Star Trek at 60: The 60 Must-Watch Episodes & Movies of All Time
For nearly six decades, Star Trek has boldly gone where no franchise has gone before.
Since 1966, Star Trek has evolved from a groundbreaking science fiction television series into a global cultural phenomenon spanning multiple generations, dozens of films, and hundreds of unforgettable episodes. From the bridge of the original USS Enterprise under Captain James T. Kirk to the philosophical command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, the moral complexity of Captain Benjamin Sisko, and the modern adventures of Captain Christopher Pike, Star Trek continues to inspire fans with stories of hope, exploration, diversity, and humanity.
In celebration of Star Trek’s 60th anniversary, we’ve created the ultimate guide to the 60 must-watch Star Trek episodes and movies of all time—the essential viewing list for new fans, returning fans, and lifelong Trekkies alike.
Whether you're introducing someone to Trek for the first time or revisiting the franchise’s greatest moments, these are the episodes and films that define what Star Trek truly is.
And yes—we included the debates.
The Original Foundations: Where Star Trek Began
1. The Cage
Star Trek: The Original Series
The original unaired pilot featuring Captain Christopher Pike. It’s fascinating as both a historical artifact and a philosophical blueprint for everything Trek would become.
2. Where No Man Has Gone Before
A true beginning for Kirk’s Enterprise, introducing the danger of godlike power and the ethical questions that define the franchise.
3. Balance of Terror
One of television’s finest submarine-style thrillers and the definitive introduction to the Romulans.
4. Space Seed
The debut of Khan Noonien Singh, whose legacy would shape Star Trek forever.
5. The City on the Edge of Forever
Often considered the greatest Star Trek episode ever made—romantic, tragic, and deeply philosophical.
6. Mirror, Mirror
The birth of the Mirror Universe and Evil Spock’s unforgettable goatee.
7. Amok Time
A foundational Vulcan episode that deepens our understanding of Spock and Vulcan culture.
8. Journey to Babel
Political diplomacy, family tension, and one of the best Spock-centric stories ever written.
9. The Trouble with Tribbles
Because not every masterpiece needs existential dread.
10. The Doomsday Machine
Pure tension and one of the best examples of military command drama in Trek.
The Legendary Original Films
11. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
The greatest Star Trek film ever made. Revenge, sacrifice, aging, friendship, and one unforgettable scream of “Khaaan!”
12. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Underrated and essential. The emotional continuation of Wrath of Khan with enormous consequences.
13. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Whales. Time travel. San Francisco. Somehow, it works brilliantly.
14. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
A political thriller and the perfect sendoff for the original crew.
The Next Generation Era: Peak Prestige Trek
15. Yesterday’s Enterprise
A perfect alternate timeline episode and one of TNG’s finest hours.
16. The Best of Both Worlds, Part I
The Borg become terrifying. Picard becomes Locutus. Television history happens.
17. The Best of Both Worlds, Part II
The payoff is every bit as powerful as the cliffhanger.
18. Darmok
“Shaka, when the walls fell.”
If you know, you know.
19. The Inner Light
A deeply emotional meditation on memory, loss, and the life we might have lived.
20. Chain of Command
“There are four lights.”
Enough said.
21. Tapestry
A brilliant reflection on regret and the choices that shape identity.
22. All Good Things…
One of the greatest series finales in television history.
Deep Space Nine: The Moral Frontier
23. Emissary
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
The strongest pilot in Star Trek and the beginning of something far more complex.
24. Duet
A masterclass in writing, performance, and moral confrontation.
25. The Visitor
One of the most emotional father-son stories ever told in science fiction.
26. In the Pale Moonlight
Sisko’s greatest episode—and perhaps Star Trek’s boldest moral challenge.
27. Trials and Tribble-ations
A love letter to classic Trek and one of the smartest anniversary episodes ever made.
28. Far Beyond the Stars
Meta, powerful, and still painfully relevant.
