The Most Popular Star Trek Series, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the series you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 3, 2024 06:50
Fans of Star Trek know the joy of debating which series stands out among the rest. With so many adventures spanning various crews and galaxies, each installment brings its own unique flavor to the Star Trek universe. A ranked list helps clarify which series resonates most with audiences, giving new viewers a guided starting point and aficionados a reason to reevaluate their favorites.
By participating in this ranking, fans contribute to a broader consensus, helping to reflect the shifting opinions in the Star Trek community. This dynamic list isn't just a snapshot; it's a continually updated reflection of fan appreciation. So, cast your vote and see how your favorite series compares to others in the eyes of viewers around the world.
What Is the Most Popular Star Trek Series?
-
159votes
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Gene RoddenberryStar Trek: The Next Generation - considered by many to be the best Star Trek series, it ran for seven seasons and is known for its strong characters, thought-provoking episodes, and high production values.Star Trek: The Next Generation is a science fiction television series that serves as a sequel to the original Star Trek series. Set in the 24th century, it follows the crew of the USS Enterprise-D as they explore the galaxy, encounter new civilizations, and tackle moral and technological challenges.- Premiere Date: September 28, 1987
- Final Episode Date: May 23, 1994
- Number of Seasons: 7
- Number of Episodes: 178
- Runtime: 45 minutes per episode
-
235votes
NBC Television · Public domainStar Trek: The Original Series
Gene RoddenberryStar Trek: The Original Series - the series that started it all, this groundbreaking show ran from 1966 to 1969 and introduced audiences to the iconic characters of Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy.Star Trek: The Original Series is a science fiction television series that aired from 1966 to 1969. It follows the adventures of the starship USS Enterprise, captained by James T. Kirk, as it explores the galaxy in the 23rd century. The show became a cultural phenomenon and laid the foundation for the entire Star Trek franchise.- Genre: Science Fiction
- Original Air Dates: September 8, 1966 – June 3, 1969
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 79
- Main Characters: Captain James T. Kirk, Spock, Dr. Leonard McCoy
-
319votes
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Rick Berman, Michael PillerStar Trek: Deep Space Nine is a darker, more complex take on the Star Trek universe, this series ran from 1993 to 1999 and is often praised for its rich storytelling and well-developed characters.Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series that is set in the Star Trek universe. It follows the crew of a space station called Deep Space Nine, located near a stable wormhole that allows for travel to the unexplored Gamma Quadrant.- First Aired: January 3, 1993
- Last Aired: June 2, 1999
- Number of Seasons: 7
- Number of Episodes: 176
- Genre: Science Fiction
-
415votesStar Trek: Voyager is the first Star Trek series to feature a female captain, this show ran from 1995 to 2001 and is known for its strong female characters and exploration of new worlds.Star Trek: Voyager is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. It follows the adventures of the starship USS Voyager as it becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant, approximately 70,000 light-years from Earth. The crew must work together to overcome various obstacles and find a way back home.
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Original Release: 1995-2001
- Number of Seasons: 7
- Number of Episodes: 172
- Main Characters: Captain Kathryn Janeway, Commander Chakotay, Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres, Lieutenant Tom Paris, The Doctor, Seven of Nine, Neelix, Ensign Harry Kim
-
513votes
U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Mark O. Piggott · Public domainStar Trek: Enterprise
Rick Berman, Brannon BragaStar Trek: Enterprise - set before the events of the original series, this show ran from 2001 to 2005 and is known for its exploration of early Starfleet history and the development of new technologies.Star Trek: Enterprise is a science fiction television series and the fifth installment in the Star Trek franchise. It is set in the 22nd century, a hundred years before the events of Star Trek: The Original Series, and follows the early missions of the starship Enterprise NX-01. The series explores humanity's first deep-space explorations, encounters with new species, and the formation of the United Federation of Planets.- Genre: Science Fiction
- Original Run: September 26, 2001 - May 13, 2005
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 98
- Setting: 22nd Century
-
612votes
Star Trek: Discovery
Bryan Fuller, Alex KurtzmanStar Trek: Discovery - the most recent addition to the Star Trek franchise, this show premiered in 2017 and is known for its diverse cast, high production values, and serialized storytelling.Star Trek: Discovery is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. It follows the adventures of the crew aboard the USS Discovery during the mid-23rd century. The series explores events preceding the original Star Trek series and introduces new characters and storylines.- Genre: Science Fiction, Drama
- Created by: Bryan Fuller, Alex Kurtzman
- Original network: CBS
- Original release: September 24, 2017
- Number of seasons: 3
-
79votesStar Trek: Lower Decks is a new animated series that premiered in 2020, this show follows the misadventures of the lower-ranking crew members aboard a Starfleet ship. It is known for its humor and irreverent take on the Star Trek universe.
