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Ah, the eternal question -- which is better, "Star Trek" or "Star Wars"? While we don't want to pick sides in the philosophical debate, our research points to a clear winner at the cash register. You might think the longevity of "Star Trek" ensures its financial dominance. The original TV show started in 1966, and with 10 movies and four more TV series, lasted into the 21st century. Spock action figures and models of the Enterprise sold by Playmates Toys, Hasbro, and Hallmark have made the franchise $4 billion. However, despite the catchy
mission statement, the "Trek" movies haven't reached the final frontier. The series' worldwide gross was $1.76 billion. Logical, perhaps, but certainly not a stellar achievement. Even the franchise's biggest hit, 1996's "Star Trek: First Contact" only made $150,000,000 in theaters. Those numbers pale in comparison to George Lucas's fantasy flicks. "Star Wars" definitely has the box-office force. So far, the five movies have made a total of $5.67 billion, and they each rank high on the all-time worldwide box office list. "The Phantom Menace" alone made $922,379,000. And that's just the start. Games and DVDs pull in more money, but the Jedi toys really rake in the bucks. Forbes estimates that those little Chewbaccas and tie fighters have made about $9 billion. Han Solo was right -- hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster. Especially when it's made by Hasbro and sells for $19.99.
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