‘Starfleet Academy’ Means ‘Star Trek’ Now Has More Modern Canon TV Shows Than Classic Ones

As a lifelong Trekkie, I’m so excited about Starfleet Academy coming in 2026! It’s fantastic that it’s part of Star Trek‘s 60th anniversary, and honestly, it feels like exactly what the franchise needs right now. It’s the second spin-off from Discovery, following Strange New Worlds, and it really feels like Star Trek is moving forward with fresh energy. It does make me think, though, that the classic era might be taking a backseat – and I worry that could happen more and more in the future. It’s a bit bittersweet, but I’m still incredibly hopeful for what’s next!

The latest chapter of Star Trek began with Star Trek: Discovery in 2017. Before that, the last Star Trek TV show was Enterprise, which ended in 2005. Although four Star Trek movies were released in the years between, the franchise is best known for its television series. Plus, three of those films were part of J.J. Abrams’ alternate timeline, making them somewhat separate from the main storyline. So, while Discovery marked the beginning of modern Star Trek, it wasn’t until 2026 that this new era exceeded the length of the original run, which started with The Original Series in 1966 and concluded with Enterprise.

‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ Means the Franchise Now Has More Canon Modern-Era Shows Than Classic Ones

Paramount+

The original Star Trek series and movies included ten films and six TV shows (counting 2002’s Nemesis). While the newer Star Trek era currently has only one full-length movie – 2025’s Star Trek: Section 31 – it boasts seven official TV shows, including Starfleet Academy, which is one more than the original series. Since 2017, nine Star Trek shows have been released, but Scouts and Very Short Treks aren’t considered part of the main storyline.

Recent Star Trek shows have experimented much more with both live-action and animation, something only seen before with The Animated Series in the franchise’s earlier years. Compared to those older shows, the newer ones also offer a wider range of styles and moods. While Strange New Worlds successfully recreates the feel of classic Star Trek, shows like Discovery and Picard demonstrate the franchise’s ability to explore darker and more complex themes. Lower Decks really stands out, though – this animated comedy is full of self-aware Star Trek jokes and constantly breaks the fourth wall.

‘Star Trek’s Modern Era Could Eventually Beat Another Classic-Era Record

Paramount Television

Although the classic era of Star Trek consisted of six TV series, compared to seven series in recent years, those original shows – like The Original Series, The Next Generation, and Voyager – added up to a total of 725 episodes. Even with the completion of Starfleet Academy in March 2026, the seven newer Star Trek series will have only produced 335 episodes. Adding in the planned future episodes of Strange New Worlds (16 total across seasons 4 & 5) and Starfleet Academy Season 2 (10 episodes), that number rises to 261 episodes – still significantly less than the classic shows.

It’s remarkable that the current era of Star Trek, despite having just one more show than the classic era, is quickly approaching half the total number of episodes it took nearly 40 years to create. Considering Star Trek has only been consistently producing new content for less than a decade, this is a significant achievement. While future releases are expected to be less frequent, it’s likely more shows will be commissioned, adding to the current era’s episode count. However, it’s also possible Star Trek is preparing for another hiatus, potentially leading to a third, separate era in the years to come.

Is ‘Star Trek’s Modern Era Better Than Its Golden Age?

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Star Trek has faced criticism throughout its history, so those who fondly remember the original series often do so through rose-tinted glasses. While Voyager had a mixed reception when it first aired, it’s now considered one of the franchise’s most popular shows. Generally, the older Star Trek series are still seen as the best examples of what the show can be. Even Enterprise, which was heavily criticized and quickly canceled after four seasons, is now often viewed with the same fondness as classics like The Next Generation.

When Star Trek returned with Discovery in 2017, it faced a challenge. The previous series, Enterprise, hadn’t been a huge hit, signaling the need for a fresh approach – and that’s what Discovery delivered. However, many longtime Star Trek fans still missed the show’s original style, something other recent projects have touched on but not fully replicated. Things evolve, and Star Trek’s willingness to try new things has helped it attract a wider audience, gain new fans, and still appeal to those who have loved it for years.

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It’s hard to definitively say if modern Star Trek is actually better than the original series. This is especially true because the newer shows build on stories and ideas created decades ago. Discovery, for example, likely wouldn’t have been as successful if it had been the very first Star Trek show; its existing fanbase gave it a strong start. This is probably true for all the recent Star Trek series, though they’re still entertaining.

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2026-01-16 22:22