Every Star Trek series, from worst to best

Star Trek has been a cornerstone of science fiction since it first aired in the 60s. The series not only explored space, but did so in a way that went beyond the average alien invader from another planet. The franchise has always emphasized exploration and the diplomatic aspect of space travel.

Over the years, the franchise has expanded into numerous TV series, each offering its own take on the formula. Sometimes new titles really break from the status quo. From classic episodes of the original Star Trek to the groundbreaking stories of Deep Space Nine, here's a look at every Star Trek show ranked!

12

Star Trek: Short Journeys

Short journeys into the unknown

Star Trek: Short Treks is a unique series in the franchise. Rather than trying to focus on any one linear plot, Short Treks takes its time to explore individual stories set in the galaxy and in familiar places.

This makes it feel like a small dose of the franchise rather than a full-fledged experience. Episodes last between eight and 20 minutes. If you enjoyed series like Discovery then it might be worth watching, but as a standalone series it's often better to start with something else.

11

Star Trek Picard

More Picard content

Star Trek Picard has Picard in it. It's enough to warrant this spinoff, but was it a good idea? Often considered the worst of the franchise, Star Trek Picard lacked the budget and ambition to achieve what the other shows did.

None of the seasons feel like they are part of the same show or premise. The only thing that binds them is the presence of Picard. However, it has a third season full of fanservice that sometimes works well and sometimes seems like too much. You be the judge.

10

Star Trek: The Animated Series

Campiness in 2D

When the original Star Trek show ended, Star Trek: The Animated Series continued the adventures of the Starship Enterprise. Although the show had limited animation, it featured many of the original cast returning to reprise their roles.

While other shows have better animation and deeper stories, Star Trek: The Animated Series is a nostalgic trip to another era and worth watching for any true Trekkie. It has all the same characters as the original.

9

Star Trek: Enterprise

A prequel to the original

The premise of Star Trek: Enterprise isn't a terrible one. The idea is to follow the first voyages of the Enterprise with an entirely new cast of characters. However, the show rarely does anything first that other shows haven't already done better.

While the first two seasons seem very self-contained, from the third season onwards the stories become more serialized and therefore better. While some viewers might enjoy the series, it's usually not one you want to recommend if you're looking to turn your non-Trekkie friends into full-on fans.

8

Marvel

A pretty decent kids show

Star Trek Prodigy was originally released on Paramount+, targeting a younger audience. The series follows a group of aliens who come across an abandoned Starfleet ship called the USS Protostar. After a life stuck on a planet, they decide to fly it into the unknown.

This is the heart of Star Trek Prodigy, as young aliens get to explore vast new worlds they never really knew existed. The art direction is also on point, making it much more engaging than the original animated series.

7

Star Trek Voyager

Changing the Status Quo

Star Trek Voyager is probably the most subversive series of the bunch. Not only does it have a stronger female cast, but it changes the nature of travel by providing a more direct focus.

Here, Voyager is lost in an unexplored quadrant of the universe, and Captain Kathryn Janeway must find a way to bring the ship and crew home. Along the way, many unexplored planets and larger enemies are revealed.

6

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

A modern spin on the original show

It's not often that a reboot can capture the look of the original show. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds tries both things and it pays off. It takes the classic characters from the original and recasts them with younger actors.

The show also trades campy for cool with all the modern technology used for modern productions. This is a great recommendation for Star Trek newbies who want a taste of the original formula in a more updated presentation.

5

Star Trek: Lower Decks

A surprise hit

An underrated series that is surprisingly smarter than it looks is Star Trek: Lower Decks. It initially comes across as a Rick and Morty clone, but quickly becomes something more past the five-episode mark.

The best way to describe it would be like being on a ship full of Trekkies who happen to have the qualifications to venture through space. It's not the bastardization it's initially perceived to be, but a true love letter to the Star Trek franchise.

4

Star Trek Discovery

Divisible but solid

Star Trek: Discovery ventures into uncharted territory that represents the entire soul of the franchise. It has quite a cinematic look and feel to it, giving it that touch of polish that makes it a treat to watch.

While the series begins earlier in the timeline than the original series, during the third season it takes a massive leap hundreds of years into the future. This opens up some of the most compelling mysteries the franchise has to offer.

3

Star Trek

The one that started it all

Before Star Wars began introducing sci-fi to mainstream audiences, Star Trek found a home in geek culture as the epitome of space television. While many of the sets may be considered campy by today's standards, it also makes them timeless.

This is the series that started it all and made viewers dream of stardom. What kind of civilizations might be there? In addition to the action, the show also featured the diplomatic side of space adventures.

2

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Building on the foundation of the original

It's not often that a sequel series finds itself on the same footing as the original. In fact, some would even say that Star Trek: The Next Generation surpasses the show that came before it. It has more episodes, better production value, and a more diverse set of characters that offer fresher conflicts.

Of course, it wouldn't be a proper sequel without at least a few visits from the original cast. Star Trek: The Next Generation manages to include some fan favorites without going overboard.

1

Deep Space Nine

Exceeding expectations

One of the best aspects of a Star Trek show is being able to see what kind of worlds and civilizations can be found in the galaxy. It's the exploration part that fans gravitate towards and Deep Space Nine does something a little different.

The show remains rooted on an intergalactic space station where multiple species live and coexist with one another. This provides a lot of drama that doesn't get resolved in one episode. The conflict continues, making it a more serialized installment than the shows that came before it.