4. Legacy
The final metric we'll take into account is legacy. What have both franchises contributed to our culture and what will their lasting impact be? Star Wars and Strek Trek have created some of the most iconic characters of all time. From sinister villains like the Borg and the Sith to dashing heroes like Han Solo and Captain Kirk. Their catchphrases have entered our lexicon: "may the force be with you," " live long and prosper". And with a new Star Wars trilogy on the horizon and Star Trek Into Darkness hitting theatres this summer, it seems that both franchises will continue capture the zeitgeist for years to come. Who can claim a more significant and lasting legacy? While Star Wars delivers the good in terms of popcorn entertainment, Star Trek has always tried to marry scifi think pieces to scifi entertainment. Star Treks cerebral approach spoke to young science-minded trekkies who wanted to emulate their heroes' quest for knowledge and replicate the technology they saw onscreen. Star Trek has inspired the design of numerous modern technologies including our moden day cellphones. If you are reading this article on your iPhone, than you can see just how much of an impact Star Trek has had our day to day lives.
Winner: Star Trek
Winner: Star Wars
There you have it. Our winner: Star Wars. Star Wars' colossal grosses and awards recognition proves that it has the edge in popularity. We can parse out numbers all day long but in the end it comes down to personal taste. Both franchises offer different things for different people and illustrate the depth and variety of the scifi genre. For those looking for a grandiose science fantasy epic spanning generations there's Star Wars. For scifi fans wanting a bit of food for thought along with your scifi entertainment there's Star Trek. I myself love both franchises (Trek just a little bit more). With Abrams at the helm of each franchise perhaps fans of Trek and Wars can set aside their differences and embrace both with open arms. Or, more likely, continue to debate with each other as each new iteration of Wars and Trek is released. After all, it's part of the fun of being a scifi fan. Let me know which franchise you love best in the comments below.