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10 Sci-Fi Shows Like Star Trek That Aren’t Star Trek

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While Star Trek may be among the pioneers of sci-fi television, exploring the galaxy for over 50 years, it has also inspired countless other shows to boldly head in the same direction. There’s just something about space that ignites our collective imagination and fills us with awe, and watching TV shows that explore the endless possibilities that lay amidst the stars provides genuinely great escapism.

Star Trek has always been about more than space battles and alien planets though. At its core, it delivers a message about progress, about using science to better understand one another . Which is why the franchise has resonated so strongly and endured for so long. And for all its groundbreaking influences, Star Trek is not the only space-faring show that has delivered the exact same ideals and adventures.

A bunch of other sci-fi series have carried on Star Trek's legacy of world-building . From faster-than-light space travel between solar systems to first encounters and battles with mysterious alien races, these 10 shows have proven that Star Trek left plenty of room behind for exploration, and with the right mix of characters, understanding future dilemmas can be stimulating and entertaining at the same time.

10 Red Dwarf (1988 – Present)

Creating a unique balance of science fiction and comedy is this British sleeper hit from the 1990s. It centers around a low-ranking technician named Dave Lister who realizes that he is the last human alive on the titular mining ship. His only companions are a hologram version of his dead bunkmate, Arnold Rimmer, and a neurotic humanoid Cat who evolved over time. He’s also three million years into the future. With their ship adrift, the characters encounter mutant creatures, strange phenomena, and alternate versions of themselves.

A Sci-Fi Series That’s Also Hilarious

While most space comedies fade over time, Red Dwarf is among the select few that has endured for over 30 years thanks to its irreverent and downright silly take on the beloved genre. So far, twelve series and a feature-length special have aired in the franchise. Red Dwarf focuses more on the hilarity of its characters rather than special effects or technicalities. And yet, the long-running series has amazed fans with its ability to always amaze fans.

9 Space: 1999 (1975 – 1977)

Space: 1999.

Space: 1999 begins with a massive thermonuclear explosion caused by a “magnetic radiation” sending the Moon out of the Earth’s orbit, along with all the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha, which is a scientific research facility located in the Moon's northern hemisphere.

The episodes that follow center around the adventures and the plights of the personnel on Moon, which is not considered a spacecraft. They travel from one end of the universe to another and deal with alien encounters, galactic dangers, and more.

Anderson’s Ambitious Storytelling in Space

Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, who first came into prominence after creating the classic British sci-fi series, Thunderbirds , which used electronic marionette puppetry, translated their skill into Space: 1999 a decade later.

With a controlled budget this time, this imaginative story involving speculative science and groundbreaking special effects also tackled mature themes as its Moonbase crew battled with abstract threats in vivid style. While the series lost its way in the second season, it developed a cult following over time.

8 Andromeda (2000 – 2005)

Based on the unused concepts and material by Gene Roddenberry and produced after his death, Andromeda is an exceptional soap opera. Led by Captain Dylan Hunt and his crew, we follow the adventures of a Systems Commonwealth ship named Andromeda Ascendant.

The show is set in the years before a devastating intergalactic war reshaped history. Hunt’s mission was to restore order in the galaxies and build a peaceful civilization, but he had to mediate conflicts, explore new worlds, and battle unfamiliar threats in the process.

Combines Spectacle with Complex Arcs

With its swashbuckling space adventures and season-long storytelling, Andromeda immersed viewers in a sprawling space saga. The series has five seasons and an intricately woven narrative that combines fantasy, cyberpunk and post-apocalyptic themes.

Moreover, while its politically charged plot points always keep you engaged, the intergalactic battles and stunning alien worlds deliver epic action. Kevin Sorbo leads a talented cast of actors, who turn Andromeda into a pioneering sci-fi with their performances.

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Many film genres have their own subgenres that blend seamlessly. An emerging genre in the sci-fi world is called lo-fi.

7 Farscape (1999 – 2003)

Created for the sole purpose of capturing interests of audiences who loved Star Trek and were displeased with its cancelation in 1969, Farscape tried to distinguish itself from the beloved series. Its plot centered around astronaut John Crichton, who finds himself stranded on the other side of the universe and branded as a fugitive after his ship crashes somewhere it wasn’t supposed to. Now, he is facing threats from the fascist and militaristic Peacekeepers and must find a way to escape.

Groundbreaking Blend of Drama and Fun

Unlike the protagonists of Star Trek , Crichton was not a noble man. He was an impressive stand-in with a lot of things to say about pop culture and was accompanied by Claudia Black, whose character sees immense growth throughout the series .

Farscape was lightyears ahead of its time. Its sophisticated drama and wild imagination, dark humor and creativity, as well as bizarre aliens and fully-realized worlds were too much to take in at once. Also short-lived, it left an indelible mark on sci-fi TV.

6 Battlestar Galactica (2003 – 2009)

Battlestar galactica.

Set in a distant solar system, the show first finds the few surviving humans of an interstellar war that broke out in the past with Cylons – a human-created race of robots that turned against their creators, launched a sneak attack on them, and lay waste to almost all civilization – working to rebuild society for themselves.

They are led by Commander William Adama and President Laura Roslin. As the crew faces a shortage of supplies and threat from the evolving Sylons, they look for a fabled lost planet called Earth.

Redefined Space Drama For a New Generation

Often imitated but never matched, Battlestar Galactica is a favorite among fans of Star Trek. The show created an epic modern mythology by combining complex political arcs and richly developed characters. Speaking of whom, it starred Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, and more as the main cast.

Their raw and emotional performances altered our expectations of the genre and influenced several TV shows . Overall, the narrative intrigue and stunning production values make Battlestar Galactica an enduring classic.

5 The Expanse (2015 – 2022)

The expanse.

In the 24th century, humanity has colonized space and settled into the solar system. They have also divided themselves into three powerful factions – the United Nations of Earth and Luna, the Martian Congressional Republic on Mars, the station-dwellers of the Asteroid Belt known as Belters.

When tensions between them escalate and a conspiracy threatens an all-out war, Josephus Miller, an interstellar police detective, is tasked with finding a woman and he unwittingly gets embroiled in the high-stakes action.

One of the Best Hard Sci-Fi Series

The Expanse is adapted from the acclaimed series of novels written by James S. A. Corey. Much like Star Trek , it brings space-set stories down to a gritty, realistic, human scale and evokes feelings of intrigue and bewilderment. The series is also well-researched, resulting in narratives and missions that feel extremely accurate. Winning both critical praise and a loyal fanbase, the show balanced pulse-pounding adventure with complex themes and established itself as a modern classic.

4 Firefly (2002 – 2003)

Writer and director Joss Whedon pitched Firefly as a show about “nine people looking into the blackness of space and seeing nine different things.” Set five hundred years after a civil war destroyed everything and forced humans to travel to a new star system, it follows the ragtag crew of a transport ship, Serenity, trying to get by any way that can.

Whether respecting the law or bending it, under the swaggering Captain Mal Reynolds’ command, the crew lives job to job and often finds itself in unpredictable situations.

Short-Lived But Hugely Influential

Whedon’s show spawned an entire franchise, which included a 2005 movie titled Serenity , several comics and two tabletop role-playing games. The success came from its juxtaposition of familiar Western tropes with a dazzling sci-fi vision on colonized space. Bursting with memorable characters, clever dialogue, and decent production, the series built a devoted fandom. Especially after it was released on DVD. Firefly was canceled after just one season, but it became a cult sensation for reinventing space drama.

3 Babylon 5 (1993 – 1998)

The concept and original idea of Babylon 5 is very similar to Star Trek . It is set aboard the titular space station, which acts as a neutral ground for alien races to meet and resolve conflicts. Their world is still in the early stages of learning about diplomacy, which is why when sinister factions like the Centauri and the Narn threaten peace with warfare, new mysteries, ancient shadows, and technology emerge, climaxing with betrayal, sacrifice and large scale space battles.

Boundary Pushing Long-Form Sci-Fi

Created by J. Michael Straczynski, Babylon 5 was a true storytelling risk. But for those who were willing to stick around, the series delivered on all fronts. Its novel approach to unfolding decade-spanning stories and intricate character arcs broke otherwise rigid television molds and generated the kind of viewership few other sci-fi series had at the time.

More than just a show about grand-scale galactic battles, Babylon 5 developed intimate political theories and detailed alien cultures to inspire awe and offer a beautiful take on peacekeeping.

20 of the Best Science Fiction TV Shows of All Time, Ranked

Sci-fi has been on television since its earliest days, and the best science fiction TV shows span 60 years, from The Jetsons to Stranger Things.

2 The Orville (2017 – Present)

The orville.

A genre-bending epic created by and starring the legendary Seth MacFarlane, The Orville takes us 400 years into the future and introduces us to the Planetary Union, a 25th-century alliance of Earth with several other planets. We follow the misadventures of the U.S.S. Orville crew as it operates under the command of Captain Edward Mercer and encounters comedic situations episode after episode.

Pays Lighthearted Homage to Star Trek

Instead of just telling an overarching story, The Orville explores various sci-fi concepts inspired by the early years of Star Trek and Next Generation (both are heavily parodied throughout the series). In addition, it fools viewers into thinking it’s merely a spoof but then, it reveals its true treasures.

The charismatic ensemble cast, laugh-out-loud dialogue, provocative stories, thoughtful comments on morality and unknown future, and a deft balance of gags and wonder make the show next-level fantastic.

1 Doctor Who (2005 – Present)

Originally premiered in 1963, Doctor Who is a sci-fi series that follows a powerful being known as a Time Lord, referred to as the Doctor. Using an interdimensional time-traveling ship known as the TARDIS, the Doctor travels time and space with various companions as they solve multiple problems and help avert catastrophe as much as they almost cause it. Though the Doctor is always the same character, they experience regenerations, allowing them to be recast every few seasons as a unique immortal being with new personality traits.

In Doctor Wh o , the mysterious Time Lord known as the Doctor has the ability to transform aspects of their appearance and personality by regenerating and adapting new incarnations. They use a sentient time machine, the TARDIS, and routinely embark on long journeys to save civilizations from a variety of dangers across space and time. The Doctor rarely works solo; they are joined by human companions who unwittingly get caught up in ever-changing adventures.

An Icon That’s Been Reinventing Itself for 60 Years

Thriving not only because of its longevity but also because of its constantly evolving core elements, Doctor Who has established a legacy for itself that’s not very different from Star Trek .

It tells a living, breathing story complete with iconic sci-fi/fantasy tropes that engage both old and new audiences, with each new volume bringing fresh adventures, era-accurate plot lines, broader casting choices and more representation. The compelling new Doctors and their equally interesting human friends make sure the format stays enthralling every season and reinvents itself over and over again.

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10 best sci-fi shows for fans of star trek.

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Star Trek Just Explained Q's Entire Personality in a Single Sentence

Star trek officially brands a surprising deep space nine hero as a war criminal, two star trek captains can pull off spock's vulcan nerve pinch.

Star Trek marked fans across generations, spanning an incredible collection of books, comics, movies, and TV shows. Any die-hard science fiction fan worthy of the designation has somehow found themselves immersed in the universe of Star Trek , in some way, shape, or form.

While there's plenty of content surrounding the franchise - enough to last a lifetime - there's no reason for sci-fi fans to stick to Star Trek alone! There are just so many great shows out there that also deserve attention, it would be a shame to not give them a try.

There's no talk of purists here, simply science fiction lovers who enjoy experiencing new things, and shows that definitely deserve attention. If you're still skeptical and find it hard to believe any show could ever match the wonders of Star Trek , then take a seat and read on. It's time to check out this list of awesome sci-fi shows guaranteed to delight any fan of Star Trek !

RELATED: Every Star Trek Series In Development

10. The Man In The High Castle (2015)

Winner of two Primetime Emmys and going strong towards its fourth season, The Man In The High Castle established itself as an absolute showstopper. The premise is fantastic and nothing short of bone-chilling.

Related: Star Trek: Discovery Shows How Pike Got His Original Series Injuries

The Man In The High Castle gives us a dystopian America, ruled by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. The show is set in the '60s, with the Allies having lost the Second World War. After one of the main characters, Juliana, comes across a film reel that depicts a defeated Germany, she embarks on a whirlwind journey with Joe Blake, a mysterious resistance member.

The Man In The High Castle is a fantastic adventure that takes alternative history to a whole other level. From the acting to the script, this show will glue fans to their seats and keep hearts racing throughout the entire thing.

9. Rick And Morty (2013)

It's been around for six years, and it's still one of the most popular series to ever grace our TVs. And Rick and Morty 's popularity is showing no signs of slowing down, amongst younger people and adults alike. Following the remarkable and out-of-this-world (literally and figuratively!) adventures of Morty and his scientist grandfather Rick, the show is hilarious in its own unapologetic way.

Related: Rick And Morty: 5 Best (And 5 Worst) Episodes

Rick and Morty is savage, mad, and creative beyond any pre-established limits. The formula of a dysfunctional 21st-century family is relatable and hits close to home for many fans. Plus, the added frantic adventures of the title characters across space and time, make for an unparalleled viewing experience.

8. The Twilight Zone (1959)

The true definition of "old but gold", it's hard to put The Twilight Zone within a single box when it comes to genre. The show is akin to Star Trek in the sense that it defined generations beyond the original time period during which it aired. Fans who still discover the cult favorite in this day and age, easily understand why it remains iconic for fans of science fiction, fantasy, and horror alike.

Related: 10 Classic Twilight Zone Episodes To Watch Before The Reboot

One of the best things about The Twilight Zone is that it ran for so many episodes (we're talking over a hundred!) that anyone who wants to give it a try will have their hands full with so much choice. There's no particular order to follow, and each episode offers its unique, twisted and brilliant share of plot twists, fear, and madness. Dig in!

7. Max Headroom (1987)

The '80s were a weird and crazy time in general. While many of us still have nightmares with shiny blue eyeshadow and fuschia unitards, the decade did bring us some TV gems. Max Headroom premiered in 1987 and ran for fourteen, very weird, episodes. A sci-fi masterpiece in its own right, the show is set in a dystopian future where network television is the cure for all evils.

Related: 10 Reasons Star Trek: Discovery Is The Best Star Trek Spinoff

Undoubtedly ahead of its time graph-wise, Max Headroom follows an investigative TV reporter, Edison Carter, who becomes part of an experiment that generates a computerized, virtual counterpart of himself. This new personality, Max Headroom, turns into a vital part of Carter's news show on Network 23. A little beyond wacky, the show will be a delight to any sci-fi fan out there!

6. Warehouse 13 (2009)

Some shows get lost in the confusion of trying to be everything that made previous works so enjoyable. However, every once in a while, we're blessed with series like Warehouse 13 . While it clearly borrows from other fan-favorites like The X-Files and Indiana Jones , the show has its own merits, especially for being so oddly endearing.

Related: 10 Recent TV Shows With The Worst Special Effects

Following a pair of US Secret Service agents that suddenly find themselves in charge of a secret location, the show offers plenty to grab onto. As the agents soon find out, they are now destined to protect all the ancient and powerful "Artifacts" a secret authority has collected throughout the years. Not only do they have to protect existing ones, but they must also find other objects with such wacky powers. With five seasons just begging to be streamed, Warehouse 13 sure makes for one hell of an adventure.

5. Firefly (2002)

This one speaks for itself. The brain-child of everyone's favorite sci-fi weirdo, Joss Whedon, Firefly is an absolute must-watch for any lovers of science fiction. Although it only ran for fourteen episodes, the show remains a cult favorite to this day. Fans fought hard to try and get the series to be renewed for a new season, but to the dismay of many, it didn't work. However, because of its cult-status, we did get the 2005 movie, Serenity , a bittersweet victory of sorts.

Related: Firefly: Where Are They Now?

Firefly might be a little bit all over the place with its premise of a futuristic space western, but it's definitely worth a watch, if not for its over-the-top storyline, at least for the enormous impact and significance it has in the world of science fiction.

4. Doctor Who (1969 & 2005)

Another no-brainer in this list, it's beyond obvious that sci-fi aficionados must - they simply must! - give Doctor Who a try. The show is nothing short of a long and beautiful love letter to all things science fiction. There are aliens, there's time travel, there's space, there are robots... what more can one ask for, honestly? The fact that Doctor Who is now clocking in on 26 seasons, putting together both the original and the revival, says enough.

