Star Trek has evolved significantly over the decades, and for the sake of this list, it's helpful to categorize its productions by era. From the iconic Original Series of the late '60s to the subsequent films with those beloved characters, the franchise then transitioned into the Rick Berman era, which kicked off with Star Trek: The Next Generation and concluded with Star Trek: Enterprise. Now, we find ourselves in the modern era, marked by the advent of Paramount+ shows starting with Star Trek: Discovery in 2017.
Today, we're diving into this new chapter as Paramount+, once known as CBS All Access, rolls out the first straight-to-streaming TV movie, Star Trek: Section 31, originally conceived as a series. In just under eight years, the creative minds behind modern Trek have introduced five new shows, including two animated series, and a collection of shorts titled Short Treks.
Given the diverse approaches these projects have embraced—from traditional sci-fi drama to comedy, animation, shorts, and feature-length content—comparing them directly can be challenging. It's also worth noting that a series might have its ups and downs over different seasons. When considering our rankings, we've taken into account the entire run of each series, rather than just focusing on standout episodes.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in and explore the best and worst Star Trek series of the modern era. Whether you say "make it so," "engage," "fly," "blast off," or "punch it," while donning your Starfleet captain's attire, let’s embark on this journey together!
The Best Star Trek Series of the Modern Era (and the Worst)
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