-
85votesStar Trek: Picard is a new series that premiered in 2020, this show follows the later years of Captain Jean-Luc Picard and is known for its nostalgic appeal and strong performances by its cast.Star Trek: Picard is a television series set in the Star Trek universe that premiered in 2020. It follows the character Jean-Luc Picard, portrayed by Patrick Stewart, after his retirement from Starfleet. The series explores his post-Starfleet life and his involvement in a new mission related to a mysterious girl named Dahj.
- Genre: Science fiction, Drama
- Origin: United States
- Language: English
- Original Network: CBS All Access
- Number of Seasons: 3 (ongoing)
-
95votes
Star Trek: The Animated Series
Gene RoddenberryStar Trek: The Animated Series is a short-lived animated series that aired from 1973 to 1974 and is known for featuring many of the original cast members from the original series. It is often overlooked but has gained a cult following in recent years.Star Trek: The Animated Series is an animated science fiction television series based on the Star Trek franchise. It serves as a continuation of the original Star Trek series, featuring the same characters and exploring new adventures. The show aired for two seasons from 1973 to 1974.- Genre: Science fiction
- Format: Animated series
- Original network: NBC
- Original run: September 8, 1973 – October 12, 1974
- Number of episodes: 22
-
104votes
Star Trek: Short Treks
Alex KurtzmanStar Trek: Short Treks is a series of mini-episodes that explore various aspects of the Star Trek universe, these shorts are known for their creativity and experimental storytelling.Star Trek: Short Treks is a collection of short episodes within the Star Trek franchise that explores various stories and characters from different eras and series.- Genre: Science fiction
- Format: Anthology series
- Original network: CBS All Access
- Original release: 2018 - present
- Total episodes: 13 (as of July 2021)
Missing your favorite series?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular series
-
Overall qualityThis includes factors such as storytelling, characters, and production values.
-
Fan baseThe size and level of passion of a series' fan base can be a good indicator of its popularity.
-
LongevityThe length of a series and how it has held up over time can be important factors.
-
Critical receptionHow a series was received by critics and industry professionals can also be taken into account.
-
InnovationWhether a series broke new ground and introduced new ideas to the franchise can also be a factor in its popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Star Trek series. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or series is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1936 views
- 165 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each series once every 24 hours. The rank of each series is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular star trek series
Star Trek is a science fiction franchise that has been captivating audiences for over 50 years. From the original series that aired in the 1960s to the most recent installment, Star Trek: Discovery, the series has a massive following across the globe. The franchise has also spawned several movies, books, and merchandise, making it a pop culture phenomenon.
While all the Star Trek series have their unique themes and storylines, fans often debate which one is the most popular. Some argue that the original series, with its iconic characters like Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock, is the best, while others believe that The Next Generation, with its exploration of complex ethical and philosophical issues, is the superior series.
At StrawPoll, we have hosted numerous polls on the topic, and the results have been fascinating. As fans passionately voice their opinions, it's clear that the Star Trek franchise continues to captivate and inspire audiences around the world.
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
