10 Franchises That Made It To Episode 7 Before Star Wars

What's the story?

The ageing crew of the Starship Enterprise boldly go from cardboard set-based 60s TV to big budget movies that alternately bore or delight their fanbase as they deal with vengeful superhumans, divine beings and singing whales.

What's in Part 7?

A ceremonial passing of the torch from the original crew to the new cast of The Next Generation (which had already been on the air before movies five and six were released), Star Trek beat its old rival Star Wars to the old-cast-make-way-for-the-new-one seventh instalment by over twenty years thanks to Star Trek Generations. The plot involves a time travel story that allows Captain Kirk to team up with his successor Picard before dying in an ignominious fashion. Spock is conspicuous by his absence.

How does it compare to the previous six?

The time honoured even numbered Star Trek films are good, odd numbered ones are bad conceit holds pretty firm here. Generations was generally dismissed as flabby and self-absorbed, but at least the Next Generation's movie debut is better than the original cast's in the tedious Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

Did it go beyond seven?

The Next Generation crew's next adventure, First Contact, arrived two years later and, as an even numbered film, was far better received, which at least might bode well for Star Wars VIII. Two more lacklustre Next Generation films followed before the recent reboot.