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.
| Order | Title | Release Year | In-Universe Era | Episodes | Key Directors / Creators / Producers | IMDb Rating |
| 1 | Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | 2022–ongoing | 2259 | 30+ | Akiva Goldsman, Henry Alonso Myers | 8.2 |
| 2 | Star Trek: The Original Series | 1966–1969 | 2265–2269 | 79 | Gene Roddenberry | 8.4 |
| 3 | Star Trek: The Animated Series | 1973–1974 | 2269–2270 | 22 | Gene Roddenberry | 7.2 |
| 4 | Star Trek: The Next Generation | 1987–1994 | 2364–2370 | 178 | Gene Roddenberry | 8.7 |
| 5 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | 1993–1999 | 2369–2375 | 176 | Rick Berman, Michael Piller, and Ira Steven Behr | 8.1 |
| 6 | Star Trek: Voyager | 1995–2001 | 2371–2378 | 172 | Rick Berman, Michael Piller, and Jeri Taylor. | 7.9 |
| 7 | Star Trek: Enterprise | 2001–2005 | 2151–2161 | 98 | Rick Berman, Brannon Braga | 7.6 |
| 8 | Star Trek: Discovery | 2017–2024 | 2256 / 3188 | 65 | Bryan Fuller, Alex Kurtzman, Michelle Paradise | 7.1 |
| 9 | Star Trek: Short Treks | 2018–2020 | Various | 10 | Alex Kurtzman | 7.0 |
| 10 | Star Trek: Picard | 2020–2023 | 2399–2402 | 30 | Akiva Goldsman, Terry Matalas | 7.5 |
| 11 | Star Trek: Lower Decks | 2020–2024 | 2380 | 50 | Mike McMahan | 7.8 |
| 12 | Star Trek: Prodigy | 2021–2024 | 2383 | 40 | Kevin & Dan Hageman | 7.6 |
| 13 | Star Trek: Starfleet Academy | 2026–ongoing | 3190s | TBA | Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau | TBA |
Star Trek TV Shows in Order 2026 – Detailed Beginner Breakdown
1. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
| Detail | Info |
| Release | 2022–ongoing |
| Episodes | 30+ |
| Directors | Akiva Goldsman, Henry Alonso Myers |
| IMDb | 8.2 |
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
| Detail | Info |
| Release | 1966–1969 |
| Episodes | 79 |
| Executive Producer | Gene Roddenberry |
| IMDb | 8.4 |
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
| Detail | Info |
| Release | 1973–1974 |
| Episodes | 22 |
| Program Creator | Gene Roddenberry |
| IMDb | 7.2 |
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
| Detail | Info |
| Release | 1987–1994 |
| Episodes | 178 |
| Program Creator | Gene Roddenberry |
| IMDb | 8.7 |
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
| Detail | Info |
| Release | 1993–1999 |
| Episodes | 176 |
| Executive Producers | Rick Berman, Michael Piller, and Ira Steven Behr |
| IMDb | 8.1 |
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
| Detail | Info |
| Release | 1995–2001 |
| Episodes | 172 |
| Executive Producers | Rick Berman, Michael Piller, and Jeri Taylor |
| IMDb | 7.9 |
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
| Detail | Info |
| Release | 2001–2005 |
| Episodes | 98 |
| Showrunners | Rick Berman, Brannon Braga |
| IMDb | 7.6 |
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
| Detail | Info |
| Release | 2017–2024 |
| Episodes | 65 |
| Showrunners | Bryan Fuller, Alex Kurtzman, Michelle Paradise |
| IMDb | 7.0 |
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
| Detail | Info |
| Release | 2018–2020 |
| Episodes | 10 |
| Executive Producer | Alex Kurtzman |
| IMDb | 7.0 |
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
| Detail | Info |
| Release | 2020–2023 |
| Episodes | 30 |
| Showrunners | Akiva Goldsman, Terry Matalas |
| IMDb | 7.5 |
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
| Detail | Info |
| Release | 2020–2024 |
| Episodes | 50 |
| Program Creator | Mike McMahan |
| IMDb | 7.8 |
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
| Detail | Info |
| Release | 2021–2024 |
| Episodes | 40 |
| Showrunners | Kevin & Dan Hageman |
| IMDb | 7.6 |
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
| Detail | Info |
| Release | 2026–ongoing |
| Episodes | TBA |
| Showrunners | Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau |
| IMDb | TBA |
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
Writer. Dreamer. Journalist (maybe?). Anime lover (definitely). I turn curiosity into stories and everyday life into a narrative worth reading.
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