12 Best Shows Like Star Trek: The Next Generation to Watch Next (2026)
Searching for shows like Star Trek: The Next Generation? Explore 12 spacefaring series, from Deep Space Nine to Firefly, with adventure, drama, mystery, and sci-fi.
If you’re searching for shows like Star Trek: The Next Generation, start with series that balance exploration, crew dynamics, and thoughtful sci-fi worldbuilding. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager both keep the franchise’s spacefaring spirit alive, while Star Trek: Strange New Worlds offers a newer take on the same universe. Firefly and The Orville are great outside-the-franchise picks for viewers who want adventure, drama, and a strong sense of shipboard camaraderie. For a more varied list, Andromeda, Stargate: Atlantis, and Earth: Final Conflict each bring their own spin on mystery, action, and interstellar conflict.
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01
Star Trek
Won 1 Governor's Award 14 nominations
action · adventure · drama · sci-fi
Space. The Final Frontier. The U.S.S. Enterprise embarks on a five year mission to explore the galaxy. The Enterprise is under the command of Captain James T. Kirk with First Officer Mr. Spock, from the planet Vulcan. With a determined crew, the Enterprise encounters Klingons, Romulans, time paradoxes, tribbles and genetic supermen led by Khan Noonian Singh. Their mission is to explore strange new worlds, to seek new life and new civilizations, and to boldly go where no man has gone before.
Why watch: If you enjoy the roots of the franchise, this is the classic place to start. It combines action, adventure, drama, and sci-fi around the Enterprise’s five-year mission and its crew.
Directed by Marc Daniels, Joseph Pevney, Ralph Senensky, Vincent McEveety, Jud TaylorCast Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, DeForest Kelley, Nichelle Nichols, James DoohanParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
02
Earth: Final Conflict
2 Emmy nominations
action · drama · mystery · sci-fi
When an alien species comes to Earth bearing gifts for humanity, a few suspicious humans seek to discover and resist the newcomers' true designs.
Why watch: If you like sci-fi with a mystery edge and the tension of humans questioning alien intentions, this may fit well. It leans into action and drama while adding an uneasy first-contact premise.
Directed by Brenton Spencer, Ross Clyde, Andrew Potter, James Head, David WinningCast Von Flores, Leni Parker, Anita La Selva, Richard Chevolleau, David HemblenAmazon Prime VideoTubiFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
03
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Won 4 Emmys 32 nominations
action · adventure · drama · sci-fi · thriller
At Deep Space Nine, a space station located next to a wormhole in the vicinity of the liberated planet of Bajor, Commander Sisko and crew welcome alien visitors, root out evildoers and solve all types of unexpected problems that come their way.
Why watch: If you want a Star Trek series that keeps the Federation setting but adds more serialized tension, this is a strong choice. Its mix of action, adventure, drama, sci-fi, and thriller elements may appeal to viewers who like layered space stories.
Directed by David Livingston, Les Landau, Winrich Kolbe, Allan Kroeker, LeVar BurtonCast Avery Brooks, Rene Auberjonois, Cirroc Lofton, Alexander Siddig, Colm MeaneyParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
04
Star Trek: Enterprise
Won 4 Emmys 17 nominations
action · adventure · drama · sci-fi
During the mid-22nd century, a century before Captain Kirk's five-year mission, Jonathan Archer captains the United Earth ship Enterprise during the early years of Starfleet, leading up to the Earth-Romulan War and the formation of the Federation.
Why watch: If you’re interested in an earlier chapter of Star Trek history, this one focuses on the years before Kirk and the formation of the Federation. It should suit viewers who like action, adventure, and sci-fi rooted in exploration.
Directed by David Livingston, Allan Kroeker, Michael Vejar, Roxann Dawson, David StraitonCast Scott Bakula, John Billingsley, Jolene, Dominic Keating, Anthony MontgomeryParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
05
Firefly
Won 1 Emmy
adventure · drama · sci-fi
In the year 2517, after the arrival of humans in a new star system, follow the adventures of the renegade crew of Serenity, a "Firefly-class" spaceship.
Why watch: If you enjoy crew-centered space adventures with a strong sci-fi setting, this is an easy recommendation. Its adventure and drama focus makes it a good pick for viewers who want a more offbeat spaceship story.
Directed by Joss Whedon, Vern Gillum, Tim Minear, James A. Contner, Vondie Curtis-HallCast Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, Adam BaldwinAmazon Prime VideoHuluMore details on IMDb → -
06
Star Wars: Droids
animation · action · adventure · comedy · family · sci-fi
An animated television series that features the exploits of R2-D2 and C-3PO. The series takes place between the events depicted in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.
Why watch: If you want a lighter Star Wars option with animation, action, adventure, comedy, family, and sci-fi, this is the most playful choice here. It’s a good fit if you want a very different tone while still staying in a space setting.