Related: Doctor Who: 10 Times The Companions Were Stronger Than The Doctor

It's hard to choose between both versions, so the best thing you can do is go ahead and just watch them all. Each reincarnation and its respective companion bring its own set of adventures, emotions, and phenomenal storylines. If by the end of the show you don't feel compelled to order your own telephone booth from Amazon, you should probably watch it again.

3. Babylon 5 (1994)

Babylon 5 is sure to hook every Star Trek fan that keeps an open mind, simply because it sends such familiar vibes. It's a testament to the show's quality that it ran for four years, proving it could stand as its own stand-alone universe. The name Babylon 5 is taken directly from the Earth Alliance's space station, during the 23rd century.

Related: 18 Secrets Behind Babylon 5 Even Die-Hard Fans Don't Know

The storylines are far from empty and mindless. The show offers intrigue, political intrigue, and racial issues in bulk, making each episode feel like an entire season. The plot is intricate and does a great job keeping viewers entertained and invested in the story and characters. Plus, it offers much of what makes Star Trek such a favorite among fans.

2. Battlestar Galactica (1978 & 2003)

Where to begin with Battlestar Galactica ? Well, if you're up for it, go ahead and give the original 1978 series a try, since it can give you a good background before you sink your teeth into earlier versions. While the original does have its merits and can be credited for beginning a whole new age of science fiction, it's hardly arguable that the 2000's material is quite better.

Related: 15 Behind-The-Scenes Secrets Fans Don't Know About Battlestar Galactica

Following a now near-extinct human population, thanks to the attack of the Cyclons, Battlestar Galactica rivals Babylon 5 with its fantastic amount of betrayal, drama, politics, and religion. There's plenty to go through, including the 2003 mini-series that eventually evolved into a 73 action-packed TV show. Whether you choose to down it all or stick to a single version, you won't be disappointed!

1. Red Dwarf (1988)

An absolutely delightful mix of science fiction and gritty, dark humor, Red Dwarf has been entertaining audiences for decades. It originally premiered in the late 80s and ran until 1999, until it made its triumphant return in 2009. The show's formula is intelligent and puts forward more than enough to work with, both on the comedy and sci-fi sides of things.

Red Dwarf follows the adventures of the last human, Lister, and his hilarious, super intelligent cat. Set 3 million years in the future - yes, 3 million - Lister and his cat also count on a hologram of the main character's roommate to keep them company on their journey through space, characterized by a line-up of weird and wacky creatures. Never has British humor been better incorporated into the world of science-fiction than in Red Dwarf!

NEXT: Star Trek: 25 False Things About The Next Generation That Everyone Believed

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Star Trek TV Shows Ranked by Tomatometer

Updated: September 8, 2023

The Star Trek universe kicked off in 1966 with the original series , created by science fiction visionary Gene Roddenberry , and later exploded into a massive film and TV juggernaut.

While the original series, which starred William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock, saw only three seasons, it made an indelible impression on the sci-fi genre. Live-action TV follow-up Star Trek: The Next Generation , with  Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard leading an ensemble cast, captivated viewers from 1987–1994 and inspired three more series that would air within the next decade:  Star Trek: Deep Space Nine ,  Star Trek: Voyager , and  Star Trek: Enterprise .

Starting with 1979’s  Star Trek: The Motion Picture , Paramount Pictures has been regularly cranking out Trek films with the original series and Next Generation casts, as well as a rebooted version in 2009 with Chris Pine as Starfleet Academy cadet James Kirk and Zachary Quinto as young Spock. ( See the Star Trek films ranked here. )

In 2017,  Trek  returned to small screens with season 1 of CBS All Access streaming title  Star Trek: Discovery , set during a tumultuous wartime era about a decade before the original and starring Sonequa Martin-Green . The new series marked a TV franchise reboot by Alex Kurtzman , writer on the 2009 Star Trek film and its sequel  Star Trek Into Darkness .

RELATED: All Star Trek Movies Ranked by Tomatometer

The year 2020 gave fans a celebration of one of its most iconic characters with the premiere of Star Trek: Picard and Stewart reprising his role in the new streaming series that launched its second season in 2022. New live-action series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds was also released in 2022, and its first season was quickly Certified Fresh with a 100% Tomatometer score (it has since dropped to 99% on one review). The show’s second season, released in 2023, was nearly as well received and is Certified Fresh at 97% on the Tomatometer.

The TV franchise has since introduced two animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks , about the misfit support crew on one of Starfleet’s least-important ships, and kid-friendly Star Trek: Prodigy , which tells the story of a diverse group of teens who inadvertently become the crew of a prize starship and learn important lessons in their subsequent adventures. The latter series — No. 3 on our list below — has since been canceled by Paramount+, but a petition to save the show has gathered over 33,000 signatures.

Have a look below to find out which series score highest with critics in our Trek TV by Tomatometer list.

Disagree with the results? Tell us in the comments which series you think should have been ranked higher (or lower).

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022) 98%

Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973) 94%

Star Trek: Prodigy (2021) 97%

Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020) 92%

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) 92%

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) 91%

Star Trek: Picard (2020) 89%

Star Trek: Discovery (2017) 84%

Star Trek (1966) 80%

Star Trek: Voyager (1995) 76%

Star Trek: Enterprise (2001) 56%

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From 'Picard' to 'Discovery': Every 'Star Trek' TV Show (So Far), Ranked

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Paul Wesley Just Beamed Up a Bold Update on ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Season 4

Star trek never gave a flying fig about your sacred timeline, 'outer range' deserved another season.

Not so long ago, Star Trek fans faced a great drought—years without a new Star Trek show for fans to boldly go where no one had gone before. How times have changed! Now, the franchise has branched out to include kid-friendly show Star Trek: Prodigy . Star Trek: Discovery has been renewed for a fifth season. And Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has won over fans, old and new.

With so many shows expanding the franchise, we have to ask: how do the shows fare? We take a look at every major Star Trek show that’s aired so far and rank them based on merit. Let the arguments ensue!

RELATED: Jonathan Frakes on Directing 'Star Trek: Discovery,' 'Picard,' and What It Was Like Seeing 'Galaxy Quest' For the First Time

12. Star Trek: Picard

Set 20 years after his last appearance, Star Trek: Picard follows an elderly Jean-Luc Picard ( Sir Patrick Stewart ) who bands together with a ragtag crew to right the wrongs of his past.

Picard is undoubtedly one of the most popular and famous characters in the franchise, and the show is at its best when the spotlight is on him. Sir Patrick and the rest of the returning cast all step back into their characters’ shoes like no time has passed at all. But most of the new entrants are rather dull and the villains uninspiring.

While Michelle Hurd brings a layered complexity to her under-baked character and Santiago Cabrera flexes his skills playing multiple personalities, the rest of the characters feel muddled. Surprisingly, the show is most successful when it leans into the nostalgic elements, and Picard continues to be an arresting figure.

11. Star Trek: Prodigy

In Star Trek: Prodigy , a motley crew of young aliens are thrown together after escaping a prison colony. They end up on a highly coveted ship, the Protostar, under the guidance of a holographic version of Captain Janeway (voiced by Kate Mulgrew ).

The low ranking of Star Trek: Prodigy does not signify that something is wrong with this show. The animation is gorgeous, and the characters are unique. The youthful nature of the main cast brings with it an air of irreverence and rebellion. The show is a little darker than expected considering its target audience is children, but the stories border on hopefulness and camaraderie. However, the shortened runtime restricts the storytelling—the character development feels a little rushed and some plot lines need fleshing out. But the show remains a refreshing entry in the franchise because it’s outside the confines of the Alpha Quadrant and the Federation.

10. Star Trek: The Animated Series

Star Trek: The Animated Series continues the adventures of the Enterprise and its crew. The show kept the franchise alive in the 1970s, but its ambition outmatched the execution. Without the constraints of live-action, the two-season series was able to embrace the wackier and grander premises of the science-fiction genre.

However, the show does feel turgid and the animation is rudimentary. While most of the main cast from Star Trek: The Original Series returned to voice their characters (except for Walter Koenig because the creators ran out of budget), they rarely voice-acted together, and the disjointed acting is obvious in many episodes.

One of the major issues with TAS was that the show was created and aimed at a younger target audience yet didn’t appeal to them. But the show has plenty of intriguing storylines and concepts, including an episode where Uhura ( Nichelle Nichols ) captains the ship.

9. Star Trek: Enterprise

The last show before the drought, Star Trek: Enterprise follows the adventures of the first Enterprise crew. Positioned as a prequel, the show has rightfully garnered a ton of fans, but it still feels a little lackluster. Also, that theme song needed a lot of revision!

Due to its setting, the writers were bogged down correcting the continuity issues from the previous series. Some of the storytelling also feels regressive and out of place in the new millennium. The ship’s lack of advanced technology, especially the transporters, restricts the writing and slows down the pace. The characters are interesting and charming, especially the Mirror Universe versions. Scott Bakula as Captain Jonathan Archer cuts a striking figure, but the supporting cast’s charisma is inconsistent and sometimes underdone by their characterizations.

The show shines brightest when it embraces multi-arc storylines, but the change was too little too late. Enterprise was unceremoniously canceled before its time.

8. Star Trek: Short Treks

Star Trek: Short Treks is an anthology series set around the new Trek shows, though there are a few stories set in different eras.

Despite being only 10 episodes long over two seasons, Short Treks has a range of stories for all Trekkies to enjoy. The first season comprises two prequel stories of characters seen in Discovery while introducing new characters who would eventually join the show. The second season capitalizes on the fan-love for the USS Enterprise crew who appeared in Discovery Season 2. And there are a couple of animated shorts that expand the Star Trek universe further.

These bite-sized snippets not only give viewers a peek at the greater New Trek-verse, but they make for a perfect format to spotlight characters and arcs that would not have made it into the regular storylines. Short Treks is a thrilling new perspective into this beloved franchise.

7. Star Trek: Discovery

Star Trek: Discovery rang in a new phase in the franchise. Originally set years before the original series, the show cast a Black woman, Sonequa Martin-Green , in the lead, and peppers the cast with actors of color. If that isn’t all, Discovery became the first franchise show to introduce a gay couple in the main cast— Anthony Rapp and Wilson Cruz ’s characters Paul Stamets and Hugh Culber—and has since broadened queer representation with the addition of a transgender actor, Ian Alexander , playing a transgender character, Gray Tal, and a non-binary actor, Blu del Barrio playing a non-binary character, Adira Tal. With every season, Discovery proves how effortless it can be to expand diversity in a franchise, all the while creating compelling stories and characters.

If there’s one criticism that can be levied on the show is its gloomy tone. Star Trek relies on a utopian outlook, but Discovery is often dark and pessimistic.

6. Star Trek: Voyager

USS Voyager is sent on a mission to retrieve a fugitive Maquis vessel when the ship is pulled into the Delta quadrant—seventy thousand light-years from home.

Star Trek: Voyager was unfairly maligned for too long and, looking back decades later, one can’t help but wonder if misogyny played a part in that. Voyager marks the first time a Star Trek show was headlined by a woman and had a female captain. Thankfully, better sense has prevailed and over the past few years, the show is getting a lot of love from fans and Star Trek creators alike. Without the safety net of the Federation, Voyager and her crew have to be innovative to survive, to collaborate and stick together.

Voyager isn’t a perfect show, but it has come in for extra scrutiny. Some of the writing may be inconsistent, but the characters are the MVPs. Each one has relatable characteristics that make them compelling to watch, and several story arcs are analogous to discussing one's identity, and surviving trauma.

5. Star Trek: Lower Decks

Star Trek has usually focused on larger-than-life characters—the movers and shakers of Starfleet. But what about the cadets, crewmen and ensigns who appear in the corners of frames? Well, we find out the secret life of those unnamed junior officers in Star Trek: Lower Decks . Set aboard the USS Cerritos, the show follows a group of four lower deckers as they bumble their way through every mission, chafing against the senior staff who have their own issues to resolve.

This is a hilarious, irreverent show, buoyed by a voice cast that’s obviously enjoying every minute of their job. The animation is in line with the modern age’s preferred adult animated comedies. Lower Decks works best when it leans into the Star Trek concepts that creator Mike McMahan is a vocal fan of. When it veers away from the lore and tries to be too bawdy and ‘out there’, the writing tends to suffer.

4. Star Trek: The Original Series

Way back in the 1960s, Gene Roddenberry had a vision that would eventually come to fruition in the form of Star Trek: The Original Series (then called Star Trek ). It’s hard to imagine a world without Star Trek in it—despite low ratings during its three-season run, the show has become a cult classic and a mainstay in science-fiction history.

The show was a pioneering effort by Roddenberry—the utopian future it depicted combined with its take on an equal society irrespective of gender and race was a bold move. The adventures of the USS Enterprise are still enthralling and much of the political subtext painfully relevant. The central dynamic of the main trio continues to be one of the most engaging in pop culture.

While our collective nostalgic love for TOS remains, some of the show’s sensibilities feel dated now, especially the treatment of the female characters.

3. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine took some time to take off. The first few seasons are episodic and many of the storylines are questionable. But once it finds its stride, Deep Space Nine takes on its own unique formula.

As the first Star Trek show to cast a Black actor in the lead, Avery Brooks , the show shook up the Star Trek formula from the get-go. The main setting is aboard a static space station and the main thrust of the story is the Federation’s peace-keeping efforts following the Cardassian invasion of Bajor. The final three seasons center mainly on the Federation war against the Gamma Quadrant power, the Dominion.

From the beginning, the show tackles heavy issues like racism, religion and the impact of war, and it also includes some queer elements that were missing from the franchise. The character interactions are a highlight in the series, as is the writing, especially in the latter half of the show’s run when the multi-arc episodes become tight and compelling.

2. Star Trek: The Next Generation

There’s just no arguing with the brilliant storylines and the impact of Picard on pop culture. Like many of its Star Trek counterparts, Star Trek: The Next Generation had an iffy start but found its groove soon after. The consistency of the writing, the high concept storytelling and the range of themes play a huge part in The Next Generation ’s enduring legacy in the genre.

Sir Patrick Stewart as Picard is a real renaissance man—embodying the best of humanity as a captain and a friend while owning up to his errors. The expansive cast of characters all have their moment to shine, which is a change from The Original Series . The chemistry between the actors and their character dynamics is another reason we can’t help but tune in repeatedly. The show probes the meaning of being human with episodes like “I, Borg” and “Measure of a Man”. Star Trek truly matured with The Next Generation.

1. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Perfectly balancing the beloved episodic nature of Old Trek, while weaving in the inclusivity and modern sensibilities of New Trek, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is a feast for the soul. Led by Anson Mount ’s enigmatic and charming Captain Christopher Pike, the Enterprise is a ship that’s at the forefront of space exploration. But instead of being manned by a bunch of stuffed shirts, the crew of the ship is eccentric, with undercurrents that allude to complex backstories.

The show reimagines several characters from the original series, including T’Pring ( Gia Sandhu ), Nyota Uhura ( Celia Rose Gooding ), Christine Chapel ( Jess Bush ) and Joseph M’Benga ( Babs Olusanmokun ), giving them the spotlight that was missing in their original introductions. The new cast of characters is just as intriguing, with La'an Noonien-Singh ( Christina Chong ) adding a sense of moral drama to the proceedings, and Erica Ortegas ( Melissa Navia ) reveling in being a mysterious, scene-stealing personality.

The stories are compact, succinct, and juggle dramatic tension with levity, nostalgia, and action. You will end each episode feeling like a little kid who's watching Star Trek for the first time.

• TV Features

10 Best ‘Star Trek’ Movies and TV Shows of the Franchise (So Far)

By Clayton Davis

Clayton Davis

Senior Awards Editor

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Captain James T. Kirk, better known around these parts as William Shatner, turns 90 years old on March 22. The actor, director, producer and writer has had a seven decade careers, with a community of devoted fans that revere not just his place as a figure in the universe but the entire canon of “Star Trek” and its various entities in film and television.

