Star Trek has evolved significantly over the decades, and for the purpose of this listicle, it's practical to categorize its productions by era. We start with the iconic The Original Series from the late '60s, followed by the films that continued the adventures of those pioneering explorers. The franchise then entered the Rick Berman era, which kicked off with The Next Generation and concluded with Enterprise. Fast forward to the present, and we find ourselves in the modern era, marked by Paramount+'s offerings beginning with Discovery in 2017.
Today, we're diving into this latest era as Paramount+—formerly CBS All Access—introduces the first straight-to-streaming TV movie, Star Trek: Section 31, which was initially conceived as a series. In just under eight years, the creative minds behind modern Trek have launched five new shows, including two animated series, alongside a collection of shorts aptly named Short Treks.
Given the diverse range of formats and styles—from serious sci-fi drama to comedy, animation, feature-length movies, and more—comparing these projects can be challenging. It's also important to remember that a series may have its highs and lows across different seasons. Our rankings consider the complete run of each series, rather than focusing solely on standout episodes.
So, without further ado, let's embark on this journey, whether you prefer to say "make it so," "engage," "fly," "blast off," "punch it," or any other command you might shout while donning your Starfleet captain's uniform!
The Best Star Trek Series of the Modern Era (and the Worst)
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