Ever since the premiere of the first episode of Star Trek: The Original Series in 1966, the entertainment world has been transformed. This franchise has boldly gone where no other has ventured, capturing the hearts and minds of millions worldwide. It has grown into a vast space-faring empire, encompassing multiple series, feature films, comics, merchandise, and more. With such a vast array of content, it can be challenging to navigate the best way to watch everything Star Trek has to offer, whether in chronological or release order, ensuring you don't miss a single moment. To simplify your journey through the stars, we've crafted this comprehensive guide to help you engage with the Star Trek saga.
Tracking down all the Star Trek shows and movies used to be a daunting task, but thanks to Paramount+, it's now easier than ever. This streaming service has become the go-to destination for nearly all past, present, and future Star Trek entries, making it simpler to catch up on the adventures of Kirk, Picard, Janeway, Sisko, Spock, Pike, Archer, Burnham, and the many other characters who have made Star Trek so iconic over the past 56 years.
So, let's embark on a journey into the final frontier and explore how you can get up to speed with the entire Star Trek universe. Rest assured, the chronological timeline provided below is mostly spoiler-free, allowing you to enjoy the adventure without compromising any major plot points. For those who prefer to watch Star Trek in the order of release, we've included that list 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 chronological timeline, set a hundred years before the adventures of Kirk and Spock. Airing from 2001 to 2005, the show stars Scott Bakula as Jonathan Archer, captain of the Enterprise NX-01, Earth's first starship capable of reaching warp five. While the series had its highs and lows, it offers a fascinating look at a crew operating without the advanced technology seen in later Star Trek shows, and includes the first contact with many beloved alien species.
Star Trek: EnterpriseUPN### Where to Watch
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BuyMore### 2. Star Trek: Discovery: Seasons 1 and 2 (2256-2258)
Things get a bit tricky here, as the first two seasons of Star Trek: Discovery occur before Star Trek: The Original Series, while seasons 3, 4, and 5 venture into the 32nd century. We won't spoil why this happens, but it's essential to note for chronological viewing. Star Trek: Discovery is set a decade before the original series and stars Sonequa Martin-Green as 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+### Where to Watch
Powered byBuyBuyBuyMore### 3. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2259-TBD)
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds begins before the events of Star Trek: The Original Series and is set up by Star Trek: Discovery. It features Anson Mount as Captain Christopher Pike, who first appeared in the original failed pilot "The Cage." This series delves deeper into Pike's story and introduces familiar faces from The Original Series alongside new characters, all aboard the iconic U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701, which 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)
Star Trek: The Original Series is the one that started it all, created by Gene Roddenberry. Although it faced cancellation after three seasons from 1966 to 1969 due to low ratings, it gained immense popularity in syndication, laying the groundwork for the entire Star Trek universe. Starring William Shatner as James T. Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Spock, the series follows the crew of the starship Enterprise on its five-year mission to explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and civilizations, and 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+
Directed by J.J. Abrams, Star Trek (2009) launched the Kelvin Timeline, a reboot of sorts featuring familiar characters from The Original Series played by new actors. This alternate timeline begins with an event in 2233 that alters the course of history. The films—Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Star Trek Beyond—can be watched at any point, though they include callbacks to The Original Series, including a return by Leonard Nimoy's Spock.
5. Star Trek: The Animated Series (2269-2270)
Following the popularity of The Original Series in syndication, Gene Roddenberry decided to continue the adventures of the Enterprise crew in an animated format. Airing from 1973 to 1974, Star Trek: The Animated Series brought back many of the original characters and their voice actors for two more seasons of exploration in the Milky Way galaxy.
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, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, brought back the beloved crew. Despite initial hesitation from Paramount Pictures, the success of other sci-fi films helped greenlight the project. In the film, Admiral James T. Kirk takes command of a refitted U.S.S. Enterprise to investigate 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 removed Gene Roddenberry from the sequel's production, bringing in new writers and a director. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is widely regarded as the best Star Trek film, featuring a gripping battle between Admiral Kirk and the genetically engineered superhuman Khan Noonien Singh, played by Ricardo Montalban. The story picks up 15 years after Khan's exile, as he seeks revenge against Kirk.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of KhanParamount PicturesPG
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