We’ve seen multiple starship captains and leaders over the decades, including Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh), three Pikes (Jeffrey Hunter, Bruce Greenwood and Anson Mount), Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula), Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks), a rebooted James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and the ultimate badass Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), arguably the best of them all.

The entire franchise has spawned seven spin-off television series, 13 feature films and two animated series. The original series ran from 1966 to 1969 on NBC and was canceled just after three seasons. After which, we moved to an animated series (1973-1974), “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (1987-1994), “Deep Space Nine” (1993-1999), “Voyager” (1995-2001). “Enterprise” (2001-2005), and the three still ongoing “Discovery” (2017), “Picard” (2020) and “Lower Decks” (2020).

In the film sector, the original series delivered six films — “The Motion Picture” (1979), “The Wrath of Khan” (1982), “The Search for Spock” (1984), “The Voyage Home” (1986), “The Final Frontier” (1989) and “The Undiscovered Country” (1991). “The Next Generation” provided four – “Generations” (1994), “First Contact” (1996), “Insurrection” (1998) and “Nemesis” (2002) while “The Kelvin Timeline” or rebooted version has given three “Star Trek” (2009), “Star Trek Into Darkness” (2013) and “Star Trek Beyond” (2016), with all three having the highest box-office grosses of any film in the whole franchise. The 2009 film is also the only one to win an Academy Award for best makeup (Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow), along with “The Voyage Home,” garnering the most nominations at four.

There are still more in development under Paramount Plus and on the studio side. “Star Trek: Prodigy,” an animated series co-written and created by Dan Hageman and Kevin Hageman that focuses on a group of teenagers who get onto an abandoned starship, is set to drop later in 2021. From creators Akiva Goldsman, Alex Kurtzman and Jenny Lumet, “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” is a spin-off of “Discovery” and a prequel to the original series, following Captain Christopher Pike (Ansel Mount) and the crew of the USS Enterprise. Rebecca Romijn and Ethan Peck will also reprise their roles as Number One and Spock. Still yet to be confirmed, there is reportedly a Khan Noonien Singh limited series on the table, which explores the storyline from “The Wrath of Khan,” tentatively titled “Ceti Alpha V.”

Live long and prosper, Mr. Shatner.

Check out the full ranked list.

Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

Released : November 22, 1996 Written by : Brannon Braga, Ronald D. Moore (screenplay by and story by) and Rick Berman (story by)

Cast : Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden. Marina Sirtis, Alfre Woodard, James Cromwell, Alice Krige

Defining moments : “Jean-Luc blow up the damn ship” and Data saying “resistance is futile.”

“The Next Generation” struggled the most when translating from television to the big screen. Of the four features, “First Contact” was the most enjoyable, assembling interesting set pieces and a few memorable one-liners. Deservingly picking up an Oscar nomination for best makeup for Michael Westmore, Scott Wheeler and Jake Garber (losing to “The Nutty Professor”), it’s Jonathan Frakes’ (First Officer William T. Riker) first outing as a feature director. What makes the film a success is it abandons the notion that all roads have to involve James T. Kirk, which is one of the main reasons “Generations” really missteps.

Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)

Series run : January 1993 to June 1999 Created by : Rick Berman and Michael Piller

Cast : Avery Brooks, René Auberjonois, Terry Farrell, Cirroc Lofton, Colm Meaney, Armin Shimerman, Alexander Siddig, Nana Visitor, Michael Dorn, Nicole de Boer

Defining moments : Resistance with the Maquis, The Dominion War and The Mirror Universe

Commanding Officer and later Captain Benjamin Sisko (Brooks) was the best part of a series that wasn’t as consistently entertaining as its predecessors. Brooks is a grieving widower whose wife is killed by the Borg, an we follow him, along with his son Jake (Loft), and the rest of a fun crew that includes the Changeling Odo (Auberjonois), Medical Officer Julian Bashir (Siddig), Science Officer Jadzia Dax (Farrell), Operations Officer Miles O’Brien (Meaney) and a cult favorite Quark (Shimerman). The last two seasons of “The Next Generation” are set in the same years as the first two of “Deep Space Nine,” which then lines up with “Voyager” for the last five seasons.

Discovery (2019)

Series run : Premiered September 2017 (still running) Created by : Bryan Fuller and Alex Kurtzman

Cast : Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones, Shazad Latif, Anthony Rapp, Mary Wiseman, Jason Isaacs, Wilson Cruz, Anson Mount, David Ajala, Rachael Ancheril

Defining moments : The betrayal of Lieutenant Commander Michael Burnham

This series is still finding its footing and has lots to proud of thus far. It’s the first of the franchise to focus on a First Officer rather than the Captain, taking place about ten years before the original series. In the universe, we typically see someone going against orders for the “greater good.” Still, this series has taken that premise and expanded it with Commander Michael Burnham (Green), leading a mutiny against Captain Phillipa Georgiou (Yeoh) and starting a war against the Klingons, leading to the death of her captain. That alone creates a new type of storytelling for the franchise to explore and could help pull in more viewers of Paramount Plus’ show. It won a Primetime Emmy Award last year for outstanding prosthetic makeup for a series, limited series, movie or special, the first for the show thus far.

The Undiscovered Country (1991)

Released : December 6, 1991 Written by : Nicholas Meyer, Denny Martin Flinn (screenplay by), Leonard Nimoy, Lawrence Konner, Mark Rosenthal (story by)

Cast : William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Kim Cattrall, David Warner, Christopher Plummer

Defining moments : The final sign-off (“If I were Human, I believe my response would be, go to hell…if I were you human.”)

The original series saga’s final installment in feature-length form is enjoyable, showcasing a possible peace between the Klingon Empire and the Federation until a secret agenda is revealed that puts all our favorite heroes at risk. It also marks the final group appearance of the major cast members of the original series, with the late Christopher Plummer as the one-eyed Klingon General Chang, who is having the time of his life. We also have a cameo appearance by Christian Slater, whose mother, Mary Jo Slater, was the film’s casting director. The film was ultimately nominated for two Oscars (best sound effects editing and makeup) and, at the time, was the highest opener for the franchise. Before “Avengers: Endgame,” a reminder that the moving closing credit signature sequence was delivered in “The Undiscovered Country.”

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)

Series run : September 1987 to May 1994 Created by : Gene Roddenberry

Cast : Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton. Denise Crosby, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, Wil Wheaton

Defining moments : Tasha Yar’s death in episode “Skin of Evil”

The evolution of “Star Trek” was helped immensely by “The Next Generation,” which delivers the classically trained Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard, with one of the entire franchise’s best crews. Sleeker, with more interesting characters (admittedly not as well explored as they could have been), the show also encompasses one of the most notable deaths of any of the television outings with Tasha Yar (played by Denise Crosby). In the 23rd episode of the first season, we’ve already grown a connection to the Enterprise-D crew. With a behind-the-scenes request by Crosby to be removed from her contract, the act gave us one of the most emotional episodes of the franchise. Also…the creature Armus is TERRIFYING.

The Search for Spock (1984)

Released : June 1, 1984 Written by : Harve Bennett

Cast : William Shatner, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, Merritt Butrick, Christopher Lloyd

Defining moments : Spock’s “death.”

Let the great debate begin. Before #FilmTwitter quarreled about the merits of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” (spoiler alert: it’s the second-best of the entire franchise), there was a discussion on the qualities of the third installment of the Kirk saga. It was a huge sequel weekend in June 1984, as it opened against the second weekend of “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and the fourth week of “The Natural,” emerging victorious. It also marks the directorial debut of Leonard Nimoy, who was the first cast member ever to helm one of its films.  The visual effects are really where the movie comes alive, showcasing beautiful sequences developed by Industrial Light & Magic. What the film does is give heft and agency to the friendship between Kirk and Spock, and although the death of Kirk’s son is done haphazardly, the action sequences are pulse-pounding.

Voyager (1995-2001)

Series run : January 1995 to May 2001 Created by : Rick Berman, Michael Piller, Jeri Taylor

Cast : Kate Mulgrew, Robert Beltran, Roxann Dawson, Jennifer Lien, Robert Duncan McNeill, Ethan Phillips, Robert Picardo, Tim Russ, Garrett Wang, Jeri Ryan

Defining moments : “Same to you old friend” from “Year of Hell” episode with Janeway and Tuvok

Nostalgia and purists will say that the original “Star Trek” is the best because without that, we don’t have anything else that follows. While correct, in terms of quality, acting, and sheer audacity of the canon, “Voyager,” is behind-the-scenes, the best of them all. Kate Mulgrew’s Captain Janeway is vivacious, and she’s undoubtedly one of the best actresses to grace our screens (as also seen in Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black”) and Tuvok (played brilliantly by Tim Russ) is simply amazing. Also, “Seven of Nine” was my everything in my childhood, leading into my teenage years.

Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)

Series run : September 1966 to June 1969 Created by : Gene Roddenberry

Cast : William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley

Defining moments : “The Doomsday Machine”

You have to respect the origins of a franchise, and we should properly genuflect before the series that started it all. The entire cast goes for it, with little budget and strange scene constructions, but it has more highs than it does lows, featuring numerous memorable moments. Many will say that the defining episodes of the series fall somewhere between “City on the Edge Forever” (with the death of Edith Keeler) or the Kirk and Spock battle in “Amok Time” (thanks to “The Cable Guy” with Jim Carrey), but “The Doomsday Machine” has the most tension and an outstanding turn from guest star William Windom as Commodore Matt Decker.

The Wrath of Khan (1982)

Released : June 4, 1982 Written by : Jack B. Sowards (screenplay and story by) Harve Bennett (story by)

Cast : William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Walter Koenig, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Bibi Besch, Merritt Butrick, Paul Winfield, Kirstie Alley, Ricardo Montalbán

Defining moments : Spock’s “death”

If “Skin of Evil” defines the emotions on television, then “The Wrath of Khan” represents the silver screen for the franchise property. Our favorite Vulcan’s self-sacrifice, paired with Kirk’s eulogizing friend, is a tough one to stomach. It obviously is undone with the next entries of the cinematic universe, but it holds up immensely as a moving tribute to a beloved character. Sadly, no major awards love came for the film, which in many circles stands as the best in the franchise. Add the bombastic score of James Horner, and you receive amazing results.

Star Trek (2009)

Released : May 8, 2009 Written by : Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman

Cast : John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Winona Ryder, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin, Eric Bana, Leonard Nimoy, Chris Hemsworth

Defining moments : The final battle (“Fire everything!”)

Let’s get this out of the way nice and early.

Star Trek” (2009) received four Oscar nominations – for sound mixing, sound editing, visual effects, and makeup, which it won – it’s the one film of the franchise that should have been nominated for best picture, especially in the first year of a guaranteed 10 films for the Academy’s top category. I would also put it on a ballot for adapted screenplay and film editing. You don’t get an action-packed film like this rebooted entry that focuses beautifully on the beloved characters’ origin stories, giving them alternate timelines that don’t feel forced and still capture the spirit of what makes the franchise so great. SAG Awards should have also jotted it down for best cast ensemble. While the sequels have never recaptured that early magic, J.J. Abrams has proven he knows how to set up a story arc properly (sticking the landing is still up for debate). I only hope as Paramount Plus progresses forward in the universe, they take plays from the Kevin Feige playbook and give themselves a long roadmap that will pay off to something truly extraordinary.

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Den of Geek

Every Star Trek TV Series Ranked

We're ranking all the Star Trek TV series, from The Original Series to Strange New Worlds and beyond!

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Since its debut in 1966, Star Trek has boldly gone to nearly every cultural aspect of modern life. The franchise has included 13 feature films with various crews, numerous board and video games, hundreds of action figures, commemorative plates — you name it, and there’s probably a version with a Starfleet logo on it. 

But despite all this exploration into other media and fields, Star Trek remains best on television. And after a long drought, the franchise is finally thriving again in its original medium, despite the bumbling of its parent company Paramount. Even with Picard done and Discovery entering its fifth and final season, multiple series are still in production, including the acclaimed Strange New Worlds . 

But as the greatest Trek theme song reminds us, it’s been a long road getting from there to here. The Original Series was canceled after a budget-strapped third season in 1969 and only built its following in syndication. Star Trek: The Next Generation overcame its rocky start to launch a renaissance that lasted throughout the 90s, but the cancelation of Enterprise led to 13 years without a new Trek show on TV. 

With all of that behind us, and in the midst of a second Star Trek renaissance, it’s time to look back at the best and worst that the franchise has to offer. 

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12. Enterprise (2001 – 2004)

Enterprise will always be known as the series that ended the first Star Trek renaissance. What began with The Motion Picture and peaked with multiple excellent television series finally fizzled out with a lackluster series that too often felt perfunctory. 

The series certainly had the right idea in mind. Instead of continuing the storyline set out by The Next Generation or revisiting the Kirk era, Enterprise went back to the beginning, showing the rough early days of humanity’s warp-capable exploration and the establishment of the Federation. 

Despite those noble intentions, Enterprise mostly floundered, starting with its cast. Trip Tucker made for a fun swashbuckling hero from the beginning, John Billingsley brought a delightful weirdness to his alien Doctor Phlox , and Jolene Blalock brought depths of nuance to the oft-underdressed Vulcan T’Pol, but the rest of the crew got either underutilized or used poorly. The incredibly likable Scott Bakula struggled to get a handle on Captain Archer, Linda Park’s Hoshi Sato got less to do than TOS Uhura, and Travis Mayweather had no qualities beyond being born in space. 

However, Enterprise did eventually become a worthy Trek series. The Temporal Cold War gave the NX-01 more immediate relevance to other entries and the Xindi Civil War allowed the series to tackle questions raised by its post-9/11 present. However, even these advancements got overshadowed, partially by Ronald D. Moore leaving Trek to make the morally complex competitor Battlestar Galactica and by the producer’s decision to end the series by foregrounding Riker on the holodeck. In the end, Enterprise ’s time never came. 

11. The Animated Series (1973 – 1974)

We don’t know what it was like to watch The Animated Series during its original run, but it must have been magical. A beloved series, seemingly gone forever, gets one more crack. While the cheap TV animation of the 1970s must have been a disappointment to even the show’s first viewers, and surely some lamented the loss of Walter Koenig’s Chekov , who was cut from the show for budget reasons (a script written by Koenig was used for the episode “The Infinite Vulcan”), most would take more Trek in any form available. 

And to be sure, TAS was a worthy continuation of the original series. William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley and their co-stars proved to be able voice actors, breathing life into decidedly more static representations of their characters. Even better, the series benefited from scripts by some of the best sci-fi writers of the era, including the ever-reliable D.C. Fontana and Ringworld creator Larry Niven. 

To be sure, some of the novelty of TAS has worn off. Star Trek has proven to be a reliable franchise, and fans no longer have to be satisfied with the scraps that the studio tosses them. Even the best animated episodes feel diminished by their medium; less a second chance for the Enterprise crew and more a lesser version of the franchise we’ve come to love. 

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10. Short Treks (2019 – 2020)

Short Treks is exactly what it sounds like: 8-15 minute short movies set in various parts of the Star Trek universe. This small-scale approach means that it’s easy to forgive the Short Treks entries that go awry, and some certainly have. The series closer “Children of Mars” feels like an after-school special with slick music video aesthetics, made all the worse by the fact that it’s a lead-in to Picard season one, perhaps the worst season of Trek ever. The great composer Michael Giacchino finds some delightful turns in the Pixar -inspired “Ephriam and Dot,” but it’s a tonal disaster that makes the Discovery crew look like monsters. 

Fortunately, most of Short Treks ’ ten episodes are pretty great. “Calypso” takes a horror turn with Aldis Hodge playing a crewman alone on a haunted ship. The hilarious “The Trouble with Edward” stars H. Jon Benjamin as an insecure scientist whose arrogance gives tribbles their mass reproduction abilities. And “Q&A” foregrounds the wonderful Strange New Worlds , as Spock and Number One bond over show tunes while stuck in a turbo lift. 

Unfortunately, the inessential nature of Short Treks cuts against these stronger entries as well. Buried someplace on the Paramount+ app, Short Treks rarely have strong relevance to mainstream stories, and thus can be easily ignored, the good and the bad. 

