Home » Watch Order » Star Trek TV Shows in Order 2026: A Beginner-Friendly Watch Guide

Star Trek TV Shows in Order 2026: A Beginner-Friendly Watch Guide

by

Getting into Star Trek sounds simple until someone hands you a watch order that starts in the 22nd century, jumps to the 60s, detours into animation, and somehow expects you to enjoy all of it equally. 

You’re dealing with decades of shows, multiple timelines, and enough lore to fill a Starfleet database. So, it’s no surprise most new viewers bounce before they even launch.

Now, keep in mind that this watch order does not strictly follow in-universe chronology. Instead, it’s designed to be the least confusing and most enjoyable path for first-time viewers in 2026.

Star Trek TV Shows in Order 2026 – The Masterlist

Curious where each Star Trek show fits? This easy-to-follow masterlist breaks down all the TV series so you know exactly what you’re signing up for.

OrderTitleRelease YearIn-Universe EraEpisodesKey Directors / Creators / ProducersIMDb Rating
1Star Trek: Strange New Worlds2022–ongoing225930+Akiva Goldsman, Henry Alonso Myers8.2
2Star Trek: The Original Series1966–19692265–226979Gene Roddenberry8.4
3Star Trek: The Animated Series1973–19742269–227022Gene Roddenberry7.2
4Star Trek: The Next Generation1987–19942364–2370178Gene Roddenberry8.7
5Star Trek: Deep Space Nine1993–19992369–2375176Rick Berman, Michael Piller, and Ira Steven Behr8.1
6Star Trek: Voyager1995–20012371–2378172Rick Berman, Michael Piller, and Jeri Taylor.7.9
7Star Trek: Enterprise2001–20052151–216198Rick Berman, Brannon Braga7.6
8Star Trek: Discovery2017–20242256 / 318865Bryan Fuller, Alex Kurtzman, Michelle Paradise7.1
9Star Trek: Short Treks2018–2020Various10Alex Kurtzman7.0
10Star Trek: Picard2020–20232399–240230Akiva Goldsman, Terry Matalas7.5
11Star Trek: Lower Decks2020–2024238050Mike McMahan7.8
12Star Trek: Prodigy2021–2024238340Kevin & Dan Hageman7.6
13Star Trek: Starfleet Academy2026–ongoing3190sTBAAlex Kurtzman and Noga LandauTBA

Star Trek TV Shows in Order 2026 – Detailed Beginner Breakdown

1. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

A promotional poster for the TV series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds featuring the main cast standing on an alien planet surface, with a starship in the background and the text "Paramount+ ORIGINAL A STAR TREK STRANGE NEW WORLDS NEW SEASON STREAMING JULY 17".

DetailInfo
Release2022–ongoing
Episodes30+
DirectorsAkiva Goldsman, Henry Alonso Myers
IMDb8.2

This is the perfect entry point for new viewers. You have episodic stories, classic Star Trek vibes, and modern visuals that make it insanely easy to jump into without homework.

The best part? You’re not overloaded with lore from the get-go.

2. Star Trek: The Original Series

Content: A promotional poster for Star Trek: The Original Series. Visuals: The image features a collage of the main cast members: Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelley), Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), Mr. Scott (James Doohan), Mr. Sulu (George Takei), and Ensign Chekov (Walter Koenig),. Background: The characters are set against a backdrop of space and the saucer section of the starship USS Enterprise NCC-1701 is prominently displayed at the bottom of the image. Text: The title "STAR TREK" is written in bold, blue letters at the very bottom of the image.

DetailInfo
Release1966–1969
Episodes79
Executive ProducerGene Roddenberry
IMDb8.4

Yes, it’s old. And yes, it’s that iconic. This is where Kirk, Spock, and the core philosophy of Star Trek were born.

You don’t have to watch every episode. Just sample the highlights to capture the true essence of the show.

3. Star Trek: The Animated Series

An illustrated poster for "Star Trek: The Animated Series" showing four main characters, including Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock, in uniform running across a red, rocky planet surface, with the USS Enterprise flying in the starry sky above them.

