Every Star Trek Series, From Worst To Best

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

Over the years, the franchise has expanded into numerous TV series, each offering its own take on the formula. At times, new titles even 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 Treks

Short Trips Into The Unknown

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

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

11

Star Trek Picard

More Picard Content

Star Trek Picard has Picard in it. That’s enough to warrant this spinoff, but was it a good idea? Often regarded as the worst in the franchise, Star Trek Picard lacked the budget and the ambition to pull off what the other shows accomplished.

None of the seasons feel like they’re part of the same show or premise. The only thing that binds them is Picard’s presence. It does, however, have a third season full of fanservice which sometimes works well, and other times feels 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. While the show had limited animation, it featured many of the original cast returning to reprise their roles.

While other shows do 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 campiness as the original.

9

Star Trek: Enterprise

A Prequel To The Original

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

While the first two seasons feel very standalone, from the third season onwards the stories become more serialized and as a result, better. While some viewers may enjoy the series, it is usually not the one that you want to recommend if you want to convert your non-Trekkie friends into full-on fans.

8

Prodigy

A Pretty Decent Kid’s Show

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

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

7

Star Trek Voyager

Changing The Status Quo

Star Trek Voyager is possibly the most subversive series of the bunch. Not only does it have a stronger female cast, but it swaps the nature of the journeys by providing a more direct goal.

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

6

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

A Modern Spin On The Original Show

It’s not often that a reboot is able to capture the look and feel of the original show. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds attempts both of these 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 tech used for modern-day productions. This is a great recommendation for Star Trek beginners who want a taste of the original formula in a more updated presentation.

5

Star Trek: Lower Decks

A Surprise Hit

One underrated series that is surprisingly more clever than it seems is Star Trek: Lower Decks. It initially comes off as a Rick and Morty clone but quickly grows into something more past the five-episode mark.

The best way to describe it would be as if you were on a ship full of Trekkies who just so happen to have the qualifications to adventure through space. It is not the bastardization that it is initially perceived as, but a true love letter to the Star Trek franchise.

4

Star Trek Discovery

Divisive But Solid

Star Trek: Discovery ventures into uncharted territories, which is the entire soul of the franchise. It has a pretty cinematic look and feel to it, giving it that extra bit of polish that makes it a treat to watch.

While the series starts off earlier in the timeline than the original show, during its 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 started slipping Sci-fi to the mainstream audience, Star Trek found a home in nerd 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 the stars. What kind of civilizations could be out there? Besides action, the show also showcased 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, a better production value, and a more diverse set of characters, which provides fresher conflicts.

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

1

Deep Space Nine

Rising Above 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 across the galaxy. It’s the exploration part that fans gravitate towards and Deep Space Nine does something a bit different.

The show stays rooted on an intergalactic space station where multiple species live and coexist with each other. This provides plenty of drama that doesn’t get resolved within a single episode. Conflict continues, making it a more serialized installment than the shows that came before it.