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Star Trek Viewing Order: Complete Series Guide

by Victoria Mar 13,2025

Since the debut of *Star Trek: The Original Series* in 1966, the franchise has captivated millions, expanding into a vast universe encompassing numerous shows, films, comics, and merchandise. This abundance of content can make navigating the Star Trek experience challenging. To simplify, this guide provides chronological and release-order viewing options, ensuring you don't miss a single adventure.

Finding all Star Trek shows and movies used to be difficult, but Paramount+ now offers nearly the entire catalog, past, present, and future.

Join us on a journey through the final frontier, exploring the adventures of Kirk, Picard, Janeway, Sisko, Spock, Pike, Archer, Burnham, and many more, spanning 56 years of Star Trek history. The timeline below is largely spoiler-free, allowing you to enjoy the surprises along the way. A release-order list is also provided.

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How to Watch Star Trek in Chronological Order How to Watch Star Trek by Release Order

How to Watch Star Trek in Chronological Order

1. Star Trek: Enterprise (2151-2155)

Star Trek: Enterprise, airing from 2001 to 2005, precedes the Original Series by a century. Starring Scott Bakula as Captain Jonathan Archer, it follows the voyages of the Enterprise NX-01, Earth's first warp 5 capable starship. The series offers a glimpse into a less technologically advanced era, showcasing first contact with familiar alien species.

Star Trek: EnterpriseUPNSep 26, 2001

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

Seasons 1 and 2 of Star Trek: Discovery precede the Original Series. Note: Seasons 3, 4, and 5 occur later chronologically. The series stars Sonequa Martin-Green as Michael Burnham, whose actions inadvertently spark a war between the Federation and the Klingon Empire.

Star Trek: DiscoveryParamount+Jan 7, 2018

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3. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2259-TBD)

Set before the Original Series, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds features Anson Mount as Captain Christopher Pike, introduced in Discovery. The series explores Pike's story and other familiar faces from the Original Series, aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701.

Star Trek: Strange New WorldsParamount+May 5, 2022

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

The foundational series, created by Gene Roddenberry, launched the franchise. Starring William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Spock, its three seasons (1966-1969) laid the groundwork for future installments.

Star TrekNBCSep 8, 1966

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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 J.J. Abrams-directed reboot (2009), Star Trek, along with its sequels, Star Trek Into Darkness and Star Trek Beyond, exist in an alternate timeline (the Kelvin Timeline), diverging from the main chronology after a pivotal event in 2233. These films can be watched at any point.

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

Following the Original Series, this animated series (1973-1974) continued the adventures of the Enterprise crew, featuring many of the original voice actors.

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

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

The first Star Trek film brought back the Original Series crew. Admiral Kirk reclaims command of the refitted Enterprise to confront V’Ger, a mysterious entity.

Star Trek: The Motion PictureParamount PicturesDec 7, 1979PG