Star Trek has evolved significantly over the decades, and for the sake of this listicle, it's practical to categorize its vast universe by era. We start with the iconic The Original Series from the late '60s, followed by the classic movies featuring the original crew. Then, the Rick Berman era ushered in with The Next Generation and concluding with Enterprise. Fast forward to the present, and we're in the modern era of Paramount+ shows, which kicked off with Discovery in 2017.
Today, we're focusing on this latest chapter as Paramount+, formerly known as CBS All Access, introduces the first direct-to-streaming TV movie, Star Trek: Section 31, 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, and a collection of shorts aptly named Short Treks.
Given the diverse approaches these projects have taken—from traditional sci-fi drama to comedy, animation, feature-length films, and more—comparing them is no small feat. Additionally, a series might have its highs and lows across seasons, so our rankings consider the entirety of each series rather than just standout episodes.
With that context in mind, let's dive in and rank the best (and the worst) Star Trek series of the modern era. Whether you say "Make it so," "Engage," "Fly," "Blast off," or "Punch it," while channeling your inner Starfleet captain, prepare to explore the final frontier of modern Star Trek!
The Best Star Trek Series of the Modern Era (and the Worst)
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