How to Watch Star Trek in Order: The Complete Series Timeline

Since the premiere of the first episode of Star Trek: The Original Series in 1966, the entertainment industry has been forever transformed. This pioneering franchise has captivated audiences worldwide, evolving into a vast universe that spans multiple television series, feature films, comics, and extensive merchandise. With such a rich tapestry of content, navigating the Star Trek saga can be daunting, whether you're aiming to watch everything in chronological or release order. To assist fans in embarking on this epic journey, we've crafted this comprehensive guide to help you engage with the Star Trek universe seamlessly.

Tracking down every Star Trek show and movie used to be a challenge, but thanks to Paramount+, it's now easier than ever. This platform is home to nearly all past, present, and future Star Trek entries, making it a one-stop destination for fans.

Join us as we venture into the final frontier and explore how you can catch up on the adventures of iconic characters like Kirk, Picard, Janeway, Sisko, Spock, Pike, Archer, Burnham, and more, who have made Star Trek a beloved saga over the past 56 years.

Rest assured, this guide offers a mostly spoiler-free chronological timeline, ensuring you can enjoy the journey without major plot reveals. For those preferring to follow the series as they were released, we've included that list below as well.

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How to Watch Star Trek in Chronological OrderHow to Watch Star Trek by Release OrderHow to Watch Star Trek in Chronological Order

1. Star Trek: Enterprise (2151-2155)

Star Trek: Enterprise is the earliest entry in our list, set a century before the adventures of Kirk and Spock in Star Trek: The Original Series. Airing from 2001 to 2005, the series stars Scott Bakula as Captain Jonathan Archer, who commands Earth's first warp-five-capable starship, the Enterprise NX-01. Despite its ups and downs, the show offers a unique perspective on a crew lacking the advanced technology seen in later series, showcasing first contacts with familiar alien species and more.

Star Trek: EnterpriseUPNSep 26, 2001### Where to Watch

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

Things get a bit complex here, as the first two seasons of Star Trek: Discovery occur before Star Trek: The Original Series, while Seasons 3, 4, and 5 leap into the 32nd century. To watch in order, some jumping around is necessary. Star Trek: Discovery is set a decade before the original series and follows Sonequa Martin-Green's Michael Burnham, a Starfleet Commander whose actions inadvertently spark a war between the United Federation of Planets and the Klingon Empire, leading to her court-martial and reassignment to the U.S.S. Discovery.

Star Trek: DiscoveryParamount+Jan 7, 2018### Where to Watch

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

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds also takes place before The Original Series and is introduced in Star Trek: Discovery's second season with the appearance of Captain Christopher Pike, played by Anson Mount. Pike, first seen in the original pilot "The Cage," becomes Kirk's predecessor. This series delves into Pike's story and introduces both familiar and new faces aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701, the ship destined to be commanded by Kirk.

Star Trek: Strange New WorldsParamount+May 5, 2022### Where to Watch

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

Next up is the legendary Star Trek: The Original Series, which launched in 1966 and ran for three seasons until 1969. Created by Gene Roddenberry, this series introduced the world to Captain James T. Kirk, played by William Shatner, and the iconic Spock, portrayed by Leonard Nimoy. Despite its initial cancellation due to low ratings, it gained a cult following and set the stage for the expansive Star Trek universe. The series is famous for its opening monologue, perfectly encapsulating 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 TrekNBCSep 8, 1966### Where to Watch

Powered byBuyBuyBuyMore### 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 Star Trek film initiated a new era, rebooting the franchise with a fresh cast portraying beloved characters from The Original Series. These films exist in the Kelvin Timeline, an alternate reality created by a pivotal event in 2233. While they can be watched at any time, they contain numerous nods to the original series, including a return by Leonard Nimoy's Spock.

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

After The Original Series was canceled, its popularity surged through syndication, leading Gene Roddenberry to continue the crew's adventures in an animated format. Star Trek: The Animated Series, which aired from 1973 to 1974, brought back the original voice cast for two seasons of further exploration across the Milky Way.

Star Trek: The Animated Series [1973]NBCSep 8, 1973### Where to Watch

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

Following the cancellation of The Original Series, the first Star Trek film, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, reunited the crew in 1979. Despite initial resistance from Paramount, the success of other sci-fi films helped greenlight the project. In this film, Admiral James T. Kirk, now in Starfleet's upper echelons, reclaims command of the refitted U.S.S. Enterprise to confront a mysterious alien entity known as V'Ger.

Star Trek: The Motion PictureParamount PicturesDec 7, 1979PG

Powered byRent/BuyRent/BuyRent/BuyMore### 7. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (2285)

After The Motion Picture received mixed reviews, Paramount removed Gene Roddenberry from the sequel's production, hiring Harve Bennett and Jack B. Sowards to write, and Nicholas Meyer to direct. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, released in 1982, is widely regarded as one of the best Star Trek films. It follows Admiral Kirk's battle against the genetically engineered Khan Noonien Singh, played by Ricardo Montalban, who seeks revenge after being exiled by Kirk 15 years earlier.

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

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