9. Picard (2020 – 2023)

Picard ended with a miracle season, a perfect mixture of fan service and proper character development. Deftly helmed by showrunner Terry Matalas , Picard season three caught up with the beloved Captain and his crew twenty years later to find them grown older and different, not just stuck in their old routines. Combined with exciting newcomers, especially the stick-in-the-mud Captain Liam Shaw , Picard season three whet viewers’ appetites for more adventures, hopefully in a series called Star Trek: Legacy . 

Notice how I keep specifying “ Picard season three”? Because up until that season, Picard was an absolute disaster, the worst that the franchise ever put on screen. To be fair, it’s easy to understand Patrick Stewart’s trepidation at bringing back the old crew , worrying that the show would be a sad rehash of thirty-year-old stories. But in trying to avoid easy nostalgia, the first two seasons of Picard seemed to hate the very franchise it continued. The first season featured the brutal on-screen dismemberment of Icheb, a domesticated Riker with a pizza oven, and Starfleet officers decrying the “pure fucking hubris” of Picard. Season two was even worse, with its ‘Q has dementia’ plotline and a misguided approach to the Borg Queen. 

Fortunately, the Captain eventually righted the ship and gave us the story we wanted. Notably, the third season didn’t achieve success by avoiding darker moments. Picard has painful confrontations with Ro Laren and Beverly Crusher, the loss of a child threatens to tear apart Riker and Troi, and Worf straight-up beheads a dude. But all of these unpleasant notes come from a place of respect for the characters, building on what came before instead of destroying it for shock value. 

8. Lower Decks (2020 – Present)

There’s a unique joy to watching the Star Trek animated series Lower Decks , something akin to getting back together with old friends. Created by one-time Rick and Morty showrunner Mike McMahan, Lower Decks follows a quartet of ensigns on the USS Cerritos, a Starfleet ship tasked with mundane missions. With lower stakes, the characters have more downtime, allowing them to debate the merits of TNG ’s Rambo riff Roga Danor or play a Klingon DVD game hosted by Martok (voiced again by J. G. Hertzler). In these moments, Trekkies can’t help but chuckle with recognition. How is it that anyone else in the world laughs about these arcane parts of Trek lore? 

But at the same time, Lower Decks can get somewhat exhausting. The jokes come fast and furious, as leads Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid , Eugene Cordero, and Noël Wells sometimes shout their lines (a fact referenced in the recent crossover with Strange New Worlds ). And at times, the multitudinous in-jokes can become the point of the episode, banking way too much investment in the humor of a Tom Paris commemorative plate. 

However, Lower Decks has also proven itself to be capable of genuine character exploration. Over the course of the series, Newsome’s Beckett Mariner has revealed herself not to be a too-cool-for-school rebel from an 80s “slobs vs snobs” comedy, but an incredibly capable future officer whose difficult relationship with her mother drives her to self-sabotage. Wells’s Tendi fights against stereotypes about Orion pirates and sex slaves to establish herself as a good-hearted scientist. In these moments, LD finds its jokes in character motivations, not just in winking references. 

7. Prodigy (2021)

We really hate putting Prodigy so low. As a children’s animated series with ties to the still-underrated Voyager , it’s easy to see why so many Trekkies have skipped over it. That oversight certainly had something to do with Paramount’s boneheaded decision to remove it from Paramount+, the so-called “Home of Star Trek .” But those who did catch Prodigy , especially with their Trek -agnostic kids, discovered a truly delightful series that captured everything great about the franchise. 

Set deep in the Delta Quadrant, Prodigy follows a group of alien teens , led by Dal R’El (Brett Grey) and Gwyn (Ella Purnell), who escape a prison colony via the abandoned Starfleet craft the USS Protostar. With help from a holographic Captain Janeway , the kids learn to embrace the ideals of the Federation, while also uncovering their connection to the evil overlord the Diviner (John Noble). The kids’ idealism and desperate situation allows them to reaffirm Starfleet’s first principles, even as they encounter adults from the Federation who have forgotten the meaning behind the symbols they wear. 

By making outsiders the focus, Prodigy serves as a perfect entryway into Trek for its younger primary audience. But that doesn’t mean it avoids deep cuts. The main cast counts among its number a Tellurite (voiced by the always hilarious Jason Mantzoukas) and a Medusan (Agnus Imrie). Everyone from Spock and Crusher to Odo and Chakotay have appeared as holograms, and the series even featured the return of one-offs Admiral Jellico and the Outrageous Okona. Through Prodigy , even the most uninitiated Trek fan gets to see the franchise’s goofiest characters and most inspiring ideals. 

6. Discovery (2017 – 2023)

Strangely, Discovery only gets better as other Star Trek series embrace the standard form. When it first launched under the direction of the often wonderful but always idiosyncratic Bryan Fuller , Discovery aggressively separated from and connected to everything that came before. Instead of taking advantage of its likable cast, Disco focused almost entirely on Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), the heretofore unmentioned adopted sister of Spock. Season-long serialized arcs often built to disappointing reveals (all the dilithium in the 32nd century burned because a Kelpian had a temper tantrum?) and nobody asked to watch a topless Klingon woman commit sexual assault. 

But as Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks become more prominent during the second Trek renaissance, Disco ’s oddities can be accepted as the experiments they were meant to be. After all, Fuller intended the series to be an anthology, focusing on different characters and timelines each season. That offbeat spirit remained in the show, even after Fuller left production. As it heads into its fifth and final season, Disco remains committed to taking Trek into new, uncharted territory. 

Nowhere is that more clear than in its most controversial aspect: the crying. Emotion has always been a key part of Star Trek , represented by McCoy in the triumvirate with Kirk and Spock. But with Disco , emotion became a valid form of problem-solving, taking its place beside the franchise’s favored approach, logical thinking. Even if the crying in Discovery doesn’t work for everyone, there’s no denying that it serves the franchise’s core goals by finding new ways of understanding humanity.

5. Voyager (1995 – 2001)

Most Trek series get off on the wrong foot, but few screw things up like Voyager . Despite a fantastic premise, in which Captain Janeway strands her crew in the Delta Quadrant and is forced to work with Maquis dissidents, the series stumbles through some terrible decisions. Not only does it try to push the incredibly stupid and ugly Kazon as the chief enemy race (the way-better Vidiians are right there!), but it also acts like Neelix, who is controlling and petty with his two-year-old girlfriend Kes, is a lovable goof. Even for a Rick Berman-produced show, that’s creepy. 

You do have to get over the fact that the show chooses standalone episodes over serialization, basically killing any larger tension and most character development, but the show quickly makes it easier to forgive that shortcoming by telling some fantastic single episodes. By the time the fantastic Jerry Ryan joins the show in season four as ex-Borg Seven of Nine and the Kazon get left behind, Voyager delivers some all-time great Trek episodes, including “Year of Hell” and “Blink of an Eye.”

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Even better, the series settles into fleshing out its primary characters. Yes, this does mean that some go by the wayside — not just the departed Kes, but also Chakotay becomes a big nothing, Paris and B’Elanna get pushed into the domestic bliss corner, and Kim stays an ensign. But the tensions between Seven of Nine, Janeway, and the Doctor make for a classic Trek trio, allowing the show to explore the nature of humanity while also making the Captain the most adventurous of Starfleet leaders. Plus, Voyager gives us the best Trek kid ever in Naomi Wildman and no we will not hear counterarguments. 

4. Strange New Worlds (2022 – Present)

Aside from TOS , nearly every Trek series has started off with a bad season or two. But that’s not the case with Strange New Worlds , which has not had a single bad episode yet. 

SNW returns to the early days of the USS Enterprise, following the adventures of Kirk’s predecessor Captain Christopher Pike and a crew that includes young Spock and Uhura. What could have been a reactionary retreat to a safe era of Trek , complete with a straight white guy in the captain’s chair, has turned out to be Trek at its best. Anson Mount makes for not only an affable, big brother of a leader as Captain Pike , but he’s also a remarkably generous performer. Time and again, Mount finds new ways of supporting his scene partners, whether it’s playing a baffled straight man when Spock gets overwhelmed by his human side or reassuring his security chief La’an with words of gentle wisdom. 

Thanks to Mount’s ability to share the spotlight, SNW has been able to develop the best ensemble cast of any Trek series, a remarkable feat given its use of well-known characters. Ethan Peck has successfully established his own take on Spock, playing a more emotional version of the character that still feels like someone who will grow up to be Leonard Nimoy . Celia Rose Gooding plays Uhura as an incredibly talented Ensign who doesn’t yet know that she’ll become the legendary Starfleet comms officer. Babs Olusanmokun, Jess Bush, and Rebecca Romijn fully round out characters barely glimpsed in TOS .  

With this outstanding cast and crew, SNW puts a modern sheen on TOS themes and even episodes, without diverging too hard from what came before. Case in point: the season one finale “ A Qu a lity of Mercy ,” which revisits the classic episode “Balance of Terror” in an alternate reality. It’s our love for Pike and other characters that makes us want them to sacrifice a better life in order to restore the original timeline, even if it means Pike must accept his fiery fate. 

3. Star Trek (1966 – 1969)

Newcomers to the franchise sometimes struggle with the original series, finding it hopelessly dated. TOS does definitely embrace the aesthetics of its time, with its miniskirt uniforms, technicolor background lighting, and, yes, space hippies. But like The Twilight Zone , its closest counterpart of the era, both in terms of themes and influence, Star Trek used its outlandish premise to speak to the heart of the human condition. 

At this point, it’s easy to make jokes about William Shatner ’s idiosyncratic delivery, but there’s no denying how well it works for Captain Kirk. Every pregnant pause, every sparkle in his key-lit eyes reveals a genuine love for exploration. When combined with the logical Spock and the irascible McCoy, Star Trek establishes a perfect formula for spacefaring television adventures. Even as they encounter low-budget baddies like the costume-shop Gorn or the blocky supercomputer Landru, Kirk and Co. remain focused on the human element. 

Thanks to this approach, TOS perfected the sci-fi tension between high-concept ideas and terrestrial concerns. Gene Roddenberry and writers such as D.C. Fonatana and Gene L. Coon got to grapple with issues such as racism and the Vietnam War with stories about Klingons and Romulans. As rich and fantastic as TOS got, it never lost the humans at the center, making it ripe for continuing adventures and spin-offs.  

2. The Next Generation (1987 – 1994)

Patrick Stewart didn’t empty his suitcase. That’s how certain he was in the failure of Star Trek: The Next Generation . Stepping in for the hammy masculinity of the established Captain Kirk, the patrician, thoughtful (and bald) Jean-Luc Picard seemed like an ill-fit for the franchise, even with the more traditionally heroic Will Riker in tow. And for the first two seasons, Stewart seemed to be correct, especially when Roddenberry and others tried to restrict the TNG cast to TOS -style stories. 

But by the time it hit its third season, TNG perfected the Star Trek formula, embracing what was so great about TOS while also emphasizing its most underutilized asset, the ensemble cast. Instead of putting Picard at the center of a trio, which initially included Data and LaForge, the Captain became the imperfect parent of a family filled with interesting personalities. Debates about morality and philosophy occurred around a table in the ready room, where several voices chimed in on important issues. 

This isn’t to say that TNG didn’t grapple with big ideas like its predecessor. “The Measure of a Man” raised questions about the dignity of life, “ Chain of Command ” looked at the cost of war, and “Ensign Ro” considered the morality of resistance. It’s just that all of these episodes came from a place of love and investment in the characters. We tuned in every week not just to seek out new life and new civilizations, but to spend more time with interesting characters whom we loved, making even the most outlandish adventure feel as comfortable as a poker game with old friends. 

1. Deep Space Nine (1993 – 1999)

What initially seemed like too far a departure from the Star Trek formula has now become the standard hipster answer for ‘best Trek ’. But, you know, Deep Space Nine is the best Trek !

DS9 veered from its predecessors in several important ways. Instead of focusing on a space-faring Enterprise, it remained on the titular space station (although the addition of the Defiant in season three allowed the show to indulge in standard “ship and crew” storylines). It dealt directly with religion, thanks to its engagement with the Bajoran prophets who chose Commander Sisko as their Emissary. And it took a notably darker tone as the space station shifted from the outpost at the edge of Federation space to the frontline of the massive Dominion War. 

Despite these diversions, DS9 combined the best of the two previous series. Like TNG , DS9 boasted an excellent cast of interesting characters. As Benjamin Sisko , Avery Brooks played the best dad in television history, a grieving widower whose ideals often put him at odds with his Starfleet superiors. Armin Shimerman , Aron Eisenberg, and Max Grodénchik singlehandedly redeem the Ferengi, turning them from annoying and ugly enemy aliens to complex creatures with their own morality. And Nana Visitor’s Kira Nerys found layers of nuance in her Bajoran freedom fighter forced to work with the Federation. 

With these complex characters in place, DS9 told some of the most complex and compelling stories in Trek history, episodes that both challenged and upheld the franchise’s core utopian ideals. “In the Pale Moonlight” found Sisko bending his principles to force a treaty with the Romulans and “Far Beyond the Stars” reaffirmed the importance of science fiction. The show even made space for some of the best comedic episodes in Trek history, such as the baseball romp “Take Me Out to the Holosuite” and the 30th-anniversary special “Trials and Tribble-ations.” Deep Space Nine showed Trek at its most humane, ambitious, complex, and idealistic, making it the best show in the franchise. 

Joe George | @jageorgeii

Joe George’s writing has appeared at Slate, Polygon, Tor.com, and elsewhere!

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The best Star Trek series, ranked

Ready to settle in and watch some Star Trek episodes? Since there are so many, we’ve ranked all of the different series to help you get started on your quest.

Star Trek is one of the greatest franchises ever created. If you're new to the world of transporters and holodecks, you have so much wonderful content to catch up on — of course, some would say too much content.

Since there are over 850 episodes and counting (all of which you can stream on Paramount+ ), watching all of Star Trek can be more difficult than fighting a Gorn in the desert. To make things easier for you to get started, we've ranked every series (besides the short-form series Short Treks ) of this long-running franchise. Some of these choices were a bit daunting to play favorites with, but, like Jim Kirk, there's no belief in the no-win scenario.

Without further ado, here's our list of every Star Trek series ranked from worst to best.

11. Star Trek: Picard (2020–2023)

Star Trek: Picard was meant to be like comfort food to fans of Star Trek: The Next Generation . And whether fans were turned off by the changes in franchise direction with shows like Discovery or just wanted to see Patrick Stewart back in action, Paramount clearly thought this show would be almost universally beloved.

That didn't happen . The warm and fuzzy feeling of seeing a few familiar faces in the first season evaporated because of an often-confusing plot about androids. The second season continued this confusion with a time-travel story that often bordered on incoherence. While many Star Trek shows take a few seasons to hit their stride, it was shocking that so much of this relatively short series was seemingly created with "make it so-so" in mind.

10. Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973–1974)

If you're in the right mood (or you've been sipping on some Saurian brandy), Star Trek: The Animated Series has some wacky entertainment value. Any given episode had the writers throwing in stories like a giant version of a beloved character. And the animators threw some fun curveballs, including making the embodiment of evil into a shirtless hottie that would make even shirtless Kirk jealous.

However, this animated show was often caught between two very different worlds. It wasn't fully a return to the (relatively) grounded exploration of space, science, and morality of The Original Series . And it didn't fully lean into the chaotic possibilities of a cartoon world (something Lower Decks would later handle much better). So, while more and more elements of The Animated Series have become canonical thanks to shows like Discovery , and it's fun to hear the voice acting of the Original Series cast, this cartoon is one that all but the most hardcore fans can skip.

9. Star Trek: Enterprise (2001–2005)

Despite what you might have heard, Star Trek: Enterprise is not a bad show. It just didn't start as a very good show. The series was tragically canceled after the fourth season, which was arguably when it had just begun to hit its stride (thanks in part to longer story arcs and a really fun glimpse into Trek 's popular Mirror Universe).

At the end of the day, Enterprise is a show best enjoyed by Star Trek fans that like to pore over the Memory Alpha wiki and familiarize themselves with Trek minutiae. As a prequel show, it laid the groundwork for everything from Starfleet policy to alien interactions that other shows explore in more detail. If you don't have a shot at winning any Star Trek trivia contests at your local bar, it's still worth watching how captivating Scott Bakula can be in the captain's seat.

