For six decades, Star Trek has boldly gone where no franchise has gone before—through syndication, network TV, and premium streaming. Now, it's beaming into a new frontier: free ad-supported television. As of August 14, 2026, Pluto TV has added the classic Star Trek series and all 13 films to its lineup, giving fans a no-cost way to explore the final frontier.
Pluto TV, which launched in 2014 as a mobile short-form platform, was acquired by Viacom in 2019 for $340 million. Since then, it has become a leader in the free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) space, boasting 80 million monthly active users as of April 2023. Known for its library of beloved classics like Family Ties, Cagney & Lacey, and Perry Mason, Pluto TV now adds the Star Trek universe to its impressive roster.
A Legacy of Many Homes
Created by Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek: The Original Series premiered on NBC on September 8, 1966. Conceived as "Wagon Train to the Stars," it followed a crew traveling to other worlds, but unlike typical sci-fi of the era, it emphasized diplomacy over combat and tackled social issues like war and diversity. Though canceled in 1969, the show found new life in syndication, leading to Star Trek: The Animated Series in 1973.
The franchise expanded to film with Star Trek: The Motion Picture in 1979, and returned to TV in 1987 with The Next Generation, followed by Deep Space Nine in 1993. Voyager and Enterprise aired on UPN in the 1990s and 2000s. After a 12-year hiatus, the franchise relaunched on Paramount+ with seven new series, including Discovery, Picard, and Strange New Worlds.
Pluto TV: The Fifth Home
Pluto TV is now the fifth home for Star Trek, but it's not an exclusive deal—Paramount+ still carries everything. However, Pluto TV is the only place to watch Star Trek for free, a strategic move by Paramount Skydance to celebrate the franchise's 60th anniversary and attract new fans.
While Pluto TV offers all 13 films, it only includes five series: The Original Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise. That's over 550 hours of content, enough to keep Trekkies busy for weeks. But for those who want to explore the modern era, they'll need to subscribe to Paramount+.
Some fans might prefer the ad-free experience of Paramount+, but for those who grew up with commercial breaks, Pluto TV is a welcome addition. As the franchise celebrates its diamond anniversary, this free streaming option ensures that Star Trek's message of hope and exploration reaches the widest possible audience.
For more classic TV picks, check out our list of classic sitcoms worth revisiting. And if you're in the mood for other timeless entertainment, our crime classics guide has you covered.
