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

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

Author : Liam Update : Feb 19,2025

Embark on a comprehensive journey through the Star Trek universe! This guide meticulously outlines how to experience the franchise's vast array of shows and films, both chronologically and in release order, ensuring you don't miss a single adventure. Paramount+ serves as the central hub for most Star Trek content, simplifying access to this expansive saga.

Prepare for warp speed as we explore the chronological viewing order, a mostly spoiler-free timeline that preserves the thrill of discovery:

Chronological Viewing Order:

Star Trek: Enterprise (2151-2155): Witness the dawn of Starfleet, a century before Kirk's era, as Captain Jonathan Archer commands the Enterprise NX-01, Earth's pioneering starship.

Star Trek: Enterprise, UPN, Sep 26, 2001

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek: Discovery: Seasons 1 and 2 (2256-2258): A decade before the original series, Commander Michael Burnham's actions inadvertently ignite a war. Note: Seasons 3-5 deviate chronologically; this guide addresses that later.

Star Trek: Discovery, Paramount+, Jan 7, 2018

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2259-TBD): Captain Christopher Pike, a precursor to Kirk, leads the Enterprise NCC-1701 in adventures preceding the original series.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Paramount+, May 5, 2022

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek: The Original Series (2265-2269): The legendary voyages of the Enterprise under Captain Kirk and Spock begin.

Star Trek: The Original Series, NBC, Sep 8, 1966

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek Kelvin Timeline (2009's Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness, Star Trek Beyond): An alternate timeline, viewable at any point in your journey.

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options for each film]
Star Trek: The Animated Series (2269-2270): Animated adventures continue the exploits of the original Enterprise crew.

Star Trek: The Animated Series, NBC, Sep 8, 1973

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (2270s): The original crew returns to the big screen in this cinematic adventure.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Paramount Pictures, Dec 7, 1979

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (2285): A classic confrontation between Kirk and Khan Noonien Singh.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Paramount Pictures, Jun 4, 1982

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (2285): The aftermath of Spock's death and a daring mission to recover his essence.

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Paramount Pictures, Jun 1, 1984

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (2286 and 1986): Time travel and a unique mission to save Earth.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Paramount Pictures, Nov 26, 1986

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (2287): A less celebrated adventure featuring a quest for God.

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Paramount Pictures, Jun 9, 1989

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (2293): A poignant conclusion to the original crew's saga, focusing on Klingon-Federation relations.

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Paramount Pictures, Dec 6, 1991

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek: Section 31 (2326): A controversial entry, potentially skippable.

Star Trek: Section 31, Paramount+, Jan 24, 2025

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek: The Next Generation (2364-2370): The acclaimed series featuring Captain Picard and the Enterprise-D.

Star Trek: The Next Generation, Sep 28, 1987

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek: Generations (2293 and 2371): A crossover featuring both Picard and Kirk.

Star Trek: Generations, Paramount Pictures, Nov 18, 1994

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek: First Contact (2373): A thrilling encounter with the Borg.

Star Trek: First Contact, Paramount Pictures, Nov 22, 1996

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek: Insurrection (2375): A less critically acclaimed adventure focusing on a planet with rejuvenating properties.

Star Trek: Insurrection, Paramount Pictures, Dec 11, 1998

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek: Nemesis (2379): The final Next Generation film.

Star Trek: Nemesis, Paramount Pictures, Dec 13, 2002

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (2369-2375): Adventures aboard the space station Deep Space Nine.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Jan 3, 1993

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek: Voyager (2371-2378): Captain Janeway and her crew's journey through the Delta Quadrant.

Star Trek: Voyager, UPN, Jan 16, 1995

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek: Lower Decks (2380-2382): A comedic animated series focusing on lower-deck crew members.

Star Trek: Lower Decks, Paramount+, Aug 6, 2020

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek: Prodigy (2383-2385): A 3D animated series aimed at younger audiences.

Star Trek: Prodigy, Netflix, Oct 28, 2021

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek: Picard (2399-2402): The return of Captain Picard and several Next Generation crew members.

Star Trek: Picard, Paramount+, Jan 23, 2020

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Star Trek: Discovery: Seasons 3, 4, and 5 (3188-3191): A significant time jump into the 32nd century.

Star Trek: Discovery, Paramount+, Jan 7, 2018

Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]

Release Order: A list of all Star Trek entries in their original release order is provided in the original text. This is easily replicated from the provided text.

Upcoming Projects: Several new Star Trek projects are in development; details are available in the original text. Remember to replace "[Streaming/Purchase Options]" with the actual links or services where each title can be found.