Directed by Ken Stephenson, Raymond Jafelice, Clive A. SmithCast Anthony Daniels, Dan Hennessey, Graeme Campbell, Donny Burns, John StockerDisney PlusMore details on IMDb → -
07
Andromeda
action · adventure · drama · sci-fi
Captain Dylan Hunt and his crew quest to restore a government that once presided over an extended peace and prosperity.
Why watch: If you like the idea of a captain and crew working to restore peace and order, this series may appeal to you. Its action-adventure framework and sci-fi setting make it a decent match for fans of ambitious space journeys.
Directed by Jorge Montesi, Allan Eastman, Richard Flower, David Winning, Brad TurnerCast Kevin Sorbo, Lisa Ryder, Laura Bertram, Gordon Michael Woolvett, Lexa DoigTubiPeacock PremiumFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
08
Star Trek: The Animated Series
animation · action · adventure · family · sci-fi
The animated adventures of Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock and the crew of the Starship Enterprise.
Why watch: If you’re curious about an animated take on classic Star Trek, this may be worth a look. It keeps the original crew together and fits viewers who want action, adventure, family appeal, and sci-fi.
Directed by Hal Sutherland, Bill ReedCast William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, George Takei, Nichelle NicholsParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
09
Stargate: Atlantis
4 Emmy nominations
action · adventure · drama · sci-fi
With the Ancients' city of Atlantis discovered in the Pegasus Galaxy by Stargate Command, Dr. Elizabeth Weir and Major Sheppard lead a scientific expedition to the ancient abandoned city. Once there, the team not only find themselves unable to contact Earth, but their explorations unexpectedly reawaken the Ancients' deadly enemies, The Wraith, who hunger for this new prey. Now with the help of newfound local allies like Teyla Emmagan, the Atlantis Team sets about to uncover their new home's secrets even as their war of survival against the Wraith begins.
Why watch: If you enjoy expedition stories that mix exploration with a larger survival conflict, this is a strong pick. Its action, adventure, drama, and sci-fi blend should work well for fans of team-based space missions.
Directed by Martin Wood, Andy Mikita, William Waring, Peter DeLuise, Brad TurnerCast Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, David Hewlett, Jason Momoa, Torri HigginsonAmazon Prime VideoMore details on IMDb → -
10
Star Trek: Voyager
Won 7 Emmys 34 nominations
action · adventure · drama · sci-fi · thriller
Pulled to the far side of the galaxy, where the Federation is 75 years away at maximum warp speed, a Starfleet ship must cooperate with Maquis rebels to find a way home.
Why watch: If you like a stranded-crew premise with a long journey home, this is a natural fit. It pairs action, adventure, drama, sci-fi, and thriller elements for viewers who want tension along with exploration.
Directed by David Livingston, Winrich Kolbe, Allan Kroeker, Michael Vejar, Cliff BoleCast Kate Mulgrew, Robert Beltran, Roxann Dawson, Robert Duncan McNeill, Ethan PhillipsParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
11
The Orville
1 Emmy nomination
adventure · comedy · sci-fi
Follow the crew of the not-so-functional exploratory ship in the Earth's interstellar fleet, 400 years in the future.
Why watch: If you want a sci-fi series with adventure and a comedic side, this is a good alternative. It follows a less-than-perfect exploratory crew in the future, so it may appeal if you like ensemble stories with a lighter tone.
Directed by Jon Cassar, Seth MacFarlane, Brannon Braga, Kelly Cronin, Jonathan FrakesCast Seth MacFarlane, Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald, Scott Grimes, Peter MaconHuluMore details on IMDb → -
12
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
2 Emmy nominations
action · adventure · sci-fi
Follow Captain Christopher Pike, Science Officer Spock and Number One in the years before Captain Kirk boarded the U.S.S. Enterprise, as they explore new worlds around the galaxy.
Why watch: If you want modern Star Trek that still centers on exploration, this is an easy pick. It follows Pike, Spock, and Number One as they travel around the galaxy, so it should suit fans of action, adventure, and sci-fi.
Directed by Chris Fisher, Dan Liu, Jordan Canning, Sydney Freeland, Maja VrviloCast Melissa Navia, Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, Christina Chong, Rebecca RomijnParamount PlusMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
Whether you want more Star Trek or something that captures a similar mix of adventure, drama, and sci-fi, this list gives you several solid places to start. Some picks lean closer to classic Federation storytelling, while others broaden the search with newer settings and different tones. Bookmark this page and check back when you want another round of space-based recommendations. We update this page regularly, so it’s a handy one to return to as your watchlist grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these shows similar to Star Trek: The Next Generation?
These picks were matched by tone, themes, and story style using a similarity model trained on plot synopses, genres, and cast — not just shared genre tags — so the connection runs deeper than a simple category match.