8. Star Trek: Prodigy (2021–present)

Star Trek: Prodigy was very difficult to rank. Unlike the other two Trek cartoons, this series was explicitly designed for younger audiences. Paramount clearly wants to use this show as a gateway for these younger fans to explore the wider world of Star Trek , but there are enough elements (most notably the return of Kate Mulgrew , reprising her role as Captain Janeway via a holographic form) to keep veteran franchise fans invested.

Ultimately, your enjoyment of this series will be largely dependent on how much you enjoy animated/YA entertainment. If nothing else, you should check out the first two episodes of this show to see just how beautiful the CGI animation can get.

7. Star Trek: Discovery (2017–present)

If Enterprise is the Star Trek show cut off too soon, Discovery may very well be the first Star Trek show to outlive its welcome, though it will end after its fifth season . There are many things the show gets right, from nifty effects to quirky characters to amazing casting (seriously, Sonequa Martin-Green is electrifying whenever she is on screen).

The show veers from a disjointed-but-interesting first season to a mesmerizing second season, which gets a real shot in the arm by introducing Captain Pike (played by the inimitably charming Anson Mount ) and Spock (played as a perfect homage to Leonard Nimoy by Ethan Peck). Later seasons, however, prove that the series can't get away from galactic-level threats, and character drama begins overriding plot development enough that we want to slingshot around the sun and return this series to its earlier roots.

6. Star Trek: Voyager (1995–2001)

Like many Trek series, Star Trek: Voyager had a rocky beginning, and it was often overshadowed by the excellent Deep Space Nine . Ironically, Voyager dramatically improved with what could be a cynical casting stunt: adding the alluring Jeri Ryan (constantly wearing a catsuit, no less).

Though it really looked like a desperate ratings stunt, Ryan turned the reformed Borg Seven of Nine into the most interesting character on the show. And, despite their alleged clashes behind the scenes, the actress helped to elevate every scene she shared with Kate Mulgrew. Between the new cast member, improved writing, and Mulgrew being nothing short of a damned icon, Voyager soon became appointment television, and it's definitely worth binge-watching for modern audiences.

5. Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020–present)

Lower Decks is an impressive show for many reasons, including the fact that its execution elevates its initial premise, which focuses on the lives of the lower-level staffers aboard the starship. Because showrunner Mike McMahan previously wrote for Rick and Morty and the animation takes its cues from the cartoon adventures of Rick Sanchez, many fans may have assumed Lower Decks would simply be " Star Trek meets Rick and Morty ."

Thankfully, that's not the case. Aside from animation similarities, the main element these two cartoons have in common is a breakneck, borderline chaotic pace. But as entertaining as it can be, Rick and Morty is an often nihilistic show with gags revolving around how nothing really matters. Lower Decks , however, is a lighthearted series that serves as the cure to modern Trek . If you've dismissed other contemporary series such as Discovery and Picard because they are grim, violent, and serious, Lower Decks is a wonderfully lighthearted alternative that is never afraid to poke fun at its own franchise.

4. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022–present)

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is a truly pleasant surprise to fans of the franchise. Set years before Captain Kirk sat in that famous chair, we see Capt. Christopher Pike (Anson Mount reprising the role) lead the U.S.S. Enterprise into bizarre adventures alongside some familiar characters (Ethan Peck returning as Spock, for example) and a few new ones.

Part of what helps this show shine is that it marks a return to episodic Trek in that every installment is a self-contained adventure as opposed to other newer series like Discovery and Picard , which build entire seasons around a single plot. The characters all ooze with the same swashbuckling charm of The Original Series characters, and we can't wait to see more of their adventures. We also can't wait to see more of Anson Mount's amazing hair (arguably the most awesome practical effect in the franchise).

3. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994)

Star Trek: The Next Generation has the dubious honor of being the first Trek show where veteran fans warn against new fans starting at the very beginning. Early episodes ranged from stupidly horny (planetary inhabitants in the episode "Justice" were barely wearing scraps of clothing) to ridiculously racist ("Code of Honor" may very well be the worst Star Trek episode ever made). Many of these problems stemmed from the fact that despite being called "The Next Generation," the show was trying to recreate The Original Series (right down to using some of the same writers and shamelessly reusing scripts from the scrapped Star Trek: Phase II series).

As fans like to joke, the show got better as Commander Riker's beard got longer. Season 2 was a major improvement, which was then usurped by season 3, which brought in new uniforms, new sets, and Michael Piller to head up the writing team. Just like that, TNG embraced its differences from its famous forerunner (Picard was cerebral whereas Kirk was impulsive, Data yearned for emotion whereas Spock detested it, and so on). At last, the gamble paid off, and the next generation of this franchise ushered in the next generation of Star Trek fans.

2. Star Trek: The Original Series (1966–1969)

What can we say about The Original Series that hasn't been said already? Gene Roddenberry successfully fused science fiction with American pioneer spirit to create his vision of this " Wagon Train to the stars." The episodes were both fun and thought-provoking in equal measure, and William Shatner as Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Spock, among many others, turned in performances that seared themselves into our collective pop culture consciousness.

The Original Series offered social commentary about racism, imperialism, and (often to Spock's annoyance) the human condition. And the blend of big acting, ambitious sets, and poignant plots helped this show become something truly transcendent. The OG Star Trek shaped not only the future of the franchise but television itself, and it's not hard to see why it continues to win over new generations of fans year after year.

1. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993–1999)

Placing Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in the top spot is perhaps a contentious decision. However, this series did more than measure up to the quality of The Next Generation (a lofty feat in and of itself). The show also made a number of storytelling and production choices that have helped DS9 seem more relevant in recent years than ever before, including tackling issues about race, religious fundamentalism, and war on a regular basis.

Perhaps the main way DS9 feels so pertinent is that the show broke the longstanding Trek rule of making only standalone episodes. As the powers that be focused more on creating their next show, Voyager , DS9 showrunner Ira Steven Behr was able to get away with creating long story arcs and frequent episode callbacks. The end result of this is that Deep Space Nine is the first of the pre-streaming era Trek shows that is perfect for binge-watching.

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Boldly go: Every 'Star Trek' series, ranked

The Final Frontier is full of some amazing television.

With over 800 episodes of space-based adventure logged, Star Trek is the sci-fi TV franchise to beat.

For more than 50 years, whether fans have followed the voyages of the Starship Enterprise or the animated antics of the Lower Decks  and Prodigy  crews, Star Trek has proven that it is endlessly imaginative and consistently inspiring. The franchise takes its Vulcan mantra of “Infinite Diversity, Infinite Combinations” to heart, offering series led by an ensemble of complex and supportive characters that act as guides and companions on trips to the strange new worlds that Star Trek helps audiences escape to on a weekly basis. From Captain Kirk’s original five-year mission (which unfortunately was curtailed after just three), to Patrick Stewart's return in  Picard , there’s something for everyone in the Final Frontier.

In honor of Star Trek: Discovery return to Paramount+ to finish off its fourth season this week, we have beamed down our definitive ranking of every Trek series. So replicate yourself a cup of tea, Earl Grey, hot, and see if your favorite made (ahem) Number One. 

11. Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973-1975)

Credit: CBS via Getty Images

Unbound by live-action TV budget limitations, Star Trek: The Animated Series makes up for its low-fi animation and sometimes stiff pacing issues with an impressive execution of big sci-fi premises. From giant Spocks to flying plant dragons, TAS features truly out-there storylines that push the boundaries of what one would expect to find in Trek’s take on outer space. In the '60s. The Animated Series may not have the same respect or importance as other Trek shows, both animated and live-action, but TAS at least deserves some praise for its ambition and for trying to keep the franchise alive during its fallow period. 

Featuring most of the original cast returning to voice their iconic characters, along with several key writers from The Original Series , the Enterprise's brief run of animated adventures delivers a nostalgic, kid-friendly continuation of the voyages fans fell in love with in the '60s.

10. Star Trek: Short Treks (2018-2020)

Credit: Michael Gibson/CBS

An inventive and (mostly) satisfying mix of live-action and animated tales, Star Trek: Short Trek s acted as a bridge between releases of full seasons of Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Picard, with side stories centered on key characters and aspects of the then-CBS All Access era of the franchise. The shorts, with run times between ten to 20 minutes, feature storylines that cater largely to Discovery fans, with appearances from fan-favorites Ensign Tilly (Mary Wiseman) and Captain Pike (Anson Mount) providing audiences with a peek at what happens in the periphery of the flagship series. These side missions allow the franchise to take one of its most unique and creative swings in its entire history; think Star Trek ’s version of Marvel’s “One-Shot” shorts. 

While not every installment feels necessary or particularly engaging — the Saru-centric “The Brightest Star” struggles to find a compelling pace that works well with its heartfelt glimpse into the alien’s homeworld — Short Treks does provide impressive visuals and interesting bits of connective tissue to make the experience of watching future Discovery episodes more whole. The highlights of this brief run of shorts include the distant future-set “Calypso,” with a teleplay by Picard Season 1 showrunner and author Michael Chabon, and the zany animated tale “Ephraim and Dot,” which director Michael Giacchino injects with a strong dose of Tom and Jerry -esque antics as his film pinballs between certain iconic events from Trek ’s extensive history on both the big and small screens. 

9. Star Trek: Picard (2020-Present)

Credit: Trae Patton/CBS

After a 26-year absence, Patrick Stewart and his iconic character of Jean-Luc Picard returned to the small screen in Star Trek: Picard . The highly anticipated, big-budget nostalgia play was a mixed bag of creative choices that fell somewhere between thrilling fan service and noble misfire. 

Picard finds the former Enterprise-E captain struggling to enjoy life on his family vineyard after a mission to save Romulan refugees forced him into early retirement. But, when an android-human hybrid shows up at his home, hunted by ninja-like Romulan assassins, Picard must boldly go once again into space to find out who this woman is, what she has to do with the late Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner), and how all of this ties together with the Federation’s work in helping former Borg drones re-enter civilian life. The elevator pitch for the first season is basically Star Trek: Blade Runner , starring one of the most beloved Trek characters in the Rick Deckard role. However,  Picard doesn’t bring much new to this premise, which sci-fi has more than adequately covered by now — and that’s unfortunate, because the last thing a Star Trek show should make one feel is a near-constant sense of “been there, done that.”

As fun as it is to see Picard, Data, and Jeri Ryan’s badass Seven of Nine back in action, it comes at the cost of some baffling and frustrating character choices, namely with Picard. For the first third of the series, we see a Picard who behaves in emotionally dishonest and unlikable ways. (For example, after the former Captain has a falling out with a dear friend and fellow officer, he never once checks in with her until years later — when he needs something.) To present a formerly selfless hero as someone who is now more selfish than ever before results in a profound narrative flaw at the core of this series, which progresses to a confounding finale where Star Trek cures death and no one bothers to even think about pointing that fact out. The limited success Picard does find, outside of impressive visual spectacles, are in the brief but rewarding scenes where our hero reunites with past Next Generation crew members or revisits certain dark areas of his traumatic past with the Borg. Here’s hoping Picard Season 2 packs more resonance with fans by affording the character more to do than just travel through other sci-fi’s great story ideas in search of his own. 

8. Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005)

Credit: CBS

UPN's attempts in 2001 to use Star Trek: Enterprise as a way to revitalize the franchise and make it more appealing to non- Trek audiences was, at the time, a risk that made creative sense. One that even occasionally paid off episodically. But the arrival of this prequel series arguably did more harm than good. (Remember those ads featuring The Calling's "Wherever You Will Go?" Woof.) 

By the time Enterprise premiered, executive producer Rick Berman had already created three other shows during his time as the franchise’s overseer, and his tenure with Star Trek at this point had a very “assembly line” feel to it. On paper, the idea of exploring the early days of Starfleet from the bridge of a pre-Kirk Enterprise seemed like the shot in the arm that Trek needed, one ripe with possibility. But in execution, the series struggled to find its identity or connect with audiences in the way previous shows or their significantly more compelling and likable ensemble casts did. Enterprise ’s first two seasons never quite lived up to the marketing’s promise of a more rough-around-the-edges, action-packed Trek . Most of their episodes could have existed on any other Trek series, which didn’t help Enterprise stand out among its trailblazing predecessors. 

The voyages of Captain Archer (Scott Bakula) and his intrepid crew really hit their stride in Seasons 3 and 4, however, especially in the latter. The show’s final season finally let Enterprise embrace its Trek- ness with callbacks to Original Series canon. (Mirror Universe FTW!) But, by then, it was too late. And that’s too bad, as Bakula brought a ‘90s-esque, Harrison Ford action hero vibe to the franchise as a Captain struggling to do what’s right and best for the galaxy’s future at a time when he is a vital figure in shaping it.

While we're here, let's give a special mention to the show's most underrated asset, Chief Engineer Trip Tucker (Conner Trinneer). He's basically McCoy and Scotty rolled into one.

7. Star Trek: Discovery (2017-Present)

Literally going where no Trek TV series has gone before, in both scale and tone, Discovery is the most diverse and progressive Trek  so far, which is why it has, in part,  such a passionate fanbase. The series is a thematically-driven, character-first, action-packed depiction of a Starfleet charged with test driving their Utopian ideals in the middle of a war with the Klingons — all on the bleeding edge of the Final Frontier. 

While hardcore fans initially bumped against the show's darker elements, crying, "This isn't Star Trek, " after four seasons, those naysayers have seemingly come around to embracing Discovery ’s big-budget attempt to mix the current trend of “grounded and gritty” television with what makes Trek , well, Trek . After a bumpy first season launch, Discovery eventually found how to make that mixture work with its effortlessly entertaining Season 2, which brought the U.S.S. Enterprise from Captain Pike’s day into Discovery ’s prequel storyline. Combining the two crews and their histories allowed for a very entertaining season of fan-service highs, one that afforded Discovery to showcase one of Trek ’s strongest suits: Great characters. 

The dynamic established by Discovery’ s diverse and endearing ensemble allows the series to tell stories that do what all great sci-fi does — use a future setting to hold up a mirror to our very present reality. In doing so, Discovery delivered one of the franchise’s most fully-formed and likable heroes ever, starting with Sonequa Martin-Green's conflicted Michael Burnham. (We are also big fans of Season 1’s duplicitous, and fortune cookie-loving, Captain Lorca, played by Jason Issacs.) And while the first season’s Klingon War arc comes off half-baked and under-serviced, in favor of a season-arc involving the Mirror Universe, that detour is totally worth it for a late-Season 1 phaser battle that is among the best action scenes Trek has ever produced.

6. Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020-Present)

This first animated Trek show since the ’70s, Lower Decks is also the first outright sitcom in Trek history. 

Centered on the very junior, and very funny, crew of the U.S.S. Cerritos, Lower Decks premiered in 2020 on Paramount+ to quickly become one of the most talked-about and entertaining Trek series ever. From creator and showrunner Mike McMahan ( Rick and Morty ), Lower Decks is often a perfect mix of funny and Trek -level pathos. The show finds a unique and comical way to spin the mundane tasks of day-to-day life as a member of this plucky and endearing crew that embraces the best of Trek . This is a show featuring characters we laugh with but never at as they deal with the rewarding dirty work that Kirk and Picard’s crews never had time for. In doing so, Lower Decks manages to add a much-needed sense of levity by using memorable tropes and moments from Trek’s past to push the franchise and the overall story forward. 

5. Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)

Star Trek: Voyager made TV history by being the first Trek series with a female captain when it premiered 26 years ago. That long-overdue and inspired choice was one of the few things that held Voyager together as it, like most Trek series post- TNG , got off to a rocky start during its early seasons. Voyager arguably had one of the bumpiest of beginnings in Trek history, as the UPN series struggled from the jump to fully deliver on its great premise: Federation officers and their freedom fighter counterparts are lost in space, 70,000 light-years from Earth, struggling to get back home. What was intended to be a showcase for what happens when you have no starbases to repair battle damage or replenish supplies turned into Next Gen Lite ; only a handful of episodes in the back half of the series’ run truly achieved best-of status or came close to fulfilling the series’ core concept. Most of Voyager ’s run feels like each new ep is almost re-piloting the series, which makes Voyager feel like a show ironically searching for its own path just as its characters try to find theirs back to Earth. 

