The Star Trek franchise has evolved significantly over the decades, making it essential to categorize its vast output by distinct eras. We start with The Original Series from the late '60s, followed by the movies featuring the iconic crew, leading into the Rick Berman era that kicked off with The Next Generation and concluded with Enterprise. The current era, marked by Paramount+ shows, began with Discovery in 2017 and has since expanded the universe in exciting new ways.
Today, we're focusing on this modern era, especially as Paramount+ (formerly CBS All Access) introduces the first straight-to-streaming TV movie, Star Trek: Section 31, which initially was conceived as a series. In just under eight years, the creative minds behind modern Trek have launched five new series, including two animated shows, and a collection of shorts called Short Treks.
These projects span a wide range of styles, from traditional sci-fi drama to comedy, animation, and feature-length films, making direct comparisons challenging. It's also important to consider that a series can have varying quality across its seasons. Our rankings take into account the entirety of each series, rather than focusing solely on standout episodes.
So, without further ado, let's dive in and explore the best and worst of the modern Star Trek series. Whether you're ready to "make it so," "engage," "fly," "blast off," or "punch it," join us as we navigate through the latest adventures in the Star Trek universe!
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