Embark on a Comprehensive Star Trek Viewing Journey: Chronological and Release Order Guides
Since its debut in 1966, Star Trek has captivated audiences worldwide, expanding into a vast universe encompassing numerous series, films, comics, and merchandise. This guide simplifies navigating this expansive franchise, offering chronological and release order viewing options.
Paramount+ simplifies access, hosting nearly all Star Trek content, past, present, and future. Join us as we explore the adventures of Kirk, Picard, Janeway, Sisko, and more, across 56 years of storytelling.
The following timelines are largely spoiler-free, ensuring an enjoyable viewing experience without revealing major plot points.
Jump to:
Chronological Viewing Order Release Order Viewing Order
How to Watch Star Trek in Chronological Order
-
Star Trek: Enterprise (2151-2155)
Set a century before the Original Series, Enterprise (2001-2005) follows Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) aboard Earth's first warp 5 capable starship. Experience the early days of Starfleet and first contact with iconic alien species.
Star Trek: Enterprise, UPN, Sep 26, 2001Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek: Discovery: Seasons 1 and 2 (2256-2258)
The first two seasons of Discovery precede the Original Series. Note: Seasons 3-5 jump significantly forward in time. This series stars Sonequa Martin-Green as Michael Burnham, whose actions inadvertently ignite a war between the Federation and the Klingon Empire.
Star Trek: Discovery, Paramount+, Jan 7, 2018Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2259-TBD)
A prequel to the Original Series, Strange New Worlds introduces Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), seen in Discovery Season 2. Explore the adventures of the Enterprise NCC-1701 before Kirk's command, featuring familiar and new characters.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Paramount+, May 5, 2022Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek: The Original Series (2265-2269)
The seminal series, starring William Shatner as Captain Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Spock. Experience the iconic 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 Trek: The Original Series, NBC, Sep 8, 1966Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
Bonus: The Kelvin Timeline (2009's Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness, Star Trek Beyond)
These films exist in an alternate timeline, beginning in 2233. They can be watched at any point in your viewing journey.
Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options for each film]
-
Star Trek: The Animated Series (2269-2270)
Continuing the adventures of the Original Series crew in animated form (1973-1974).
Star Trek: The Animated Series, NBC, Sep 8, 1973Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (2270s)
The first Star Trek film, bringing back the Original Series crew.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Paramount Pictures, Dec 7, 1979Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (2285)
Often considered the best Star Trek film, pitting Kirk and the Enterprise against Khan Noonien Singh.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Paramount Pictures, Jun 4, 1982Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (2285)
The sequel to Wrath of Khan, dealing with the aftermath of Spock's death.
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Paramount Pictures, Jun 1, 1984Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (2286 and 1986)
A time-travel adventure that takes the crew to 1980s San Francisco.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Paramount Pictures, Nov 26, 1986Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (2287)
The Enterprise crew confronts Sybok's quest for God.
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Paramount Pictures, Jun 9, 1989Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (2293)
The final Original Series film, focusing on Klingon-Federation relations.
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Paramount Pictures, Dec 6, 1991Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek: Section 31 (2326)
(Consider skipping this one based on critical reception) This film's placement is approximate, around 2326.
Star Trek: Section 31, Paramount+, Jan 24, 2025Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek: The Next Generation (2364-2370)
The highly acclaimed series starring Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard.
Star Trek: The Next Generation, Sep 28, 1987Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek Generations (2293 and 2371)
A crossover film featuring both Picard and Kirk.
Star Trek: Generations, Paramount Pictures, Nov 18, 1994Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek: First Contact (2373)
The Next Generation crew confronts the Borg.
Star Trek: First Contact, Paramount Pictures, Nov 22, 1996Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek: Insurrection (2375)
The Next Generation crew faces a conflict over a planet with rejuvenating properties.
Star Trek: Insurrection, Paramount Pictures, Dec 11, 1998Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek: Nemesis (2379)
The final Next Generation film, introducing Shinzon, a clone of Picard.
Star Trek: Nemesis, Paramount Pictures, Dec 13, 2002Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (2369-2375)
Set on a space station near a wormhole, this series features Captain Benjamin Sisko.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Jan 3, 1993Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek: Voyager (2371-2378)
Captain Janeway and her crew are stranded in the Delta Quadrant.
Star Trek: Voyager, UPN, Jan 16, 1995Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek: Lower Decks (2380-2382)
An animated comedy focusing on the lower-deck crew.
Star Trek: Lower Decks, Paramount+, Aug 6, 2020Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek: Prodigy (2383-2385)
A 3D animated series aimed at younger audiences.
Star Trek: Prodigy, Netflix, Oct 28, 2021Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek: Picard (2399-2402)
A sequel series featuring Picard and many Next Generation characters.
Star Trek: Picard, Paramount+, Jan 23, 2020Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
-
Star Trek: Discovery: Seasons 3, 4, and 5 (3188-3191)
These seasons jump far into the future.
Star Trek: Discovery, Paramount+, Jan 7, 2018Where to Watch: [Streaming/Purchase Options]
How to Watch Star Trek by Order of Release
This list presents the Star Trek franchise in the order of its original release.
- Star Trek: The Original Series (1966 - 1969)
- Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973 - 1974)
- Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
- Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
- Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
- Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987 - 1994)
- Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
- Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993 - 1999)
- Star Trek: Generations (1994)
- Star Trek: Voyager (1995 - 2001)
- Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
- Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
- Star Trek: Enterprise (2001 - 2005)
- Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
- Star Trek (2009)
- Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
- Star Trek Beyond (2016)
- Star Trek: Discovery (2017 - 2024)
- Star Trek: Picard (2020 - 2023)
- Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020 - 2024)
- Star Trek: Prodigy (2021 - TBA)
- Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022 - Present)
- Star Trek: Section 31 (2025)
Upcoming Star Trek Projects
Several new projects are in development, including:
- Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – Season 3 (TV series – 2025)
- Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (TV series – 2025-2026)
- Untitled live-action comedy (TV series – TBA)
- Toby Haynes's Star Trek (Movie – TBA)
- Star Trek 4 (Movie – TBA)
Remember to replace "[Streaming/Purchase Options]" with the actual links or services where each show or movie can be found. Enjoy your Star Trek journey!