But what makes Voyager so consistently compelling to this day, aside from some of the series’ show-stopping space battles and a very likable cast, is Kate Mulgrew’s iconic Captain Janeway. Mulgrew invested Janeway with a fierce intelligence and endearing charm as she was both captain and “mother” to this crew, someone determined to get all of them home despite how many of the Delta Quadrant’s vast network of alien threats stood in her way. (Why she would sometimes prolong this mandate with exploratory detours that would risk depleting the ship’s already-low resources is debatable.) The introduction of former Borg Seven of Nine gave Voyager the shot in the arm it sorely needed. 

Seven’s addition to the cast inspired a Kirk-Spock dynamic between her and Janeway, giving the show a strong dose of conflict and humanity as the two characters butted heads just as often as they worked together to save this family from castaway status. It is too bad Voyager all but flatlined with a big, lackluster series finale that shows Voyager returning to Earth after seven seasons without giving its crew — or the fans — a dramatically satisfying homecoming. The series finale concludes with the baffling choice to relegate Voyager's arrival at Earth to the episode’s final scene, and stopping the show there. This momentous occasion plays like it were just another planet that the starship visited. Both the characters and the fans deserved a better final episode.

4. Star Trek: Prodigy (2021-Present)

It’s fitting that Star Trek: Prodigy is a pseudo-sequel series to Star Trek: Voyager . Not just because the former features the latter’s iconic Captain Janeway in hologram form, but because Prodigy is another series about untested but likable heroes forging a found family in one of the most distant corners of the galaxy, the Delta Quadrant. And, in doing so, they give fans some of the most thematically well-told, character-driven stories in recent Trek history.

All the popular and expected Trek tropes are there — along with the appearance of legacy Trek characters. But Prodigy is the first show to tackle them through the welcomed POV of non-Starfleet characters. Our young heroes, led by the cocky-but-capable Dal, aren’t even trained or really know what a starship like theirs, the experimental Protostar, is. By having the characters serve as a surrogate for the audience, to put us at ground level with them as they have some very intense on-the-job training in the world of Star Trek , makes it so that every panicked breath they take or victory they earn feel like one of our own. That creative choice yields some truly resonate storylines (and feature film-worthy dramatic and comedic beats) that elevate Prodigy to being not just an excellent animated show for kids, but also just overall a great television series.

3. Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)

Featuring the best first two seasons of any Star Trek series, the original adventures of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are classic television for a reason. 

Aside from the uneven third season, plagued by budget cuts and behind-the-scenes creative issues, Star Trek ’s original voyages succeed largely by grounding their fantastic sci-fi concepts on the backs of characters you couldn’t help but root for. The show was one of the first series to have something to say, as creator Gene Roddenberry and producer/writer Gene Coon used the Enterprise and her crew to service themes and subject matter that were especially relevant to 1960s culture. In doing so, Star Trek created icons out of Kirk and the rest of his intrepid crew. It also set the standard for telling sci-fi stories on television in relatable and resonant ways that would inspire and fuel every subsequent Trek series. The first two seasons’ worth of storylines warp out of the gate with episodes centered on eugenics, the moral fog (and ethical cost) of war, what it means to be a captain when your best friend becomes your enemy, and, of course, the Mirror Universe. Never before or since has a Trek series premiered as close to fully-formed as this one does, with the Kirk-Spock-McCoy triumvirate headlining one of the most memorable and engaging casts in television history. Star Trek broke racial barriers with Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura, and it used science fiction — and the way the Enterprise crew explored the vastness of space — as a way to give its very human audiences an opportunity to look inward and find what makes such exploration still worth taking. 

2. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)

Credit: CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

Pound for pound, you won't find a more consistent or entertaining run of Star Trek episodes than The Next Generation ’s third and fourth seasons. That's when this classic syndicated series found its narrative footing, after two very uneven seasons burdened with epic behind-the-scenes clashes among creatives. The show that emerged from all of that turmoil gave us Sir Patrick Stewart, the Borg, Star Trek ’s first cliffhanger ("The Best of Both Worlds, Part 1"), and several stone-cold sci-fi classics such as "Yesterday's Enterprise," "The Inner Light," "Cause and Effect," and the all-timer series finale "All Good Things". 

While TNG petered out creatively during its last two seasons, it managed to change the genre and the franchise in a way that still resonates today. The core characters (especially the meme-friendly likes of Jonathan Frakes’ Riker and LeVar Burton’s Geordi LaForge) are arguably more popular now than they were when the series premiered in 1987. We can credit that continuing popularity to the new (pun intended) generations of fans finding the show via streaming and helping ensure the legacy of this iconic Enterprise crew. 

Star Trek: The Next Generation is perfect TV comfort food at a time when we really could use it. Unlike The Original Series, TNG had the time and budget to flex its full potential and find unique opportunities for sci-fi drama that only the Final Frontier affords. In doing so, Next Gen made nothing short of TV history. 

01. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)

Credit: Paramount Television /Courtesy Everett Collection

One of the first pre-Peak TV series to embrace long-form, serialized storytelling, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was and still is the bastard, rule-breaking stepchild of the Trek universe. And it is all the better for it. 

DS9 never found the ratings that its predecessor The Next Generation did, but it did find a deeper and more complex vein of sci-fi storytelling to tap into — one that has allowed the series to prove even more rewarding on subsequent rewatches. Released at a time when serialized television was often frowned upon, DS9 was more concerned with telling stories worth audiences’ time than complying with the times. The epic Seasons 3 through 7 embrace the diversity and heady themes that Trek is known for, by finding inventive — and, at times, harrowing — ways to bring intergalactic action and big emotional stakes to an anchored space station instead of to a flying starship. 

Prejudice, racism, PTSD, and humanity’s often tenuous grip on morality are the rich thematic tent poles that the series frequently thread its gripping characters and their addictive story arcs through — to much success. And while adding Michael Dorn’s Worf from TNG was an attempt to boost ratings in the space battle-heavy fourth season, it also brought a surprisingly effective jolt of tension and character growth to the core ensemble’s dynamic, as they faced a growing, casualty-heavy battle with The Dominion. The riveting dramatic possibilities provided by DS9 ’s unique mix of aliens and humans, friends and foes, helped elevate this underrated Trek installment to become the franchise's crowning achievement.

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• Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
• Star Trek: The Original Series
• Star Trek: Voyager

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The 25 Best Shows Like 'Star Trek: Discovery', Ranked By Fans

This curated list of shows will transport you to galaxies far and wide, capturing the essence of exploration and discovery akin to Star Trek: Discovery . These series were handpicked for their shared themes and tones with the beloved sci-fi saga, offering viewers a thrilling ride through the unknown realms of the universe. The shows on this list have been meticulously curated based on votes from Rankers like you, ensuring a collection of top-notch recommendations for fans of interstellar adventures.

Embark on a journey through the stars with these captivating series that echo the spirit of exploration and intrigue found in Star Trek: Discovery . Featuring diverse storylines, compelling characters, and breathtaking visuals, these shows will immerse you in worlds where the boundaries of science and human nature are continually tested. From tales of survival in space to encounters with alien species, each series on this list promises an unforgettable experience for sci-fi enthusiasts. Plus, with convenient “Where to Watch” buttons below each show, streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple+, and more bring these interstellar adventures right to your screen.

After you've delved deep into the mysteries of Star Trek: Discovery , why not continue your voyage with shows like The Mandalorian , Intergalactic , and The Ark ? These series offer a mix of space opera, resilience, and moral complexity that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you explore the uncharted territories of the cosmos. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and get ready to discover new worlds and encounter thrilling adventures across the stars. Don't forget to vote up your favorite shows on the list to share your love for intergalactic storytelling!

Doctor Who follows the adventures of the Doctor, a Time Lord who travels through time and space in the TARDIS, a ship disguised as a British police box With a mix of wit, charm, and heroism, the Doctor encounters various alien species, historical figures, and complex moral dilemmas. The series explores themes of compassion, bravery, and the infinite possibilities of the universe, captivating audiences with its imaginative storytelling.

In a similar vein to Star Trek: Discovery , Doctor Who embarks on epic sci-fi adventures that span across different time periods and galaxies, showcasing the boundless wonders of the cosmos. Both series highlight exploration, heroism, and the triumph of good over evil as characters face challenges and embark on daring missions to save the universe. With its iconic character and timeless narratives, Doctor Who stands as a beloved and enduring entry in the world of science fiction.

• Actors : Jodie Whittaker, Mandip Gill, John Bishop, Tosin Cole, Bradley Walsh
• Premiered : March 26, 2005

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Star Trek: The Original Series

Star Trek: The Original Series follows the iconic crew of the starship Enterprise under the command of Captain James T. Kirk as they voyage through the final frontier. The series explores themes of diversity, morality, and the inherent human curiosity for the unknown. Featuring memorable characters like Spock, McCoy, and Uhura, Star Trek: The Original Series set the standard for the beloved franchise.

Much like Star Trek: Discovery , Star Trek: The Original Series captures the inherent optimism of humanity's future in the vastness of space. Both series showcase the thrill of discovery, the challenges of venturing into the unknown, and the importance of unity and cooperation in facing the mysteries of the universe. With its distinctive tone of adventure and moral complexity, Star Trek: The Original Series remains a cornerstone of the Star Trek legacy.

• Actors : William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols
• Premiered : September 8, 1966

Battlestar Galactica

In the realm of science fiction, Battlestar Galactica presents a riveting narrative of humanity's fight for survival amidst a devastating alien attack. The series follows Commander Adama and President Roslin as they navigate political and military challenges while safeguarding the last remnants of civilization. Focusing on themes of identity, loyalty, and hope, Battlestar Galactica offers a gripping and thought-provoking journey through space.

Similar to Star Trek: Discovery , Battlestar Galactica embarks on epic sci-fi adventures that explore the resilience of humanity in the face of overwhelming threats. Both series feature complex characters, intricate storylines, and moral dilemmas set against the backdrop of space exploration. With its blend of drama, action, and intrigue, Battlestar Galactica resonates with viewers seeking immersive and captivating narratives in the science fiction genre.

• Actors : Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James Callis
• Premiered : January 14, 2005

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Star Trek: The Next Generation follows Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise on a voyage of exploration and diplomacy. With a mix of science fiction and moral dilemmas, the series delves into social issues and ethical quandaries. Led by Patrick Stewart and a talented ensemble cast, the show captivates audiences with its engaging storytelling and diverse characters.

Like Star Trek: Discovery , Star Trek: The Next Generation embodies the spirit of adventure, teamwork, and the quest for knowledge in the vast expanse of the universe. Both series offer a rich exploration of alien encounters, moral challenges, and human nature, captivating audiences with their thought-provoking narratives. With their blend of timeless themes and compelling characters, both shows contribute to the enduring legacy of the Star Trek franchise.

• Actors : Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden
• Premiered : September 28, 1987

The Mandalorian

The Mandalorian is a sci-fi series set in the Star Wars universe, following the adventures of a lone bounty hunter known as Din Djarin as he navigates through a vast galaxy far, far away. Tasked with protecting a mysterious child known as Grogu, the Mandalorian embarks on a journey filled with danger, intrigue, and unexpected alliances. Featuring Pedro Pascal as the titular character and a rich ensemble cast, the series blends elements of space opera, action, and Western vibes in a thrilling exploration of the outer realms of the Star Wars universe.

In a narrative akin to Star Trek: Discovery , The Mandalorian embarks on a quest through the outer reaches of the galaxy, as characters traverse through diverse planets and encounter a myriad of fascinating species and cultures. Both series delve into the complexities of the cosmos as characters navigate through treacherous environments and forge new alliances in the unexplored regions of space. With its blend of space fantasy, interstellar escapades, and character-driven storytelling, The Mandalorian offers a captivating journey into the depths of the Star Wars universe that resonates with fans of galactic exploration.

• Actors : Pedro Pascal, Carl Weathers, Giancarlo Esposito, Omid Abtahi, Nick Nolte
• Premiered : November 12, 2019

The Orville

The Orville follows the crew of the titular starship as they navigate the challenges of space exploration and interstellar diplomacy in a lighthearted and comedic sci-fi adventure. Created by Seth MacFarlane, the series blends elements of humor, drama, and social commentary within the framework of a spacefaring vessel. With a diverse cast led by MacFarlane as Captain Ed Mercer and Adrianne Palicki as Commander Kelly Grayson, The Orville offers a fresh and playful take on the science fiction genre.

Inspired by the optimistic tone and ensemble-driven storytelling of the original Star Trek series, The Orville presents a whimsical and heartfelt exploration of space exploration, ethical dilemmas, and the complexities of human (and alien) nature. Both series engage viewers through a mix of comedy, drama, and moral lessons, inviting audiences to reflect on the human condition and the possibilities of the cosmos. With its blend of humor, adventure, and commentary, The Orville carves its own niche in the realm of sci-fi TV with a nod to the timeless themes of its iconic predecessor.

• Actors : Seth MacFarlane, Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson, Scott Grimes, Peter Macon
• Premiered : September 10, 2017

Star Trek: Picard

Star Trek: Picard explores the themes of redemption and self-discovery as it follows retired Admiral Jean-Luc Picard on a personal journey. With a talented ensemble cast led by Patrick Stewart, the series delves into emotional depth and character growth. Balancing nostalgia with innovation, Star Trek: Picard skillfully navigates familiar territories while charting new courses in the Star Trek universe.

Both series offer viewers an immersive journey into the complexities of human and alien interactions, blending sci-fi, action, and drama seamlessly. With a diverse cast of characters and compelling narratives, Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Discovery stand as exemplary entries in the Star Trek franchise.

• Actors : Patrick Stewart, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden
• Premiered : January 23, 2020

Farscape follows astronaut John Crichton who becomes stranded in a distant part of the universe aboard a living spaceship with a motley crew of aliens. The series explores themes of survival, identity, and the complexities of interspecies relationships in a vibrant and unpredictable universe. With its innovative creature design, intergalactic conflicts, and imaginative storytelling, Farscape offers a unique and immersive sci-fi experience.

Like Star Trek: Discovery , Farscape embarks on epic sci-fi adventures that push the boundaries of exploration and encounter in the vastness of space. Both series feature diverse worlds, intricate alien cultures, and character dynamics that add layers of depth to their respective universes. Through its blend of adventure, humor, and drama, Farscape captures the essence of thrilling sci-fi storytelling that resonates with fans of interstellar escapades.

• Actors : Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Anthony Simcoe, Jonathan Hardy, Lani John Tupu
• Premiered : March 19, 1999

Babylon 5 is set aboard the titular space station, a hub for various alien species and civilizations seeking peace and diplomacy in a turbulent galaxy. With political intrigue, epic battles, and complex character relationships, the series explores themes of war, redemption, and the struggle for unity in the face of interstellar conflicts. Led by characters like Commander Sheridan and Ambassador Delenn, Babylon 5 weaves a rich tapestry of alliances and betrayals against the backdrop of a universe on the brink of chaos.

In a manner akin to Star Trek: Discovery , Babylon 5 unfolds in a dynamic space station setting that serves as a microcosm of the diverse cultures and tensions present in the galaxy. Both series emphasize diplomacy, teamwork, and the quest for peace in a universe fraught with political intrigue and cosmic threats. With its intricate plotlines, morally gray characters, and epic space battles, Babylon 5 stands as a riveting space opera that immerses viewers in a world of galactic struggles and moral dilemmas.

• Actors : Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs
• Premiered : January 24, 1994

Intergalactic

Intergalactic is a sci-fi drama that follows a group of female prisoners who escape captivity on Earth and embark on a perilous journey to a distant prison colony in space. As they navigate through unknown galaxies and encounter various threats, the women must band together to survive and uncover the truth behind their imprisonment. Featuring a diverse ensemble cast led by Savannah Steyn, Parminder Nagra, and Eleanor Tomlinson, Intergalactic explores themes of resilience, liberation, and the quest for justice in a futuristic setting.

Echoing the spirit of exploration and diversity in Star Trek: Discovery , Intergalactic delivers a gripping narrative that revolves around a group of individuals on a daring space adventure to assert their freedom and seek redemption. Both series delve into concepts of social justice, empowerment, and the bonds formed through adversity as characters navigate the challenges of the cosmos. With its focus on strong female leads , high-stakes drama, and interstellar pursuits, Intergalactic offers a compelling space opera that resonates with fans of epic sci-fi.

• Actors : Savannah Steyn, Natasha O'Keeffe, Thomas Turgoose, Parminder Nagra, Craig Parkinson
• Premiered : April 30, 2021

Stargate SG-1

Stargate SG-1 follows a team of military personnel and scientists as they use an ancient alien device to travel to other planets and encounter new civilizations. Led by Colonel Jack O'Neill and archaeologist Daniel Jackson, the team navigates through the Stargate to explore the galaxy, facing enemies and forging alliances along the way. Themes of exploration, teamwork, and diplomacy are interwoven throughout the series, offering a mix of action, adventure, and sci-fi elements.

Much like Star Trek: Discovery , Stargate SG-1 takes viewers on epic sci-fi adventures that delve into the mysteries of space and the complexities of interstellar interactions. Both series capture the essence of exploration, discovery, and the quest for knowledge as characters venture into the unknown to uncover the secrets of the universe. With its entertaining cast of characters and engaging storytelling,iprovides a thrilling and immersive experience in the realm of science fiction.

• Actors : Amanda Tapping, Michael Shanks, Christopher Judge, Richard Dean Anderson, Ben Browder
• Premiered : July 27, 1997

Star Trek: Voyager

Star Trek: Voyager follows the adventures of the crew of the starship Voyager as they find themselves stranded in the Delta Quadrant, far from home. The series explores teamwork, survival, and the pursuit of a way back to Earth, led by Captain Kathryn Janeway. With a diverse cast of characters including Seven of Nine, the Doctor, and Neelix, Star Trek: Voyager offers a unique blend of science fiction and human drama.

Similar to Star Trek: Discovery , Star Trek: Voyager captures the essence of exploration, teamwork, and the challenges of navigating unknown territories in space. Both series contain motifs of unity, discovery, and overcoming obstacles as the crew faces new civilizations and encounters in the far reaches of the galaxy. With its distinct tone of adventure and resilience, Star Trek: Voyager embraces the spirit of exploration that defines the Star Trek universe.

• Actors : Kate Mulgrew, Robert Beltran, Roxann Dawson, Robert Duncan McNeill, Ethan Phillips
• Premiered : January 16, 1995

seaQuest DSV

seaQuest DSV is a sci-fi series that follows the crew of a high-tech submarine in the future as they embark on underwater missions to explore the depths of the oceans and encounter various challenges and mysteries. Led by Captain Nathan Bridger and a diverse team of scientists and specialists, the crew tackles environmental issues, marine research, and unexpected discoveries beneath the sea.

Reflecting the adventurous spirit of Star Trek: Discovery , seaQuest DSV delves into the exploration of uncharted waters and the wonders of the ocean depths through the lens of futuristic science fiction. Both series showcase a crew of individuals driven by a desire to discover and understand the unknown, whether in the vastness of space or the unexplored realms of the sea. With its focus on marine exploration, environmental issues, and technologically advanced storytelling, seaQuest DSV presents a captivating journey into the mysteries of the ocean that resonates with the spirit of exploration found in iconic space operas.

• Actors : Roy Scheider, Jonathan Brandis, Don Franklin, Rosalind Allen, Edward Kerr
• Premiered : September 12, 1993

For All Mankind

For All Mankind is a sci-fi drama series that reimagines an alternate history where the global space race never ended, leading to a continued rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union in the quest for dominance beyond Earth. Set against the backdrop of NASA's efforts to reach the moon and beyond, the series explores themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the impact of technological advancements on society through the eyes of astronauts and engineers.

Mirroring the exploration themes of Star Trek: Discovery , For All Mankind delves into the interstellar race for dominance and the untapped potential of humanity's quest for the stars. Both series embrace space exploration, scientific innovation, and the human spirit's indomitable drive to conquer the unknown as characters navigate through the challenges of space missions and geopolitical tensions. With its blend of historical speculation, character dynamics, and technological marvels, For All Mankind presents a thought-provoking journey into an alternate reality where space exploration shapes the course of human history.

• Actors : Joel Kinnaman, Wrenn Schmidt, Coral Peña, Krys Marshall, Cynthy Wu
• Premiered : November 1, 2019

The Expanse

The Expanse is a sci-fi series set in a future where humanity has colonized the system, leading to political tensions and conflicts between Earth, Mars, and the Belt. As tensions escalate and a mysterious alien protomolecule emerges, a disparate group of characters, including Detective Joe Miller and Executive Officer James Holden, find themselves caught in a web of intrigue and interstellar conspiracy. Through its intricate world-building, complex characters, and grand-scale storytelling, The Expanse explores themes of power, survival, and the consequences of human ambition in the vastness of space.

In a manner reminiscent of Star Trek: Discovery , The Expanse follows a diverse ensemble of characters driven by a compelling need to explore the unknown and uncover the secrets of the universe. Both series embrace the complexities of human nature as characters navigate through treacherous space environments and encounter unforeseen threats. With its blend of thrilling space opera, political drama, and moral quandaries, The Expanse captivates viewers with its epic scope and thought-provoking narratives.

• Actors : Steven Strait, Dominique Tipper, Wes Chatham, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Frankie Adams
• Premiered : December 14, 2015

In the realm of sci-fi westerns, Firefly tells the story of Captain Malcolm Reynolds and his ragtag crew aboard the spaceship Serenity as they navigate a lawless galaxy. Set in a universe where multiple planets have been colonized, the series explores themes of freedom, loyalty, and survival amidst political unrest. With a talented cast that includes Nathan Fillion as Mal, Gina Torres as Zoe, and Alan Tudyk as Wash, Firefly blends elements of space opera, adventure, and humor in a unique and captivating narrative

Drawing inspiration from the original Star Trek series, Firefly embarks on spacefaring adventures that celebrate diversity, exploration, and the spirit of camaraderie among a misfit crew aboard a spaceship. Both series capture the essence of interstellar exploration, moral dilemmas, and the search for belonging in a vast and unpredictable universe. With its blend of genre-bending storytelling and dynamic character interactions, Firefly stands as a beloved sci-fi series that pays homage to the legacy of the pioneering sci-fi franchise.

• Actors : Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Sean Maher, Adam Baldwin
• Premiered : September 20, 2002

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine centers around Commander Benjamin Sisko and the diverse characters aboard the space station of the same name. With a focus on political intrigue, moral dilemmas, and personal growth, the series dives deep into the complexities of its ensemble cast. Through its exploration of new alien species and human perseverance, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine offers a unique perspective within the Star Trek universe.

In the vein of Star Trek: Discovery , Star Trek: Deep Space Nine showcases themes of exploration, cooperation, and discovery. Both series feature rich narratives, diverse characters, and engaging plotlines that capture the essence of the Star Trek franchise. With shared focus on adventure, diplomacy, and teamwork, both shows exemplify the enduring appeal of Star Trek storytelling.

• Actors : Avery Brooks, Rene Auberjonois, Nana Visitor, Michael Dorn, Cirroc Lofton
• Premiered : January 4, 1993

Star Trek: Enterprise

Star Trek: Enterprise is set in the 22nd century and follows the crew of Earth's first Warp 5-capable starship, the NX-01 Enterprise, as they embark on pioneering missions of exploration. Led by Captain Jonathan Archer, the team navigates uncharted territories, forges alliances, and uncovers the origins of the United Federation of Planets. With elements of science fiction, adventure, and diplomacy, Star Trek: Enterprise offers a fresh perspective on humanity's interstellar endeavors.

In a manner akin to Star Trek: Discovery , Star Trek: Enterprise embodies the themes of discovery and the quest for knowledge in the unexplored regions of space. Both series showcase the challenges and triumphs of exploration, the complexities of human-alien interactions, and the spirit of discovery that defines the Star Trek franchise. Through its distinct blend of adventure and diplomacy, Star Trek: Enterprise stands as a notable in the Star Trek universe.

• Actors : Scott Bakula, Connor Trinneer, Jolene Blalock, Dominic Keating, Anthony Montgomery
• Premiered : September 26, 2001

Dark Matter

In the realm of science fiction, Dark Matter follows a group of amnesiac individuals who wake up on a derelict spaceship with no memory of their identities. As they piece together their pasts and navigate the dangers of space, they uncover dark secrets and hidden agendas that challenge their trust in each other.

Much like Star Trek: Discovery , Dark Matter unfolds in the vastness of space, where a diverse group of characters must confront their pasts and navigate the complexities of life aboard a spaceship. Both series contain characters grappling with the challenges of their environment and the unknown threats lurking in the cosmos. With its blend of mystery, intrigue, and character development, Dark Matter offers a captivating space opera that captures the essence of exploration and survival.

• Actors : Melissa O'Neil, Anthony Lemke, Alex Mallari, Jodelle Ferland, Roger Cross
• Premiered : June 12, 2015

Falling Skies

Falling Skies is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi series that follows a group of survivors led by former history professor Tom Mason as they resist alien occupation and seek to reclaim Earth from extraterrestrial invaders. The characters navigate a world devastated by an alien invasion while uncovering the truth behind the alien motives and their own place in the grand scheme of the universe. Starring Noah Wyle as Tom Mason and Moon Bloodgood as Anne Glass, Falling Skies blends elements of action, drama, and sci-fi in a gripping tale of humanity's fight against overwhelming odds.

Drawing parallels to Star Trek: Discovery , Falling Skies embarks on a journey of uncovering the mysteries of the unknown, as characters navigate through a post-apocalyptic landscape rife with alien technology and existential threats. With its focus on survival, camaraderie, and the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity, Falling Skies offers a compelling narrative that resonates with the spirit of discovery and courage found in iconic sci-fi tales.

• Actors : Noah Wyle, Moon Bloodgood, Will Patton, Drew Roy, Maxim Knight
• Premiered : June 19, 2011

Stargate Atlantis

Stargate Atlantis follows a team of explorers who travel to the lost city of Atlantis in the Pegasus Galaxy, where they encounter ancient technologies, hostile alien species, and the mysteries of a long-lost civilization. Led by Dr. Elizabeth Weir and Colonel John Sheppard, the team embarks on missions of discovery, defense, and survival as they navigate the challenges of a new galaxy. Themes of exploration, cooperation, and adaptation drive the series, offering thrilling and immersive space adventure.

Like Star Trek: Discovery , Stargate Atlantis transports viewers to the depths of space where a diverse team of characters must navigate unknown territories and confront the dangers lurking in the unexplored regions of the galaxy. Both series capture the spirit of space exploration, teamwork, and the pursuit of knowledge as characters face challenges, form alliances, and uncover the mysteries of the universe. With its blend of adventure, science fiction, and intergalactic conflicts, Stargate Atlantis offers a captivating journey into the wonders and perils of space exploration.

• Actors : Joe Flanigan, Robert Picardo, David Hewlett, Rachel Luttrell, Jason Momoa
• Premiered : July 16, 2004

Stargate Universe

Stargate Universe is a sci-fi series that follows a group of individuals who find themselves stranded aboard an ancient spaceship called Destiny on the other side of the universe. As they struggle to survive and uncover the mysteries of the ship, the crew encounters new worlds, alien threats, and moral dilemmas. Led by characters like Colonel Everett Young and Dr. Nicholas Rush, the team must band together to navigate the challenges of space exploration and self-discovery.

Echoing the spirit of exploration and curiosity in Star Trek: Discovery , Stargate Universe chronicles the adventures of a group of individuals as they traverse the cosmos aboard a mysterious spacecraft. Both series delve into themes of survival, teamwork, and the quest for knowledge as characters confront the unknown and face personal growth through their interstellar journeys. With its focus on distant galaxies, alien encounters, and the human drive for exploration, Stargate Universe offers a compelling narrative that resonates with the spirit of discovery.

• Actors : Robert Carlyle, Louis Ferreira, David Blue, Brian J. Smith, Jamil Walker Smith
• Premiered : October 2, 2009

The Ark is a sci-fi series that follows a group of survivors aboard a massive spaceship, The Ark, as they flee a dying Earth in search of a new home in the distant reaches of the galaxy. Led by Captain Samantha Caldwell and a diverse crew, the inhabitants of The Ark must navigate through unknown territories, encounter alien species, and grapple with internal conflicts as they strive to ensure the survival of humanity.

In a narrative reminiscent of Star Trek: Discovery , The Ark charts a course through uncharted space, as characters embark on a perilous journey to find a new home amidst the unknown vastness of the cosmos. Both series delve into ideas of exploration, unity, and the search for a better future as characters confront the mysteries of the universe and the trials of interspecies diplomacy. With its blend of spacefaring adventure, moral complexity, and character-driven narratives, The Ark offers a compelling odyssey into the uncharted territories of the galaxy that resonates with viewers seeking stories of courage and discovery in the outer galaxies.

• Actors : Christie Burke, Richard Fleeshman, Reece Ritchie, Stacey Read, Ryan Adams
• Premiered : February 1, 2023

Torchwood is a sci-fi series that follows a covert team led by Captain Jack Harkness, tasked with investigating and combating alien threats in modern-day Cardiff. As they navigate through extraterrestrial encounters and moral dilemmas, the team delves into the mysteries of the universe while dealing with personal struggles and ethical dilemmas. Featuring a diverse cast including John Barrowman as Captain Jack and Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper, Torchwood blends elements of sci-fi, mystery, and action in a thrilling exploration of the unknown.

Echoing the quest for answers in Star Trek: Discovery , Torchwood showcases a team of operatives who delve into the enigmatic world of alien phenomena and uncover the truths behind the unexplained. Both series delve into themes of discovery, identity, and the pursuit of knowledge as characters confront the mysteries of the universe and grapple with the unknown. With its blend of intrigue, supernatural elements, and character-driven narratives, Torchwood offers a gripping tale of exploration and revelation that resonates with fans of interstellar adventures.

• Actors : John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Burn Gorman, Naoko Mori, Gareth David-Lloyd
• Premiered : October 22, 2006

The Outer Limits

The Outer Limits is a sci-fi anthology series that explores speculative fiction and moral dilemmas through a range of thought-provoking and eerie scenarios. Each episode presents a standalone story featuring unique characters, settings, and futuristic technologies, challenging viewers to contemplate the boundaries of science and human nature. With a rotating cast of actors and diverse storytelling styles, The Outer Limits offers a diverse and captivating exploration of the unknown and the unexplained.

In a manner reminiscent of Star Trek: Discovery , The Outer Limits delves into the realms of the mysterious and the uncharted, inviting audiences to ponder existential questions and ethical quandaries in the face of the enigmatic. Both series embrace themes of exploration, existentialism, and the quest for understanding as characters navigate through surreal and mind-bending narratives that push the boundaries of imagination. With its anthology format, thematic depth, and thought-provoking storytelling, The Outer Limits presents a captivating journey into the realms of the unknown that challenges perceptions and sparks curiosity.

• Actors : Kevin Conway
• Premiered : September 19, 1964
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These are the shows that you definitely should be watching, along with a few that you should avoid.

Upcoming Star Trek TV Shows: What's Ahead For The Sci-Fi Franchise

Here's what's ahead for Star Trek.

It’s a golden era for Star Trek tv shows, as the franchise is churning out more content than ever before. Fans with a Paramount+ subscription can stream a plethora of old and new content from one of the greatest sci-fi franchises of all time.

There’s a ton of new Star Trek content coming in the future, including the debut of a new show as well as the return of all the ones fans already know well. For those who need a breakdown of what all to expect, look no further because here’s where and when all the new Trek will arrive in 2023 and beyond. There’s even some information on planned shows that aren’t quite ready yet, but hopefully, we’ll see them soon enough. 

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 - Premiering On April 4th 2024

Captain Michael Burnham and the crew are back, and based on what we've seen and heard about Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 so far, some changes are on the way. Season 5 will see the crew race against others in an attempt to secure an ancient power, and will apparently have a tonal shift that will skew more toward action and adventure. We also learned that this coming season will be the final adventure , as Paramount+ decided to end the series after this coming season. The final season will kick off in April and, fingers crossed, leave an avenue open for more stories with these characters in the 32nd century. 