DetailInfo
Release1973–1974
Episodes22
Program CreatorGene Roddenberry
IMDb7.2

The switch-up to animation might feel jarring (and weird), but this show is surprisingly important in the grand scheme of things. It continues the original crew’s story and is officially canon (even if it feels like you’re watching a retro Saturday morning cartoon).

4. Star Trek: The Next Generation

A promotional poster for the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation, featuring a collage of main cast members including Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Commander William Riker, Data, Worf, Deanna Troi, Beverly Crusher, and others, with the USS Enterprise-D flying above a planet in the foreground.

DetailInfo
Release1987–1994
Episodes178
Program CreatorGene Roddenberry
IMDb8.7

Welcome to peak Star Trek. It might start off slow, but it absolutely pays off in the end. The show explores many long-form moral dilemmas that define what the franchise becomes moving forward.

5. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

A promotional poster for the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, featuring the title logo at the top. The image displays the main cast of characters in the foreground, with the Deep Space 9 station and a wormhole visible in the background. The cast includes Commander Benjamin Sisko, Major Kira Nerys, Odo, Dr. Julian Bashir, Jadzia Dax, Quark, Miles O'Brien, and Jake Sisko.

DetailInfo
Release1993–1999
Episodes176
Executive ProducersRick Berman, Michael Piller, and Ira Steven Behr
IMDb8.1

This one is darker, deeper, and more serialized than anything before it. DS9 explores war, politics, and moral gray areas, which makes it one of the most rewarding watches in the franchise.

6. Star Trek: Voyager

Cover art for the Star Trek: Voyager Omnibus graphic novel, featuring the main cast members with the USS Voyager in the background. Description Content: The image is the cover for the Star Trek: Voyager Omnibus. Characters: It displays key characters from the series, including Captain Kathryn Janeway, Chakotay, Tuvok, B'Elanna Torres, Tom Paris, Harry Kim, the Doctor (EMH), Neelix, and Seven of Nine. Background: The USS Voyager starship is prominently featured in the upper center, set against a backdrop of stars and nebula. Purpose: The omnibus collects four different Star Trek: Voyager stories in one volume.

DetailInfo
Release1995–2001
Episodes172
Executive ProducersRick Berman, Michael Piller, and Jeri Taylor
IMDb7.9

If you want something that’s easier to binge, then Voyager is your best bet. This series is a more traditional exploration of the story with a strong central crew. It’ll offer a nice tonal reset after DS9, which has heavier storytelling.

7. Star Trek: Enterprise

A promotional poster for the science fiction television series Star Trek: Enterprise. The image features the main cast members, including Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula), T'Pol (Jolene Blalock), Charles "Trip" Tucker III (Connor Trinneer), and others, standing in front of a large, glowing sun or nebula. Below them in the foreground is the USS Enterprise NX-01 starship, and the title "STAR TREK ENTERPRISE" is displayed at the bottom of the poster.

DetailInfo
Release2001–2005
Episodes98
ShowrunnersRick Berman, Brannon Braga
IMDb7.6

Make sure you really understand the Star Trek lore before you get into Enterprise. It’s a true prequel set before the Federation exists and works perfectly for a mid-to-late watch.

8. Star Trek: Discovery

The image is the cover of the book Star Trek Discovery: Guide to Seasons 1 and 2 Collector's Edition. The cover features a collage of main characters from the television series, set against a backdrop of space and a prominent Starfleet insignia. Key characters visible include Sonequa Martin-Green as Michael Burnham, Doug Jones as Saru, and Anson Mount as Captain Christopher Pike. At the bottom of the cover, two Starfleet starships are depicted in flight.

DetailInfo
Release2017–2024
Episodes65
ShowrunnersBryan Fuller, Alex Kurtzman, Michelle Paradise
IMDb7.0

Modern, highly serialized, and really emotional, Discovery does a great job at reshaping major parts of the Star Trek timeline. So, complete the classics before you start this one. It hits harder that way.

