"Star Trek Viewing Guide: Complete Series Timeline Revealed"

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 ventured where no other has gone before, capturing the hearts and imaginations of millions worldwide. It has evolved into a sprawling space-faring empire, encompassing multiple series, feature films, comics, and extensive merchandise. However, with such a vast universe, it can be challenging to navigate the correct viewing order—whether by chronological timeline or release date—to ensure you don't miss any part of the adventure. To simplify your journey through the cosmos, we've crafted this comprehensive guide to help you engage with the Star Trek saga effectively.

In the past, it was more difficult to track down all the Star Trek content necessary to get up to speed. Thankfully, Paramount+ has made this much easier by becoming the central hub for nearly all past, present, and future Star Trek offerings.

Now, let's embark on this journey into the final frontier and discover how to catch up on the adventures of iconic characters like Kirk, Picard, Janeway, Sisko, Spock, Pike, Archer, Burnham, and many more who have made Star Trek an enduring legacy over the past 56 years.

Rest assured, the timeline provided below is largely spoiler-free, designed to guide you through the series without spoiling major plot points. This way, you can explore the universe at your own pace while maintaining the excitement of what's to come. If you prefer to experience Star Trek as it was released, you'll find that list further down as well!

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How to Watch Star Trek in Chronological Order

1. Star Trek: Enterprise (2151-2155)

Star Trek: Enterprise kicks off our journey, set a century before the adventures of Kirk and Spock in Star Trek: The Original Series. Airing from 2001 to 2005, this series features Scott Bakula as Captain Jonathan Archer, who commands Earth's first starship capable of reaching warp five, the Enterprise NX-01. Despite its ups and downs, Enterprise offers a unique glimpse into a time when Starfleet was still in its infancy, showcasing the first encounters with familiar alien species and the challenges faced without the advanced technology seen in later series.

Star Trek: Enterprise
UPNSep 26, 2001

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

Here's where the timeline gets a bit tricky. The first two seasons of Star Trek: Discovery are set a decade before The Original Series, but seasons 3, 4, and 5 jump far into the future. For a chronological watch, you'll need to navigate between series and movies. Star Trek: Discovery follows Sonequa Martin-Green's Michael Burnham, whose actions inadvertently spark a war between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. Stripped of her rank, she's reassigned to the USS Discovery, where her journey continues.

Star Trek: Discovery
Paramount+Jan 7, 2018

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 by Discovery through the appearance of Captain Christopher Pike, played by Anson Mount. Pike, originally seen in the unaired pilot "The Cage" of The Original Series, becomes Kirk's predecessor. This series delves deeper into Pike's story and other familiar faces from the original series, set aboard the USS Enterprise NCC-1701, the same ship that Kirk would later command.

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

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

Next up is the series that started it all, Star Trek: The Original Series. Created by Gene Roddenberry, this pioneering show ran from 1966 to 1969 and introduced us to Captain James T. Kirk, played by William Shatner, and his first officer Spock, portrayed by Leonard Nimoy. Despite its early cancellation after three seasons, the series gained a cult following in syndication and laid the groundwork for the expansive Star Trek universe we know today.

The show's opening monologue, delivered by Kirk, perfectly encapsulates its spirit: “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 Trek
NBCSep 8, 1966

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+

In 2009, J.J. Abrams directed a reboot that launched the Kelvin Timeline, featuring new takes on beloved characters from The Original Series. These films—Star Trek (2009), Star Trek Into Darkness, and Star Trek Beyond—exist in an alternate universe, starting with a pivotal event in 2233 that alters the course of history. You can watch these at any point, but they're enriched by familiarity with The Original Series, including a cameo by Leonard Nimoy's Spock.

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

Following the cancellation of The Original Series, its popularity soared in syndication, leading Gene Roddenberry to continue the adventures in animated form. Star Trek: The Animated Series, which ran from 1973 to 1974, brought back many of the original cast members for more tales aboard the Enterprise NCC-1701.

Star Trek: The Animated Series [1973]
NBCSep 8, 1973

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

The first Star Trek film, released in 1979, reunited the crew of The Original Series. Initially facing hurdles, the project evolved from a planned new series into a feature film that saw Kirk, now an admiral, reclaiming command of the refitted USS Enterprise to confront the mysterious V'Ger.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Paramount PicturesDec 7, 1979PG

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

Gene Roddenberry's initial sequel script was rejected, leading to a new direction under Harve Bennett and Jack B. Sowards, directed by Nicholas Meyer. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) is often hailed as the best Star Trek film, pitting Admiral Kirk against the genetically engineered Khan Noonien Singh, seeking revenge after being stranded for 15 years.

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

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