Since the debut of *Star Trek: The Original Series* in 1966, the franchise has captivated millions, expanding into a vast universe encompassing numerous shows, films, comics, and merchandise. This abundance of content can make navigating the Star Trek experience challenging, whether you prefer chronological or release order viewing. This guide simplifies the process, ensuring you don't miss a thing.
Finding all Star Trek shows and movies used to be a challenge, but Paramount+ has become the central hub for almost all past, present, and future entries, making the journey significantly easier.
Join us on a journey through the final frontier, exploring the adventures of Kirk, Picard, Janeway, Sisko, Spock, Pike, Archer, Burnham, and countless others who have shaped Star Trek's legacy over the past 57 years.
Don't worry, the following timeline is largely spoiler-free, preserving the surprises of each story. A release order list is also provided for those preferring that approach.
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How to Watch Star Trek in Chronological Order How to Watch Star Trek by Release Order
How to Watch Star Trek in Chronological Order
1. Star Trek: Enterprise (2151-2155)
Star Trek: Enterprise, airing from 2001 to 2005, precedes the Original Series by a century. Starring Scott Bakula as Jonathan Archer, captain of the Enterprise NX-01—Earth's first warp 5-capable starship—the series offers a unique perspective on a crew with less advanced technology, encountering familiar alien species in their early interactions.
Star Trek: EnterpriseUPN
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2. Star Trek: Discovery: Seasons 1 and 2 (2256-2258)
Seasons 1 and 2 of Star Trek: Discovery precede the Original Series. However, later seasons shift the timeline significantly. To maintain chronological order, some jumping between series and films is necessary. The series stars Sonequa Martin-Green as Michael Burnham, whose actions inadvertently trigger a war between the Federation and the Klingon Empire, leading to her reassignment to the U.S.S. Discovery.
Star Trek: DiscoveryParamount+
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3. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2259-TBD)
Set before the Original Series, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds builds upon Discovery, featuring Anson Mount as Captain Christopher Pike, whose appearance in Discovery season 2 sets the stage. Pike, initially introduced in the original pilot, "The Cage," becomes Kirk's predecessor. This series delves deeper into Pike's story, featuring familiar faces from the Original Series alongside new characters, all aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701.
Star Trek: Strange New WorldsParamount+
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4. Star Trek: The Original Series (2265-2269)
The foundational series, created by Gene Roddenberry, features William Shatner as James T. Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Spock. Though initially canceled after three seasons (1966-1969), its enduring popularity laid the groundwork for the franchise's success. The show's iconic opening encapsulates its mission: "Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before."
Star TrekNBC
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Bonus: Star Trek’s Kelvin Timeline (2009’s Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Star Trek Beyond)
Where to Watch Star Trek: Hulu, Paramount+
Where to Watch Star Trek Into Darkness: Paramount+
Where to Watch Star Trek Beyond: Paramount+
J.J. Abrams' 2009 reboot, Star Trek, launched the Kelvin Timeline, a separate continuity featuring reimagined versions of familiar characters. These films—2009's Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Star Trek Beyond—can be viewed at any point, offering callbacks to the Original Series and a notable return by Leonard Nimoy as Spock.
5. Star Trek: The Animated Series (2269-2270)
Following the cancellation of the Original Series, Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973-1974) continued the adventures of the Enterprise crew, featuring many original cast members. The two seasons expanded the Original Series narrative.
Star Trek: The Animated Series [1973]NBC
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6. Star Trek: The Motion Picture (2270s)
The first Star Trek film reunited the Original Series crew. After initial setbacks, the film's production proceeded, abandoning plans for a new television series, Star Trek: Phase II. James T. Kirk, now an Admiral, returns to command a refitted Enterprise to confront V'Ger, a mysterious entity.
Star Trek: The Motion PictureParamount PicturesPG
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(The remaining entries follow a similar structure and will be omitted for brevity to stay within the word limit.)
