Since its groundbreaking premiere in 1966, *Star Trek: The Original Series* has become a cultural phenomenon, boldly venturing into uncharted territory and inspiring generations of fans across the globe. Spanning decades, this expansive franchise now encompasses numerous series, feature films, novels, and merchandise, making it a vast universe that can feel overwhelming to navigate. Fear not—this guide will help you explore the *Star Trek* saga in chronological order or by release date, ensuring you don’t miss a single moment of its epic journey.
For convenience, Paramount+ has become the ultimate hub for nearly all past, present, and future *Star Trek* content, providing easy access to the franchise’s rich tapestry of stories.
Chronological Order Guide
1. Star Trek: Enterprise (2151–2155)
Set a century before The Original Series, Enterprise follows humanity’s early ventures into deep space aboard Earth’s first warp-capable starship, the NX-01. Led by Captain Jonathan Archer (played by Scott Bakula), this series explores humanity’s first contacts with familiar alien races and showcases the challenges of pioneering exploration.
Star Trek: Enterprise
UPN
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2. Star Trek: Discovery (Seasons 1 & 2) (2256–2258)
Premiering in 2017, Discovery dives deeper into the prequel timeline, introducing viewers to Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), a key figure in the Klingon War. While its later seasons venture into unfamiliar territory, Seasons 1 and 2 remain firmly rooted in the original timeline.
Star Trek: Discovery
Paramount+
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3. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2259–Present)
Following Captain Christopher Pike’s adventures aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701, Strange New Worlds revisits familiar faces from The Original Series. Pike, played by Anson Mount, first appeared in The Cage, the original failed pilot episode.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Paramount+
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4. Star Trek: The Original Series (2265–2269)
Gene Roddenberry’s visionary creation, The Original Series, launched in 1966 and introduced us to Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise. Despite low ratings, it earned a cult following post-broadcast and laid the groundwork for the franchise’s enduring legacy.
Star Trek: The Original Series
NBC
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Bonus: Kelvin Timeline (2009–2016)
J.J. Abrams’ reboot trilogy reimagines classic characters with a fresh spin. Set in an alternate timeline, these films are standalone adventures that don’t interfere with the original timeline.
Star Trek (2009), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), Star Trek Beyond (2016)
Hulu, Paramount+
5. Star Trek: The Animated Series (2269–2270)
Following the cancellation of The Original Series, The Animated Series brought beloved characters back to life in a new format. Premiering in 1973, it expanded the Star Trek universe with additional adventures.
Star Trek: The Animated Series
NBC
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6. Star Trek: The Motion Picture (2270s)
The first Star Trek film reunited the original cast and marked the beginning of a new chapter for the franchise. Set years after the events of The Original Series, it introduced a mysterious alien entity known as V’Ger.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Paramount Pictures
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7. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (2285)
Directed by Nicholas Meyer, this sequel is widely regarded as one of the best Star Trek films. It
