Every Star Trek series, from worst to best

Star Trek has been a cornerstone of science fiction since it first aired in the 1960s. 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 the exploration and diplomatic aspect of space travel.

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

12

Star Trek: Short Voyages

Short trips into the unknown

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

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

11

Star Trek Picard

More Picard content

Star Trek Picard has Picard at its core. This is enough to justify this spin-off, but was it a good idea? Often considered the worst of the series, Star Trek Picard lacked the budget and ambition to accomplish what the other shows had accomplished.

None of the seasons seem to be part of the same show or premise. The only thing that binds them is Picard's presence. However, it has a third season full of fanservice that sometimes works well, other times it feels like too much. You will 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 original cast members 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 time and worth watching for any true Trekkie. It has the same campiness as the original.

9

Star Trek: Enterprise

A prequel to the original

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

While the first two seasons seem very independent, from the third onwards the stories become more serialized and, consequently, better. While some viewers may like the series, it's usually not one you want to recommend if you want to convert your non-Trekkie friends into full-fledged fans.

8

Prodigy

A pretty decent kids show

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

This is the heart of Star Trek Prodigy, as young aliens explore vast new worlds they didn't even know existed. The art direction is also on point, making it much more engaging than the original animated series.

7

Star Trek Traveler

Change the status quo

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

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

6

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

A modern version of the original show

It's not often that a reboot manages 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 technology used for modern 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 success

An underrated series that is surprisingly smarter than it seems is Star Trek: Lower Decks. It initially presents itself as a clone of Rick and Morty, but quickly becomes something more beyond the five episodes.

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

4

The discovery of Star Trek

Divisive but solid

Star Trek: Discovery ventures into uncharted territory, which is the entire soul of the franchise. It has a rather cinematic look, giving it that extra bit of polish that makes it a pleasure to watch.

Although the series begins earlier in the timeline than the original show, during its third season it takes a huge 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 who started it all

Before Star Wars began pushing science fiction to mainstream audiences, Star Trek found a home in nerd culture as the epitome of space television. While many sets may be considered campy by today's standards, that also makes them timeless.

This is the series that started it all and made viewers dream with the stars. What kind of civilizations might there be out there? Besides the action, the show also showed the diplomatic side of space adventures.

2

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Building on the foundations of the original

It's not often that a sequel series is on the same level as the original. In fact, some would even say that Star Trek: The Next Generation surpasses the previous show. It has more episodes, better production value, and a more diverse cast of characters, providing fresher conflicts.

Of course, it wouldn't be a true 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

Above expectations

One of the best aspects of a Star Trek show is the chance 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 in an intergalactic space station where multiple species live and coexist with each other. This provides a lot of drama that isn't resolved in a single episode. The conflict continues, making it a more serialized installment than previous shows.