Star Wars Seizes the Crowd's Heart, and Star Trek Is Left Gazing at the Stars Alone

Good evening, night owls and lonely stargazers: the verdict is in, and it arrives wrapped in twin suns. In the Morfi market asking which sci-fi or fantasy franchise is the greatest of all time, the crowd has leaned toward a galaxy far, far away. Star Wars has the crown, Star Trek is the heartbroken runner-up, and somewhere a Hobbit is weeping into his second breakfast.

Let's remember who we're dealing with. According to Wikipedia's Star Wars entry, the saga began with George Lucas's film released on May 25, 1977, and its live-action films have pulled in over US$10 billion, third among all film franchises. The same page notes that all nine Skywalker Saga films were nominated for Academy Awards, with Oscars going to the first three. That is a long love affair, darling, and the receipts are in.

The page also tells a more bittersweet story. Lucas sold his company to Disney in 2012, the sequel trilogy followed between 2015 and 2019, and the sequel era discarded the old Expanded Universe from canon. Even the most beloved romance has a chapter where somebody burns the old letters.

Now the numbers, straight from the opinion market. Star Wars leads at 20% consensus, with Star Trek trailing at 11%. Remember, that's the crowd's conviction level, not a headcount of hearts. Also on the ballot: 8 other sides. So far 36 traders have put $92,784 behind their opinions, and trading opened less than a day ago, so this is a first kiss, not a wedding.

My take, and it is only mine: the crowd chose with its heart, and the heart wants a lightsaber hum at midnight and a John Williams swell as the credits rise. Star Trek is the lover who writes thoughtful letters about the future; Star Wars is the one who shows up at your window with a ship and a dream. I know which one I'd follow into hyperspace. Still, I'll say it plainly: I'd let Star Trek buy me a drink on any starbase.

What to watch next: whether Star Trek can close the gap as the late-night romantics pile in, and whether the eight wallflowers get a dance before the lights go up. This data comes from opinion markets on Morfi, where real people back their opinions with money. Take your own stand, join the market, and tell the universe who owns the crown.