9. Star Trek: Short Treks

Description: A promotional poster for the anthology series Star Trek: Short Treks. Visuals: The image is a blue-hued collage featuring various characters from the series, including those portrayed by Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, Rebecca Romijn, Doug Jones, Michelle Yeoh, and Rainn Wilson, among others. Text: The title "STAR TREK SHORT TREKS" is displayed prominently across the center of the image, overlaid on a large gold Starfleet insignia.

DetailInfo
Release2018–2020
Episodes10
Executive ProducerAlex Kurtzman
IMDb7.0

These are quick experimental stories that expand on Discovery and other eras. Jump on this when you want some bite-sized worldbuilding.

10. Star Trek: Picard

A promotional poster for Star Trek: Picard Season 3. The image features a large portrait of Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) in the background, with the reunited main cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation (Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Michael Dorn, Marina Sirtis, LeVar Burton, Jeri Ryan, and Brent Spiner) in the foreground. A Starfleet starship is visible in the upper left. Text on the poster reads: "THE FINAL SEASON", "STAR TREK PICARD", "STREAMING FEBRUARY 16", and "Paramount+ ORIGINAL".

DetailInfo
Release2020–2023
Episodes30
ShowrunnersAkiva Goldsman, Terry Matalas
IMDb7.5

If you’ve completed The Next Generation, proceed with this. If not, go back and complete it because Picard won’t make sense otherwise. It’s a nostalgia-heavy sequel that’s quite character-driven.

11. Star Trek: Lower Decks

Promotional poster for Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5, featuring the main animated characters and the text 'An adventure five seasons in the making', 'Streaming Oct 24', and 'Paramount+ Original'."

DetailInfo
Release2020–2024
Episodes50
Program CreatorMike McMahan
IMDb7.8

Imagine being surrounded by people who keep referencing inside jokes that you don’t get. Well, that’s what your situation will be if you watch Lower Decks when you’re unfamiliar with the Star Trek universe.

This show is fast, funny, and packed with references. So, catch up with the franchise if you want to keep up.

12. Star Trek: Prodigy

TV poster for Star Trek: Prodigy, can be described as follows: Description: A vibrant, high-resolution poster set against a backdrop of space and a large nebula/planet. A group of seven animated characters, the main cast of the show, are featured prominently in the foreground standing on a dark, rocky surface. Characters: The characters include Dal, a resourceful teen, Gwyn, a skilled linguist, Rok-Tahk, a strong Brikar, and Jankom Pog, a Tellarite. Two spaceships are visible in the background. Text: The title "STAR TREK PRODIGY" is displayed in large letters at the bottom, with the text "PREMIERING JULY 1 ON NETFLIX" below it.

DetailInfo
Release2021–2024
Episodes40
ShowrunnersKevin & Dan Hageman
IMDb7.6

Prodigy’s main aim was to onboard new viewers. But it’s secretly a great watch for longtime fans as well because it does a great job at explaining the basic Star Trek concepts while delivering a surprisingly emotional story.

13. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

An image of a promotional poster for the new series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy featuring several young cast members in Starfleet uniforms lying and sitting on a grassy field. The text on the poster reads "Paramount+ ORIGINAL STAR TREK STARFLEET ACADEMY NEW SERIES STREAMING JAN 15".

DetailInfo
Release2026–ongoing
EpisodesTBA
ShowrunnersAlex Kurtzman and Noga Landau
IMDbTBA

This newest addition to the franchise is set far in the future. It assumes you already understand the Federation, making it best saved for last.

How Do You Start Watching Star Trek TV Shows in Order in 2026 

If you only remember one thing from this guide, let it be this: don’t overthink Star Trek. Start with Strange New Worlds, let the universe pull you in, and explore deeper as your curiosity grows.

This order keeps things fun, modern, and manageable

Note: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase through them-at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we genuinely believe in and find useful.