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 - In Production

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is coming back for Season 3, and is currently filming for the upcoming season. It's likely the season will kick off with the second part of the adventure started in the Season 2 finale . Pike must decide whether or not he's going to listen to Starfleet and retreat to avoid further conflict with the Gorn or to stay and try to save the kidnapped crew members. I have a hunch I know what decision he'll make, but I'm also very invested in seeing if Scotty will remain with the crew and what other adventures will come as well. 

Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2 - Coming In 2024

Paramount+ originally renewed Star Trek: Prodigy for Season 2, but announced later that it had been canceled alongside other shows on the platform. While the news was a bummer to many and encouraged responses from stars like Kate Mulgrew , there is a silver lining. After some talk with other companies, Paramount managed to negotiate a deal where the series will transition over to Netflix , and Season 2 will release over there. At this time, it's unknown whether or not this will lead to more seasons of Prodigy , but fans are thankful they'll at least get to see the season that was being worked on coming up in 2024. 

Section 31 Movie - Production Complete

Section 31 was one of the first Star Trek spinoffs announced after Discovery , and yet it took the longest to get off the ground. The series was supposed to Michelle Yeoh ’s Phillipa Georgiou and her efforts in the secret ops Starfleet faction that does the jobs that others in the organization would rather not know about. Other former Discovery stars, like Shazad Latif, were involved at one point, but some believed the odds of it happening aren't great after Michelle Yeoh's Oscar win .

It turns out Yeoh was interested in making it happen, and Paramount+ decided to alter the idea to a movie . Fans are excited about the project all the same, and ready to see Michelle Yeoh back in her role. Production on the film is officially underway, and it's looking like a premiere sometime in late 2024 to 2025 is likely.

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Starfleet Academy - Production Starting In 2024

Alex Kurtzman revealed not long ago that Star Trek is actively working on another new live-action series , and it’s going to be set at Starfleet Academy. Of course, we don’t know exactly what era this series is set to take place during or who is going to star in it yet. We don’t really know much of anything, though it’s worth noting that Star Trek: Discovery did write off its character Tilly when she took an offer at Starfleet Academy. The episode where that happened seemed like it could be a backdoor pilot for the show, but again, we have no idea. We do know that the writer's room is underway, but details are scant beyond that.  

As shown above, there’s still a ton of Star Trek on the way in 2024, and beyond. The only way to watch these shows is with a Paramount+ subscription , which is totally worth picking up with the increasing amount of shows and movies available to watch. 

Mick Joest is a Content Producer for CinemaBlend with his hand in an eclectic mix of television goodness. Star Trek is his main jam, but he also regularly reports on happenings in the world of Star Trek, WWE, Doctor Who, 90 Day Fiancé, Quantum Leap, and Big Brother. He graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Radio and Television. He's great at hosting panels and appearing on podcasts if given the chance as well.

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Every STAR TREK Series, Ranked from Worst to Best

Star Trek is a pop culture franchise that just won’t quit. Now over five decades into its existence, it has outgrown its humble beginnings as a low-budget sci-fi show with a loyal cult following, and into a true cultural juggernaut. Who doesn’t know the phrases “beam me up” or “ live long and prosper? ” It’s ingrained in our collective psyche. And the franchise is going stronger than ever, with several shows currently airing. But of all these new series, and the many that came before, which one is the cream of the crop? It’s time to evaluate each of the eleven series set in the Final Frontier from the past 55 years .  Here’s our ranking of every Star Trek series, from worst to best.

11. Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973-1975)

Yes, it’s at the bottom, but I’d never say this is a bad series. There are some smart sci-fi scripts spread throughout the show’s two-season run, notably the time-travel episode “Yesteryear,” which gave us a glimpse into Spock’s childhood. But the animation was really limited due to budget constraints, and the voice actors didn’t even record together (and it shows). We give it points for keeping the Trek flames burning in the long decade between the original series and Star Trek: The Motion Picture , but it still ranks last. If only because there’s simply not enough of it.

10. Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020-Present)

We’re now three seasons into the first animated Trek show since the ’70s, and also the first overtly comedic sh o w in the franchise’s history. Lower Decks centers around a second-tier starship’s junior crew, and so far, it has gained quite a cult following. The mix of irreverent humor and lovable characters has made it very endearing. It’s also very faithful to Star Trek lore (if not Star Trek storytelling sensibilities .) But the show is ultimately too fluffy to place any higher. That could change down the line of course. But for now, the crew of the U.S.S. Cerritos is near the bottom. They’re probably used to it.

9. Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005)

This is the fourth and last Star Trek series of the Rick Berman era. The show ran on UPN for four seasons, making it the shortest run of the modern Trek series (so far). Despite a winning cast lead by Scott Bakula as Captain Jonathan Archer, this prequel show to the original Trek felt stuck in the television tropes of the prior decade. It didn’t really even feel like a true Star Trek prequel until the show’s wonderful fourth and final season. But that season’s not enough to save the show’s legacy as a whole. Also, the theme song was pretty cringe-worthy and out of place for a Star Trek series.

8. Star Trek: Picard (2020-Present)

This live-action series saw the return of Sir Patrick Stewart as the (now retired) Jean-Luc Picard . Although the series started out promisingly , its plot about a race of artificial lifeforms was ultimately way too similar to Battlestar Galactica and Blade Runner, both of which did the same story, but better. It also showed the once-Utopian world of the 24th century as a place now filled with bitter, broken people, which was a bummer. Stewart is fantastic as always, and his inner journey helped the show remain very watchable. But the promise of a full TNG cast reunion in the third and final season could push this series much higher. 

7. Star Trek: Discovery (2017-Present)

Star Trek: Discovery is the franchise’s current “flagship show.” Four seasons in, the show is definitely a mixed bag. On the pro side: the cast—headed by Sonequa Martin-Green—is truly fantastic, and it has the best production value of any Trek to date. But like too much modern Trek , it often feels like it’s cribbing from other (more popular) franchises. Its prequel timeline/continuity was also handled messily from the get-go.

The series’ first two seasons are set about a decade before the original series. But in season three, the show went way past where any Trek has gone before, by jumping 1,000 years into the future. This was ultimately a good thing, as the journey past the prequel timeline and into an unknown future gave the show a much-needed shot in the arm. And season four further improved upon the third. Maybe with time, Discovery will move up higher on this list.

6. Star Trek: Prodigy (2021-Present)

Star Trek: Prodigy is the first animated all-ages Star Trek series since the 1973 Saturday morning cartoon show. Because of this, many fans dismissed it offhand before it ever aired. But Prodigy , about a group of misfit kids who commandeer a prototype Federations starship, the Protostar , in the far reaches of space, turned out to be absolutely delightful. And very true to the core, exploratory spirit of the franchise .

The camaraderie between the main cast of kids is always heartwarming, and this series has more ties to greater franchise lore than most other modern Trek shows. Of course, the addition of Kate Mulgrew as Kathryn Janeway, both the “training hologram” version, and the actual Admiral Janeway, that’s just the cherry on top. One of the best modern Star Trek shows, “kid’s show” or not.

5. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022-Present)

It almost feels like cheating, putting a show with just one season behind it so high on this list. But so far, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is the best Trek series of the modern streaming era. It also has had the best first season of any Trek since the original series. Technically a prequel to the original show , SNW fulfills the promise of that first unaired pilot episode “The Cage,” by focusing on Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and his Number One (Rebecca Romijn). Of course, young Spock is there too, played by Ethan Peck. Together, they’ve created a new trio of instantly likable headliners.

SNW returns to the “one and done” story format of classic Trek , but gives it all a modern sheen. The color scheme and ship designs may be retro, but it’s never done in a dismissive, kitschy way. In many ways, SNW reminds us why the original format of the show, about a crew of diverse people engaged in pure exploration and diplomacy, is still the best way to go. The characters are great, the actors are great, the writing is great. So we only expect SNW to climb further up this chart as more seasons roll in, assuming they don’t drop the ball.

4. Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)

Let’s get this out of the way: Kate Mulgrew as Captain Janeway was a great Captain , and the rest of the cast was terrific as well. But this series never fully lived up to its premise. It was supposedly about a Federation starship lost in space, years from home. A ship with a crew made up of former enemies, now forced to work together. But you’d almost never know it watching the show, which often felt like a series desperately trying to capture the glory of the TNG years.

Many episodes of Voyager, especially in the first few seasons, felt very familiar to those that had aired just a couple of years earlier on The Next Generation . However, enough episodes scattered throughout are indeed quite terrific, but there really should be more of those for a series that lasted seven seasons. We’re glad the legacy of Voyager lives on with Seven of Nine on Picard, and with Janeway as a principal character on Prodigy.

3. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)

This show had everything going against it when it premiered in 1987 . How does one follow up on something as iconic as the original Star Trek ? And with all new characters and a new starship Enterprise ? Well, after a very wobbly first two seasons, the show found its footing in season three. It then became a true standout sci-fi series with dozens of classic episodes . Seasons three through seven are, in many ways, as good as this franchise gets.

Patrick Stewart is arguably the best actor ever to sit in the Captain’s chair, and the characters of Picard, Data, Worf, and the rest have all become pop culture icons. It also has one of the best series finales of any show ever. TNG represented Star Trek at its peak mainstream popularity, and no show before or since has matched its ratings power. The only reason this doesn’t rank slightly higher is that the first two seasons really are kind of a mess, and lower the value ever so slightly.

2. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)

Much like TNG before it, Deep Space Nine took about two seasons to find its footing. This despite always showcasing a stellar cast, headlined by Avery Brooks, playing the first African-American lead in a Star Trek show. But man oh man, despite the rough start, when it finally did click, it became one of the most ambitious science-fiction series ever produced for television. It did serialized, complex genre storytelling a good decade before that became the norm.

DS9 dealt with themes of religion and war and politics among the usual Star Trek tropes. Not one character was the same at the end of this series as they were at the start of it. The same can’t be said for most other shows on this list, even the best ones. It also expanded and deepened our understanding of the many different species introduced in previous Trek shows. Plus it gave us the franchise’s best villains in Gul Dukat, and later, the Dominion. This is one Trek series that broke the mold.

1. Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)

Without Gene Roddenberry’s original series, there simply is no Star Trek franchise, period. It created the template that eight of the series that followed it picked up on. The original series was ground zero for modern nerd fandom, and it made pop culture icons of William Shatner’s Captain Kirk and Leonard Nimoy’s Mr. Spock. But beyond all that enduring cultural legacy, the character dynamic of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy remains one of the greatest ever seen in popular entertainment.

Looking back, we can see that Star Trek’s first season was nearly flawless, with almost thirty amazing episodes written by legends of the science-fiction genre. Season two is great as well, and season three is…well, it is less so. Regardless of that wonky last season though, the iconic nature of Star Trek: The Original Series , which spawned six feature films and a 21st century reboot of the characters, still wins hands down. Forget the dated music, visual effects, and occasionally cheesy acting. When it was at its best, you just couldn’t beat the original series.

Featured Image: CBS

Originally published in 2019.

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What Star Trek Titles Are Streaming on Netflix?

Star Trek is a name that almost everyone recognizes, it has been around for decades and has inspired millions around the world. It’s had extensive coverage in all manner of media formats but one of the biggest has been its TV and movie presence. Since its inception, there have been 726 individual Star Trek episodes spread out across decades. We’ve also seen 13 feature-length movies too.

We are also lucky enough to welcome a new Netflix Original  Star Trek: Discovery. The first new Star Trek TV show in 16 years will be coming to UK Netflix on the 25th of September (with new episodes releasing every Monday). But for our viewers from the United States, the show will debut on September 2nd on CBS  and made available on their streaming service, CBS All Access.

The new show stars  The Walking Dead ‘s Sonequa Martin-Green as Burnham, first officer of  The Discovery . The series is set 10 years before the original ventures of Kirk and Spock of the Enterprise.

The premise for the majority of the shows stays relatively similar. It takes place throughout the Universe onboard an intergalactic ship, For example, the Enterprise or the Voyager. Over the years we have been introduced to many crews, comprised of different actors and actresses. There is much debate on which adaptation of Star Trek is the best, but one thing is for sure. It has developed a cult following and even has a university degree dedicated to learning the language in the show.

As the Star Trek universe has expanded, it has become increasingly more difficult to keep track of all the content streaming on Netflix. But don’t worry, we’re here to cover every Star Trek title currently available, due to release in the future, and has sadly left our Netflix screens.

To see the entire catalog of different Star Trek we suggest you head over to Wikipedia who has the best catalog.

We would like to explain that the list below only refers to what’s available on  US Netflix.

Streaming to Netflix Right Now

• Star Trek: The Next Generation (1993 – 7 Seasons)
• Star Trek: Voyager (2000 – 7 Seasons)
• Star Trek (1963 – 3 Seasons)
• Star Trek: Enterprise (2004 – 4 Seasons)
• Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1999 – 7 Seasons)
• Star Trek: The Aminated Series (1973 – 2 Seasons)

Coming Soon to Netflix Streaming

• Star Trek: Discovery  from 25th September

Has Streamed on Netflix at some point but left

Back in July of 2016, 7 Feature Length Star Trek Movies tragically left US  Netflix. Along with this blow, it seems like other the months, all the Star Trek movies have been removed from American Netflix.

Feature Length Movies

• Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
• Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
• Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
• Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
• Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
• Star Trek: Generations (1994)
• Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
• Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
• Star Trek (2009)
• Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

If you are slightly disappointed in hearing that so many of the classic films are no longer available to stream, remember if you are lucky enough to have a Netflix DVD account,  it is likely that you can rent all the classics.

Although, if you live in either the UK or Australia  you are in luck! You will soon be welcoming the entire backlog of Star Trek titles. So soon you’ll have more content than you know what to do with.

We’ll keep this post updated over time with every single Star Trek title as things tend to come and go from the service regularly.

Alex Hirlam has been a contributor to What's on Netflix and provided weekly roundups for Australia and Canada as well as other features. Alex came to What's on Netflix for an apprenticeship where he spent a year and a half maintaining the libraries of the two regions as well as contributing content. Resides in Norwich, UK.

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In the 23rd Century, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise explore the galaxy and defend the United Federation of Planets. In the 23rd Century, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise explore the galaxy and defend the United Federation of Planets. In the 23rd Century, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise explore the galaxy and defend the United Federation of Planets.

• Gene Roddenberry
• William Shatner
• Leonard Nimoy
• DeForest Kelley
• 280 User reviews
• 99 Critic reviews
• 16 wins & 31 nominations total

Episodes 80

Photos 2020

Top cast 99+

• Captain James T. Kirk …

• Mr. Spock …

• Lieutenant Leslie …

• Nurse Chapel …

• Ensign Freeman …

• Yeoman Rand …

• Announcer …

• Beta 5 Computer …
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• Trivia In the hallways of the Enterprise there are tubes marked "GNDN." These initials stand for "goes nowhere does nothing."
• Goofs The deck locations for Kirk's Quarters, Sickbay and Transporter Room vary (usually between decks 4-7) throughout the series.

Dr. McCoy : "He's dead, Jim."

• Crazy credits On some episodes, the closing credits show a still that is actually from the Star Trek blooper reel. It is a close-up of stunt man Bill Blackburn who played an android in Return to Tomorrow (1968) , removing his latex make up. In the reel, He is shown taking it off, while an off-screen voice says "You wanted show business, you got it!"
• Alternate versions In 2006, CBS went back to the archives and created HD prints of every episode of the show. In addition to the new video transfer, they re-did all of the model shots and some matte paintings using CGI effects, and re-recorded the original theme song to clean it up. These "Enhanced" versions of the episodes aired on syndication and have been released on DVD and Blu-Ray.
• Connections Edited into Ben 10: Secrets (2006)
• Soundtracks Star Trek Music by Alexander Courage

User reviews 280

• Jul 21, 2005

Women in Science Fiction

• How do they maintain Gravity on the the U.S.S. Enterprise ? .
• All aliens on all planets speak the English language?
• What does "TOS" mean?
• September 8, 1966 (United States)
• United States
• Star Trek: The Original Series
• Backlot, Culver Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
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