"Star Trek Viewing Guide: Complete Series Timeline"

Ever since the debut of the first episode of Star Trek: The Original Series in 1966, the entertainment landscape has been transformed. This iconic franchise, which boldly ventured where no other had gone before, has captivated the hearts and imaginations of millions worldwide. It has evolved into a vast universe encompassing multiple series, feature films, comics, merchandise, and much more. With such an expansive collection of content, navigating the Star Trek universe in either chronological or release order can be challenging. To help you embark on this thrilling journey, we've crafted a comprehensive guide that will ensure you don't miss a single moment of the adventure.

Thanks to Paramount+, catching up on all things Star Trek has become more accessible than ever. This streaming service is home to nearly all past, present, and future Star Trek entries, making it easier to explore the universe of Kirk, Picard, Janeway, Sisko, Spock, Pike, Archer, Burnham, and the many other characters that have made Star Trek a beloved saga over the last 56 years.

So, without further delay, join us as we dive into the final frontier and discover how you can catch up with the epic tales of Star Trek. Rest assured, our guide provides a mostly spoiler-free chronological timeline, allowing you to enjoy the journey without major plot reveals. If you prefer to experience Star Trek in the order of release, you'll find that list below as well.

Jump to:

• 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 is the earliest entry in the timeline, set a century before the adventures of Kirk and Spock in The Original Series. Airing from 2001 to 2005, it stars Scott Bakula as Jonathan Archer, captain of the Enterprise NX-01, the first starship capable of reaching warp five. The series offers a unique perspective on a crew without the advanced technology seen in later shows and includes the first contact with many familiar alien species.

Star Trek: EnterpriseUPNSep 26, 2001

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2. Star Trek: Discovery: Seasons 1 and 2 (2256-2258)

The first two seasons of Star Trek: Discovery take place before The Original Series, while seasons 3, 4, and 5 leap into the distant future. To watch in chronological order, you'll need to navigate between series and movies. Star Trek: Discovery introduces us to Sonequa Martin-Green's Michael Burnham, a Starfleet commander who inadvertently starts a war with the Klingon Empire, leading to her court-martial and reassignment to the U.S.S. Discovery.

Star Trek: DiscoveryParamount+Jan 7, 2018

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3. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2259-TBD)

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is set before The Original Series and follows the adventures of Anson Mount's Christopher Pike, who first appeared in the original pilot episode "The Cage." The series delves into Pike's story and introduces new characters aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701, which Kirk would later command.

Star Trek: Strange New WorldsParamount+May 5, 2022

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4. Star Trek: The Original Series (2265-2269)

Star Trek: The Original Series, created by Gene Roddenberry, is where it all began. Despite being canceled after three seasons from 1966 to 1969 due to low ratings, it became a cultural phenomenon through syndication, laying the groundwork for the entire Star Trek universe. The series features William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Spock, embarking on a five-year mission to explore strange new worlds and seek out new life and civilizations.

Star TrekNBCSep 8, 1966

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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+

The 2009 reboot film Star Trek, directed by J.J. Abrams, launched the Kelvin Timeline, featuring familiar characters portrayed by new actors. These films—Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Star Trek Beyond—can be watched at any point as they exist in an alternate timeline, though they contain callbacks to The Original Series, including a notable return by Leonard Nimoy as Spock.

5. Star Trek: The Animated Series (2269-2270)

Following the success of The Original Series in syndication, Gene Roddenberry continued the adventures of the Enterprise crew in animated form. Star Trek: The Animated Series aired for two seasons from 1973 to 1974, featuring the same characters and many of the original actors.

Star Trek: The Animated Series [1973]NBCSep 8, 1973

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6. Star Trek: The Motion Picture (2270s)

Star Trek: The Motion Picture was the first film to bring back the crew of The Original Series after its cancellation. Despite initial resistance from Paramount Pictures, the film was greenlit, leading to a new adventure where Admiral Kirk, now an admiral, reclaims command of the refitted U.S.S. Enterprise to confront the mysterious V'Ger.

Star Trek: The Motion PictureParamount PicturesDec 7, 1979PG

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7. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (2285)

Considered by many, including IGN, as the best Star Trek film, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan follows the epic battle between Admiral Kirk and the genetically engineered superhuman Khan Noonien Singh, played by Ricardo Montalban. Khan seeks revenge after being stranded by Kirk 15 years earlier in the episode "Space Seed."

Star Trek II: The Wrath of KhanParamount PicturesJun 4, 1982PG

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8. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (2285)

Continuing the story from The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock follows the aftermath of Spock's death. Kirk learns that Spock's katra resides in Dr. McCoy, leading to a daring mission to retrieve Spock's body from the Genesis planet, involving a stolen Enterprise, Klingon encounters, and more.

Star Trek III: The Search for SpockParamount PicturesJun 1, 1984PG

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