10 Star Trek Alternatives To Help Fans Get Their Fix

Like many legacy properties, Star Trek has found itself in a complicated place. Gene Roddenberry’s sci-fi franchise is now producing more content than ever, with numerous TV shows released since 2017. Under the guidance of Alex Kurtzman, these series continue the adventures of Starfleet as it presses further into unknown space, exploring new cultures and conflicts along the way. On paper, that sounds like exactly what fans would want.

However, reactions to these newer entries have been mixed. Some longtime viewers feel that the tone and storytelling differ from what they loved about earlier installments. Fortunately, for those seeking a similar experience, there are plenty of alternatives.

Several space adventures provide compelling options for Star Trek fans. Often inspired by the franchise’s earlier entries, these stories feature plucky travelers traversing the galaxy while tackling thoughtful, aspirational themes. In some cases, these alternatives even capture the spirit of classic Trek in ways that feel refreshingly familiar.

Related: 10 Lesser-Known Sci-Fi Movies That Are Worth Your Time

10 Star Trek Continues

Even among the franchise’s many fan projects, Star Trek Continues stands out. This miniseries wraps up the five-year mission of Captain Kirk and the Enterprise crew, continuing their exploration of strange new worlds in search of knowledge and intercultural understanding. In many ways, it serves as an unofficial conclusion to the original series.

The production carefully recreates the look and feel of the 1960s show. The sets, costumes, music, camerawork, lighting, editing, and directing all closely mirror the original aesthetic. Complementing these elements are performances that aim to capture the essence of the iconic crew. Series creator Vic Mignogna, for instance, delivers a portrayal of Kirk clearly inspired by William Shatner’s original performance. Together, these choices allow the series to revisit the thoughtful storytelling and philosophical questions that defined early Star Trek.^[1]

9 Star Trek: Resurgence

The Star Trek universe has inspired numerous video games, but Star Trek: Resurgence focuses more heavily on narrative and decision-making than action. Set after the events of The Next Generation films, the story follows the USS Resolute through the perspectives of two officers: Commander Jara Rydek and engineer Carter Diaz. Their mission to mediate a mining dispute soon reveals a deeper conflict involving a powerful ancient species.

Structured similarly to a Telltale-style game, Resurgence places players in control of key decisions throughout the story. Some choices unfold in tense, time-sensitive moments, while others revolve around ethical dilemmas and competing ideologies. By asking players to weigh these factors themselves, the game captures one of Star Trek‘s defining traits: the challenge of navigating complex moral questions in pursuit of a better future.^[2]

8 The Orville

What begins as a comedic homage gradually evolves into something more earnest. The Orville follows a mid-level exploratory vessel operating under the Planetary Union, a coalition of species dedicated to peaceful discovery. The ship is captained by Ed Mercer, a capable but imperfect officer attempting to rebuild his career after a personal setback—only to be further complicated by his ex-wife being assigned as his first officer.

Although early episodes lean into humor, the series increasingly embraces the thoughtful storytelling associated with classic Star Trek. As the crew encounters unfamiliar cultures and moral dilemmas, they are often forced to reconcile their ideals with the realities of the situations they face. In doing so, The Orville offers a modern take on the optimistic, exploratory spirit that defined earlier science fiction television.^[3]

7 Mass Effect

Many fans have imagined commanding their own starship, and Mass Effect brings that fantasy to life. Players step into the role of Commander Shepard, a human officer tasked with uniting the galaxy against a powerful ancient threat. Achieving that goal requires navigating political tensions between species that do not always trust one another, particularly given humanity’s rapid rise in influence.

The series clearly draws inspiration from Star Trek, placing players aboard a technologically advanced ship staffed by a diverse crew. Conversations with these characters reveal rich cultural backgrounds and personal conflicts, encouraging players to consider multiple perspectives. While the gameplay includes action-oriented missions, the heart of Mass Effect lies in its branching decisions, allowing players to shape alliances and outcomes across the galaxy in ways that reflect their own leadership style.^[4]

6 Star Ocean

If Star Trek were reimagined through the lens of anime, it might resemble Star Ocean. This long-running role-playing series takes place in a future where humanity is part of the Panagalactic Federation, an alliance of spacefaring civilizations. Each entry typically follows a group of explorers stranded on an unfamiliar planet, where local conflicts often carry broader implications.

Although the combat features flashy abilities and stylized battles, the underlying themes echo those of Star Trek. The characters must balance cooperation with caution, particularly when interacting with less technologically advanced societies. This dynamic closely mirrors the Prime Directive, underscoring the ethical responsibilities that come with exploration. With branching character relationships and multiple possible outcomes, Star Ocean highlights how different leadership choices can shape each journey.^[5]

5 Babylon 5

Most spacefaring stories focus on exploration, but Babylon 5 takes a different approach by remaining largely in one place. The series is set aboard a massive space station designed as a neutral ground following a devastating war between multiple alien factions. Representatives from across the galaxy gather there to negotiate peace, resolve disputes, and navigate fragile alliances.

This premise naturally leads to political and cultural tension, as diplomats bring competing values and histories into close quarters. The station’s human-led command staff must maintain order while confronting the realities of interstellar diplomacy. Over time, the series builds a layered narrative about cooperation, conflict, and the cost of maintaining peace.

The show is often compared to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, as both explore how idealistic principles hold up under pressure. In doing so, Babylon 5 offers a thoughtful look at the same kinds of moral and societal questions that have long defined Star Trek.^[6]

4 Andromeda

It’s fitting that one of Gene Roddenberry’s later concepts would echo so many of the ideas found in Star Trek. Andromeda begins with the fall of the Systems Commonwealth, a once-powerful alliance of planets that had evolved into a peaceful interstellar society. When this order collapses, a lone ship—the Andromeda—is trapped in a black hole and emerges centuries later to find the galaxy in disarray.

Captain Dylan Hunt survives the ordeal and sets out to rebuild what was lost. Alongside a diverse crew, he travels from world to world, attempting to restore cooperation and stability. While the setting is more fractured than that of Star Trek, the underlying message remains similar: that unity and understanding are worth striving for, even in difficult circumstances.

Throughout the series, Hunt confronts moral dilemmas and cultural divisions, often seeking solutions that prioritize long-term harmony over short-term gains. In that sense, Andromeda reflects the same hopeful philosophy that has long defined Roddenberry’s work.^[7]

3 Doctor Who

This long-running British series offers a different—but equally compelling—take on science fiction exploration. Doctor Who follows a mysterious alien known as the Doctor, a Time Lord who travels through space and time in a ship disguised as a police box. Rather than commanding a crew, the Doctor often travels with human companions, experiencing new worlds and eras through their eyes.

At its core, the show emphasizes curiosity, empathy, and the pursuit of knowledge. The Doctor frequently encounters injustice and steps in to help, relying more on intelligence and compassion than force. These qualities align closely with the ideals that Star Trek has championed for decades.

While the tone can shift between whimsical and serious, Doctor Who consistently returns to themes of hope and understanding. Its blend of adventure and moral reflection makes it a natural fit for fans seeking stories that explore both humanity and the universe beyond it.^[8]

2 For All Mankind

Though set in an alternate version of the past, For All Mankind shares many thematic similarities with Star Trek. The series imagines a world in which the Soviet Union reached the Moon before the United States, intensifying the space race and accelerating technological and social progress.

As the competition unfolds, advancements arrive earlier than they did in reality, including expanded opportunities for women and greater momentum in civil rights efforts. The show presents space exploration not just as a scientific endeavor, but as a catalyst for broader societal change.

In many ways, For All Mankind feels like a precursor to the optimistic future envisioned in Star Trek. It explores how humanity might overcome division through shared ambition, offering a grounded perspective on how those ideals could begin to take shape.^[9]

1 Star Control

While many science fiction games focus on a single ship or storyline, Star Control expands the scope to encompass an entire galaxy. The series centers on a conflict between the Alliance of Free Stars and the Ur-Quan Hierarchy, with humanity caught in the middle. Players are free to align with either side, shaping the outcome of the war through exploration, diplomacy, and combat.

As captain of a customizable vessel, you travel between planets gathering resources, upgrading your ship, and encountering a wide array of alien species. These interactions are often dialogue-driven, allowing players to uncover lore, form alliances, and influence the broader narrative.

With its emphasis on exploration, cultural exchange, and decision-making, Star Control captures many of the elements that make Star Trek appealing. It offers a sandbox approach to those ideas, giving players the freedom to chart their own course through a richly imagined universe.^[10]