Divisive Star Trek Series Officially Sets New Release This December

Published Sep 23, 2026, 10:22 AM EDT

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Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is heading back to class this December with a new release for its divisive first season.

The latest live-action series in the Star Trek franchise premiered on Paramount+ in January 2026, taking the franchise into a younger, school-centered story set in the 32nd century. Oscar winner Holly Hunter leads as Chancellor Nahla Ake, overseeing a new generation of cadets as they train to become Starfleet officers while navigating everything from romantic tests to threats to the Federation.

Now, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 1 is officially coming to physical media. A new Amazon listing has appeared for the show's first season, while additional retail listings reveal that all 10 episodes will arrive on Blu-ray and DVD on December 1, 2026. Both editions are listed as four-disc sets. The December release marks another expansion for Starfleet Academy beyond Paramount+. The first season previously became available for digital release in June, meaning the upcoming Blu-ray and DVD sets will give fans a physical option for the first time.

The 10-episode first season introduced a largely new ensemble, including Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, and Bella Shepard. However, Starfleet Academy also brought some major names and familiar faces along for the ride. Paul Giamatti joined as Season 1 villain Nus Braka, while Star Trek: Voyager's Robert Picardo returned as The Doctor and Tig Notaro reprised her Star Trek: Discovery role as Jett Reno.

The timing of the physical release is even more interesting because Starfleet Academy's future has already been decided. Paramount+ renewed the series for Season 2 before its first season even premiered, but the upcoming season has since been confirmed as the end. Fortunately, that doesn't mean the cadets' story will be left unfinished. Production on Season 2 has already wrapped, with the final season expected to arrive on Paramount+ in 2027. Robert Picardo has also teased a major genre change involving The Doctor in one of the upcoming episodes, suggesting the series still has some surprises left before signing off.

That leaves Starfleet Academy in an odd position. Its ending may already be decided, but Season 1 is continuing to find new life outside of Paramount+ ahead of the show's final episodes. The December physical release will give Star Trek collectors another way to own the beginning of the short-lived series before its second and final season arrives. Meanwhile, the larger Star Trek franchise is continuing to expand elsewhere, with a new IDW comic series recently launching a post-Picard adventure led by Seven of Nine aboard the Enterprise-G.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 1 arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on December 1, 2026.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy