What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedStar Trek: Lower Decks
Mike McMahan · Series · 2020
If you loved Star Trek: Lower Decks, start with Star Trek: The Next Generation (Gene Roddenberry, 1987) — a series from the same story. Below: 1 book, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Star Trek: Lower Decks across media.
You loved Star Trek: Lower Decks because it finds humor and profound humanity within the mundane, chaotic realities of spacefaring life.
Start with the source
The source
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Gene Roddenberry · Series · 1987
Adaptation
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Rick Berman · Series · 1993
Adaptation
Star Trek: Voyager
Jeri Taylor · Series · 1995
Books on the same thread
Redshirts
John Scalzi · Book · 2012
Shares 2 threads with Star Trek: Lower Decks: Bureaucracy, Satire.
Much like the ensigns in Star Trek: Lower Decks, these characters grapple with the existential absurdity of being background players in a universe that treats them as mere cannon fodder.
Films on the same thread
Galaxy Quest
Dean Parisot · Film · 1999
Shares a thread with Star Trek: Lower Decks: Space Opera Parody.
This film captures the same love-letter-to-fandom energy found in Star Trek: Lower Decks, deconstructing the tropes of space adventures while celebrating the camaraderie of a crew out of their depth.
Star Trek Beyond
Justin Lin · Film · 2016
Explores: Enemies to allies, Survival against overwhelming odds, Federation ideals tested.
If you appreciated the focus on the found family dynamic within Star Trek: Lower Decks, you will enjoy this cinematic exploration of how a tight-knit crew survives impossible, high-stakes odds.
Elio
Domee Shi · Film · 2025
Shares a thread with Star Trek: Lower Decks: Animated Sci-Fi Comedy.
This cosmic misadventure mirrors the fish-out-of-water charm of Star Trek: Lower Decks, centering on a relatable protagonist navigating the confusing, high-pressure demands of intergalactic diplomacy and self-discovery at a young age.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Robert Wise · Film · 1979
Explores: Humanity vs. Technology, Existential Threat, The Nature of Consciousness.
While Star Trek: Lower Decks parodies the franchise, this film provides the grand, philosophical exploration of the unknown that serves as the essential, earnest foundation for all those comedic references.
Podcasts on the same thread
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
Fans of Star Trek: Lower Decks will recognize the specific blend of professional intimacy and self-deprecating humor, as this podcast mirrors the show's focus on the awkward realities of workplace relationships.
Stugotz and Company
iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: absurdism, unfiltered opinion, camaraderie.
The irreverent, improvised camaraderie found in this podcast echoes the chaotic, unfiltered banter between the characters of Star Trek: Lower Decks as they navigate their daily duties with comedic absurdity.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Star Trek: Lower Decks set during the same time period as Star Trek: The Next Generation?
Star Trek: Lower Decks takes place in 2380, which is shortly after the events of Star Trek: The Next Generation. While they share the same universe, the show focuses on the support crew of the U.S.S. Cerritos rather than the bridge officers seen in earlier series.
Do I need to watch Star Trek: Deep Space Nine before starting Star Trek: Lower Decks?
You do not need to watch Star Trek: Deep Space Nine to understand Star Trek: Lower Decks. The series follows the specific lives of the support crew on the U.S.S. Cerritos in 2380, functioning as a standalone story about ensigns dealing with their duties and sci-fi anomalies.
How does Star Trek: Lower Decks relate to Star Trek: Voyager?
Star Trek: Lower Decks is set in 2380, following the timeline established by Star Trek: Voyager. Both shows exist within the same Starfleet continuity, though Star Trek: Lower Decks shifts the perspective to the ensigns serving on one of the least important ships in the fleet.
What is the main focus of Star Trek: Lower Decks?
Star Trek: Lower Decks focuses on the daily lives and social struggles of four ensigns serving on the U.S.S. Cerritos. The show depicts how these support crew members manage their duties while the ship encounters various sci-fi anomalies during the year 2380.