
This film mirrors the philosophical inquiries found in Star Trek, specifically regarding the evolution of artificial intelligence and the existential questions that arise when humanity encounters mysterious alien artifacts.
Star Wars
George Lucas · Film · 1977
Shares a thread with Star Trek: Space Opera.
If you enjoy the ensemble dynamics and adventurous spirit of Star Trek, this heroic journey offers a high-stakes look at rebellion and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
Alien
Ridley Scott · Film · 1979
Explores: Isolation, Paranoia, Corporate Greed.
While Star Trek often finds wonder in the void, this story explores the darker side of deep space, focusing on the isolation and tension that can occur during interstellar contact.
Interstellar
Christopher Nolan · Film · 2014
Shares a thread with Star Trek: Hard Science Fiction.
Like the scientific missions of the Enterprise in Star Trek, this film uses the lens of space travel to examine the sacrifices humanity must make to ensure its continued survival.
Podcasts on the same thread
Stuff You Should Know
iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Curiosity, Intellectual exploration, Trivia.
For those who appreciate the intellectual curiosity driving the crew of Star Trek, this podcast provides an accessible way to explore the complex, fascinating realities of our own world.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2025
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
The moral dilemmas and historical consequences analyzed here reflect the high-stakes political narratives often featured in Star Trek, applying an analytical eye to the patterns of human civilization.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch Star Trek in?
You can begin with the original 1966 Star Trek series created by Gene Roddenberry to follow Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock. After completing the original mission of the U.S.S. Enterprise, you may choose to watch the 2009 Star Trek movie or the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks.
Is Star Trek: Lower Decks related to the original series?
Yes, Star Trek: Lower Decks is part of the broader franchise established by Gene Roddenberry. While it follows a different format, it exists within the same universe as the original 1966 Star Trek, which focuses on the five-year mission of the U.S.S. Enterprise crew.
How long is the mission of the U.S.S. Enterprise in the original Star Trek?
In the original 1966 series, the U.S.S. Enterprise is tasked with a five-year mission to explore the galaxy. Under the command of Captain James T. Kirk and First Officer Mr. Spock, the crew encounters various threats including Klingons, Romulans, and the genetically enhanced Khan Noonian Singh.
Does the 2009 Star Trek movie feature the original crew?
The 2009 Star Trek movie features the same core characters established in the 1966 series created by Gene Roddenberry. It depicts the U.S.S. Enterprise crew, including Captain James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock, as they embark on their adventures through space, the final frontier.