Ever since the premiere of the first episode of Star Trek: The Original Series in 1966, the entertainment landscape has been irrevocably transformed. This iconic franchise has boldly ventured into realms unexplored by any other, captivating the hearts and minds of millions worldwide. Over the years, Star Trek has evolved into a vast, space-faring empire encompassing multiple series, feature films, comics, merchandise, and more. Given the sheer volume of content available, navigating the Star Trek universe can be daunting, whether you wish to watch it in chronological order or by release date. To aid fans in embarking on this interstellar journey, we've crafted this comprehensive guide to help you explore every aspect of the Star Trek saga.
In the past, accessing the complete collection of Star Trek series and films was a challenge, but the advent of Paramount+ has streamlined the process, making it the definitive destination for all things Star Trek, past, present, and future.
So, let's embark on this journey into the final frontier and discover how to catch up on the adventures of beloved characters like Kirk, Picard, Janeway, Sisko, Spock, Pike, Archer, Burnham, and more, who have made Star Trek a cherished part of pop culture for over 56 years.
Rest assured, the following guide is designed to be mostly spoiler-free, providing a chronological timeline that won't spoil any major plot points. This allows you to enjoy your Star Trek journey without diminishing the surprises that await. If you prefer to follow the release order, that list is also provided below.
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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 marks the earliest entry in our timeline, unfolding a century before the adventures of Kirk, Spock, and the crew of Star Trek: The Original Series. Airing from 2001 to 2005, the series features Scott Bakula as Jonathan Archer, captain of the Enterprise NX-01, Earth's first starship capable of reaching warp five. Despite its ups and downs, the show offers a fascinating glimpse into a time before advanced Starfleet technology, showcasing the first encounters with many familiar alien species.
Star Trek: EnterpriseUPN### Where to Watch
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BuyMore### 2. Star Trek: Discovery: Seasons 1 and 2 (2256-2258)
This is where the timeline gets a bit tricky. The first two seasons of Star Trek: Discovery are set before Star Trek: The Original Series, but seasons 3, 4, and 5 leap far into the future. To watch in chronological order, you'll need to navigate between series and films. Star Trek: Discovery introduces us to 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. Her subsequent court-martial and reassignment to the U.S.S. Discovery set the stage for her compelling journey.
Star Trek: DiscoveryParamount+### Where to Watch
Powered byBuyBuyBuyMore### 3. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2259-TBD)
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds also takes place before Star Trek: The Original Series and is connected to Star Trek: Discovery through the character of Captain Christopher Pike, portrayed by Anson Mount. Pike, originally introduced in the unaired pilot "The Cage," becomes a central figure in this series, exploring his story and those of other familiar and new characters aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701, the same ship that would later be commanded by James T. Kirk.
Star Trek: Strange New WorldsParamount+### Where to Watch
Powered byBuyBuyBuyMore### 4. Star Trek: The Original Series (2265-2269)
At the heart of the Star Trek saga is Star Trek: The Original Series, created by Gene Roddenberry. Despite facing cancellation after three seasons from 1966 to 1969 due to low ratings, it gained a cult following in syndication, laying the groundwork for the entire franchise. Starring William Shatner as James T. Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Spock, the series famously embarks on a 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### 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+
The 2009 film Star Trek, directed by J.J. Abrams, launched a new era with a reboot that still features many of the beloved characters from The Original Series, but portrayed by a new cast. These films exist in the alternate Kelvin Timeline, triggered by events in 2233. While you can watch them at any point, they contain numerous references to The Original Series that enhance the viewing experience, including a cameo by Leonard Nimoy reprising his role as Spock.
5. Star Trek: The Animated Series (2269-2270)
Following the success of The Original Series in syndication, Gene Roddenberry brought back the crew of the Enterprise in animated form. Star Trek: The Animated Series ran for two seasons from 1973 to 1974, offering new adventures throughout the Milky Way galaxy, voiced by many of the original actors.
Star Trek: The Animated Series [1973]NBC### Where to Watch
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After the cancellation of The Original Series, the first Star Trek film marked a significant return for the crew. Initially conceived as a new series called Star Trek: Phase II, it was transformed into Star Trek: The Motion Picture after the success of other sci-fi films. The story sees Admiral James T. Kirk retaking command of the refitted U.S.S. Enterprise to confront a mysterious alien cloud called V'Ger.
Star Trek: The Motion PictureParamount PicturesPG
Powered byRent/BuyRent/BuyRent/BuyMore### 7. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (2285)
After the mixed reception of The Motion Picture, Paramount sought to revitalize the franchise with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, directed by Nicholas Meyer. Widely regarded as one of the best Star Trek films, it follows the epic battle between Admiral Kirk and the genetically engineered superhuman Khan Noonien Singh, seeking revenge after being stranded for 15 years.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of KhanParamount PicturesPG
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