29. What You Leave Behind
A sweeping finale that gives DS9 the ending it earned.
Voyager: Lost in the Delta Quadrant
30. Caretaker
The beginning of Voyager’s long journey home.
31. Scorpion, Part I
The arrival of Species 8472 and one of Janeway’s boldest decisions.
32. Scorpion, Part II
The debut of Seven of Nine and a major turning point for the series.
33. Year of Hell
Two episodes that feel like an entire season of consequences.
34. Blink of an Eye
A hidden gem and one of Voyager’s smartest science fiction concepts.
35. Endgame
A controversial but undeniably important finale.
Enterprise: The Prequel That Aged Well
36. Broken Bow
The pilot that launched humanity’s first true steps into deep space.
37. In a Mirror, Darkly
Enterprise’s best Mirror Universe story—and a fan favorite.
38. Terra Prime
One of the strongest finales in Trek and an important statement on xenophobia.
The Kelvin Timeline Films
39. Star Trek
A blockbuster reboot that brought Star Trek to a new generation.
40. Star Trek Beyond
Underrated, character-driven, and the most “Trek” of the modern films.
Modern Trek: Discovery, Picard, and Beyond
41. Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad
Discovery’s best standalone episode and a genuinely fun time-loop adventure.
42. Such Sweet Sorrow
A season finale that reset the future of modern Trek.
43. Remembrance
Picard returns—and the emotional weight lands immediately.
44. Nepenthe
The reunion fans waited decades to see.
45. No Win Scenario
Proof that Season 3 of Picard remembered exactly what fans loved.
Strange New Worlds Is Already Essential
46. Strange New Worlds
A near-perfect pilot and a reminder that episodic Trek still works.
47. Memento Mori
Tense, cinematic, and one of Pike’s strongest command episodes.
48. Ad Astra per Aspera
Courtroom Trek at its absolute best.
49. Those Old Scientists
Yes, the crossover with Lower Decks absolutely belongs here.
50. Hegemony
One of the strongest cliffhangers modern Trek has produced.
Lower Decks, Prodigy & The Animated Legacy
51. Yesteryear
Star Trek: The Animated Series
The animated episode that feels most like essential canon.
52. No Small Parts
Star Trek: Lower Decks
The moment Lower Decks proved it could be both hilarious and emotionally powerful.
53. Wej Duj
A brilliant multi-perspective episode and one of Lower Decks’ smartest stories.
54. Crisis Point
Movie parody meets real character growth.
55. First First Contact
Star Trek: Prodigy
Prodigy’s breakout moment and proof the series was much more than “kids Trek.”
56. Supernova
A strong finale for one of modern Trek’s most underrated series.
Five More That Changed Star Trek Forever
57. Let That Be Your Last Battlefield
Still one of Trek’s boldest social commentaries.
58. Cause and Effect
A time-loop classic from TNG that never gets old.
59. Living Witness
Voyager at its smartest and most philosophical.
60. The Visitor (Yes, Again)
Because if you haven’t cried yet, you probably will now.
Final Thoughts: Why Star Trek Still Matters
Sixty years later, Star Trek remains more than entertainment.
It is a vision of who we could become.
It asks impossible questions, challenges moral certainty, celebrates diversity, and insists that optimism is not naïve—it is necessary.
Whether your captain is Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway, Archer, Burnham, or Pike, the best of Star Trek reminds us that humanity’s future should be built on curiosity, compassion, and courage.
That’s why these 60 stories still matter.
And that’s why we’ll keep watching.
Listen to More Star Trek Discussions on The Undiscovered Podcast
At Star Trek: The Undiscovered Podcast, we dive deep into the stories, characters, and moments that made Trek legendary.
From classic episode breakdowns to modern Trek debates, legacy cast discussions, and anniversary retrospectives, we explore the franchise with the same passion that has kept fans boldly going for nearly 60 years.
If this list sparked an argument (and it should), come join the conversation.
Because every Trek fan has a list.
This one is ours.